We Don’t Deserve Dogs: a Film Celebrating the Human-Canine Bond

If Netflix had a category for ‘pet parents’, We Don’t Deserve Dogs would be at the top of the must-watch list. The documentary examines the deep bonds that exist between dogs and humans, as depicted by the filmmaker’s masterful camera work. 

Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker traveled to 11 countries including Chile, Uganda, Nepal, Finland and Romania, to capture intimate portraits of both common and extraordinary relationships between people and the dogs they love. The viewer soon discovers that the U.S. does not have a monopoly on canine affection, nor on the ways we indulge our pups; a dog birthday party in Lima, Peru, makes that point quite clearly. As does footage of the “day of the dogs” in Nepal, an annual event during which they are showered with flowers, colorful powders and treats.

In sharp contrast to dogs’ traditional roles in the fields and on farms, the film demonstrates the many ways dogs have been placed into service in the modern world. For example, in Finland, assistance dogs help children learn to read, and in northern Uganda, they comfort former child soldiers suffering from PTSD. The stories are intimate and personal, and so off-the-beaten-path that it’s hard not to wonder how the filmmakers found these people and these dogs. Another thought on the incongruous title: Perhaps the irony is purposeful, as so many of the film’s stories underscore just how much the people featured truly deserve the companionship of the dogs in their lives. The shared bond they eloquently express is deep; clearly, if anyone deserves canine love, it is these individuals. Their life-affirming connections to the animals are well earned. 

Or perhaps the title is a swipe at the short but disturbing segment toward the end of the film that addresses the Vietnamese dog-meat trade. A purveyor speaks matter-of-factly about the tradition of eating dog meat. This segment is sufficient to underscore the irony of the film’s title. (Note: It begins at 1:07:06 minutes into the film and lasts about five minutes.) There are no graphic scenes and the filmmakers take no position on this cultural tradition; it was included, they say, to show one of the more “challenging” aspects of dogdom. 

Don’t allow this distressing dose of reality detract from the documentary’s powerful, moving stories … portraits of dogs’ nobility, spirit and capacity for love. A number of vignettes showcasing the very best that both dogs and humans have to offer will sear themselves into your memory. These emotionally powerful vignettes are further proof that dogs work to make our souls whole, our hearts lighter and our laughter fuller. And in return, they receive our love and gratitude. 

The filmmakers said they wished to avoid creating yet another “cute” dog film, and they’ve definitely succeeded. It may be an often-told story for some, but here, the telling is done with great skill and empathy for its subjects. In these days of worldwide conflict and horror, a good dog story is always welcome.

The full-length film has been a popular selection for film festivals around the world, from Warsaw to Cleveland, and has proven to be an audience favorite throughout its festival circuit. The film will soon be available for viewing everywhere. 

We Don’t Deserve Dogs premieres digitally April 9, 2021.

Runtime: 84 minutes; subtitles

Visit We Don’t Deserve Dogs for rental and purchase options.