The time has come. You promised your dog that if they left the dog park early, you’d let them pick what Netflix dog documentary you watch tonight.
So, what are they going to make you watch? If you’re lucky, they’ll pick a title from one of the must-see dog documentaries on this list.
The 5 Must-See Dog Documentaries on Netflix
1. Pick of the Litter (2018)
“Pick of the Litter” covers five Labrador puppies as they undertake the 20-month training program to become blind dogs for owners who are visually impaired. The pups don’t all take to the training equally well, and there’s quite a bit of drama watching as some dogs struggle to keep up with what’s expected of them.
In the end, though, everything turns out perfectly fine as the film builds to its heartwarming conclusion.
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2. To Be of Service (2019)
“To Be of Service” is similar to “Pick of the Litter” in that it follows the lives of guide dogs, but this one packs a much heavier emotional wallop. It follows war veterans with PTSD as they struggle to reacclimate themselves to civilian life, all with the help of their emotional support dogs.
This movie is sure to hit you right in the feels, and you’ll likely find yourself getting angry at some of the treatment that these warriors have had to endure. Ultimately, though, it’s an uplifting look at the unique bond between dog and owner — and how that bond changes lives every single day.
3. Dogs (2018)
“Dogs” is actually a six-part docu-series that examines how dogs and people interact, as well as the bonds that are formed regardless of culture, class, or country. Each episode is about 50 minutes long, and they all follow a single human-canine pair as they struggle to deal with a certain obstacle in their lives.
“Dogs” straddles the line between feel-good fluff and emotional uppercut, allowing you to feel like you’re watching a real, important story without worrying about a gut punch at the end. It’s also extremely binge-worthy, so you and your mutt might be stuck on the couch for quite some time.
4. Life in the Doghouse (2018)
The story of a gay couple that operates a dog rescue out of their own home, “Life in the Doghouse” is a gripping tale about overcoming personal adversity and how we all have the power to change the world. It follows two men, Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta, as they rescue some of the most at-risk dogs in the world.
At the time of filming, the pair had saved over 10,000 dogs — all of which lived with the couple in their own home at some point. Just be careful, though — this film might prompt your dog to try to talk you into bringing home another pooch.
5. The Animal People (2019)
Produced by Academy Award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix, “The Animal People” is a bit different from the other films on this list. It doesn’t deal with dogs directly, but rather chronicles the lives of animal rights protestors who have been charged with domestic terrorism.
Many of these people were arrested for trying to shut down labs that test products and medications on dogs. This certainly isn’t a feel-good movie, but it’s one that should open your eyes to the ways that humans continue to abuse our so-called “best friend.”
Pass the Popcorn
The documentaries on this list are all very engaging, so you and your pooch won’t be bored even for a second. However, they run the gamut from cute and uplifting to hard-hitting and impactful, so the right one for your evening will depend on your mood at the time.
- Related Read: 20 Best Dog Movies on Netflix
Regardless of which one you choose, though, you’re sure to find that they bring you closer to your furry friend than ever before.
Featured Image Credit: Sommart sombutwanitkul, Shutterstock
