Dogs, Dogs, and More Dogs: My Thoughts on Dogging it Around the World

Is this for you?

If you want a plot, look elsewhere. If you just want to see some very fancy, very well-groomed dogs from a hundred years ago, then pull up a chair. 🐕

People who need a narrative arc or actual character development will probably find this boring. It’s just dogs. Lots of dogs.

The Vibe

There is something inherently funny about the way these old films capture animals. They treat these prize dogs like they’re the biggest celebrities on the planet. Lew Lehr is doing the heavy lifting here with the commentary, and it’s… a lot. He has that classic, rapid-fire delivery that makes everything sound like a major state secret.

I found myself wondering if these dogs knew they were being filmed. Probably not. They were too busy being brushed.

Oddly Specific Notes

• The grooming standards back then were intense. Some of these poodles look like they spent more time in the salon than I spend awake in a week.
• The camera angles are surprisingly decent, considering the age. They really wanted to show off the stature of these champs.
• The silence in the background of some of these shots is haunting, like you can almost hear the crowd murmuring if you turn the volume up high enough.

It’s a strange little slice of life. It’s definitely not as dramatic as the plot of Chain Lightning, but it has its own weird charm. It’s kind of like watching a very old, very specific Rambling 'Round Radio Row #2, but with more barking and less jazz.

Honestly, the whole thing feels a bit like a fever dream of a suburban dog park in the 1920s. You’re just sitting there, watching a terrier walk in circles, and suddenly twenty minutes have passed. I don't know why, but I couldn't look away from the way one specific bulldog was just... staring at the camera. He looked like he knew something we didn't.

Don’t go in expecting a masterpiece of cinema. Go in expecting to see some really nice coats on some really good boys. It hits the spot if you're feeling nostalgic for a world you never lived in. 🐾