The Shaggy Dog (2006)

27% of critics liked it
(103 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(179,578 ratings)

An unexpected transformation helps a workaholic attorney learn that there's more to life than the courtroom in this remake of the 1959 Disney canine classic of the same name. Deputy District Attorney Dave Douglas (Tim Allen) takes his job in the halls of justice very seriously -- so seriously in… More An unexpected transformation helps a workaholic attorney learn that there's more to life than the courtroom in this remake of the 1959 Disney canine classic of the same name. Deputy District Attorney Dave Douglas (Tim Allen) takes his job in the halls of justice very seriously -- so seriously in fact that his wife and family see considerably less of their frequently-absent husband and father than they would prefer. When a case involving an animal laboratory finds the distracted dad once again taking an extended leave of absence from his frustrated family, Douglas' luck takes a turn for the worst after he is inadvertently infected by a top-secret genetic-mutation serum that transforms the two-legged lawyer into a four-legged sheepdog. Though his current situation has its drawbacks to be sure, the fly-on-the-wall perspective afforded to Douglas in his newfound state alerts the well-intending father and husband that all is not well on the home front. Moved by the unfulfilled needs of his neglected family and determined to become a better father if he can only shed his winter coat, Douglas' unique new vantage point could offer just the motivation needed to bring the nefarious forces behind the serum to justice and win back his wife and kids once and for all. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Brian Robbins
Written By: Jack Amiel, Michael Begler, Tom Brady
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 10, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Aug 1, 2006
Studio: Buena Vista

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
We've seen it a million times.
Rob Nelson, Village Voice
Disney's tried-and-true slapstick material (est. 1959) is here given a heinously unimaginative interpretation by five screenwriters and a director who manages to squander the gifts of an absurdly overqualified supporting cast.
Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail
The unruly pack of subplots make The Shaggy Dog much more convoluted than it needs to be.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
The Shaggy Dog may not make you howl, but it does offer a few bona fide belly laughs, which is more than the last few Tim Allen movies could boast.
Susan Walker, Toronto Star
This is a classic family fun fare, likely destined for sequelhood.
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
The Shaggy Dog is as good as family entertainment gets, meaning it will tickle kids while throwing the occasional bone to parents to keep them from growling.
Frank Lovece, Film Journal International
A surprisingly touching family comedy with real emotion.
Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
full review in Greek
Carolyn Arends, Christianity Today
A good-natured, sometimes silly family fun that will play especially well with the under-13 set.
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel, 3BlackChicks Review
This one has a few fleas
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...better than one might've expected, primarily due to the enthusiasm with which Allen tackles his role...
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
I still can't get my five year old to stop quoting the film: 'Is there anyone here that hasn't sniffed my butt?'
James Plath, Reel.com
Tim Allen certainly handles those doggie transformations with greater comedic zeal than Tommy Kirk did in the 1959 version.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...if it weren't for the performances of Allen and Downey, who are real troupers, there wouldn't even be a movie to talk about.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
At least Fred MacMurray had the good sense to let the co-star playing his son turn into a dog. But this is a Tim Allen picture, so he does the honors himself.
Todd Jorgenson, Denton Record Chronicle (TX)
The film just translates the basic idea for a new generation under the ill-conceived notion that it was necessary.
Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review
Five writers (Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley, Geoff Rodkey, Jack Amiel and Michael Begler) threw everything they could think of against the wall, hoping some of it would stick, but nothing did.
Rubin Safaya, Cinemalogue.com
It's an underestimation of the intelligence of your average eight year old to believe his or her rapt attention can be held for long by a film like this.
Anna Smith, Empire Magazine
Man becomes mutt in this inoffensive, uneven comedy that fails to make the most of its comic potential or familiar cast.
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
Bizarre, incomprehensible and utterly unnecessary, "The Shaggy Dog" comes bounding onto the screen with a loud soundtrack, a cute pooch, vivid colors and dozens of product placements.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Liam G

Robert Downey Jr. was good in this.
Brad W

A pretty stupid movie, Tim Allen disappoints me.
Alexander D

Awful
Bethany M

Not that great, a good family film at best.
Michael E

its not bad
KJ P

Whoever Brian Robbins is, he took 100 minutes of my life that I will never be able to get back. The Shaggy Dog is among those films that you want to walk out on, but you can't because you want to sit there to be able to make every criticism possible on a film. I saw this film 4… More
Whoever Brian Robbins is, he took 100 minutes of my life that I will never be able to get back. The Shaggy Dog is among those films that you want to walk out on, but you can't because you want to sit there to be able to make every criticism possible on a film. I saw this film 4 years ago in theaters and even then I wanted to walk out. This film sucks, and Tim Allen's career is going down the drain fast.
Richard C

a horrible movie that has hardly anything good about it. D
Jason O

I always love Tim Allen and I say forget you all for giving this awesome remake bad ratings! This movie is funny and extremely entertaining, what's wrong with you all!??
Lafe F

I liked the end credit sequence with all the photos.
Drew S

I watched this in a class I was subbing for and it was completely mindless. Not a single funny joke through the entire length.
Sanjaya &

A good comedy for the family!!! Even I haven't watch the original movie, but this remake which Brian Robbins made were great too... Tim Allen doing a good job in this movie.. And of course, gave a good laugh too for all the whole family...
Jose Z

its very good, funny, a movie you can watch with the entire family and spend a very good time
Bradley W

A pretty stupid movie, Tim Allen disappoints me.
Dillon L

I don't think Tim Allen has ever been in a good movie. If you have the intelligence of a toddler, go see it, you'll love it.
Nicolas K

This is actually remake! I hope the first take was at least decent.
Yinalí R

Lol.
Jon O

Bad. There's really nothing else to say.
Sylvester K

Stupid, stupid, stupid!!! Why make a remake with Tim Allen????????????
Jared H

Just didn't work.
Sarah P

Typical modern Disney movie...yawn.