UNLEASHED: A DOG SHOW STORY

A grounded, character-driven dramedy about purpose, connection and quiet transformation—set against the world of competitive dog shows.

Matthew Stroud, creator of Unleashed with his Schipperke, Kermit—the inspiration behind the series.

Photo: Alyssa Janiszak

A scripted series about a burned-out PR exec who inherits a champion dog—and stumbles into a world of sequins, secrets and second chances.

Unleashed: A Dog Show Story

The Series

When Myles is unexpectedly entrusted with his late Aunt Trudy’s champion Papillon, he’s drawn into the vibrant world of competitive dog shows — a sport grounded in heritage, rarely explored on screen.

Inspired by real events, Unleashed blends dry wit and emotional nuance with a fresh take on self-discovery. It’s not about ribbons or rankings, but about resilience and finding footing in unfamiliar ground.

Why Now

In an era shaped by reinvention and reckoning, Unleashed explores what it means to find belonging in unlikely places. Through the lens of competitive dog shows — a deep-rooted world navigating change — the series invites viewers to reconsider identity, connection and purpose in a time when those ideas feel more important than ever.

Meet the Creator

A man in a blue suit sitting on a bench, smiling, holding a black dog with his right hand.

Matthew G. Stroud is a longtime storyteller and first-time series creator. After years crafting narratives for global brands, he returned to the dog show world he first loved as a kid. That full-circle moment sparked Unleashed, a personal story shaped by real weekends, wins and revelations.

His dog Kermit is a Silver Grand Champion Schipperke and Westminster competitor — a nod to a sport defined by ritual, discipline and heart.

Now based in Tulsa, Matthew travels the Midwest with his two Schipperkes (and a senior Dutch Shepherd), immersed in a world steeped in history — one evolving through digital innovation and fresh voices, as a new generation steps up to preserve the future of the sport. It’s a space where tradition meets transformation, and knowledge is passed hand to hand across generations.

At its core, Unleashed is about what grounds us — and the dogs who lead the way.

Black and white photo of a dog in an outdoor setting at a dog show, with a young man holding the dog and a woman with curly hair watching as a judge signs a form. A man in a blazer is also present.

That’s me on the left — a junior handler with a borrowed blazer and a lot to learn.

Recent Photos

A man in a blue blazer walks a black dog inside a fenced area at a dog show. Seated judges and spectators watch, and a colorful sign in the background reads 'Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce' and 'Support Local Businesses'.
A black dog, likely a German Shepherd puppy, stands on a purple velvet table with a gold dog emblem, at a dog show. A woman and a man are nearby, with the man holding a leash attached to the dog. The background features a large purple banner with white text and some other people in the distance.

Showing Kermit in Springfield, Missouri

Competing at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show

Materials Available

  • Pilot script (WGAw registered)

  • Full series bible with season one arc and supporting characters

  • Pitch-ready logline and synopsis

  • Interested in reading or sharing? Reach out directly at MatthewGarrettStroud@gmail.com

Scenes of the Dog Show World that Inspired Unleashed

All photos © Matthew Stroud

Sign for the Fort Worth Kennel Club saying 'Meet the Breed' with an arrow pointing to the right, at an indoor dog show event with people and dogs in the background.
Indoor space with booths and tables set up, including a large hanging sign with the number 2, blue curtains, and people browsing items at a market or sale event.
Several dogs on grooming tables at a dog grooming or competition event inside a large indoor venue. The dogs are mostly Australian Shepherds.
Two women and a Yorkshire Terrier dog at a dog show with other dog handlers and dogs in the background.
Dog show inside a large arena with people and dogs walking on a designated course, surrounded by fences, with empty seating in the background.
A black dog with fluffy paws on a grooming table at a dog show, surrounded by people and cages in the background.
Dog show in a stadium with multiple handlers and their dogs, tents, and spectators under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Man in black suit holding two Dalmatian dogs on leashes inside a dog show ring at an American Kennel Club event.
Outdoor market stall selling colorful scarves, hats, and accessories with tents and a blue sky in the background.
A woman with a black skirt and gray blazer holding a dog leash with a large black dog with dreadlocks in a dog show setting. Several people are around, some seated at tables, with various booths and signs in the background.
A busy indoor pet adoption event with people and dogs in cages and on tables, under bright ceiling lights.
People grooming small white dogs at a dog show in an indoor venue.

Ready to Bring Unleashed to Life?

Let’s talk about collaboration, representation or what’s next for this original series.