Dogs in Space
Detailed parental analysis
Dogs in Space is a science-fiction animated series with a resolutely comic and colourful tone, designed for a young audience from around seven years old, though its pace and references are more suited to children aged nine to ten. The story follows a team of astronaut dogs sent to explore the galaxy in search of a new habitable planet, through a series of epic adventures tinged with absurd humour. The overall atmosphere is light and upbeat, but the underlying humour regularly relies on banter between characters and a certain indulgence in chaos.
Underlying Values
This is where the problem becomes most apparent. Friendship and teamwork are presented as central values, but the actual dynamic between characters is largely built on insult, mockery and exposing one another's weaknesses for the sake of entertainment. The captain, despite his position of authority, is regularly the target of jibes from his teammates without the narrative drawing any consequences or reflection from this. Worse still, the character Ed, the team's ambassador, is an unashamed kleptomaniac who steals from his companions and the inhabitants of each planet visited, without remorse and without any narrative sanction. This type of behaviour presented as harmless, even amusing, deserves particular attention: young children do not yet have the tools to spontaneously distinguish what is normalised by the narrative from what should be questioned.
Violence
Violence is present in recurring fashion through blaster shootouts, battles against alien creatures, and physical confrontations including punches and characters being flattened. It remains stylised, without blood or gore, and fits within the codes of fantasy animation for children. Humour almost invariably accompanies it, which neutralises its emotional impact but also tends to present it as a natural and entertaining mode of resolution, without questioning its consequences.
Discrimination
The chronic anxiety of the character Loaf is used as a recurring comic device, which amounts to mocking psychological distress and turning it into a ridiculous character trait. For a child who suffers from anxiety, or who knows someone in that situation, the message can be hurtful. This is the only identifiable axis of problematic representation, but it is sufficiently repeated to warrant discussion.
Language
The verbal register includes mild insults such as 'idiot', 'useless' or 'failure', as well as a few harmless vulgar terms. This level of language remains within the norm of contemporary children's animation, but the frequency of aggressive exchanges between characters supposed to be friends reinforces the overall impression that verbal unkindness is an accepted form of camaraderie.
Strengths
The series works well in terms of pace and episodic construction: each episode is self-contained, which suits children who do not appreciate long-form narratives. The humour operates on multiple levels, with winks to adult science-fiction that may entertain a parent watching alongside their child. The scenarios offer genuine problem-solving situations and the stakes of space exploration open up curiosity about astronomy and otherness. The series has genuine visual personality and a sense of comedic timing well calibrated for its intended audience.
Age recommendation and discussion points
The series is accessible from nine years old for comfortable viewing, with parental accompaniment recommended for seven to eight year-olds. Two subjects merit being discussed after an episode: why Ed's theft poses no problem to anyone in the series, and whether mocking a friend's weaknesses is really a way of showing them friendship.
Synopsis
In the not-so-distant future, genetically enhanced dogs are sent across the universe in search of a new home for the human race. It’s a giant cosmic game of fetch, as the canines seek a planet that will save humanity and - more importantly - let them return to their beloved owners.
Where to watch
Availability checked on Apr 03, 2026
About this title
- Format
- TV series
- Year
- 2021
- Runtime
- 22m
- Countries
- Canada, United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- Jeremiah Cortez
- Main cast
- Haley Joel Osment, Sarah Chalke, Kimiko Glenn, Chris Parnell, David López, William Jackson Harper, Stephanie Beatriz
- Studios
- Atomic Cartoons, GrizzlyJerr Productions
Content barometer
- Violence2/5Moderate
- Fear1/5Mild
- Sexuality0/5None
- Language2/5Moderate
- Narrative complexity1/5Accessible
- Adult themes0/5None
Watch-outs
- Gender stereotypes
- Violence
Values conveyed
- Friendship
- Perseverance
- Loyalty
- teamwork
- courage
- solidarity
- protection of nature
- reconciliation