Customer Reviews

Nature: Dogs

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This PBS Nature series installment covers two distinct but equally impressive programs regarding the fascinating and entertaining lives of dogs and their relationships with humans.

Program 1 - Extraordinary Dogs

This first half of this feature is an in-depth look at certain working dogs, specific functions they perform, and how they utilize ingrained talents to accomplish those tasks. The specific areas explored in this regard are herding, search and rescue, historical use of canines in wartime, service dogs for the disabled, and therapy dogs for the sick and ailing.

Maybe taken for granted by many, it is thought that dogs are far more intelligent than we may realize. They often have an amazing aptitude and eagerness for whatever they're trained to do and they are at their best when engaged in activity as opposed to living a more sedentary lifestyle (like cats for instance).

Looking past the overt acts of dogs and examining the further elements of their make-up, there is no shortage of unconditional love, dedication, loyalty, companionship, and service that they provide to all of us wholeheartedly.

Program 2 - Dogs: The Early Years

With very good narration provided by John Ritter (God bless him), this second half of the feature is more instructional in manner than anything else but it is done well and is both educational and interesting. First off is an examination of puppies in their growing stages and their unique development while young. Additionally, information is shared regarding the influential times when they are most adaptable to higher learning for major skill development and obedience.

Farther along are segments covering good advice on how to properly choose a new puppy, recommendations on where to find one (such as a shelter or breeder), and ending up with some training methods and techniques and suggested timetables when to initiate these actions.

No single explanation can properly define why dogs are so talented in the special things they do and maybe it's best to leave it at that. Just the marvel of having them in our lives with the pleasure, usefulness, and enrichment we share with them is rewarding enough in itself.

If I had to describe this documentary in just a couple of words, it would be `simply wonderful'. There really wasn't anything about this feature that I didn't like and I came away from it with an increased respect and appreciation for dogs in general. To all animal lovers and even those who aren't, I highly recommend this fine piece of work to all of you.

This was a pretty good DVD, particularly the first one, which discusses the value dogs add to our lives from- service companions to herding animals and how they are trained, and what work they can be used for (such as rescuing skiers, and working with the military). While I did enjoy the DVD set, I felt it got a bit bogged down with the training aspect of the dogs especially since this is recapped again in the second DVD. I guess if I want training show I will watch the dog whisperer. It felt a bit like filler to me.

The second DVD, while filled with cute puppies was less interesting, and sort of meandered about with the family trying to decide on what dog 'works for them' and following the one girl who was training the dog for the blind. While these are worthwhile endeavors for the girl, as audience-fare it was a wee bit boring. They already covered guide-dogs for the blind in the first DVD.

I would've liked to see different dogs than simply golden retrievers and shepherds. There are many smaller dogs doing interesting things, and they omitted discussing the running dogs like whippets and greyhounds.

Overall, this was good, but not something I really think has a lot of rewatch value for me.