The series was adapted for the American television channel FX by Family Guy veteran David Zuckerman, and moved to FXX for its fourth and final season.

Wilfred pressures Ryan to learn life lessons, reveal memories, admit shortcomings, and do things he would otherwise not do through strange and sometimes abusive methods.

The show follows a young man named Ryan (Elijah Wood) and his neighbor's dog Wilfred (Jason Gann).

Wilfred is based on the critically acclaimed Australian series of the same name and was adapted for FX by Family Guy veteran David Zuckerman.

[7] On more than one occasion, Gann suggested that part of the reason that the show had poor ratings in the U.S. was because it got bogged down in mythology and at times made comedy secondary.

[4][5] Ryan is described as "an introverted and troubled young man struggling unsuccessfully to make his way in the world until he forms a unique friendship with Wilfred, his neighbor's canine pet".

[4][5] Fiona Gubelmann stars as Jenna, Wilfred's owner and Ryan's next-door neighbor, who works as a local news producer.

The website's critical consensus reads, "Wilfred is proudly vulgar and offensive, but a sentimental undertone lends the show some pleasing poignancy."

The critical consensus reads, "Wilfred continues to be scaldingly funny with a deft humanistic touch but, like its titular character, it may be getting too coy with its narrative mind games."

The critical consensus reads, "Wilfred returns to a lackadaisical groove as its third season leans heavily on the combustible chemistry of Jason Gann and Elijah Wood, who both bring a hangdog charm."

The critical consensus reads, "Wilfred rewards patient viewers with answers to its labyrinthine mythology during a final season that is harrowing, mind-bending, and ultimately moving.

[17] Curt Wagner, writing in Redeye (The Chicago Tribune), said, "Stuffed with absurd situations and piles of bad taste, Wilfred is the strangest new show on TV.

"[20] Tom Gliatto of People magazine also gave a less positive review, calling the show "The Odd Couple redefined by psychosis and whimsy.

In an October 2013 interview, Jason Gann noted that a possible film is out of his hands, but that if fans want it, he could see the show coming back in a streaming capacity, much like Arrested Development.