Lucky Dog expands with Paws with Purpose on CBS
CBS will premiere Lucky Dog: Paws with Purpose on Oct. 3, giving its long-running rescue-dog franchise a new Saturday-morning slot. The series comes from Hearst Media Production Group and will air as part of CBS WKND, the network's educational and informational line-up for the 2026-27 season, according to Variety.
That block is E/I programming, meaning shows that are designed to educate children and meet US television rules for weekend mornings. Paws with Purpose will air at 9 a.m. ET as a new series for the season.
Animal trainer Brandon McMillan hosts the show. Each story follows him as he pairs trained dogs with military veterans and families. The focus is practical. Behaviour, bonding and life after adoption.
Viewers will meet Peaches, a mixed-breed dog, and Steeve, a poodle, among the dogs featured this season. They will also meet Smoky, a certified therapy dog. Smoky works as USAA's K9 ambassador and "chief pawsitivity officer."
USAA is a production partner on Lucky Dog. Chris Curtain is the company's chief marketing officer. The partnership connects the show's work with veterans to a financial services organisation that serves military families.
On CBS, Paws with Purpose will lead a full hour of Lucky Dog programming. It is followed at 9:30 a.m. ET by Lucky Dog: Down Under Season 2. That second half-hour follows McMillan with shelter-dog stories from Australia.
That is a full hour of dogs. It anchors the start of the morning.
The rest of the CBS WKND line-up stays with animals and discovery. Hope in the Wild Season 8 airs at 10 a.m. ET, followed by The Visioneers with Zay Harding Season 3 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Rebroadcasts of Dr. Chris Pet Vet air at 11 a.m. ET, with rebroadcasts of The Open Road with Dr. Chris at 11:30 a.m. ET.
The Lucky Dog franchise launched in 2013. Since then it has helped rescue, rehabilitate and re-home more than 200 dogs, according to Variety. The show has received three Daytime Emmy Awards, 63 Telly Awards and seven Parents' Choice Awards.
McMillan has earned two Daytime Emmys for outstanding host in a lifestyle, travel, children's or family viewing programme. Hearst Media Production Group now carries more than 30 original series on its slate. Its weekly educational and informational blocks air at weekends on ABC, CBS, NBC, The CW, Telemundo and independent stations.
For families planning the weekend, this means a familiar favourite stays put. Two back-to-back Lucky Dog episodes open the morning, then the block moves from pets to wildlife and science before midday.
