192. Pick Of The Litter; movie review

PICK OF THE LITTER
Cert PG
79 mins

BBFC advice: Contains mild bad language

We have never had a dog but be sure if we ever did, it would be a Labrador Retriever. They such a gorgeous breed.
I was even more convinced of this after watching Dana Nachman and Don Hardy's Pick Of The Litter - a compelling documentary about how a puppy is trained to become a blind person's guide dog - or not.
I had no idea that canines are born into service because they are the sons and daughters of breeding dogs.
However, good genetics do not mean it is a certainty that the pups will turn into reliable companions for blind people.
This film shows the strict hurdles which every dog needs to overcome in order for them to make the grade and the incredible care that those at Guide Dogs For The Blind take over whether they pass muster.
Of course, they don't cast off dogs who don't make it - they are either given to caring owners or have 'career changes' - for example, some go on to be helpers for diabetic people.

Anyway, we see five puppies handed out to raisers after they are born to the same mother at the charity's headquarters.
The raisers begin their training on day one and we see them being closely monitored by the experts to make sure both they and the dogs are on track.
This is tougher than it may seem. For starters, the raisers become emotionally attached to dogs even though the maximum they will own them is just 16 months.
Indeed, some of them aren't even allowed the keep them that long. We see devoted people who have to give up their dogs early because they are not keeping up with the programme and the animals are then handed over to folk with more experience.
There is no room for sentiment in the training of a guide dog because the animals need to be their future owners' eyes.
Only at its very end, when they are introduced to their lifetime companion, do we really understand how important the journey is and why the training is so rigorous.
Pick Of The Litter shows Guide Dogs For the Blind are right to be very tough but not cruel to be kind.

Reasons to watch: Fascinating insight into the training of a guide dog
Reasons to avoid: Is a tad repetitive

Laughs: A couple of chuckles
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? Guide Dogs for the Blind was established in 1942 in response to the need for service dogs to help wounded servicemen that were coming back blind from World War II. The first building it operated in was a rented house in Los Gatos, California.

The final word. Dana Nachman: "We followed the dogs for 22 months. It was a roller coaster ride, and we never knew what was going to happen. We were always on pins and needles when we were out shooting, and just praying that at least one dog would eventually make it. It was stressful!"

Share this post