Meet the Adorable Pups Facing Off in the Competition

The cuddliest competition of the year is back. 

That’s right: 142 rescue pups from 80 shelters will go head-to-head Feb. 9 in the 21st annual Puppy Bowl, airing at 2 p.m. EST/11 a.m. PST across Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS, truTV, Max and discovery+. And the cuteness overload is worth the tune-in alone. 

In the three-hour-long television event, more puppies than ever before will compete on either Team Fluff—led by Julep, the first-ever St. Bernard-mix, and Smoosh, the only Pekingese to compete in the games—or Team Ruff—led by Mr. Pickles, a Pug-Chihuahua mix from Dallas, and Tuani, a Chihuahua-German shepherd hailing from Nicaragua—in the call-to-adoption program.

“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,” said Chief Creative Officer of U.S. Networks and President of Discovery Networks Howard Lee. “Win or lose, Puppy Bowl 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.”