Greatest American Dog is an American reality television series on CBS. It debuted on July 10, 2008 and was hosted by Jarod Miller with judges Victoria Stilwell, Allan Reznik, and Wendy Diamond. The winner was given the title of "Greatest American Dog" and a prize of $250,000.
Episode format
Each episode had a theme, such as "teamwork" or "loyalty," that was tested through two different challenges.
The winner of the first challenge, the "Dog Bone Challenge," receives deluxe accommodations within the Canine Academy (similar to the "Head of Household" suite on CBS' Big Brother). In addition, for the first four weeks, the winner of the challenge got to send one of the other teams to the "Dog House," a much smaller building with few amenities. For the remaining weeks, the winner received a "leg up," some form of assistance that would help the contestant in the second challenge.
In that second challenge, the "Best in Show Challenge," the teams are evaluated by the judges. The judges then choose one or more winners (except for Week 1), and place three teams in the "bottom three." Of those three, the judges then choose the team they feel had the worst performance; that team is then "expelled" from Canine Academy.
Episode progress Owner & Dog 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Dog Bone Challenge Winner JD & GalaxyTravis & PresleyTravis & Presley, Brandy & Beacon JD & GalaxyBill & Star1Teresa & Leroy1Bill & Star, Travis & PresleyLaurie & AndrewTeresa & Leroy No Challenge Travis Brorsen & Presley IN IN WIN IN LOW IN LOW LOW LOW WINNER Laurie WilliamsBlumenstock, Kathy. "Unleashing Their Talent: Two Area Dogs Vie to Become Nation's 'Greatest'", The Washington Post, July 6, 2008; Page Y05 & Andrew IN IN LOW IN WIN LOW IN LOW WIN RUNNER-UP JD PlattK9 Kings official site & Galaxy IN IN WIN WIN IN LOW IN WIN LOW EX2 Teresa Hanula & Leroy IN IN IN LOW IN WIN WIN IN EX Bill McFarlinKLTV.com (ABC affiliate Tyler-Longview-Jacksonville, Texas: "McFarlin, Star Continue To Shine on "Greatest American Dog", July 24, 2008Pam Smith, The Palestine (Texas) Herald-Press : "Bill & Star: 'Greatest American Dog' airs on Wednesdays on CBS", August 17, 2008 & Star IN WIN WIN IN IN IN LOW EX Beth Joy KnutsenPlans for Pups: Beth Joy Knutsen & Bella Starlet LOW LOW WIN IN IN IN EX Laura NativoPrestonCasanova.com official site & Preston IN IN WIN IN LOW EX Brandy Yant & Beacon LOW IN IN LOW EX Ron Davis & Tillman IN IN LOW EX David Best & Elvis IN LOW EX Elan HagensDeb Wood. "I promise: Elan is a really nice person." OregonLive.com, July 22, 2008. & Kenji IN EX Michael Piper-Younie & Ezzie (a.k.a. Esmerelda) EX
1 - In episode 5, Teresa & Leroy won the Dog Bone Challenge, but gave it to Bill & Star. In episode 6, Bill & Star won, but returned the favor, giving it to Teresa & Leroy. 2 - In episode 10, JD & Galaxy were eliminated after a preliminary interview, and did not take part in the final obstacle course/interview.
(WINNER) The owner/dog won the series and was crowned Greatest American Dog. (WIN) The owner/dog won that episode's Best In Show Challenge.
(LOW) The owner/dog was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge, but was not expelled. (EX) The owner/dog lost that week's Elimination Challenge and was expelled from the competition. (IN) The owner/dog neither won nor lost that week's Elimination Challenge. They also were not nominated for expulsion.
Ratings # Air Date Rating Share 18-49 Viewers Viewers + SD Weekly Rank 1 July 10, 2008 6.2 12 2.1/8 (#1) 8.22 (#1) 9.46 (#1) #5 2 July 17, 2008 4.6 8 1.6/ 7.00 (#2) 3 July 24, 2008 4.6 9 1.5 5.1 6.9
All ratings based on Nielsen unless specified
Episode guide
Here's To Man and Woman's Best Friend!
Original Air Date: July 10, 2008
The twelve competing dogs and their owners arrive at Canine Academy and meet each other for the first time. The theme for this episode was 'The Basics'.
Dog Bone Challenge: Doggy Musical Chairs Similar to the human version of musical chairs, the dogs and their owners had to walk around a line of pedestals (the "chairs") while music was playing. There was a white line circling the chairs that the owners were not allowed to cross. The dogs were permitted to walk wherever they chose. When the music stopped, the owner had to direct their dog to get up onto a chair and sit. There were fewer chairs than contestants, so the last dog standing was out of the challenge. JD & Galaxy won this challenge, and placed David & Elvis in the Dog House.
Best in Show Challenge: The Talent Show A chance to demonstrate the dogs' basic skills, the contestants and their dogs had to perform a themed skit in groups of four. The judges evaluated individual performances and how well the owner interacted with their dog.
Team Aloha Bark 'n Wag High Disco Dogs Teresa & Leroy Beth Joy & Bella Starlet Michael & Ezzie JD & Galaxy Brandy & Beacon Elan & Kenji Bill & Star David & Elvis Laurie & Andrew Laura & Preston Travis & Presley Ron & Tillman
The bottom three were Brandy & Beacon, Beth Joy & Bella Starlet, and Michael & Ezzie. Beth Joy was told her performance was disappointing when she lost control over Bella Starlet. Brandy was chastised for physically manipulating Beacon when Beacon wouldn't listen to Brandy's commands. Michael was told that his own performance overshadowed and overwhelmed Ezzie, who was having difficulty focusing.
Dog Bone Winners: JD & Galaxy Bottom three: Brandy & Beacon, Beth Joy & Bella Starlet, Michael & Ezzie Expelled: Michael & Ezzie
He's a Farter, Not a Fighter
Original Air Date: July 17, 2008
Things grow a little tense at Canine Academy when Elvis has a small fight with Tillman and bites his eye. Elvis' owner, David, seems very passive about his dog's actions. Star suffers an injury to her neck and ear, and she has to be brought into an emergency vet to be stitched up. The cause of the injury seems to be unknown, though the vet suggests it may have been a feral cat. Star recovers with a bit of rest and relaxation. The theme for this week's competitions was 'Obedience'.
Dog Bone Challenge: Doggy Boot Camp The dogs and their owners formed a "drill line", and Jarod gave a command to be performed in a certain time limit. The owners and dogs that didn't successfully complete the command within the allotted amount of time were out. The commands required were 'come', 'sit', 'stay' as they walked a circle around the dog, 'shake' with the dog's right paw, 'back up', 'circle right', and finally, 'circle left' followed by 'circle right. Travis & Presley won this challenge, and put JD & Galaxy in the Dog House.
Best in Show Challenge: "Pet"-iquette This challenge was set at a makeshift restaurant called 'Bone Appétit' inside the Best In Show Arena. The judging criteria for the challenge were how well the dog executes the commands, dog manners, and grooming and appearance. The competitors were divided into two groups for the challenge. The owners first had to walk their dogs past the judges in the 'heel' position to allow the judges to assess the dog's grooming. They would then take a seat at the table with the rest of their group. The wait staff then brought in trays of food to tempt the dogs, while their owners asked them to 'leave it'. The final task required the dogs to 'sit' and 'stay' as their owners circled around the table. This week also introduced one pair being announced as 'Best in Show' by performing exceptionally well. Bill & Star won Best in Show in the "Pet"-iquette challenge.
The bottom three were Elan & Kenji, Beth Joy & Bella Starlet, and David & Elvis. David was told that his particular use of hand signals was confusing and distracting. Elan was told that her communication with Kenji was confusing and stressful to Kenji. She was also told that she was bordering on being harsh with her dog. Beth Joy had put Bella Starlet in a dress that covered most of her body, which resulted in the judges being unable to evaluate her grooming.
Dog Bone Winners: Travis & Presley Best in Show: Bill & Star Bottom three: Beth Joy & Bella Starlet, David & Elvis, Elan & Kenji Expelled: Elan & Kenji
The Fast and the Furriest
Original Air Date: July 24, 2008
Elvis proves that he can 'play nice' with both Andrew and Tillman. The theme for this episode's competitions was 'Teamwork'.
Dog Bone Challenge: Tangled Leash The contestants and their dogs had to work in pairs that were randomly selected. They were faced with an obstacle course with five sections that had leashes tangled identically throughout them. The dogs were hooked up to the leashes at each section, and, with the help of the other owner, had to guide their two dogs through the course verbally. Touching the dogs was prohibited. The first team to finish would win the competition and the Dog Bone Suite. Travis & Presley and Brandy & Beacon won this challenge, and put Laurie & Andrew in the Dog House.
Best in Show Challenge: The Fast and the Furriest The competitors were split into two teams of five and had to complete six tasks in a relay race. The tasks, in order, were a frisbee throw, a set of five hoops, pushing a cart, a multi-level teeter-totter follow by a maze, a set of tunnels, and a sled pull where one dog rode the sled and the other four pulled it. As the Dog Bone Challenge winners, Brandy and Travis were the captains of the two teams and picked their other four members. Below is a table describing which dog completed which task. Travis' team won the Best in Show challenge.
Frisbee Hoops Cart Push Maze Tunnels Sled Rider Team Travis Galaxy Bella Starlet Presley Star Preston Presley Team Brandy Leroy Andrew Tillman Elvis Beacon Andrew
The bottom three were David & Elvis, Ron & Tillman, and Laurie & Andrew. David had run Elvis over the teeter-totters on leash (all of the other dogs were off leash), and the judges agreed that Elvis may have performed better off-leash as well. The judges told Ron that they didn't see any teamwork between him and Tillman that week. Laurie was chastised for tearing a larger hole in the paper on the last hoop to give Andrew an easier time, as it was an unfair advantage.
Dog Bone Winners: Travis & Presley, Brandy & Beacon Best in Show: Team Travis Bottom three: Ron & Tillman, Laurie & Andrew, David & Elvis Expelled: David & Elvis
Top Dog Model
Original Air Date: July 30, 2008
The friendship between Laura and Travis continues to blossom, and Brandy seems jealous of it. Many of the contestants begin to stress over the Best in Show challenge. The theme this week is 'Personality'.
Dog Bone Challenge: Take It or Leave It The dogs and their owners competed at the same time in nine separate lanes. They were shown an item, and the owner had to predict whether their dog would take that item or leave it. If their dog didn't do what they had predicted, the pair was out. The owners were allowed to encourage the dog to go see the item, but not allowed to command them to pick it up. The items in succession were a piece of steak, a stick, and tofu. JD & Galaxy won this challenge, and put Travis & Presley in the Dog House.
Best in Show Challenge: Photo Shoot The dogs were given a photo shoot with a professional photographer. Each contestant had to pick an envelope from a bowl. The envelope had a word inside of it, and the dog had to portray that personality trait in their photo shoot. The judges looked at how the owners worked with their dogs in order to convey the personality trait they chose. JD & Galaxy won Best in Show for this challenge. The judges praised JD's incorporation of both breeds in Galaxy (pointer and border collie) to achieve her photo. The picture will be placed in an upcoming issue of Dog Fancy magazine courtesy of Allan Reznik.
JD & Galaxy Sneaky Bill & Star Stubborn Beth Joy & Bella Starlet Mischievous Teresa & Leroy Angry Laurie & Andrew Curious Travis & Presley Joyous Brandy & Beacon Loving Laura & Preston Regal Ron & Tillman Lazy