They’re ready to get the ball rolling.
On Feb. 12, 122 adoptable pooches will go nose-to-nose as they vie for the Lombarky Trophy at the 19th annual Puppy Bowl. The three-hour televised adoption event will feature pups, including ones with disabilities, from 67 shelters spanning 34 states – and one even hails from the West Indies.
This year, Team Ruff comes in as the underdog after suffering a defeat in last year’s Bowl against Team Fluff.
In a sneak peek of the competition, Animal Planet’s showdown preview offers a glimpse into the action as returning referee Dan Schachner flags a pupper for “excessive hydration.”
The canine in question is Florida native Divinci, a labradoodle who took a splash into his water bowl.
The lethargic labradoodle was dog-gone tired, opting for a timeout in the field’s water bowl. ANIMAL PLANET
The illegal play earned the pup a scolding and flag from the ref. ANIMAL PLANET
Team Ruff is up against Team Fluff in an attempt to save its reputation after their devastating loss in 2022. ANIMAL PLANET“Wow, it’s like picking up a wet sponge,” Schachner, who is returning for his 12th year, says of the sopping pup.
Fluff’s very own Pickle the Pomeranian suffered a foul, too – “dog collar tackle.” The mischievous fluffball chomped down on another pup’s bandana on the field, prompting Schachner’s intervention. But the playful pooch attempted to shush the ref by placing a paw up to his face.
The tiny but mighty Pomeranian was busted for pulling on the competition’s bandana. ANIMAL PLANET
When getting scolded for the foul play, Pickle shushed the ref with a single paw. ANIMAL PLANET
Puppy Bowl, which airs on Animal Planet and Discovery+, is hailed as the longest-running televised adoption event. During the telecast, pup lovers can learn about each pooch that needs a loving home, including their breed and outstanding traits.
While the pre-game show begins at 1 p.m. ET on SuperBowl Sunday, kickoff is at 2 p.m. ET live on Animal Planet or through discovery+ streaming. The competition, with sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks offering their play-by-play commentary, will take a brief break for the Kitty Halftime show.
Similarly to years past, Puppy Bowl XIX was filmed ahead of time, so many of the fan-favorite Fidos will already be adopted by the time the Bowl hits screens around the country.
