A white Christmas in 2024 didn’t really happen like people hoped, but February 2025 made up for that – especially in Canada. First snow day off work in years led to a snowy long weekend hunkering down indoors and streaming films, specifically films about dogs.

Here’s the dogtrotting.net suggested list of dog films ideal for a winter snow day. And guess what? No dogs die. We wouldn’t do that to you. If you want to verify that, check out the Does the Dog Die website. That’s a good way to protect your heart and mental health before pressing play.

Welcome to the Dogtrotting.net guide to our winter-watching dog films

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) and Incredible Journey (1963) – family drama

Directed by Duwayne Dunham and featuring the voices of Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, and Don Ameche, Homeward Bound is a modern update of a 1963 classic. But before we can discuss the second version, here’s a word about The Incredible Journey (1963).

I saw the original film in grade school as part of a day when the teachers wanted a few hours off (I think). The entire school filed into the auditorium to watch the film about three animals: two dogs (one aging) and a Siamese cat who I still remember being great at fishing. These animals traverse 250 miles (400 km) through Canadian wilderness to reunite with their family who somehow lost them during a move.

Being a sensitive animal lover from day one, this film had me on my emotional seat the entire time, and not always in a good way. The fact that the animals make it home alive helped mitigate the experience – unlike the results of Old Yeller (1957). As a school, we’d seen that one the year earlier, and to this day, I am traumatized – likely so did most of my grade four class.

I’ll note that I did not go to grade school in either the 50s or 60s, but my school’s willingness to source films newer than 15 to 20 years old was likely budget – or motivation – related. Welcome to the Gen X world.

So, I was conflicted about watching Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey 1993 version, also based on a novel by Sheila Burnford. Essentially the same movie, only this time with an American Bulldog, a Golden Retriever, and a Himalayan cat. Homeward Bound also gives the pets their own voices, rather than dependence on a narrator. This choice enhances our investment in their survival during, once again, a perilous journey. Filmed in West Virginia near Shenandoah Valley. Side note: My dog and I happened to spend the best weekend in the Shenandoah Valley.

A Dog’s Purpose (2017) – adult or family drama

This one you’ll need tissue to watch. That’s one thing my friend (who had read the book) didn’t tell me when she talked me into seeing A Dog’s Purpose in the theatre. Ok, so the dog does die … but comes back. This story follows the many lives of a dog named Bailey who reincarnates into different breeds, each time help guiding the humans who loves him (mostly) and until – spoiler – he ends up where he started.

The film ends a little differently than the book because films prefer happy-ever-after conclusions. However, it did have me looking at my dog and asking her who she was before I knew her. And believing our dogs aren’t really gone after they leave our lives is remarkably comforting. Directed by Lasse Hallström, this film is based on W. Bruce Cameron’s remarkably popular novel.

The Secret Life of Pets (2016) – kids’ animated comedy

The film promoted itself under this premise: “Ever wonder what your pets do when you’re not home?” It’s a compelling question and one that has led to the anthropomorphizing of many animals in kids’ books. Although I enjoyed this quirky film – largely because of the celebrity voices – I was a little disappointed with the storyline.

Ok, I know. The Secret Life of Pets is for kids, but the excessive number of chases – including several car chases – was overdone. That’s getting cliche in films. Maybe some plot advancement – for instance, when Max discovers his new buddy had a previous owner.

Here’s the premise: Max, a little dog, gets a new larger dog thrust on him at home. His human expects them to be friends. She leaves for work. A lazy dog walker loses both dogs. Max and his new friend learn to depend on each other as they navigate the dangers of both the upper (and lower) streets of New York City.

Spoiler: The sewer is seething with a world of abandoned pets we never knew about. Ultimately, much like in The Wizard of Oz, there’s no place like home … for most of the animals. Directed by Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney.

Inside the Mind of the Dog (2024) – documentary

Narrated by Rob Lowe, Inside the Mind of the Dog is a documentary by Andy Mitchell that takes viewers through a history of scientific discovery about the dog – why we are so remarkably connected to this creature, and why our obsession shows no sign of subsiding. I love documentaries, done well of course, and I love dogs. I watched Inside of the Mind of the Dog three times.

Each time I watch this film, I pick up new pieces of information. Here’s what you’ll learn watching this film: dogs have incredibly good cardio and the highest sustained metabolic rate of any animal. Dogs come in the most variety of any animal in the world. No other species can be both the size of a Jack Russel and a Great Dane.

But first, how did dogs get into homes and then our hearts? Friendliness is the answer this documentary posits. A willingness to bond with humans and work as a team is a powerful survival strategy. However, for centuries, they were working animals. It wasn’t until the Victorian period in Europe that dogs became companions and status symbols, and that’s when selective dog breeding got its start. It would be later that we learn different dog breeds need different types of stimulation.

So many interesting Fido facts are revealed in this documentary – wait until you find out about dog eyes and hearing if you didn’t already know. My favourite new factoid I’ll throw around in random discussion? About 20 percent of dogs have ADHD – double that of humans. I’m certain my dog is one of them.

Beethoven (1992) – family comedy

A classic composer and a new classic dog film: Beethoven was one of the first ‘the dog creates havoc but we love him anyway’ that might have launched a genre. What starts as a cute compact St. Bernard puppy grows into a full-sized not compact St. Bernard dog who has plenty of bull in a china shop moments in the family home. Eventually, love and acceptance wins, of course, and the dog is saved. Everyone fell in love with Beethoven, so much that there was a sequel. Seven, actually.

The film, however, is a good reminder to people: Select your dog carefully. Puppies are cute but temporary. The full-sized dog is who you’ll be sharing a home with. Directed by Brian Levant and featuring Charles Grodin.

Did we miss your favourite Dog Film of all time? What’s the best dog film ever made? Let us know in the comments below.

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria.Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!