“Get ready for some serious puppy cuteness! On February 3 at 3 p.m. Eastern, Animal Planet will roll out the 15th edition of the most adorable sporting event in America – Puppy Bowl XV. HuffPost reporters had the privilege of going behind the scenes during the filming of this television fuzz-fest, capturing not only some heart-melting photos but also uncovering fascinating tidbits about the canine competitors on #TeamRuff and #TeamFluff.
This year’s lineup features a total of 93 puppies, aged between 13 and 26 weeks old, all of whom were rescued from 51 shelters across the U.S., including Puerto Rico, as well as Costa Rica. The diverse roster includes breeds like shar-pei, Labrador retriever, St. Bernard, a delightfully drowsy corgi, and various charming mixed breeds.
Adding a heartwarming twist, three disabled pups are set to participate, fearlessly tackling their furry counterparts while chasing squeaky toys. The trio includes Bumble, a hard-of-hearing and blind Australian shepherd mix, Will, a three-legged doodle mix, and Pippi, a blind Jack Russell mix.
Despite their on-screen appearance, these lovable furballs were all adopted last fall, and they hail from some renowned shelters, such as New York’s Muddy Paws Rescue, which will be collaborating with Olympic silver medalist Gus Kenworthy for a special segment on game day. Additionally, Los Angeles’ Vanderpump Dogs, founded by “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Lisa Vanderpump, is also part of this heartening initiative.
For a sneak peek behind the scenes, scroll down and brace yourself for a cuteness overload!
“Meet Gallagher, the touchdown-scoring sensation from the Puppy Bowl! This energetic pup stole the spotlight during the filming in New York City on October 16, 2018. Get ready for some serious canine athleticism and adorable antics during Puppy Bowl XV, airing on February 3 at 3 p.m. Eastern on Animal Planet. Gallagher is just one of the many irresistible players on #TeamRuff and #TeamFluff, making this the cutest sporting event of the year!”
“Meet Buford, the charming basset hound making waves in Puppy Bowl XV! Catch his adorable moves during the airing on February 3 at 3 p.m. Eastern on Animal Planet. 🐾 #TeamRuff #TeamFluff”
“After the exciting shoot for Puppy Bowl XV in New York City, Clara the corgi takes a well-deserved nap. 🐶💤 #PuppyBowlXV #NapTime”
“Clover takes a moment to rest before shining on stage during the filming of Puppy Bowl XV. 🐾✨
Dixie goes for the win, attempting to catch the toy! 🐾🏆
“Abner and Glory, the dynamic duo, eagerly await their turn for the spotlight! 🌟🐾
Bella, the Puerto Rican rescue shining bright in the spotlight! 🌟🐶