It was based on a British show of the same name, produced by Television South West for the ITV network from 1984 to 1988, and presented by creator Derek Hobson.
For the first season, the show was filmed outdoors near Residential Street at the Disney-MGM Studios backlot.
Host Skrovan asked a series of six dog-related questions and the first player to buzz-in (also called 'barking in') was given a chance to answer.
Later on in the first season, the sixth and final question of the round was worth a special prize from the Doggy Bag.
The fourth round had two different formats: In the first three seasons, the "Talent Showcase", the dogs would perform a talent of some sort within a 30-second time limit, then a panel of three audience members would give the dog up to 30 points (10 from each panelist and in the last two seasons it would be as low as 0 from each panelist).
Note: During the early episodes of the first season, the Talent Showcase was played second and was called "Tricks 'n' Treats."
In the show's fourth and final season, the dogs and their masters went to the Doggie Bowl to play another game.
Each dog would do a stunt much like in round 2, usually lasting 30 seconds, and would score points based on their performance.
A dog could skip an obstacle, but jumping through the sign would always end the run, regardless of time remaining.
The winning family received prizes, while the winning dog won a year's supply of dog food (originally from Iams in the first season, later from Kibbles 'n' Bits for the last three seasons) and a gold medal.
Catherine Hinman of the Orlando Sentinel gave the show a mixed review, writing that "the contest is less entertaining than the outrageous concept.