Get ready to “sit” and “stay” in front of your television sets this summer – CBS is bringing you the greatest of all pet shows! What promises to be the hottest new reality show, Greatest American Dog, gives you a close-and-personal glimpse into the ultimate dog competition.
Greatest American Dog is a cross between Big Brother and American Idol – both dog parents and their pooches go through episodes of training, competing, winning treats and eliminations – and of course, all the spontaneous drama that comes along with it! Wendy Diamond, one of the three judges, and Animal Fair’s founder and editor chuckled, “There weren’t any cats in the house, but there were definitely some catfights!”
The show features twelve hand-picked dog and owner pairs living together in one house to compete for the ultimate title: their dog is crowned the Greatest American Dog plus the pair takes home a huge treat, a $250,000 cash prize. This American Idol-esque competition (minus the singing!) is whittled down with elimination challenges each week, as viewers are brought closer and closer to the winning doggie duo!
Who decides which dog is the Greatest? Hosted by zoologist and TV personality Jarod Miller, and comprised of a three judge panel, including of the top names in the dog world: breeder, trainer, handler (and more!), Allan Reznik and world-renown dog trainer Victoria Stilwell take the table alongside Lucky Diamond, the only dog on the judging panel (with, of course, her sidekick, Wendy Diamond). Lucky has been preparing herself for all the extra exposure and pup-arazzi that might follow.
This competition is truly dog-eat-dog! While competitions like the Westminster Dog Show base their judging on strict guidelines of breed, grooming and training, CBS’ Greatest American Dog will mark the first show on network television that explores the actual relationship between pet and parent. In Search of Puppy Love, Wendy Diamond’s hilarious and informative documentary, also explores this relationship. “There really is no bad dog, just like there’s no “bad” man (or woman),” Diamond says, “It’s the personality you want in one!”
Most prestigious dog shows base judging on a breed’s “standard,” or the ideal specimen of that breed. General appearance, temperament, and characteristics as specific as eye color and shape, tail shape, and ear placement are parts of this breed club standard, and it gets very picky! But Greatest American Dog takes on a whole new judging technique: “This show is not about a pedigree with a pedicure – even mutts can compete!” says Diamond.
This is a huge step for dog shows around the globe, proving that pureness of breed doesn’t make for a “better” pooch. Whether the dog is a fancy breed, pageant-trained or simply trained at home, the winner will be chosen by the unconditional love, respect, loyalty and commitment they share with their pooch – true Puppy Love!
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