Dog competitions are understandably the highlight of the dog breeding world, but onlookers may baulk at the absurdity of the events, the levels of grooming, along with rigorous training required. Talking animals have always been a crowd-pleaser; throw in a police caper, and you have a winning combination. In 2018, law and justice were given a canine instinct, while presenting their best sides to the judges in Show Dogs.

When an F.B.I. agent, Frank, and an N.Y.P.D. police dog, Max, get more than their wires crossed during a botched operation to apprehend animal smugglers. They end up letting the cargo, the cute baby panda called Ling, get away. Hope is however not lost as the Canini Invitational looks like it might be a promising lead. The extravagant dog show is known for attracting the big names in the animal breeding scene, who might have an interest in the cub. So Max and Frank go undercover as contestants and get introduced to the eccentric personalities related to the competition circuit. As they try to find their footing, find love, and find the missing Panda.

It would not be an animated film without a plethora of well-known names, and Show Dogs lives up to its name by trotting out the best of them, with the likes of Alan Cummings, RuPaul, et al. all giving it their all. Being a competitive dog shows allows Show Dogs to show off different breeds, and the aforementioned voice actors feel like a good fit for the breeds that are selected. The film is not just for the dogs, as the other animals jump in on the action. Such as the pigeon fan club of Max (and the way they commentate on Max’s escapades), Along with the human personalities that attend the Canini Invitational. Especially, what we do see of Ling, the missing panda, has been digitally enhanced to be the most adorable panda cub on the planet.

The charming antics of the duo is what will draw the audiences in though, and while cop-dog comedies are plentiful, Show Dogs is unique in what it brings to the judges. The film smartly never states if Frank ever understood his partner’s voice, but Max can understand Frank, Leading to some hilarious situations. The brunt of the live-action entertainment comes from Will Arnett, who is a master at extracting humour from serious personas and dispositions associated with the F.B.I. Working well in conjunction with Ludacris who lends in New York Rottweiler a certain quality. In short, if a New York police dog could talk, Max is exactly how you expect the dog to both sound and act.

A family-focused film, with a bit more of an attitude, Show Dogs is a light-hearted, but respectful, look into the world of professional dog grooming, and a fun caper to be enjoyed by all. Adding another chapter in the canine law enforcement pantheon, with another winning chronicle of man and dog teaming up to make a delightful double act. The almost ensemble-like quality of the other stars goes a long way in bringing a bark that certainly lives up to its bite. Show Dogs presents a stunning case to be the best in the show.

If you want more positive reviews delivered to the e-mail box of your choice, you can click on that little text bubble at the bottom of the screen. Do you agree or disagree? or have a suggestion for another pop-culture artefact that needs a positive light shone on it? Leave a comment in the comment box below! But remember to keep it positive!