Yes, the name alone is enough to send you gagging towards the nearest toilet. But if you can get past that you might be pleasantly surprised, because “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” is really not as bad as the previews make it out to be. There aren’t any musical numbers, and thankfully there’s very little of Papi (George Lopez), the only annoying mutt in the film, whom you’ll want to tazer every time he spews out love poetry.

The plot centers on Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore), a pampered pet living the high life with spa treatments, play dates and more outfits than any human could have—basically the doggie version of a Malibu Princess. When Chloe’s owner (Jamie Lee Curtis) leaves her under the care of her niece Rachel (Piper Perabo), the two go on a trip to Mexico where Chloe ends up getting dognapped. Following her subsequent escape, our main character embarks on her attempted journey home with the help of Delgado (Andy Garcia), a streetwise German shepherd with a mysterious past, while the aforementioned Papi sets out from his cushy 90210 surroundings in search of his true puppy love.

Contrary to what you might expect, the movie doesn’t promote the lavish lifestyles enjoyed by the dogs of the rich and shameless, but outright ridicules them. Thus Jamie Lee Curtis is spot on as the delusional pet owner who treats her dogs better than her children. As for the rest of cast, Barrymore is as loveable as anyone playing the voice of a pampered pooch can be, while Garcia proves that even in canine form he can still pull out the charm and steal every scene he’s in. Any dog fancier will enjoy this film, but the more obsessive breeds should particularly go see it. It might make you think twice before buying Fido that next pair of Chanel boots.

3 Stars by Priscilla Man.

Directed by Raja Gosnell. Starring Drew Barrymore, George Lopez, Andy Garcia, Piper Perabo, Manolo Cardona, Jamie Lee Curtis. Category I, 92 minutes. Opened Nov 20.