Ahhh…. the beautiful land of Jamaica. A tourist mecca where you can hang out on the beach (normal or nude), go fishing, diving, play golf (if you’re really that boring of a person), go cliff-diving, or check out the sled dogs. Wait a minute!!! Are you irie, mon? Check out the sled dogs? That's right, Jamaica doesn't just have a bob sled team, which you know about if you've ever seen "Cool Runnings", they have an honest to gosh dog sledding team. Danny Melville of Chukka Caribbean Adventures was looking for something different to offer tourists coming to the islands. He thought something so far removed from their actual world would make for something unusual to arouse tourist's curiosity. Additionally, it would help enhance the economy by offering jobs to those sorely in need. With backing from singer Jimmy Buffett (of "Margaritaville" fame), Melville was able make his idea a reality.

Filmmaker Andrea Stewart though the story would make for a great documentary, so she spent a lot of time with Melville, the dogs (who were adopted from local JSPCAS), and trainers Rick and Annette Johnson getting the story. The result is "Sun Dogs."

"Sun Dogs" introduces us to pretty much everyone involved with the project, showing us both its ups and downs. For example, while this offers a great opportunity for dogs that might have otherwise been put to sleep, none of them can actually attend any competitions outside of Jamaica. Citing health reasons, dogs can leave the country, but they can never return. Still, the islanders who get involved are able to train at home and abroad and their success rate is as good as any professional dog sledding teams outside of the country.

The DVD offers up a few featurettes, including a look at Buffett's involvement, lessons in teaching your dog to pull a sled, the JSPCA, and how the Jamaican is received around the world. Additionally, there is a little dog-ography for each of the lovable canines.

I really enjoyed the documentary about these scrappy dogs and their coaches, but admittedly there were too many times that the film strayed from the subject and focused on the more impoverished areas of Jamaica. Not that this isn’t a subject important enough to bring to the masses, I'm just not sure so much of it belonged in a film that was supposed to deal solely with the Sun Dogs.

Directed by: Andrea Stewart
Extras: Jimmy Buffett and the Jamaica Dog Sled Team, How To Teach Your Dog to Pull a Harness, The Jamaica Dog Sled Team Taking on the World, The Work of the JSPCA, Dog-ography - Meet the Mutts
Specifications:
Studio: Palm Pictures
Release Date: 10/2/2007
Region 1
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Website

We'll give Sun Dogs a C+.