Synopsis

Workaholic deputy district attorney Dave Douglas is bitten by an ancient Tibetan sheepdog and begins transforming into a shaggy Bearded Collie. While struggling to conceal his canine alter ego, Dave investigates a sinister laboratory experimenting with the dog's unusual biology. His bizarre predicament ultimately helps him understand his neglected family and rediscover what it means to be a devoted husband and father.

Factoids & Trivia

• Released on March 10, 2006, the film is a modern reboot of Disney's 1959 comedy, rather than a direct continuation of its Wilby Daniels storyline.

• The earlier films used a magical ring as the cause of the transformation. This version replaces that mythology with a science-fiction explanation involving an ancient dog, DNA, and research into longevity.

• Tippett Studio created approximately 110 visual-effects shots for the film. Its work included 12 computer-generated characters, such as the frog-dog, barking rabbits, laboratory rats, and a cobra with a shaggy canine tail.

• The production combined computer animation with practical animal effects. Stan Winston Studio contributed animatronic work, while animal trainers handled scenes involving the real dog Coal.

• The score was composed by Alan Menken, whose Disney credits include several animated musicals. The soundtrack also uses canine-themed songs, including "Who Let the Dogs Out" and "Atomic Dog."

• The 2006 release was accompanied by a DVD reissue of the 1959 original, offered in both its original black-and-white form and a colorized version.