Kids Corner Review Series: Paw Patrol
It is a happy fact that dogs are widely popular with pet owners across the land. And what could be cuter or more lovable than a puppy? Paw Patrol is a kids’ series that shows that no matter how big a problem, there’s a pup at the ready to take it on.
PAW Patrol is a CGI, action-adventure preschool series which began airing on Nick Jr. in 2013. The Series follows a pack of six pups that form a rescue team, led by the tech-savvy 10-year old Ryder. This hometown team sets out regularly for heroism and adventure in Adventure Bay. Each pup has unique skills and expertise and is equipped with various vehicles and gadgets invented by their fearless leader, Ryder, to aid them on their missions.
The show mainly revolves around the original six members of the team, each one fit for a specific type of job that Ryder selects for every mission. They are as follows:
Chase- Chase is a German Shepherd pup, and the de facto second in command of the team. His specialty is police work, and he is very loyal and takes his job very seriously. he does have his fun side when he’s off duty! Chase is hopelessly allergic to cats! When he’s in action with his Police 4x4, Megaphone, Net Launcher, and other Police equipment, he’s always ready for action, or as he likes to say “Chase is on the Case!”.
Marshall- Marshall is a Dalmatian pup, and naturally, he’s a fantastic Firefighter. He’s always ready for a “ruff-ruff rescue”, but he’s famous for his clumsiness, always tripping himself up and comically crashing into his teammates before a new mission starts. Despite this, he is a real team player. Whenever he’s needed, he uses his water cannons to put out flames and even use emergency gear to help out in medical situations.
Rubble- When you think of an English Bulldog, you think fierce and intimidating. But Construction Pup Rubble is anything but. He is kind, empathetic, and cares for people, especially his team. As the team’s main builder, he’s equipped for construction with heavy equipment and a rig to help build things. Whenever there’s a need for Rubble, he’s there on the double.
Rocky- A mixed breed, Rocky has a unique job among the team; he is Eco friendly. He’s the team’s main mechanic, often using recycled items in his truck to patch things up. He’s also got lots of tools in his pack to be ready for any repair. Green means “go” for him, but he also hates getting wet.
Unlike his buddy Rocky, Zuma, a Chocolate Labrador, loves to get wet. Zuma is the team’s Water Rescue Specialist. He’s not used very often in most rescues, as many are needed on dry land. But rest argued, he dives in when he’s needed. He’s equipped with a hovercraft, buoys, sea smarts, and a love of all things water.
Skye- As her name implies, this female Cockapoo is attuned to the air. She takes to the sky in her helicopter whenever a rescue is needed in the air. She also loves doing backflips and comes equipped with her own set of wings when she’s not able to use her chopper.
As the series progressed, new pups were added to the team whenever they were needed, such as the Spanish-speaking Chihuahua with super-hearing Tracker, and Siberian Husky snow expert, Everest. The series also added new mechanics and ideas for rescues and problems, such as rescues on Sea or Air, Ultimate Rescues where all the pups converge in one specific specialty, Superhero missions with real superpowers, and even rescues that involve dinosaurs and motorcycles.
For seven seasons now, Paw Patrol has been teaching kids everywhere the values of working together and what jobs are needed in daily life. The animation and personality of every character are finely detailed and fleshed out. While some of the rescues in the series might seem a little outlandish and ridiculous, the ever-expanding plot threads and new ideas will want young kids coming back for more.
I definitely recommend this series for kids who love animals, especially dogs, and want some thrilling action and adventure in their lives on Saturday mornings. Paw Patrol continues to race to new heights. Whenever there’s a problem that needs their expertise, just yelp for help.