Meet the adoptable dogs in the game

Let’s get ready to cuddle!

Puppy Bowl 2021 kicks off Sunday ahead of this year’s (likely) snoozer of a human Super Bowl 2021. Tom Brady, Gronk, Antonio Brown? Who are they actually? The real players to watch this year are Aaron Pawdgers, George Kibble, a two-legged little dog named Jett and the many other adorable faces from this year’s puppy players.

The big game, now in its 17th year, is dedicated to inspiring and adoptable dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds and personalities. Speaking of dogs, Snoop Dogg and his best friend Martha Stewart will host this year.

During the event, teams Ruff and Fluff will go paw to paw in a fur-filled melee for the “Lombarky” trophy. Last year it was Team Fluff, making Team Ruff the real underdogs this year.

The big game will be led by ESPN’s Monday Night Football announcer Steve Levy and SportsCenter presenter Sage Steele, with help from animal advocates Kristen Bell, Valerie Bertinelli and Food Network star Duff Goldman. “Rufferee” Dan Schachner will be competing in the competition for the 10th year in a row. Plus, a crew of cuddly kitties will keep viewers entertained with paw-some performances.

Before that, a pregame show featuring fans’ favorite sports correspondents Rodt Weiler, James Hound, Sheena Inu and field reporters Brittany Spaniel and Herman Shepard will share Puppy Bowl insights that only a dog can deliver.

The ultimate “mutt” pregame show will air at 1:00 pm EST / 10:00 am PST, but the real “ruff” case starts at 2:00 pm EST / 11:00 am PST on Sunday, February 7. Fortunately, there are two ways to watch – on the Discovery + app and the Animal Planet network.

Here are some of the standout good boys and girls, plus the rest of the pack, in Puppy Bowl 2021’s starting lineup.

Team Fluff

Aaron Pawdgers

This treeing walker coonhound / American Staffordshire terrier mix from Last Chance Animal Rescue will hopefully live up to its name.

Aubrey

You can tell by looking at her: this Danbury Animal Welfare Society American Staffordshire terrier / Australian terrier mix has managed to win it.

Bananaberry

What kind of wonder is a banana berry? In this case, it is an Australian Cattle Dog / Golden Retriever from Operation Paws for Homes.

Fat monkey

A mix of chow chow and Irish red and white setter, Chunky Monkey has a built-in refill, perfect for a winning tackle. The Chunk comes from Green Dogs Unleashed.

Foxy Cleopatra

And she’s a very lotta dog! This Russell terrier /bichon frize from the Sato Project quickly looks like a fox.

Jett

Meet Jett, a double-fronted amputee Labrador mix from Pets With Disabilities in Maryland who prepares for the big game with regular forays around the countryside with his fellow cat and canine companions with special needs.

Marshall

Another of the special needs dogs at play, this Green Dogs Unleashed Boston terrier is training to become a therapy dog ​​where he will provide a group of COVID emergency room nurses with some much-needed mental health at a local hospital. break in the middle of the pandemic.

Fozzie

This Norwegian Elkhound from Foster Dogs Inc. got his very first Harlem Doggie Day Spa grooming prior to the big game.

Here’s the rest of Team Fluff’s line-up

Team Ruff

Argos

You just know that this Belgian Malinois / American Staffordshire terrier from Rescue Dogs Rock brings his A-game.

Cosmo

This Australian cattle dog from Charlie’s Crusaders Pet Rescue loves the feeling of wind in his ears.

Eclipse

Clear eyes, full of heart, cannot lose. This Siberian Husky / Shar-Pei from MatchDog Rescue has a vision to win.

Fletcher

This American Staffordshire terrier / beagle may look sleepy, but… they give prizes for that in the Puppy Bowl too.

Gus

Gus may be just a little guy, but this Danbury Animal Welfare Society beagle / cocker spaniel brings a big swagger to his game.

Lucy

This beagle / bluetick coonhound looks like she’s about to take a quick pull. Watch out!

Spaulding

This hairless terrier from Dog Star Rescue will pass the vibe check.

Check out the rest of Team Ruff’s lineup