I had a sneaking suspicion that Boxer Presley was gonna take this title when Laura, owner of Pomeranian Preston, invited me to the finale party she was co-hosting with Presley’s owner, Travis. I’m in NYC, and the party was in LA, or you would so be reading about that right now…
So we all knew that JD was gonna finish third after his interview with the judges. Saying you didn’t learn a thing at Canine Academy — just observed the other owners’ problems — is not the kind of answer you give. Ever. (And if English Border Collie Galaxy’s bathing habits, or lack thereof, was such a problem that Wendy Diamond called JD out on it, why hadn’t we heard of it before?)
Laurie handled herself beautifully in her Final Three interview. She stuck to her talking points: JD intimidates Galaxy; Travis and Presley are newlyweds. And she was honest when she said that this competition isn’t for her Maltese Andrew, it’s for her. He just wants to be a dog and indulges her. I’ll admit that I rewound twice to watch Wendy’s dog Lucky chase almost social Andrew around the Best in Show Arena, because nothing is funnier to me than Andrew hauling ass. Also because I can’t believe Lucky finally got off Wendy’s lap and did something. (KIDDING.)
After Travis nailed his interview (he’s all about the learning and the bonding), judge Victoria Stilwell proved how smart Presley really is when she got him to do the leave-the-food-on-your-paw-trick. (I’d pay to see her try that with Tillman — I was happiest to see his return last night. You?) JD officially got the boot, and please, tell me he didn’t realize how offensive it would look when he raised Galaxy’s hind legs and applauded with them? Showing your dog’s butt to the judges is not pageant protocol.
The final portion of the competition consisted of one serious obstacle course and yet another interview. Presley killed the course, until it came time to RETRIEVE HIS TOY FROM UNDER AN ELEPHANT. Travis finally had to lead Presley under the elephant himself, which is worth the $250,000 grand prize right there. Andrew had a tougher time on the course, but I can’t blame him. He had farther to fall than Presley. (Were my small dog walking a tilting beam, I, too, would be standing close enough to catch him, so I don’t blame Laurie for her smothering mothering either.*) Fearless little Andrew had no problem running under the elephant — twice — so he redeemed himself.
In the end, either Andrew or Presley would have worn the Greatest American Dog title well, but I agree with the judges’ decision to crown young Presley. He’s well-trained but relatable. You feel like your dog could be as good of a boy as Poopers. And you still feel like he’s a dog — playful, imperfect, independent but loyal.
Do you agree with the judges?
*She DOES, however, need to acknowledge that Andrew’s attachment to her isn’t 100 percent healthy.
Tillman RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yay Presley! I’m so glad the judges rewarded one of the owners who allowed his dog to be a dog. I still think Bill & Star got screwed though. And if Laurie didn’t know Andrew had separation anxiety then she clearly has never left him alone. Either way it isn’t healthy. As a boxer rescue volunteer, I’m just hoping this doesn’t lead to impulse purchases of boxers that get dumped in shelters 6 months from now when the owner can’t handle them.
I agree with the final results completely. I’m still amazed though at how Andrew is so NOT afraid of that elephant!
We have a boxer puppy, so I might be a bit biased but I just loved Presley!
I still can’t believe that this show had a quarter-million-dollar prize. (Project Runway, for instance, where contestants are worked like sweat shop inmates for weeks, offers a paltry hundred thousand.) Travis should consider himself the luckiest game show contestant ever.
What about the burning question: did Travis and Laura start dating after the show??????
Presley has the fewest “issues.” Poor Galaxy (great dog but no personality) was doomed because JD is such an arrogant jerk. Little Andrew is amazing but Stepford-like in his devotion to Laurie. Presley is the least neurotic of the final three (of course, he’s also by far the youngest so give him time). I wanted Bill & Star to win but, of the final 3, as long as JD didn’t win I was okay with either Presley or Andrew, neither is America’s Greatest Dog, but each has many fine qualities. I’m sure this show won’t be coming back but if it does, I certainly hope the producers come up with more appropriate challenges. I thought the original obstacle course with the huge drop down the zip line and the elephant stunt were waaayyyy out of line. Maybe that’s okay for professional stunt dogs, but not for normal pets. What were they thinking!?
My 3 favs were Presley, Andrew and Star. Would have been happy with any of them winning but I did think Presley was a good choice because Travis embraced the spirit of the show and used the opportunity to learn more about his relationship with his dog and how to handle his dog. The end result showed the improvement in Presley’s behavior, while Andrew and Star came into the show well-trained.
Re: JD – his closing comments that the judges didn’t see the gentleness in Galaxy were so off-base. Continually, the judges and other contestants praised the nature of Galaxy. From the beginning, all the contestants could see the egomanical nature of JD’s personality. And, he thinks so much of himself that to the very end, he could not hear the judges critique of his behavior!! He may love his dog like crazy, but he DOES use intimidation to control a sweet and gentle dog and for that 3rd place was too good for him.
After all that Andrew should have gotten something for second place.
You go Travis and Presley! You deserved to win, did wish it would of been you and Bill and Star at the end. But, loved the show and congrats to you two!!!
Yay, Presley and Travis!
They learned a lot, and really deserved to win.
Boxers are awesome dogs.
I hope this show comes back!
Excellent point, Danielle, no one should rush out and get a breed simply because it made it to the finals of a TV show, whether’s it a Boxer or a Maltese or any breed. Each dog, like its owner, is unique. EW readers are smart enough to know this but sometimes ya wonder about the public in general.
Nevertheless, congratulations to Presley and his human, Travis. Guy’s looking for the right woman? Bless his young and naive heart, with $250K, his own good looks and a celebrity dog, they’ll be lining up at his door. Hmmm, this could finally bring out the cougar in me.
Bill & Star were my first choice. When it came down to the last three I was really worried that JD & Galaxy were going to win until I heard his interview. I loved Travis & Presley! Travis kind of reminds me of a big puppy too so I think that’s why they have such a great relationship. I got such a kick out of Andrew but he is a mama’s boy although he has a really nice mommy.
If Laurie wasn’t so horrible, I might have liked Andrew better. It was difficult to separate the two. I have no respect for anyone who believes that if you don’t agree with their opinion – or their methods – you must be wrong. Arggg, I disliked her from day one. Thankfully, the right dog won. Presley is a doll and Travis was honest when he admitted he had a lot to learn. As opposed to Laurie who already thinks she knows everything. How can she not realize her dog has separation anxiety? But the $64,000 question is did Travis and Laura hook up??? Did she forgive him for taking Beth Joy’s side in the episode where she got booted? I’m guessing they are together since they co-hosted the party.
This show had everything: No real criteria to win, caustic and opinionated judges, stupid stunts, a dangerous stunt, an elephant (twice!), and a very large prize. Good riddance!