PICK OF THE LITTER

Pick of the Litter, a “dogumentary” about puppies becoming guide dogs is not a tear jerking telethon marketing exercise. It is far better than that. It is a delightful, irresistible and interesting documentary. It is a story of love, struggle, competition, resilience and cuteness.

For the story, directors Dana Nachman and Don Hardy follow five puppies from birth through their quest to become guide dogs for the blind. It is an intense almost two-year journey as they train to become dogs whose ultimate responsibility is to protect their blind partners from harm. In their quest they are supported by an array of dedicated individuals who train them to do amazing, life-changing things in the service of their human. The stakes are high and not every dog can make the cut. Only the best, only the pick of the litter.

The film has already won Audience Awards in the 2018 Omaha and the Cinequest Film Festivals as well as being in the Official Selection in the 2018 Hotdocs and the Slamdance Film Festival. Both Nachman and Hardy have won numerous awards previously and co-directed the feature docs The Human Experiment, Witch Hunt, and Love Hate Love.

The film starts by introducing us to clients who require guide dogs and the great value to their lives the dogs bring. We then meet the new litter. We witness the birth of the five puppies, Patriot, Phil, Poppet, Potomac and Primrose.

We see their early activity programs at the dog kennel, and meet their Raisers, a diverse group of ordinary people who foster the young pups. One in particular is a ‘young pup’ himself. We marvel at these people’s generosity and their own relationships and development. We acknowledge their motivations which include helping their own well-being and having family experience with blindness. Their Raisers “get them to high school” and at 16 months they “go to college” back with trainers. The dogs are reviewed every three months, for skill, behaviour and attitude. Back with the trainers they go through a medical and are assessed as: fit for the final part of guide dog training or becoming a breeder or being “career changed”.

Viewers naturally pick favourites, and have been known to cheer for their selection. The competition waxes and wanes over the months, until the pick of the litter are paired with their final human owners. These clients wait in nervous expectation for their “blind date”, hoping for compatibility.

Helen Long’s music score keeps the attention focussed and tension high throughout from birth to graduation.

PICK OF THE LITTER is recommended for all ages who want to be entertained and educated with lots of love and heartfelt ‘wow’ moments.