Puppy Bowl, the original and longest running call-to-adoption television event, returns for the 21st year on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 2:00PM ET/11:00AM PT and will be simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max and discovery+. From the shelters to superstardom, these dogs are so doggone cute that you want them all to win!
Right On! Digital got a chance to find out more about these fun, furry animals who are competing in the “Popularity” Playoffs. In fact, Dan Schachner is the only human that gets to be on the field amongst the sea of cute faces, wagging tales, and even a few disabled pets who are looking for love. Dan, who left NFL League back in 2010, has been the Puppy Bowl Referee ever since, and enjoys spending time surrounded by dogs who ham it up on the field.
What exactly is the purpose of Puppy Bowl and what do pups get out of it? If they were competing head to head for the Super Bowl, winners receive championship rings, raises in salary and even a hometown parade. But these dogs get something much more valuable: a home with kind owners who want to rescue them.
According to network representatives, he annual three-hour television event will feature 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states – and two countries – as they compete in the cutest competition of the year. With more puppies than ever before, Puppy Bowl XXI will highlight their inspiring journeys from birth to adoption, as well as the tremendous dedication of the rescues and shelters that help find animals their forever homes.
“Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl serves as an annual pop culture programming event that continues to expand in reach, awareness and of course, puppies, every year,” says Howard Lee, Chief Creative Officer of U.S. Networks and President of Discovery Networks. “Win or lose, PuppyBowl XXI will have the cutest players in the game on Sunday, February 9 and will inspire families across the country to adopt a new furry friend.”
#PuppyBowl
Credit: Discovery Channel
The game kicks off when Puppy Bowl referee Dan Schachner blows the whistle and the PEDIGREE® Starting Lineup players take the field at PROGRESSIVE® Stadium. Julep, the first-ever St. Bernard-mix, and Smoosh, the only Pekingese to compete in the games, will head up Team Fluff while Mr. Pickles, a Pug-Chihuahua from Dallas, and Tuani, a Chihuahua-German shepherd who traveled all the way from Nicaragua, will look to bring Team Ruff to victory. The two teams will go head-to-head on the gridiron in hopes of bringing home the Walmart® “Lombarky” trophy and see which puppy player has what it takes to be named the MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) and win the SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Underdog Award.
These puppies are tackling challenges. Photo credit: Discovery Channel
Eleven inspiring special needs dogs, including Jolene, an American Pit bull terrier-mix competing in a wheelchair, and Sprinkle, a blind and hearing-impaired Australian shepherd-mix, will take the field, giving it their all and not letting their disabilities slow them down.”
As they go nose to nose, what will happen on the field? Let Dan tell us.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE:
