The Shaggy Dog1959The Shaggy Dog
1959
Teenage Wilby Daniels picks up an old ring in a museum and suddenly turns into a big, shaggy sheepdog, which is a problem, since his father the mailman can't stand dogs. While trying to change back, Wilby the dog stumbles onto a ring of spies.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A goofy, good-natured comedy about a boy turned sheepdog who ends up foiling a spy ring, and a dog-hating father who comes to see his son, and the dog, in a new light.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
A father fires a shotgun to scare off a dog (no harm), and there are Cold War spy villains and a magical transformation. Wilby's gruff, dismissive father comes around by the end.
The Shaggy Dog (1959)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did Mr. Daniels dislike dogs so much?
- What would you do if you turned into a dog for a day?
- How did Wilby stop the spies?
- Who was the hero at the end?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 6+: a shotgun fired to scare away a dog (unhurt); mild peril.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
The Shaggy Dog (Wild & Woolly Edition) (1959)
DVD · March 7, 2006
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.