Pick of the Litter

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1:49

Pick of the Litter

2018

1h 21m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Following five spirited puppies from the moment they're born through their quest to become guide dogs for the blind.

Critics Consensus

Pick of the Litter has all the fluffy adorableness audiences expect from a puppy documentary, along with a story that's as edifying as it is heartwarming.

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Jamie Ludwig

Chicago Reader

03/04/2020

Though it could benefit from more context and history of guide dogs and a little less walk footage, the film offers compelling insight into a process most know little about-and whether they make the cut or not, there's a happy ending for every dog.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

05/19/2019

2/5

In a tussle between the appeal of the subject and the plodding banality of the approach, the pups are ultimately the losers.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

05/17/2019

4/5

Yes, the structural constraints and the emotional rhythms of reality TV competition shows are all over this, but it's mostly irresistible.

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Cory Woodroof

615 Film

06/15/2022

I watched this with my dog last night, who didn’t bark at the screen once. I got very emotional for a variety of reasons. I think my dog enjoyed it?

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Linda Cook

OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)

05/07/2021

3/4

'Pick of the Litter' is doggone cute.

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Candice McMillan

Seattle Refined

01/28/2021

Because the world is in an especially confusing flux of awful, and there is something beautiful in the uncomplicated, slightly informative and demurely delightful documentary about our favorite four-legged friends.

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Megan D

@Moobegoob Feb 5

The high-school kid was vile to his puppy, pinching it etc. Infuriating to watch, he absolutely shouldn't be responsible for a puppy.

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Furry G

@RT01571703 02/09/2025

Pick of the Litter is recommended viewing by the Assistance Dogs of Hawaii for everyone who will be raising their puppies and preparing them to be service dogs. They are asked to watch this before they receive their puppies for training. This documentary is not just an entertainment piece but helps new puppy raisers to know what they will be getting into and shows new and experienced puppy raisers how to do certain activities such as "cradling" the puppy when conditioning it to having its nails trimmed. I would recommend it to anyone who will be getting a puppy - whether they are getting their first puppy or have decades of puppy experience. (disclaimer: I am not with the ADH but have a friend who is and am so glad she told me about this documentary).

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Mariana A

@RT15903279 03/30/2024

Aww! Great storytelling. It was the cutest game show with a nice balance of informative and heartwarming moments. It made me reflect with gratitude on the beauty of love and friendship that shows up in our connections with other intelligent animals.

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Paul J

@RT31168009 03/29/2024

As long as you don't mind tragic/super sad endings, it's a pretty good time!

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08/04/2022

I am livid. My 7yo was watching this and I assumed it was a safe show for her to watch. It's just puppies being trained as service animals, right? Nope. One guy comes on and starts talking about being transsexual, ect. What the actual hell. We had to have a talk with our child about this crap. Never again will we watch this show and Disney + in general is really close to being canceled.

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tom m

@RT96790832 01/09/2022

The litter they followed were black/yellow labs. Molly was visiting at the time and many of them really looked like Molly. That made it interesting. Interesting and engaging.

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Dana Nachman

Director

Don Hardy

Director

Dana Nachman

Writer

Dan Braun

Executive Producer

Ian Reinhard

Executive Producer

Don Hardy

Producer

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Pick of the Litter: Trailer 1

1:49

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Synopsis

Following five spirited puppies from the moment they're born through their quest to become guide dogs for the blind.

Director: Dana Nachman, Don Hardy
Producer: Don Hardy, Dana Nachman
Screenwriter: Dana Nachman
Distributor: Sundance Selects
Production Co: KTF Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 31, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 31, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $532.2K
Runtime: 1h 21m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital