Beethoven

Two thieves, Harvey and Vernon, steal a group of puppies from a pet store, setting off a chain of events. A St. Bernard puppy named Beethoven escapes during the raid and sneaks into the Newtons' home. The Newtons, especially Emily, are won over despite George's initial resistance.

Emily immediately bonds with the scrappy giant, and the family reluctantly accepts him. Emily names the dog Beethoven after playing Beethoven's Fifth on the piano, and the dog barks along. The once skeptical George finds himself softening toward the new addition.

Beethoven becomes a capable helper around the house, helping Ryce talk to her crush Mark, and his sheer size scares off some local bullies who target Ted. The dog’s playful energy wins the family’s affection and eases tensions at home. Life with Beethoven begins to feel like a normal, joyful chaos.

Beethoven saves Emily when she falls into a swimming pool at a careless babysitter's place. The dramatic rescue strengthens the bond between the dog and the children. George watches, torn between concern and pride as the dog proves his loyalty.

Beethoven's antics ruin a barbecue George hosts for venture capitalists Brad and Brie Wilson, drawing laughter from the family and mounting pressure from the guests. The scene foreshadows the looming financial threat posed by the Wilsons. George remains stern but can't deny Beethoven's charm.

The Newtons take Beethoven to veterinarian Dr. Herman Varnick for a routine checkup, where he insinuates that St. Bernards have mental instability and could be dangerous. He uses clinical jargon to insinuate danger and plants seeds of fear in the family.

During a follow-up visit to the Newton home, Varnick uses fake blood to stage a test and beats Beethoven until the dog retaliates. Emily witnesses the abuse and the family rushes outside to intervene, aghast. Varnick claims Beethoven attacked him and must be euthanized.

Emily's account convinces the family to trust her over the supposed professional. George remembers his own father putting their dog down and worries the family will turn on him, but Alice supports trusting Emily. The Newtons resolve to act on what they believe is right.

The Newtons return to Varnick's office to reclaim Beethoven, only to hear that the dog is dead. George realizes Emily was right when he notices no bite marks on Varnick's arm and confronts him, punching him in anger. The family leaves determined to prove the truth.

The Newtons covertly follow Varnick to his warehouse, where Beethoven is being kept. The dog briefly escapes the cage but is recaptured by Harvey and Vernon, signaling the danger isn’t over yet. The family quietly plans a rescue and a confrontation.

Sparky the Jack Russell bites Varnick, provoking a gunshot. Ted drives the car through the warehouse, launching numerous syringes that sedate Varnick and free the other dogs. The Newtons and their canine allies overpower the criminals and lead the escape.

Dr. Varnick, Harvey, and Vernon are arrested for animal cruelty as news cameras capture the grateful Newtons. Beethoven becomes a cherished member of the family, and Ryce even gets a call from Mark, signaling a happier, more hopeful future at home.