The 21st Annual Puppy Bowl Is This Weekend—Meet Some of the Adorable Competitors Here

Before the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles compete in the 2025 Super Bowl on Sunday, Team Ruff and Team Fluff will go head-to-head, competing for the Lombarky trophy in the 21st annual Puppy Bowl.

Puppy Bowl XXI premieres on Animal Planet on Sunday, February 9 at 2 p.m. EST. The 21st anniversary features 142 puppies from 80 shelters and rescues across 40 states and two countries.

Throughout the three-hour program, viewers will learn more about the dogs and shelters and the people who take care of them. This year's Puppy Bowl features more puppies, animal shelters, and rescues than ever.

Viewers will also meet 11 special needs canine players looking for their forever homes, including Julius, a hearing-impaired Dalmatian; Marmalade, a sight and hearing-impaired Border Collie and Australian Cattle Dog mix; Mykonos, an American Staffordshire Terrier and Bulldog mix with a cleft palate, among others.

Last year, Team Ruff took home the Lombarky trophy for a 72 to 69 victory over Team Fluff, and the competition seems even steeper this year. Ready to meet some members of the starting lineup who are also competing for the title of "Most Pupular" in the Pupularity Playoffs? Ahead, we're introducing 16 adorable puppy players you can root for—and adopt—this weekend.

Team Fluff

Meet the members of Team Fluff below.

Abigail

Abigail is a Labrador Retriever mix from Operation Paws for Homes in Alexandria, Virginia. She's an energy-filled puppy that will run laps around Team Ruff.

Alice

Alice is a Chihuahua mix from Florida Little Dog Rescue in Saint Cloud, Florida. Although she is small, she is mighty.

Carl

Carl is a Bulldog mix from Louie's Legacy Animal Rescue in New York. He's known for his calm, cool, and collected demeanor on and off the field.

Charlotte

Charlotte is an American Cocker Spaniel from the Humane Society of Missouri in St. Louis, Missouri with a reputation for being a team player.

Kiki

Kiki, a fluffy Chihuahua mix from Florida Little Dog Rescue in Saint Cloud, Florida, is sure to make you smile during this year's Puppy Bowl.

Paws Allen

This Labrador Retriever mix from Buddy's Second Chance Rescue in Buffalo, New York is known for his impressive upper body strength.

Smoosh

Smoosh, a Pekingese from Florida Little Dog Rescue in Saint Cloud, Florida is the first of his breed to take the Puppy Bowl field.

Whoopie

While Whoopie, a Great Pyrenees mix from Wags & Walks in Nashville, Tennessee is a big sweetheart on and off the field, there's no doubt she'll have her head in the game.

Team Ruff

Meet the members of Team Ruff below.

Beethoven

Beethoven is a Great Pyrenees mix from Best Friends Animal Society in New York. This pup is full of curiosity and will capture the hearts of everyone watching.

Dee-Bone Samuel

This Poodle mix from the Sacramento SPCA in California is just like his namesake on the field. While he airs on the shy side at first, once the game gets started, the ball will constantly be in his paws.

Demure

Demure, a Cairin Terrier from Green Dogs Unleashed in Troy, Virginia is full of energy. He'll be the first one on the field to make friends with anyone, even the opposing team.

Enrique

This Miniature Pinscher mix from The Sato Project in New York will cheer his team on as they compete for the Lombarky trophy. Enrique's energy is contagious and will encourage his teammates to give all they have on the field.

Foxtrot

Foxtrot is a Collie mix from Pet Haven in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His happy-go-lucky spirit will come in handy when his teammates need a little motivation to get through the game.

Maxx

Maxx, a three-legged Doberman Pinscher from Las Vegas SPCA in Nevada, is a free-spirited pup who is always ready to catch a ball.

Mr. Pickles

Mr. Pickles is an adorable Pug mix from Dallas Dog in Dallas, Texas. He's the ideal competitor thanks to his feisty, talkative personality.

Trio

Trio is a Boston Terrier from Louie's Legacy Animal Rescue in New York. He's a small breed but his huge personality makes him a force to be reckoned with on the field.