Meet the Players of the Puppy Bowl XXI
Forget the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sightings. We need a healthy dose of endorphins, particularly in the form of some four-legged fluffiness. Puppy Bowl 2025 will take place the same day as the Super Bowl – Sunday, February 9th. But, fear not! The actual Super Bowl doesn’t start until 6:30 pm EST, 3:30 pm PST. So, you can get all your Puppy Bowl smiles out of the way before the big game.
Puppy Bowl XXI
Puppy Bowl XXI has two impressive teams who will be duking it out for the top spot: Team Fluff and Team Ruff. What’s really special about this year is that they’re welcoming 11 pups with special needs like Sprinkle, an Australian Shepherd mix who’s bling and hearing-impaired, and Jolene, an American Pitbull who will be competing in a wheelchair.
Where to Watch Puppy Bowl
Two important questions: what channel is the Puppy Bowl on and what time is the Puppy Bowl? You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers! We can tune in a few different ways:
Animal Planet
Discovery
Discovery+
TBS
truTV
Things will kick off at 2 pm EST, 11 am PST, but the pre-game show starts at 1 pm EST. The puppies will have tuckered out by 5 pm EST, meaning we can switch over to watch the pregame madness start to take shape before the Super Bowl. In a way, the Puppy Bowl time gives us ample opportunity to warm up all our snacks as we prepare for the main event.
To imagine snuggling the snouts of all 142 dogs, you can view the full list on Discovery. However, we’ve picked out the top twelve cuties that we know we’re going to dream about adopting. In truth, the Puppy Bowl adoption rates are very high. This wonderful event has helped hundreds of fur babies find their forever homes. Ready to be tempted?
Abigal | Labrador Retriever Mix
Let’s start with Team Fluff. Abigail is earmarked to bring the chaos – and the zoomies – as a member of the starting lineup for Team Fluff. She’s a precious little pup from Operation Paws for Homes in Alexandria, VA, and is all but guaranteed to secure a forever home after her performance on Sunday.
Paws Allen | Labrador Retriever Mix
As another Lab mix, Paws Allen is well-positioned to put up a fight. He and his big ol’ paws come from Buddy’s Second Chance Rescue in Buffalo, N. Paws Allen is sure to serve a magnificent smackdown or two if anyone gets too close to his team’s ball.
KiKi | Chihuahua Mix
Oh, boy, Sweet little Kiki better steer clear of Paws Allen. She may not be a match for any accidental swipes from her teammate's paws. She’s a sweet little fur baby who’s part chihuahua and part something else, given the fact that she’s basically a ball of fluff. Her current home, Florida Little Dog Rescue in St. Cloud, FL, says she’s a fan of the watersports and, when she’s not basking in the sun, she’s sure to be off taking a nap somewhere. Sounds like the perfect companion, doesn’t she?
Charlotte | American Cocker Spaniel
Something tells us Kiki and Charlotte will end up being besties, especially since they’re both part of the starting lineup for the same team. Maybe they can both go home to the same forever home and up the ante on that household's cute factor. Coming from the Humane Society of Missouri, St. Louis, MO, they say Charlotte knows she’s a head-turner, but she’s humble enough not to try to steal the spotlight from any of her comrades.
Carl | Bulldog Mix
Well, if Charlotte does end up getting a big head, Carl’s side eye will put her in her place. His stoic stare should make him the captain of Team Fluff. Plus, he knows how to keep a cool head when the game is on. The truth behind his stoic stare is a little bit sad, however. Carl is one of the 11 special needs pups who’s been selected to play this year. If you’ve got room in your heart for a special little sidekick who needs a little extra TLC, Carl is your man.
Trio | Boston Terrier
Alright, time to dream of sloppy kisses from the players of Team Ruff. Let’s start with Trio, a cuddly little buddy from Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue in New York, NY. He may be small, but he certainly is mighty. His personality is, perhaps, his strongest selling point. But, it’s his heart that will steal the show. Although Trio was born with a leg deformity, he just may prove to be the team’s strongest kicker.
Alice | Chihuahua
Here, we have another feisty little mixed breed who’s ready to spice things up out on the field. Alice also hails from the Florida Little Dog Rescue in St. Cloud, FL, and knows how to play the game a bit like Carl. She likes to let everyone think she’s a huggable, squeezable, shy little fur baby. But, once the ref blows the whistle, she’s a force to be reckoned with when the heat is on.
Mr. Pickles | Pug Mix
Mr. Pickles! Does it get any cuter than that? Wait ‘til you see this little guy’s face. He’s coming in strong from Dallas Dog in Texas and, as soon as you see his mighty moves out on the field, you’re going to want to give him a forever home – right beside you on the couch. He knows his own voice and isn’t afraid to use it. So, if you do fall in love with Mr. Pickles, be prepared for all kinds of heated debates.
Maxx | Doberman Pinscher
If you thought Trio had it ruff, wait ‘til you meet Maxx. He will inspire all of us to be grateful for what we have and make the most of it. Poor little Maxx only has three legs, but you wouldn’t know it by his enormous spirit. He may be the best catcher on the team and, even with three legs, he can still outmaneuver even the best ball player.
Demure | Cairn Terrier
If Demure could speak, he’d have the thickest Scottish accent this side of the Highlands. You just know he dreams of sitting beside a roaring fire with a book and a pipe. The only thing he’s missing is a Scottish flat cap. Somehow, he ended up in Green Dogs Unleashed from Troy, VA. But he’s learned the rules of American football and is ready to show people how the ancient Celts used to fight.
Enrique | Miniature Pinscher Mix
Enrique will crush the other team with his haunting eyes. As he stares into their soul, he’s sure to use some sort of Jedi trick to get them to drop the ball. This alluring little cutie is from The Sato Project in New York, NY, but don’t let this ladies' man fool you. He’s a cheerful little fella who’s just looking for some love in his life and, boy, would he make a pretty companion for anybody looking for a little ball of Latin love.
Beethoven | Great Pyrenees Mix
Oh, boy. We thought Enrique had cornered the market on soulful eyes. But, we spoke too soon. Beethoven has these sad, soulful eyes that must make him a pro at securing all the gourmet treats in the house. Should the ref call him out for any potential fouls, all he has to do is tilt those eyes in the ref’s direction and it’s game over. Coming from the rescue shelter Best Friends in New York, NY, you can lay odds on someone scoping Beethoven up before the day is through.
Who Will You Root For?
This is a tough call. We don’t know who to root for! They’re all such bundles of joy. We might have to call it a tie even before the game begins. But, if you’re seriously in the market for a new sidekick, one of these pups or rescue shelters could bring you closer to finding your friend.
Stay with us, as we get excited for the Puppy Bowl and Super Bowl hype. We like to keep our finger on the pulse, especially for these little joys in life that only come around once a year. We’ll be sure to report back after the big day!