In the previous song "King of Everything" there's a random moment when McNasty's henchmen show up crossdressing as showgirls doing kicks. It only lasts for a split second but even their boss didn't seem to know what the heck was going on when it happened.
Ham and Cheese: George Rose as McNasty is so gloriously over-the-top and hammy that it's easily the most enjoyable part of the movie. He even manages to ham it up after he's been turned into a good guy.
The fact that the film completely avoids clarifying that Colette's puppies will starve without their mother because they need her milk becomes a lot funnier in light of Pound Puppies (2010) actually showing mother dogs nursing their pups in the episodes "Taboo" and "Pound Preemies".
Ho Yay: Reflex's condition causes him to run around in a trance and kiss anyone in sight regardless of gender (or even species), so male dogs also fall victim to his hugs and kisses.
Large parts of the film, but a special mention should go to the moment after Big Paw's song, which is about how lonely he is and how much he wants a family. Bright Eyes says they'll be his friends and that he's not that ugly. Instantly, Big Paw cheers right up and all his problems are seemingly solved. Yeah, that fast. After he just sang a song drenched in angst. Talk about easy to please!
The way the film tiptoes excruciatingly around explaining exactly why Colette's puppies will starve without her (i.e. because they need their mother's milk for nourishment, and mother's milk comes from, you know, breasts). Word of advice: if a major plot point hinges on something you're not willing to explain to children, your kids' movie will probably have problems down the line.
The entire quicksand sequence, almost exclusively because it is clearly water in which the pups are trapped, making the entire thing impossible to take seriously. Even weirder is that one of the dogs notes to “not to worry, it’s quicksand” and another worrying if there are SHARKS in quicksand, making it even more confusing as to why they didn’t just call it water.
The names alone are chock full of Narm. The hypnotizing device that McNasty uses to turn dogs into his servants is called "The Mean Machine" of all things.
The cure for anyone who's been processed by the Mean Machine? Telling them "I love you!"
Any time one of the cats at the pound is referred to as a "Pound Purry", or Colette's puppies being referred to as "Puplings".
The entire King Arthur story feels extremely out of place; but something that is sure to have everyone laughing their asses off is the fact that the Bone of Scone also happened to be lodged in the stone holding the sword Excalibur. Yes, really. The cherry on top is the kid and his dog acting like being able to talk to one another is more amazing than the former pulling out the legendary sword and McNasty himself wanting the Bone of Scone instead, somehow believing that will make him King, rather than Excalibur. Way to undersell the legend of King Arthur.
“Now for the pleasure for…” (pauses awkwardly) “Fin-ish-ing you.” As if the voice actor realised he can’t say “kill” in a kid’s movie and switched it last second. Why this take was used or the only one done is anybody’s guess.
Narm Charm: Admit it, you snickered when McNasty started ranting about taking over the world now that he had a bone that’s the source of dogs being able to talk.
Questionable Casting: George Rose’s role in this movie as McNasty feels rather… random. Now, he was a VERY accomplished actor and singer, so getting him to be a celebrity voice acting and singing in an animated movie makes a lot of sense, especially considering other animated movies of that era… but why THIS of all animated movies? Especially when he’s not even given proper credit for this role as he’s just lumped with the other voice actors in the end credits.
So Bad, It's Good: This movie is hardly a masterpiece, but some elements of it are quite amusing and entertaining in their own way, mainly revolving around the villain's nonsensical plan and the catchy songs with their bizarre animation. There is also the Villain Song, which has particularly forced lyrics.
Special Effect Failure: The film is loaded with animation errors as a result of its rushed production schedule, such as Cooler's vanishing nose, the water being identified as quicksand, Colette appearing in Bright Eyes' place in a scene where she's not supposed to be present, the fact that the Black Knight is not wearing black, among many others.
