Greatest American Dog looks for the perfect pooch

A trendy Miniature Schnauzer takes on a tough English Bull Dog for the title of top dog.

Twelve extraordinary teams of dogs and owners from across the nation will compete for the title of “Greatest American Dog” on the new reality series from CBS.

Owners and their pets, from “pageant dogs” to those simply trained at home, will live together and compete against each other in challenges that put the owners’ ability to train their dogs to the test.  Each week, the judges, Wendy Diamond (author, and founder and Editor-In-Chief of Animal Fair Magazine), Allan Reznick (Editor-At-Large of Dog World and Dog Fancy Magazine) and and Victoria Stilwell (author and host of the television series “It’s Me or the Dog”) will eliminate one dog and their owner. 

It all begins Thursday, July 10 at 8:00 when the teams arrive at the mansion. The owners quickly size up the other dogs and their owners then they compete in a Dog Bone Competition titled “Musical Chairs,” which rewards the winning team the luxury Dog Bone Suite. The winning team is also given the power to banish one team to the Dog House, which is a small, unassuming structure on the grounds of the Canine Academy.

The 12 teams will also compete in the first Best In Show Competition titled “Doggies Got Talent.” Their performances will be evaluated by the three judges who will then expel the first team from Canine Academy.

The last remaining team will walk away with a $250,000 cash prize and the title of “Greatest American Dog.”

{headlineThe 12 teamsBETH JOY and BELLA STARLET
New York (originally from Chicago)
Beth Joy’s occupation:  Bella’s Acting Manager
Bella Starlet’s breed:  Chihuahua, Lab, Shih-Tzu, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and Pomeranian mix (10 years old)

BILL and STAR
Flint, Texas
Bill’s occupation:  Building Maintenance
Star’s breed:  Brittany (7 years old)

BRANDY and BEACON
Orange County, Calif.(originally from Jonesboro, Ark.)
Brandy’s occupation:  Fashion Designer
Beacon’s breed:  Miniature Schnauzer (1 ½ years old)

DAVID and ELVIS
New York (originally from Camden, N.J.)
David’s occupation:  Doctor
Elvis’ breed:  Parson Russell Terrier (2 years old) 

ELAN and KENJI
Portland, Ore.
Elan’s occupation:  Aspiring Dog Salon Owner
Kenji’s breed:  Giant Schnauzer (1 year old)

J.D. and GALAXY
Bend, Ore. (originally from Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
J.D.’s occupation:  Dog Entertainer
Galaxy’s breed:  English Pointer Border Collie (9 years old)

LAURA and PRESTONLos Angeles (originally from Parsippany, N.J.)
Laura’s occupation:  Film Producer
Preston’s breed:  Pomeranian (5 years old)

LAURIE and ANDREW
Stafford, Va. (originally from Ravenna, Ohio)
Laurie’s occupation:  Doggy Day Care Owner (former fitness trainer)
Andrew’s breed:  Maltese (5 years old)

MICHAEL and EZZIE
Los Angeles (originally from San Diego)
Michael’s occupation:  Aspiring Comic
Ezzie’s breed:  Boston Terrier (2 ½ years old)

RON and TILLMAN
Oxnard, Calif. (originally from Santa Monica, Calif.)
Ron’s occupation:  Construction Manager
Tillman’s breed:  English Bull Dog (3 years old)

TERESA and LEROY
Fairfax, Va. (originally from Boston)
Teresa’s occupation:  Dog Sitter (former high school Latin teacher)
Leroy’s breed:  Border Collie (5 years old)

TRAVIS and PRESLEY
Los Angeles (originally from Perry, Okla.)
Travis’ occupation:  Bartender
Presley’s breed:  Boxer (1 ½ years old)

Recent television features

The Closer season premiere burns bright
The stars of My Boys dish on dating
Anthony Sabato is returning to General Hospital