The Ugly Dachshund

The Ugly Dachshund

Year: 1966

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Norman Tokar

FamilyDramaComedy

A honeymoon goes hilariously awry when a towering Great Dane, Brutus, pretends to be a tiny dachshund. The Garrison family, proud parents of three real dachshund pups, must contend with Brutus’s identity crisis, which spirals into slap‑stick chaos that wrecks their home and leaves the audience roaring with laughter.

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Timeline & Setting – The Ugly Dachshund (1966)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Ugly Dachshund (1966). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

County Hospital, Veterinary Clinic, Fran and Mark Garrison's Home, Dog Show Venue

The story moves through a tight set of familiar locations: the county hospital where Danke is in labor, the veterinary clinic where the puppies are born, and the Garrison home where the dogs live and interact. The plot also traverses the neighborhood with the family and culminates at a dog show venue that serves as the film’s focal point for the canine antics and competition. These settings emphasize domestic life, pet ownership, and community around a beloved pet family.

🏥 Hospital 🐶 Pet 🏠 Suburban Home

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:15

Main Characters – The Ugly Dachshund (1966)

Meet the key characters of The Ugly Dachshund (1966), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Fran Garrison (Suzanne Pleshette)

A devoted wife and proud owner of Danke, Fran’s life centers on her dogs and home. She values order and harmony, but Brutus’ mischief challenges her expectations. She initially resists the idea of Brutus in the household, yet she ultimately embraces him after his act of bravery in saving Chloe.

❤️ Family 🐶 Dachshund Owner 😂 Comedy

Mark Garrison (Dean Jones)

Fran’s husband, a loving partner who navigates the chaotic pet-filled home with good humor. He helps manage the growing family and eventually integrates Brutus into their lives. His practical, supportive nature keeps the household together through the dogs’ antics.

🏠 Suburban Life 🐶 Dog Owner ❤️ Family

Dr. J. L. Pruitt (Charles Ruggles)

The veterinarian who treats Danke and Duchess’s litters, offering practical advice and a turning point when he convinces Mark to bring the Great Dane puppy home. He blends traditional veterinary wisdom with a lighthearted, persuasive bedside manner.

🏥 Vet 🧪 Animal Care 🐶 Knowledgeable

Officer Carmody (Kelly Thordsen)

A police officer who initially pulls Fran and Mark over in pursuit of medical urgency but becomes a humorous ally as the situation unfolds. He embodies the film’s mix of orderly rules and unexpected kindness amid the chaos.

🚓 Law & Order 🧭 Helpful 😄 Comedic

Danke

The award-winning dachshund and mother to three female puppies, Wilhelmina, Heidi, and Chloe. Danke’s abundance of milk leads to the arrival of Brutus and sets off a chain of mischievous events that drive the plot. She remains a beloved matriarch figure in the dogs’ world.

🐶 Dachshund 🐾 Family Pet 😂 Komedy

Brutus

A male Great Dane puppy raised with Danke’s dachshund pups, who grows up thinking he is part of their world. His size and gentle nature contrast with the dachshunds’ mischief, but he earns acceptance through loyalty and a heroic rescue of Chloe.

🐶 Great Dane 🐾 Family Dog 🏆 Show-Ready

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:15

Major Themes – The Ugly Dachshund (1966)

Explore the central themes of The Ugly Dachshund (1966), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Family

Family ties ground the film as Fran and Mark navigate the chaos and joy of living with multiple dogs. The unexpected arrival of Brutus tests patience and deepens their bond, ultimately guiding them toward a deeper appreciation of new members. Their willingness to adapt shows how love sustains domestic life through mishap and humor. The story resolves with a renewed sense of unity as the pets become integral parts of the family.

🧭 Belonging

Brutus’ integration into a dachshund-loving household explores belonging across species and roles. He learns to inhabit a world where size and breed don’t determine loyalty or affection. The dachshunds eventually accept him as part of the pack, illustrating themes of inclusion and identity. The narrative suggests a broader message about finding where you fit within a family unit.

😂 Humor

The film leans on slapstick misadventures—the dachshunds’ antics, mistaken assumptions by authorities, and the chaos of a garden party—to generate laughs. Each comic beat underscores character dynamics and the growing affection between humans and dogs. The humor also softens the moments of tension, turning fear or frustration into affectionate resolutions. Overall, comedy frames the warmth of this pet-centered story.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:15

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The Ugly Dachshund Summary

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The Ugly Dachshund Summary

The Ugly Dachshund Timeline

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The Ugly Dachshund Timeline

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The Ugly Dachshund (1966) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow