TV Review: A Different Breed

GONE TO THE DOGS

Britons reportedly spend a whopping £5 billion pounds (almost $AU9 billion) a year pampering their pooches. But if that’s not evidence enough of their undying canine devotion, the glorious bunch of nutjobs in this tongue-in-cheek ‘observational documentary’ series from 2011 will have you believing.

In Episode 5, Katya primps and pampers her trio of poodles for a V.I.P (Very Important Poodle) birthday party replete with Swarovski crystal necklaces and Brian May bouffant. But that’s nothing next to dog boutique owner Louise who is chaperoning the seaside ‘honeymoon’ of her princess, Yorkshire Terrier Lola and the aesthetically-challenged Chinese Crested, Mugly. That’s after blowing a cool £20,000 smackers (almost $AU36,000 today) on their ‘wedding’.

"The marketing material claims the real stars are of the four-legged variety but it’s their crazy owners who are top dog here." 

The happy pupple

Meanwhile there’s a freaky theme emerging with ‘doyenne of doggy dancing’ Richard planning a ghoulish performance piece involving a sprung-loaded coffin (gulp) and some fledgling canine psychics divine that a passed pooch enjoyed a variety of foods. Spookily insightful.

And standout doggy devotees, the barking mad radio show hosts Jo and Anna (slightly dim Bulldog Matilda and flatulent Miniature Bull Terrier Molly are their ‘fur kids’) bumble their way through controversy judging a provincial dog show.

The marketing material claims the real stars are of the four-legged variety but just like the splendid mockumentary Best In Show it’s their crazy owners who are top dog here. Dog puns, out.

A Different Breed airs Friday at 8.45pm (AEST) on ABC2 and you can catch up on some episodes on iview.