In the panels of Patrick McDonnell’s long-running comic strip Mutts, Guard Dog began his part in the story as a tough aggressor, an 
almost clichéd big dog meant to create comedic challenges for the two main characters, Mooch and Earl. However, one of the biggest clichés of the big, tough dog is that he is an outside dog, chained to his yard, and McDonnell’s Guard Dog transcended that cliché to become a beloved character with an important message to share about tethered animals…
Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story is a compilation of the story of Guard Dog’s freedom from his chained life. Almost 30 years in the making, Guard Dog’s story ran online and in newspapers from November 1 to December 19, 2023. Fans have been rooting for Guard Dog to be unchained almost ever since he was introduced. Mutts is a comic strip dedicated to sweet humor while also conveying the message of kindness to animals.
The compiled strips in Breaking the Chain covers only the story arc of Guard Dog’s freedom from his chain, but the beginning of the book contains plenty of McDonnell’s commentary and other selected strips to showcase Guard Dog’s journey through the years so even readers who aren’t as familiar with the Mutts comic strip will connect with Guard Dog’s story and message without feeling too lost. Readers are introduced to important characters such as Mooch and Earl, Earl’s human Ozzie, and the neighborhood girl Doozy, who has played a critical role in the strip as the one human depicted showing kindness to Guard Dog. The culmination of Doozy and Guard Dog’s bond is a satisfying conclusion to the Breaking the Chain storyline.
In addition to the introductory material and the collected strips of Guard Dog’s freedom, the book features reactions from members of the animal welfare community, true stories from readers about their own experiences with unchaining dogs (featuring cute dog pictures!), and a helpful resource guide for people who would like to learn more about unchaining dogs.
While there is a lot of wholesome written information in the book, the art is the true strength of the actual story of Guard Dog. Anyone familiar with Patrick McDonnell’s gentle art will know that it harkens to the beloved work of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, McDonnell’s inspiration and eventual friend. McDonnell can transform a plain line into an expression of incredible sadness or relieved joy. The art in Breaking the Chain evokes heartbreak and urgency in one scene and then warm love and safety in another, all with the simplest of strokes.
Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story is a beautiful resolution for a long-adored character with the very obvious message addressing the real world issue of tethered animals. Guard Dog didn’t have to earn his freedom, it should have been his in the first place, but it is satisfying to witness after so many years. McDonnell mentions that Charles Schulz admitted to him once that he wished he had let Charlie Brown kick the football before the Peanuts strip ended, and he knew he couldn’t leave Guard Dog chained forever.
The publisher’s age rating wasn’t immediately listed for Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story, but it is a story that kids and adults alike will cherish. There are references to animal neglect and abuse, but love and kindness win in the end. All readers should have tissues ready!
Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story
Story by Patrick McDonnell
Abrams ComicArts, 2024
ISBN: 9781419779084
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13), Teen (13-16), Older Teen (16-18), Adult (18+)
