i don't think anyone but a hardcore Disneyphile would make a argument for this as great cinema. however there is enough adorable doggie scenes to make it memorable. hardly the outstanding family classic that 'Old Yeller' is, but it's still one of the cutest 'doggie' flicks produced.when the movie begins with footage of the newborn puppies in a box at the vet's with their eyes still unopened, any true dog fancier is going to get to get hooked in a little. the cuteness doesn't end with the sleepy newborns, it just keeps coming in major doses. Disney always did make some of the most satisfying "animal lover" films of all Hollywood products. this film is most certainly commercial product then actual cinema, but it knows what it's selling and it does it with economy and efficiency. probably not as easy as it appears on screen given the extremely lightweight subject matter.i saw this film a couple of times while growing up and was curious to see it again after many years. i was pleasantly surprised that it offered more for the adult viewer than i had remembered. there are no children's roles in this movie, which is a good thing since it mostly aims for a "kiddie flick" audience and it's taste in comedy is purposely low brow and slapstick in order to appeal to the younger set.not that the slapstick chaos isn't funny. as a kid i always thought this film was a real hoot. now that i'm much older i was surprised that the "canine comedics" actually seemed funnier and even a bit more real. as a pet owner myself for many years, i can only attest to the destructiveness and trying behavior of household pets. especially undisciplined and untrained ones. the evolution of Great Dane Brutus from overgrown oafish slob to champion dog show society, was very amusing and all too real. especially in the hilarious moment when he leaps onto the bed with Suzanne Pleshette in order to gain attention from the little Daschunds she is coddling.even though the adult relationship between Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette is one dimensional and superficial, it is adult enough to distract older audience from all the canine cuteness. there are even some good statements about sharing and equality in married relationships that are accurate and insightful enough as to be a learning experience for more mature viewers. not to mention Jones and Pleshette are likable and charming and very "human". their "humaness" seems especially essential to a film where the doggies are the true stars.competently handled by Disney director Norman Tokar, the movie holds true even today and is a primed example of efficiency if not ground breaking cinema.Disney always did warmth and sentimentality better than most of the other studios which tended to shy away from such congeniality. something essential when making a film not just about animals, but about our ever lovable, and sometimes annoying, household pets which are so near and dear to so many of us.

The Ugly Dachshund is a fun family film for dog lovers, especially Dachshund or Great Dane fanciers. It is both a charming dog movie, as well as a romantic comedy.Mark (Dean Jones) and Fran Garrison (Suzanne Pleshette) are dog lovers, with Fran's choice breed being Dachshunds. After Fran's blue ribbon dog Danca has a litter of three female puppies, Mark begins to feel overwhelmed by the "girly" dogs. But when Mark goes to pick up Danca and her pups, he finds the vet Doc Pruitt (Charles Ruggles) trying to feed a rejected runt from his Great Dane's litter. After some persuasive suggestions, Mark takes the puppy home with his wife's dog so she can wet nurse him. Even when grown, the Great Dane Brutus doesn't seem to understand he is any different from his adoptive family. Brutus' clumsiness and the doxies' mischievous natures regularly wreak hilarious havoc on the home and lives of their owners. The dogs often cause discord and conflict, as they both blame the other's dog(s) for all the problems. But eventually the entire family, human and canine, find a way to live together.It's a fun and silly to watch, just a lighthearted family movie. A must for anyone who has a Great Dane or Dachshund!

This movie is full of both gags, and tear jerking moments. It starts off with Mark Garrison (Dean Jones) and his wife Fran (Suzanne Pleshette) taking their Dachsund Dante to the vet. She is having pups. Well she gives birth to four puppies. The vet, Dr. Pruitt (Charlie Ruggles) gets Mark's attention by telling him about a sickly Great Dane puppy that has been abandoned by his mother.To make a long story short, Mark takes the pup home, it grows and makes a huge mess. Towards the end of the movie Mark shows everyone (including his wife Fran) that Brutus, the Great Dane, isn't just a confused dog that thinks it's a Dachsund, but a friend that needs to be understood.I was really shocked, because I loved dogs, and this movie really got me into the Dachsund and Great Dane breed. It was really good, but it wasn't great. I have to rate it at a 5, because of it's age and all that.

This movie is excellent. Funny gags throughout the film and just a great comedic story. If you are a dog lover than you will be an "Ugly Dachshund" fan. The dogs are adorable and the actors do their part to make this wonderful family comedy. Totally under-rated.I suggest sitting down a group of young kids and asking them what they think of it, I'll bet that the movie keeps their attention from beginning to end. This is a classic Disney movie on the same level as the "Love Bug" series and all of the other great film s released by the company during those years.I recommend "The Ugly Dachshund" to anyone who loves family movies. *****