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Bertie Was a Watchdog
A very small watchdog proves that size isn’t everything—even when you’re up against a big bad robber.Bertie is a rather unusual watchdog. That’s because Bertie is, well, about the size of a watch. So when a horrible robber breaks in, tiny Bertie is put to the test! Bertie nips the robber on the leg, chases him around the sofa, and challenges him to a barking contest. But will Bertie succeed in scaring the robber away? Here’s a silly story brimming with kid appeal, complete with slapstick chases, comically mismatched adversaries, and a well-deserved triumph by an indefatigable underdog. Combining the fun of comics and a full-size picture book, here is a refreshing new format offering a punch line on every page.
Unknown Binding
First published June 1, 2002
29 people want to read
About the author
Rick Walton
110 books50 followersBorn and raised in Utah, Walton is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormon Church. He served as a missionary to Brazil from 1976 to 1978, soon after he graduated from high school. Later, at Brigham Young University, he became president of the Brazil Club. In 1980, he graduated from Brigham Young with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and a minor in Portuguese, the language spoken in Brazil.
Walton's education continued after he obtained his degree. In 1980, he went back to Brigham Young for one semester of graduate work in business, but chose not to follow that career path. Deciding to become a teacher, he earned certification in elementary education from Brigham Young in 1987, as well as certification to teach gifted and talented students. Up to that point, he had held a number of jobs, including a year with the parks and recreation department of Provo, Utah. In 1987, he began teaching sixth grade at a local public school, then switched to a private school.
Also interested in computers, Walton would later publish several items of software. He left teaching to accept a position as software designer for IBM in 1989. In 1994, he turned to freelance software design and writing. He also returned to Brigham Young University once again, this time to earn his master's degree in English, with an emphasis on creative writing.
Walton's wife, Ann, with whom he has written many of his books, is a computer programmer. They were married in 1983, and have five children. With Dumb Clucks! and Something's Fishy! in 1987, the Waltons began writing books.
Walton's education continued after he obtained his degree. In 1980, he went back to Brigham Young for one semester of graduate work in business, but chose not to follow that career path. Deciding to become a teacher, he earned certification in elementary education from Brigham Young in 1987, as well as certification to teach gifted and talented students. Up to that point, he had held a number of jobs, including a year with the parks and recreation department of Provo, Utah. In 1987, he began teaching sixth grade at a local public school, then switched to a private school.
Also interested in computers, Walton would later publish several items of software. He left teaching to accept a position as software designer for IBM in 1989. In 1994, he turned to freelance software design and writing. He also returned to Brigham Young University once again, this time to earn his master's degree in English, with an emphasis on creative writing.
Walton's wife, Ann, with whom he has written many of his books, is a computer programmer. They were married in 1983, and have five children. With Dumb Clucks! and Something's Fishy! in 1987, the Waltons began writing books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 4, 2013
Rick Walton's cunning canine caper tells the story of the little dog that could. In a home alone style back and forth the miniature mutt competes with the burglar in every aspect of dog-hood. After many attempts all seems lost, but will Bertie put the crook in the dog house?
After reading the book an irresistible smile is a natural reaction and Walton makes good use of the twist to create something heart-warming. Although I enjoyed the narrative I felt the illustration left something to be desired. The book seems to date very badly and even though I am aware that the Quentin Blake-esque scrawls are meant to add charm, I feel the date the title beyond its years.
The book may be a good self-directed reader for those moving towards the higher end of the phonics scheme but its size and, in my opinion, uninspiring drawings mean that I would leave it out of a class reading or assisted reading exercise.
After reading the book an irresistible smile is a natural reaction and Walton makes good use of the twist to create something heart-warming. Although I enjoyed the narrative I felt the illustration left something to be desired. The book seems to date very badly and even though I am aware that the Quentin Blake-esque scrawls are meant to add charm, I feel the date the title beyond its years.
The book may be a good self-directed reader for those moving towards the higher end of the phonics scheme but its size and, in my opinion, uninspiring drawings mean that I would leave it out of a class reading or assisted reading exercise.
April 29, 2019
A Story where the dog is as big as a watch. The robber puts him down until the dog uses his wits and tricks the robber into barking super loud and then the police come and arrest him. The illustration are priceless.
April 22, 2024
Bertie who is not the biggest watch dog out there, uses his brain and figures out different ways of protecting his home. Bertie shows that even though he is not a big dog he can still protect his home from an angry person trying to steal from his home.
April 22, 2024
Bertie the watchdog is a small but brave pup who guards his owner's house from intruders, but when a mischievous cat causes trouble, Bertie must prove he's more than just a tiny dog. This silly book with cute illustrations teaches kids about courage and determination, perfect for early readers.
April 24, 2024
I really liked hearing about this book in the classroom and feel that it could be used in the classroom to show a good lesson. The lesson would be that no matter your size if you have the will and might yo can do anything.
August 29, 2017
Read this a long time ago but remember Bertie the watchdog and the twist at the end. Cute story and fun to read to children.
February 27, 2018
A little odd, but fun.
May 17, 2018
Brains over brawn will always win.
March 24, 2021
That tricky little watchdog.
October 8, 2022
This book was okay, it wasn't a favorite, but it was still cute at times.
March 5, 2024
A funny book about a watchdog that is not the watchdog you would think of, he is a dog that is as small as a watch. The story follows him as he trys to be a watchdog (the non small kind).
April 4, 2012
I guessed where the story was going, and still enjoyed this book. Fun to see the under dog (or in this case little dog) triumph. Best picture in the whole book is the page with the text "size of a watch." The look on Bertie's face is fantastic. This would definitely be a fun book to read aloud in a lap-read, but also in a storytime. I think the preschoolers would enjoy it as would school-age. Though I still have my misgivings about the part where the robber bites the dog...
4/4/12 My small spring break group included 2-3 school-age kids. So this was good to try with them as well as preschoolers. I had time at the end and we had just done "5 Little Monkeys"--always a great way to get the kids involved and reacting. I had this as a filler and it worked well. My favorite page was theirs as well. One boy figured out where it was going because he guessed out loud (when I didn't ask him to). I finally got facial reactions from the group with this book, which made me very happy I used it as a choice. I wonder if my larger group full of my regulars would have enjoyed it more?
4/4/12 My small spring break group included 2-3 school-age kids. So this was good to try with them as well as preschoolers. I had time at the end and we had just done "5 Little Monkeys"--always a great way to get the kids involved and reacting. I had this as a filler and it worked well. My favorite page was theirs as well. One boy figured out where it was going because he guessed out loud (when I didn't ask him to). I finally got facial reactions from the group with this book, which made me very happy I used it as a choice. I wonder if my larger group full of my regulars would have enjoyed it more?
June 28, 2023
This book reminds me that it isn't the strongest or the biggest that wins the day. The day goes to those who endure and to the smart.
Talking Points: Tell me about an experience you've had where the day was won by someone smart or someone who didn't give up, not someone big or strong. What kind of dog would you like as a watch dog? What problems do you have now that you can applying some smarts or some tenacity could help?
** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: My choice to put on when reading this book is a doTERRA's Brave. It's specially formulated for children to help them be Brave. It has Cinnamon in it. They say that Cinnamon is the oil to diffuse or to put on when you need to put on your superman - afraid of nothing - power.
Talking Points: Tell me about an experience you've had where the day was won by someone smart or someone who didn't give up, not someone big or strong. What kind of dog would you like as a watch dog? What problems do you have now that you can applying some smarts or some tenacity could help?
** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: My choice to put on when reading this book is a doTERRA's Brave. It's specially formulated for children to help them be Brave. It has Cinnamon in it. They say that Cinnamon is the oil to diffuse or to put on when you need to put on your superman - afraid of nothing - power.
June 19, 2008
Format: 54 pages Appx. 275 words, third person POV
*spoilers*
Bertie is a watchdog because... he's the size of a watch. We're talking tiny. So when a burglar breaks into Bertie's house, he has to use more than his size to bring the thief to justice. This little guy has the heart of coyote, tricking the burglar into bringing himself to the attention of the police. Strong arc and really cute concept.
*spoilers*
Bertie is a watchdog because... he's the size of a watch. We're talking tiny. So when a burglar breaks into Bertie's house, he has to use more than his size to bring the thief to justice. This little guy has the heart of coyote, tricking the burglar into bringing himself to the attention of the police. Strong arc and really cute concept.
September 27, 2007
Bertie is a watchdog, the size of a watch. Although a little ratty looking, he's adorable, and the play on words made this book a favorite amongst children and adults at the independent bookstore I worked at!
April 25, 2009
Awesome story with clever, fun illustrations, popular with my preschool daughter and husband for bedtime reading. It's funny, surprising, and features bad guys getting outsmarted by the little guy. Not too long for sleepy parents, either!
May 11, 2011
How many times have I read this? I memorized it long ago - in fact our family has acted it out at a family reunion - need I say more? You and your children will love this book! It's time I bought another hardback copy - the last has been taped and taped and taped.
September 20, 2025
Re-read this as a possible thing to read for a group of kids coming to the library. I'm adding a star to it and creating a new bookshelf for it: Elementary Read Alouds
Pretty hilarious and sure to entertain a bunch of 3rd graders.
Pretty hilarious and sure to entertain a bunch of 3rd graders.
January 29, 2012
Bertie was a little dog. He had a contest with the robber to see who could bit the hardest--the robber won, who could run the fastest--the robber won and who could bark the loudest--the robber won. But the robber barked so loud the police heard and came and caught the robber. Bertie won!
April 21, 2012
Very amusing book for storytime. Preschoolers and young elementary kids love a twist, so this is the perfect book for them. Have them make the noises with you for a more interactive reading.
2/21/2012 & 2/23/2009
2/21/2012 & 2/23/2009
July 4, 2016
Bertie was called a watchdog, not because of his horrific bark or his fearsome bite, but because he was . . . about the size of a watch. Yet this tiny terror proved more than a match when a burglar invaded his home. This is a bite-sized amount of cute and silly fun.
January 23, 2009
This is a really fun and classic dog lover story! Fun and colorful to use when reading to young children!
January 19, 2012
Think kids would enjoy this book. Especially appropriate for anyone who is small.
June 7, 2009
A pretty silly book but fun as well. The moral could be a bit of cleverness can compensate for brute strength.
July 22, 2013
One of my favorite books of all time!
June 28, 2012
This was a really fun read aloud!
August 19, 2012
Fun book!
September 15, 2012
This pint sized dog shows a nefarious robber that brains can defeat brawn as Bertie tricks him into barking for the police.
March 6, 2013
"Bertie was a watchdog."
This is a great story full of fun illustrations. The cleverness of Bertie makes me laugh.
This is a great story full of fun illustrations. The cleverness of Bertie makes me laugh.
July 1, 2015
Great story showing that size does not matter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews