Firehouse Dog parents guide

Firehouse Dog Parent Guide

Overall B+

It is anything but "a dog's life" for a pampered pup that earns his keep doing stunts in movies. But then the celebrity accidentally gets lost. When he is found by a stray kid (Josh Hutcherson) and his single dad (Bruce Greenwood), the Hollywood hound's career takes a new direction --as the mascot for the local fire station.

Release date April 3, 2007

Violence B-
Sexual Content A-
Profanity B+
Substance Use B

Why is Firehouse Dog rated PG? The MPAA rated Firehouse Dog PG for sequences of action peril, some mild crude humor and language.

Run Time: 111 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Some might say the movie industry is a dog-eat-dog business. But when it comes to the animal world, canines appear to have long life on the big screen. Whether itÕs a realistic life journey like Far From Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog or an outlandish tale like The Shaggy Dog, pooches continue to paw their way on to center stage. And while Firehouse Dog comes with a generous share of exaggerated computer-animated stunts, it is more than your average mutt movie.

As a celebrity, Rexxx the wonder dog lives in the lap of luxury. The star of such movie blockbusters as “The Fast and the Furriest” and “Jurassic Bark” is used to being pampered and preened. But when a movie stunt goes wrong, the animal actor finds himself lost and muddy on the city streets.

After outwitting a pound officer, he wanders through the back alleys wearing a movie prop tag that identifies him as Dewey until he runs into Shane Fahey (Josh Hutcherson), son of firefighter Connor Fahey (Bruce Greenwood). Troubled by the recent death of his uncle, Shane is AWOL from school and his problems with lying, stealing and skipping class are indications he isn’t adjusting well. Yet he’s not the only one who is mourning. All the officers on Engine 55 (Bill Nunn, Scotch Ellis Loring, Mayte Garcia, Teddy Sears) are struggling with the untimely demise of their former captain and their mascot. But with city officials threatening to close the station, everyone is under pressure to pick up the performance.

However, Dewey’s arrival doesn’t instantly improve the circumstances at the fire hall. The coddled canine misses his former owner (Dash Mihok) and his lavish lifestyle. Shane, on the other hand, isn’t particularly happy with the new responsibility of caring for the pooch. Only after he discovers Dewey’s (enhanced) tricks does he give the dog a second look.

While the movie’s trailers promise plenty of amazing animal antics, parents should be cautioned the script also contains a more serious storyline. Shane is haunted by nightmares of his uncle’s accident. As well, a suspected arsonist is on the loose in the neighborhood and there are several explosive building fires, one in which the young boy is caught.

Still, this Firehouse Dog manages to worm his way into the station and bring a renewed enthusiasm to the staff. For families, with older children who can suspend reality, Dewey will likely win their hearts as well.

Starring Josh Hutcherson, Bruce Greenwood. Running time: 111 minutes. Theatrical release April 3, 2007. Updated

Firehouse Dog
Rating & Content Info

Why is Firehouse Dog rated PG? Firehouse Dog is rated PG by the MPAA for sequences of action peril, some mild crude humor and language.

After a firefighting accident claims the life of his uncle, Shane Fahey is troubled by nightmares. He also lies on occasion, skips school and steals his confiscated electronic game out of his father’s locker. At the station, tensions rise among the firefighters when city officials threaten to close them down. In the course of the movie, an animal falls from a plane, jumps several stories from a burning building and runs into a fire-engulfed hall to rescue an unconscious boy. An arsonist is shown making explosives to start fires. Later he is punched in face by an angry firefighter. After arriving at the station, Dewey (the dog) climbs on the dinner table and defecates in the stew. The script includes brief profanities, some crude jokes and doggie flatulence.

Page last updated

Firehouse Dog Parents' Guide

Both Shane and his father are saddened by the loss of their uncle and brother but have a difficult time communicating it. How does each of them deal with their grief? What helps them move on with their lives?

Connor takes time to point out his son’s good qualities to him. Why is it important for parents and adults to acknowledge the abilities of youth? How does Dewey change the way that Shane feels about himself?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Firehouse Dog movie is July 31, 2007. Here are some details…

Firehouse Dog finds his way onto DVD, along with a few bonus bones, such as alternate and deleted scenes, the theatrical trailer, as well as a Dogster Montage and Rex’s Poster Gallery. Other tasty tidbits include behind the scenes glimpses (Loft Fire: Storyboard to Screen and FMC Special Casting Rexx), and the featurettes Dog Treats and True Hollywoof Story. Audio tracks are available in Dolby Digital 5.1 (English) and Dolby Digital Surround (French and Spanish), with subtitles in English and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

A friendless, young boy who is bullied at school gains a confidant and buddy when his mother brings home a little pooch in My Dog Skip. After a man and his grandson find an abused animal and nurse him back to health, the canine becomes an important part of the family in A Dog Of Flanders.