Puppy Bowl

File:Puppy Bowl XIII in 2017.jpg

According to the show's producers, the inspiration for Puppy Bowl as Super Bowl counterprogramming came from the popular Yule Log Christmas program.{{cite web|title=Colbert to Auction Doctored Portrait|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/colbert-to-auction-doctored-portrait/|work=CBS News|date=February 4, 2011|access-date=February 1, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Poggi|first=Jeanine|title=Puppy Bowl X Adds Penguin Cheerleaders, More Sponsors and a VIP Lounge for Cats|url=http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/animal-planet-s-puppy-bowl-plays/291154/|work=Advertising Age|date=January 17, 2014|access-date=January 29, 2014}}[https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/2/4/14480722/puppy-bowl-explained The Puppy Bowl, explained – Vox]

Several months of planning occur before each show, which is usually shot in October. A veterinarian is on site during the production of Puppy Bowl to ensure animal safety and well-being, and to administer any veterinary medical care which might be needed. Representatives from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as well as the shelters which lend their animals to the production, are also on-site as observers to ensure animal welfare standards are maintained. In 2012, an American Humane Association representative was always on-site to ensure that puppies did not become too aggressive and injure one another.{{cite news|title=The Puppy Bowl: Behind the Scenes of TV's Cutest Show|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-puppy-bowl-behind-the-scenes-of-tvs-cutest-show/2013/01/25/f7fe46f4-6642-11e2-93e1-475791032daf_gallery.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 28, 2013|access-date=January 28, 2013}}{{cite magazine|last=Marantz|first=Andrew|title=Puppies!|url=http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2013/01/28/130128ta_talk_marantz|magazine=The New Yorker|date=January 28, 2013|access-date=January 22, 2013}}

According to its associate producer, about 53 hours of videoing are needed to produce a single Puppy Bowl. In 2007, shooting occurred over three days. Roughly 30 staff members were needed in 2008 to produce the show. In 2010, the veterinarian on site said shooting was spread over three days, while in 2015 the videoing occurred in 12-hour blocks over two days. Puppies are given a rest period every 30 minutes, due to the heat from the lights. Forty-six puppies were used in 2008, and about 60 puppies in 2010. The 2011 production occurred in the New York City area in the fall of 2010, using 47 puppies, while the 2012 show featured 58 puppies.{{cite web|title=Puppy Bowl 2012: Kittens, Pigs And Birds Play Supporting Roles|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/27/puppy-bowl-2012-cute-puppies_n_1237263.html|work=The Huffington Post|date=January 27, 2012|access-date=January 29, 2012}} The 2013 show (shot at a television studio in west midtown in Manhattan) featured 63 puppies, with 10 on the field at one time. Shooting occurred over two days. The 2014 episode was videoed October 2 to 4, 2013, at the Chelsea Broadcast Center in Manhattan, New York City. A staff of 49 Animal Planet employees and 48 volunteers wrangled the animals, with each puppy assigned a single human overseer. Cats were shot the first day, dogs the second, and other animals on the fourth. A total of 66 puppies were used for the show in 2014,{{cite web|last=Pesce|first=Nicole|title=Competing Networks Get Cute on Super Sunday|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/competing-networks-cute-super-sunday-article-1.1589476|work=New York Daily News|date=January 28, 2014|access-date=January 29, 2014}} including a basset hound with a genetic defect to its paw. This allowed 12 to 15 puppies to be on the field at a time, and for puppies to be given rest periods every 20 minutes. Another 30 untrained kittens, five penguins, three trained adult cats, eight "tailgate party" dogs, four police dogs, and six hamsters were used in the 2014 show. All the animals except the penguins (which were provided by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium) are adoptable. In 2015, 37 shelters from around the United States and Puerto Rico submitted 85 puppies for the event, of which 55 puppies were chosen to be on the air. Another 25 kittens were used for the half-time show. Forty-four shelters and rescue groups in 25 states provided 49 animals in 2016. (Eighty-eight animals "auditioned".){{cite web|last=Ferrante|first=Deanna|title=Meet the 12 Orlando puppies appearing in Puppy Bowl XII|url=http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2016/01/26/meet-the-12-orlando-puppies-appearing-in-puppy-bowl-xii|work=Orlando Weekly|date=January 26, 2016|access-date=February 4, 2017}} Videoing returned to an eight-hour-a-day, three-day format in 2016, with two days used for videoing puppies and one day for kittens and other animals. Sixty personnel were needed for shooting. Puppies were grouped by size (small, medium, and large) for on-field play.{{cite magazine|title='Puppy Bowl XII': A Totally Necessary Gallery of Ridiculously Cute Baby Dogs|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/sports/pictures/puppy-bowl-xii-a-totally-necessary-gallery-of-ridiculously-cute-baby-dogs-20160120/getting-his-game-face-on-20160120|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 20, 2016|access-date=February 4, 2017}} For Puppy Bowl XIII, 34 shelters and rescue organizations in 22 states and Puerto Rico provided the 78 puppies featured on the show.{{cite news|last=Adams|first=Kirby|title=Two Kentucky pups play in Puppy Bowl XIII|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/buzz-around-town/2017/01/30/barkstown-rescue-pups-animal-planets-puppy-bowl-xiii/97237612/|work=Louisville Courier-Journal|date=January 30, 2017|access-date=February 4, 2017}}

Puppy Bowl is shot inside a miniature Plexiglas "stadium" that is {{convert|19|ft|m}} long by {{convert|10|ft|m}} wide. Only puppies between 12 and 21 weeks old are allowed on the show, and there is a height and weight limit due to the size limitations of the play area. Puppies must show that they are well-socialized with people and with other puppies, and that they have the full range of vaccinations. A wide variety of toys are placed inside the "stadium". Although there is no minimum or maximum limit on how many toys may be in the stadium, show producers say that toys which make the loudest noise or which are sausage-shaped get the most attention. Toys are usually switched out every 20 minutes, and often more frequently. Peanut butter is smeared around camera lenses to induce the puppies to lick the camera.{{cite web|last=Conry|first=Tara|title=Sayville Hound Plays in 'Puppy Bowl' Despite Defect in Paw|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330/sayville-hound-plays-in-puppy-bowl-despite-defect-in-paw-1.6899111|work=Newsday|date=January 29, 2014|access-date=January 29, 2014}} About {{convert|80|oz|g}} of peanut butter are used for the taping, along with {{convert|15|lb|kg}} of dry dog food, 500 dog treats, and 250 toys.

The various cameras used to tape the show generated about 50 hours of footage in 2011, but more than 90 hours in 2012 (for the 2013 airing). Some cameras are placed inside toys, to give a puppy's-eye view of the action. In 2015, 18 cameras were used, and several weeks were needed to edit the footage into a two-hour program. Fifteen cameras were used in 2016, and more than 100 hours of footage generated for the 2017 show.

The first five Puppy Bowls were narrated by Harry Kalas, a narrator for NFL Films and longtime play-by-play voice of the Philadelphia Phillies.{{cite web|title=Harry Kalas, 73; Was Voice of the Phillies Since 1971|url=http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2009/04/17/harry_kalas_73_was_voice_of_the_phillies_since_1971/|work=The Boston Globe|date=April 17, 2009|access-date=January 29, 2014}} The Puppy Bowls from 2010 to 2011 were narrated by Jeff Bordner and then by Scott Graham from 2012 until 2020.

File:A puppy participating at the 2017 Puppy Bowl.png

The Puppy Bowl consists of a number of puppies playing in a model stadium ("GEICO Stadium") with no audience (but with canned audience cheering), commentary, and instant replay shots. A "bowl cam" provides shots upwards through the transparent bottom of a special water bowl built into the stadium floor, with a wide-angle lens that allows viewers to watch the puppies drink water (and walk through it) up close. Ten full-size digital cameras and five GoPro miniature digital cameras were used in 2014 to capture the action. These numbers include the hidden cameras in the water bowl and toys.

A human "rufferee" watches over the "action on the field." In the first few years of Puppy Bowl, this was a crew member randomly selected each year. Beginning in 2008, it was Animal Planet associate producer Andrew Schechter. For the 2012 Puppy Bowl, Schechter was replaced by SportsNet New York and Beer Money! host Dan Schachner,{{cite web|title=Animal Planet's PUPPY BOWL VIII to Premiere 2/5|url=http://tv.broadwayworld.com/article/Animal-Planets-PUPPY-BOWL-VIII-to-Premiere-25-20120105##ixzz1ks3263GS|work=Broadway World|date=January 5, 2012|access-date=January 29, 2014}} who has hosted the show ever since.{{cite news|last=Payne|first=Marissa|title=A Complete Guide to Puppy Bowl XI|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/01/27/wp/2015/01/28/a-complete-guide-to-puppy-bowl-xi/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 28, 2015|access-date=February 4, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Contrera|first=Jessica|title=Puppy Bowl: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Stuff You Don't See on TV|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/02/05/84-dogs-315-poo-bags-and-a-whole-lot-of-peanut-butter-the-making-of-the-puppy-bowl/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 5, 2016|access-date=February 4, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Ryan|first=Patrick|title='Puppy Bowl': Always Adorable, Now Inspiring|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2017/01/03/exclusive-puppy-bowl-animal-planet-special-needs/95968940/|work=USA Today|date=January 3, 2017|access-date=February 4, 2017}} He auditioned by submitting a tape showing him trying to organize a dog football game among unwitting dog-owners at a public park. Football terminology is often used by the announcer and referee to illustrate the puppies' behavior and actions. To score a touchdown, a puppy must carry any of the many toys on the field (typically via the mouth) into either of the two end zones; the result is seven points for its team, starting in Puppy Bowl XI. To score a field goal, a puppy must kick a toy into either of the two end zones; the result is three points for its team, starting in Puppy Bowl XI. Touchdowns happen more often than field goals. Occasionally, a "double touchdown" may occur when a puppy races with a toy from one end zone to the next. In 2016, a "team touchdown" occurred as two puppies carried the same toy into the end zone.

"Penalties" are issued for puppies relieving themselves on the field. Timeouts are called if the water bowl needs to be refilled, or if the puppies begin to fight (a behavior called "unnecessary rrruff-ness"). The show uses puns to mimic the rules of professional football, including paws interference (pass interference), ruff sides (offsides), and dog-collar tackle (horse-collar tackle). Unique "penalties" called may also include howling, illegal bathing (playing in the water bowl), napping on the field, premature watering of the lawn (urination), "excessive fertilization" (defecation), "neutral bone infraction" (neutral zone infraction), and "ineligible retriever downfield" (ineligible receiver downfield). Three special "penalty calls" were introduced in 2015: "Terrorizing the ref" (for a puppy who acts aggressively toward the referee), "paws interference" (for when a puppy blocks another) and "pancaking" (for when a tired puppy sprawls on the floor instead of playing). Penalties, however, do not disadvantage the offender.

Each year, a Most Valuable Puppy (or MVP) is chosen at the end of the show for the puppy considered to be the stand-out performer of the event. Beginning with Puppy Bowl XI, viewers were allowed to vote for the MVP. MVP voting was permitted for the program's airing.

Although puppies may urinate or defecate on the field as frequently as once every 20 seconds, all but one of the incidents is edited out of the show. In 2016, 315 plastic bags were needed to retrieve feces, and more than 1,500 absorbent pads used to clean up urination. Puppies occasionally engage in sexual activity, but this is edited out of the program.

The running time of Puppy Bowls I through IV was 180 minutes (including commercials). The running time of Puppy Bowl V was decreased to 120 minutes (including commercials). Jessie Dinh, producer at Discovery Studios, explained the reason for the decrease: "We only did two hours this year so that we had the opportunity to include some other fun elements."{{cite news|title=Puppy Bowl V|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/01/29/DI2009012903506.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 30, 2009|access-date=January 29, 2014}}

2015's Puppy Bowl XI introduced team-based competition to Puppy Bowl for the first time. Puppies were divided into two teams, Teams "Ruff" and "Fluff", each identifiable by a different colored bandana worn throughout the event. Points were tallied on a scoreboard powered by a hamster running on a wheel. The team with the most points was declared the victor.{{Cite web|title=Puppy Bowl Is Back—And This Time We're Keeping Score! "Team Ruff" Takes On Archrival "Team Fluff" on Super Bowl Sunday in Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl XI|url=https://press.discovery.com/us/apl/press-releases/2015/puppy-bowl-back-and-time-were-keeping-score-t-3314/|work=Discovery.com|date=January 6, 2015|access-date=February 20, 2016}} Team Ruff overwhelmed their opponents 87–49 to become the first-ever Puppy Bowl champions.{{Cite web|title=2015 MVP Named in Puppy Bowl XI|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/02/2015-mvp-named-in-puppy-bowl-xi|work=IGN.com|date=February 1, 2015|access-date=February 20, 2016}}

In Puppy Bowl XII, Team Ruff won again by a score of 70–44.{{cite news|last=Contrera|first=Jessica|title=Puppy Bowl XII proves puppies make up for everything, even blatant product placement|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/02/07/puppy-bowl-xii-proves-puppies-make-up-for-everything-even-blatant-product-placement/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 7, 2016|access-date=February 4, 2017}}

In Puppy Bowl XIII, Team Fluff upset the heavily favored Team Ruff by a score of 93–38.{{Cite web|title=PUPPY BOWL XIII 2017: RECAP, MVP, HIGHLIGHTS AND TWITTER REACTION|website=Bleacher Report |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2691347-puppy-bowl-xiii-2017-recap-mvp-highlights-and-twitter-reaction}}

In Puppy Bowl XIV, Team Fluff won again in a close margin of 52–47.{{cite web|last1=D'Andrea|first1=Christian|last2=Thomas|first2=Jeanna|title=Puppy Bowl 2018 results: Team Fluff brings home the Lombarky Trophy again|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2018/2/4/16961936/2018-puppy-bowl-live-highlights-updates-cute-canines|work=SBNation|date=February 4, 2018 |access-date=February 7, 2018}}

In Puppy Bowl XV, Team Ruff overturned Team Fluff's winning streak by a score of 59–51.{{cite magazine|title=Team Ruff Defeats Team Fluff in Puppy Bowl XV|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/03/team-ruff-defeats-team-fluff-puppy-bowl-2019-champion-mvp-results|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=February 3, 2019}}

In Puppy Bowl XVI, Team Fluff returned to winning by a score of 63–59.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/02/02/puppy-bowl-2020-winner-results-team-fluff-team-ruff|title=Team Fluff Defeats Team Ruff in Puppy Bowl XVI|date=2 February 2020|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}

In Puppy Bowl XVII, Team Ruff's incredible fourth quarter comeback gave them the win by a score of 73–69. Most Valuable Puppy Marshall scored a double touchdown.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/07/us/puppy-bowl-2021-time-lineup-trnd/index.html|title=Puppy Bowl XVII: Team Ruff wins with dramatic last-minute comeback|date=7 February 2021|website=CNN}}

In Puppy Bowl XVIII, Team Fluff won on a game-winning touchdown when time expired, which gave Team Fluff a 73–69 win.[https://nypost.com/2022/02/13/puppy-bowl-2022-winner-recap-team-fluff-has-the-best-boys/ Puppy Bowl 2022 winner recap: Team Fluff has the best boys – New York Post article by Lauren Steussy and Brooke Kato]

In Puppy Bowl XIX, Team Fluff won with a score of 87–83. the game winning touchdown was scored by Vivianne the Siberian Husky/Rottweiler/Neapolitan Mastiff mix.{{cite web | url=https://dogoday.com/2023/02/12/puppy-bowl-xix-winner-team | title=Puppy Bowl XIX has a winner and it's Team… | date=February 12, 2023 }}

In Puppy Bowl XX, Team Ruff won with a score of 72–69. The winning field goal was by Cookie.{{cite web |last1=Zucker |first1=Joseph |title=Puppy Bowl 2024: Recap, MVP, Highlights and Twitter Reaction |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10108954-puppy-bowl-2024-recap-mvp-highlights-and-twitter-reaction |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=3 April 2024 |language=en |date=February 11, 2024}}

In Puppy Bowl XXI, Team Ruff was winning for most of the end until a last second turnaround made Team Fluff the champion winning 68-66.{{Cite news |last=Bowman |first=Emma |date=2025-02-09 |title=See Spot run: Photos from a historic Puppy Bowl |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/02/09/nx-s1-5291547/puppy-bowl-photos-dogs |access-date=2025-02-10 |work=NPR |language=en}}

Team Fluff currently leads the series 6-5.

Like the Super Bowl itself, one can bet on which team they think will win. On top of that, there are many other fun prop bets designed to be low risk, as sportsbooks limit bets to a few hundred dollars at most.{{Cite web |title=Betting On The 2024 Puppy Bowl |url=https://www.bettingsuperbowl.com/puppy-bowl/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=BettingSuperBowl.com |language=en-US}} The airing of the show is not live, though, so bettors must get their action in before it starts on Super Bowl Sunday.

Starting with Puppy Bowl II, at the 1 hour, 15 minute mark, the puppies leave the field and a large scratching post is brought out with a wide variety of kittens for the Kitty Half-Time Show. This features kittens playing for 30 minutes with lights, laser pointers, balls of yarn, a scratching post, flint sweepers, and a wide variety of other toys. The grand finale of the Puppy Bowl II Half-Time Show was a confetti blast that sent most of the cats running away scared. Puppy Bowl III did not show the cats' departure from the field. The halftime show of Puppy Bowl IV in 2008 was only 15 minutes in length. In 2012, Animal Planet said that 20 kittens would be part of the Kitty Half-Time Show. This number increased to 21 for the 2013 airing. All the kittens are also animals from shelters, and are adoptable.

The "stadium" is outfitted with a variety of scratching posts and toys that move to interest the kittens and encourage them to move about. This does not usually work, however, and catnip is distributed over the set to help the kittens be more active and interested in their surroundings.

In 2009, a model blimp (supposedly floating over the Puppy Bowl) was added.{{cite web|title=Marketers Gather Round Dog Bowl|url=http://adage.com/article?article_id=141915|work=Advertising Age|date=February 4, 2010|access-date=January 29, 2014}} The "blimp" mimics the appearance of the Goodyear Blimp over many outdoor football events. Shots of the puppies at play were green-screened into the windows to make it appear as if the "blimp" was actually hovering over the field. Inside the model of the blimp's control room, hamsters are allowed to play (as if they were the crew of the blimp). The blimp returned in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Beginning in 2010, "bunny cheerleaders" (rabbits) were shown, as if these animals were on the sidelines. In 2011, the "bunny cheerleaders" were replaced by "chicken cheerleaders" (hens and roosters). The bunnies and chickens were replaced by five pigs in a "Piggy Pep Squad" in 2012. Hedgehog cheerleaders were introduced for 2013, and replaced with penguins in 2014.

Also beginning in 2010, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) began sponsoring the Puppy Bowl.{{cite web|title=AAHA Conference Spans Spectrum From Puppy Bowl to 9/11|url=https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/100515j.aspx|work=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association|date=May 15, 2010|access-date=January 29, 2014}}{{cite web|title=AAHA Readies for Consumer Advertising Push on Animal Planet in 2010|url=http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Breaking+News/AAHA-readies-for-consumer-advertising-push-on-Anim/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/636363|work=DVM Newsmagazine|date=October 25, 2009|access-date=January 29, 2014}} A veterinarian was shown giving each puppy a physical prior to participation, provided care to any animal which might appear injured, and provided tips to viewers about proper animal care. Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro, Director of Emergency Services at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Denver, Colorado, provided the official on-camera care for the puppies and other animals.{{cite web|title='Tail' Gate Party|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/fetch/2010/01/31/thrill-killers-stalking-wild-animals/570|work=Denver Post|date=January 31, 2010|access-date=January 29, 2014}}

A new element for 2011 was a parody of the popular "Kiss Cam" used at sporting events. The "Kiss Cam" returned from 2012 through 2020.

Two other new elements were added in 2012: a cockatiel named Meep "tweeted" about the game from the sidelines (using the Twitter social media network), and Jill Rappaport, a TV reporter and animal advocate, provided color commentary.

The hamsters in the blimp and Meep the "tweeting" cockatiel were retained for the 2013 show, but the piglet cheerleaders were replaced by baby hedgehogs in tutus.{{cite web|last=Edel|first=Ray|title=Puppy Bowl Will Be Back for Another Year|url=http://blog.northjersey.com/jerseydog/7923/puppy-bowl-will-be-back-for-another-year/|work=NorthJersey.com|date=January 14, 2013|access-date=January 22, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216141352/http://blog.northjersey.com/jerseydog/7923/puppy-bowl-will-be-back-for-another-year/|archive-date=February 16, 2013}} Owners of hedgehogs volunteered the use of their animals for the show. The tutus, however, did not stay on the animals. A new "Puppy Cam" (a miniature wide camera attached to a puppy's collar) was added in place of the "Kiss Cam", to provide viewers with a puppy's-eye-view of the action. A new feature in the 2013 game is the "Cute Cam," the slow-mo camera. Additionally, the human "stars" of Animal Planet's reality TV shows were added in 2013 as commentators. Another addition is a "special puppy hot tub" (a large pan of water) in which puppies will relax prior to or after their time on the field.

For the 2014 edition of the Puppy Bowl, the tenth anniversary of the show, First Lady Michelle Obama opened the show with footage of puppies being "trained" for the Puppy Bowl on the South Lawn of the White House.{{cite web|title=Michelle Obama to Appear on Puppy Bowl|url=http://www.chron.com/entertainment/tv/article/Michelle-Obama-to-appear-on-Puppy-Bowl-5189799.php|work=The Houston Chronicle|date=January 30, 2014|access-date=February 2, 2014}} Police dogs appeared on the field when the national anthem was played. Returning as the official "tweeter" of the show was Meep the cockatiel. The dwarf cat Lil Bub was added as a "commentator" broadcasting from a Chicago studio. In reference to the Super Bowl's halftime show with Bruno Mars, Keyboard Cat "played" his song "Locked Out of Heaven" during the halftime show. The half-time show also featured 30 kittens toppling dominoes and a kitten "parachuting" onto the field. To increase interactivity with fans of the show, the Puppy Bowl X online site allowed fans to play a "Fantasy Puppy League" (similar to fantasy football) featuring the 2014 puppies, gave fans the chance to vote for the "Most Valuable Puppy" during the event, and gave viewers the opportunity to post photos of their own animals and Puppy Bowl parties via Instagram.{{cite web|last=Emery|first=Debbie|title=Puppy Bowl X Preview: Designer Dogs, Penguin Cheerleaders and Fantasy Four-Legged Football|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/puppy-bowl-x-preview-fantasy-671989|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 17, 2014|access-date=January 29, 2013}}{{cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|title=Puppy Bowl Books Keyboard Cat for Halftime Show (Plus Lil Bub, Penguin Cheerleaders, More)|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/01/02/puppy-bowl-keyboard-cat/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 2, 2014|access-date=February 1, 2015}} Entertainment Weekly reporter James Hibbered commented on the changes by noting, "Animal Planet is simply embracing viral-video favorites and ratcheting up the sports-spoof silliness to a new level this year."

Animal Planet established a "Puppy Bowl Experience" at the Discovery Times Square exhibition space. The "experience" included a {{convert|15000|sqft|m2}} area where people could play with puppies, a recreation of the Puppy Bowl set, and advertising sponsor areas.

An emphasis on adopting pets from shelters became a focus of the show in 2014 as well. A total of 33 shelters from 18 states and the territory of Puerto Rico supplied shelter animals (dogs, cats, hamsters, etc.) for the Puppy Bowl. All the animals on the show (except for the penguins) are shelter animals, and usually all are adopted by the time the show airs. Throughout the program, updates on the status of each of the adopted puppies was given. Throughout the program, however, the adoption journey of Rosie (now named Scout), a three-month-old Chihuahua/terrier mix, was followed from her arrival at the shelter to her life with her new family.{{cite web|last=Mills|first=Michelle|title=Rosie, a Small Pup From Pasadena, Featured in 'Puppy Bowl X'|url=http://www.sgvtribune.com/lifestyle/20140128/rosie-a-small-pup-from-pasadena-featured-in-puppy-bowl-x|work=San Gabriel Valley Tribune|date=January 28, 2014|access-date=February 1, 2015}}

Puppy Bowl XI featured five Nigerian dwarf goats as cheerleaders. "Katty Furry", a cat depicted playing Katy Perry songs in YouTube videos, was the "half-time performer". MVPs were chosen in each of the program's first three airings. Puppies were divided for the first time into teams, and a hamster-powered scoreboard kept score. Celebrities such as Andy Cohen, Whitney Cummings, and Reese Witherspoon appeared on the program to root for "their team", and an animated short featuring The Simpsons played during the show. Animals with substantial followings on Instagram had images submitted, showing their support for each team as well. A fantasy football draft was introduced to allow fans to pick the puppy they felt would score the most points.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

Puppy Bowl XII was preceded by "Road to the Puppy Bowl" events across the United States in fall and winter 2015. Local animal shelters and rescue groups partnered with Animal Planet on these events, during which thousands of animals were adopted. Turbo the tortoise suffered a wardrobe malfunction (inspired by the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy) during the half-time entertainment. Silkie chickens served as cheerleaders, and a skunk helped referee the show.

The 2017 Puppy Bowl XIII featured three special-needs dogs: Doobert, who is deaf; Lucky, who had her right front leg amputated; and Winston, who is both sight- and hearing-impaired.{{cite web|last=Weber|first=Lara|title=Puppy Bowl XIII could be a huge win for disabled dogs|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-puppy-bowl-rescue-special-needs-dogs-perspec-0203-20170202-story.html|work=Chicago Tribune|date=February 2, 2017|access-date=February 4, 2017}} An hour-long "pre-game show", scheduled to air an hour prior to the Puppy Bowl, and a "Puppy Bowl Virtual Reality" feature (the game seen through the eyes of a puppy), were also added. Halftime entertainment featured "Kitty Gaga" and the Chicago Rock Cats.{{cite web|last=Marona|first=Joey|title=Puppy Bowl XIII: Fast facts and 10 puppies to watch|url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/02/puppy_bowl_xiii_fast_facts_and.html|work=Cleveland Plain Dealer|date=February 1, 2017|access-date=February 4, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Hank|first=Melissa|title=Sneak Peek: Puppy Bowl XIII set to take the field|url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/television/sneak+peek+puppy+bowl+xiii+take+field/12830247/story.html|work=Vancouver Sun|date=February 2, 2017|access-date=February 4, 2017}} Guinea pigs and rabbits were the 2017 cheerleaders, and famous pets of Instagram returned. For the first time, Team Ruff and Team Fluff competed for the fictional "Lombarky Trophy" (a parody of the Lombardi Trophy), and each team had a mascot (a rescued screech owl for Team Ruff, and a rescued chinchilla for Team Fluff).{{cite web|last=Turnquist|first=Kristi|title=When are the 2017 Puppy Bowl and Kitten Bowl? What channels are they on?|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/tv/2017/02/when_are_the_2017_puppy_bowl_a.html|work=The Oregonian|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=February 5, 2017}}

In Puppy Bowl XVII, there were puppy “cheerleaders” for both teams on their respective sidelines.{{Cite news|title=Raise the Ruff! Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg to Co-Host 2021 Puppy Bowl|url=https://people.com/pets/super-bowl-2021-puppy-bowl-martha-stewart-snoop-dogg-hosts/|access-date=2021-01-31|newspaper=Peoplemag|language=en}} In Puppy Bowl XVI, the cheerleaders were armadillos for Ruff and goats for Fluff.

{{Episode table|background=#fae405|overall=|aux1=|aux1T=Puppy Bowl|aux2=|aux2T=Most Valuable

Puppy|aux3=|aux3T=Winning Team|aux4=Team Ruff|aux4T=Score

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl I

|Aux2 = Max, a Jack Russell Terrier

|Aux3 = No Winner

|Aux4 = N/A

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl II

|Aux2 = Monseigneur Jacques, a French poodle

|Aux3 = No Winner

|Aux4 = N/A

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl III

|Aux2 = Bomber, a Samoyed

|Aux3 = No Winner

|Aux4 = N/A

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl IV

|Aux2 = Abigail, a Jack Russell Terrier

|Aux3 = No Winner

|Aux4 = N/A

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl V

|Aux2 = Matilda, a Beagle

|Aux3 = No Winner

|Aux4 = N/A

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl VI

|Aux2 = Jake, a Chihuahua/Pug Mix

|Aux3 = No Winner

|Aux4 = N/A

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl VII

|Aux2 = CB, a Shih Tzu/Terrier Mix

|Aux3 = No Winner

|Aux4 = N/A

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl VIII

|Aux2 = Fumble, a Terrier Mix

|Aux3 = No Winner

|Aux4 = N/A

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl IX

|Aux2 = Fitz, a Catahoula Mix

|Aux3 = No Winner

|Aux4 = N/A

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl X

|Aux2 = Loren, a Brittany

|Aux3 = No Winner

|Aux4 = N/A

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 11

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XI

|Aux2 = Henry, a Lab Mix

|Aux3 = Team Ruff

|Aux4 = 87–49

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 12

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XII

|Aux2 = Star, a Chow Chow Mix

|Aux3 = Team Ruff

|Aux4 = 70–44

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 13

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XIII

|Aux2 = Rory, a poodle mix

|Aux3 = Team Fluff

|Aux4 = 93–38

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 14

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XIV

|Aux2 = Bear, a Pit Bull/Foxhound Mix

|Aux3 = Team Fluff

|Aux4 = 52–47

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 15

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XV

|Aux2 = Bumble, a Lab/Chow Chow Mix

|Aux3 = Team Ruff

|Aux4 = 59–51

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 16

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XVI{{cite web|title=Animal Planet's "Puppy Bowl" Returns for a Special Sweet Sixteen Match Up Between Team Ruff and Team Fluff on Sunday, Feb. 2|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/01/02/animal-planets-puppy-bowl-returns-for-a-special-sweet-sixteen-match-up-between-team-ruff-and-team-fluff-on-sunday-feb-2-164113/20200102animalplanet01/|work=The Futon Critic|date=January 2, 2020}}

|Aux2 = Gina, a Lab/Chow Chow Mix

|Aux3 = Team Fluff

|Aux4 = 63–59

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 17

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XVII

|Aux2 = Marshall, a Boston Terrier

|Aux3 = Team Ruff

|Aux4 = 73–69

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 18

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XVIII

|Aux2 = Kirby, a Labrador

|Aux3 = Team Fluff

|Aux4 = 73–69

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 19

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XIX

|Aux2 = Pickle, a Pomeranian/Papillon Mix

|Aux3 = Team Fluff

|Aux4 = 87–83
(OT)

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 20

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XX

|Aux2 = Moosh, an Australian Shepherd Mix

|Aux3 = Team Ruff

|Aux4 = 72–69

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 21

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XXI

|Aux2 = Foxtrot, a Border Collie

|Aux3 = Team Fluff

|Aux4 = 68–66

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 22

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XXII

|Aux2 =

|Aux3 =

|Aux4 =

|LineColor = fae405

}}

}}

{{Episode table |background=#fae405 |overall= |aux1= |aux1T=Puppy Bowl |airdate= |country=US |Viewers= |episodes={{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl I

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2005|2|6}}

|Viewers = 5.58{{cite web|last=VanHooker|first=Bryan|title=An Oral History of the First Ever Puppy Bowl|url=https://www.cracked.com/article_41043_an-oral-history-of-the-first-ever-puppy-bowl.html|work=Cracked|date=February 7, 2024 |access-date=February 13, 2025}}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl II

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2006|2|5}}

|Viewers = 7.0{{Cite web |last=Dean McCarthy |first=Kari |date=Feb 5, 2007 |title=Puppies make for best Super Bowl action |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/puppies-make-for-best-super-bowl-action/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=CNET |language=en}}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl III

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2007|2|4}}

|Viewers = 7.5{{cite web|title=Just Fine as Tackles, But They Can't Pass|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/arts/television/02bark.html|work=New York Times|date=February 2, 2008|access-date=January 27, 2017}}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl IV

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2008|2|3}}

|Viewers = 8.5

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl V

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|2|1}}

|Viewers = 1.152{{cite web|title=How Many People Watch the Puppy Bowl?|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/cable/how-many-people-watch-the-puppy-bowl/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205101028/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/cable/how-many-people-watch-the-puppy-bowl/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2017|publisher=TV by the Numbers|access-date=February 5, 2017}}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl VI

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2010|2|7}}

|Viewers = 1.1

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl VII

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|2|6}}

|Viewers = 1.7{{cite magazine|title=Puppy Bowl Draws 9.2 Million Viewers|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/02/08/puppy-bowl-rating|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 8, 2011|access-date=January 29, 2013}}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl VIII

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|2|5}}

|Viewers = 1.6

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl IX

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|2|3}}

|Viewers = 2.631{{cite web|title=Sunday Cable Ratings: 'NFL Live' Wins Night, 'Puppy Bowl', 'SportsCenter', 'Rachael Vs. Guy', 'Walking Dead Marathon' & More|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/sunday-cable-ratings-nfl-live-wins-night-puppy-bowl-sportscenter-rachael-vs-guy-walking-dead-marathon-more/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205101407/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/sunday-cable-ratings-nfl-live-wins-night-puppy-bowl-sportscenter-rachael-vs-guy-walking-dead-marathon-more/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2017|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=February 5, 2017}}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl X

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|2|2}}

|Viewers = 3.254{{cite web|title=Sunday Cable Ratings: 'NFL Primetime' Wins Night, 'Puppy Bowl', 'Shameless', 'Zombie Bowl' & More|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/sunday-cable-ratings-nfl-primetime-wins-night-puppy-bowl-shameless-zombie-bowl-more/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205101338/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/sunday-cable-ratings-nfl-primetime-wins-night-puppy-bowl-shameless-zombie-bowl-more/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2017|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=February 5, 2017}}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 11

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XI

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|2|1}}

|Viewers = 2.767{{cite web|title=Sunday Cable Ratings: 'NFL Primetime' Wins Night, 'Mike Tyson Mysteries', 'Puppy Bowl', 'Shameless', 'Kitten Bowl' & More|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/sunday-cable-ratings-nfl-primetime-wins-night-mike-tyson-mysteries-puppy-bowl-shameless-kitten-bowl-more-2/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201212040/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/sunday-cable-ratings-nfl-primetime-wins-night-mike-tyson-mysteries-puppy-bowl-shameless-kitten-bowl-more-2/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2017|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=February 5, 2017}}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 12

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XII

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|2|7}}

|Viewers = 2.198{{cite web|last=Porter|first=Rick|title=Sunday cable ratings: Puppy Bowl down a little, 'Shameless' takes a Super Bowl hit|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/sunday-cable-ratings-feb-7-2016/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019213153/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/sunday-cable-ratings-feb-7-2016/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 19, 2016|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=February 5, 2017}}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 13

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XIII

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|2|5}}

|Viewers = 2.47{{cite web|title=Sunday cable ratings: 'Puppy Bowl' is adorable and also up year to year|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/sunday-cable-ratings-feb-5-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207223737/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/sunday-cable-ratings-feb-5-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-02-07|work=TV by the Numbers}}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 14

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XIV

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|2|4}}

|Viewers = 3.05{{cite web|title=Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl XIV Sets Ratings Record, Unlike Super Bowl|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/02/05/puppy-bowl-ratings-record-animal-planet/|work=The Bleeding Cool|date=February 5, 2018 }}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 15

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XV

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|2|3}}

|Viewers = 1.854

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 16

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XVI{{cite web|title=Animal Planet's "Puppy Bowl" Returns for a Special Sweet Sixteen Match Up Between Team Ruff and Team Fluff on Sunday, Feb. 2|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/01/02/animal-planets-puppy-bowl-returns-for-a-special-sweet-sixteen-match-up-between-team-ruff-and-team-fluff-on-sunday-feb-2-164113/20200102animalplanet01/|work=The Futon Critic|date=January 2, 2020}}

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|2|2}}

|Viewers = 1.85{{cite web|title=Audience Analysis: Puppy Bowl premiere has lowest figure since '12|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2022/02/16/Media/Audience.aspx#:~:text=Animal%20Planet%20averaged%201.73%20million,19%2C%20it%20averaged%201.85%20million.|work=Sports Business Journal| date=February 15, 2022 }}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 17

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XVII

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|2|7}}

|Viewers = 2.11

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 18

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XVIII

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|2|13}}

|Viewers = 1.73

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 19

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XIX

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|2|12}}

|Viewers = 13.2{{efn|Includes viewers from simulcasts on Discovery Channel, TBS, HBO Max and Discovery+.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2023/02/15/puppy-bowl-xix-was-the-number-1-non-sports-telecast-on-sunday-feb-12-676213/20230215wbd01/|title=Puppy Bowl XIX" Was the #1 Non-Sports Telecast on Sunday, Feb. 12|work=The Futon Critic|date=February 15, 2023|access-date=February 13, 2025}}}}{{cite web|title=The Futon Critic: Puppy Bowl XIX" Was the #1 Non-Sports Telecast on Sunday, Feb. 12|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2023/02/15/puppy-bowl-xix-was-the-number-1-non-sports-telecast-on-sunday-feb-12-676213/20230215wbd01/|work=The Futon Critic|date=March 17, 2023 }}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 20

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XX

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|2|11}}

|Viewers =12.6{{efn|name=fn2|Includes viewers from simulcasts on Discovery Channel, TBS, truTV, Max and Discovery+.{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/pets/how-to-watch-puppy-bowl-2025-rcna191368|title=How to watch Puppy Bowl 2025: Date, time and starting lineup|work=Today|author=Francesca Gariano|date=February 9, 2025|access-date=February 13, 2025}}}}{{cite web|title=2024 Puppy Bowl Fetches 12.6 Million Viewers Across Linear and Streaming|url=https://www.thewrap.com/2024-puppy-bowl-ratings-viewership-streaming/|work=The Wrap|date=February 16, 2024 }}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 21

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XXI

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|9}}

|Viewers =12.8{{efn|name=fn2}}{{Cite web |last=Hailu |first=Selome |date=2025-02-12 |title=Puppy Bowl Ratings: 12.8 Million Viewers for Animal Planet’s 2025 Dog Adoption Event |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/puppy-bowl-ratings-viewers-animal-planet-2025-1236305484/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

|LineColor = fae405

}}

{{Episode list/sublist|Puppy Bowl

|EpisodeNumber = 22

|RTitle = Puppy Bowl XXII

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2026|2|8}}

|Viewers =

|LineColor = fae405

}}

}}

Puppy Bowl III, which aired on February 4, 2007, had 7.5 million viewers.

Puppy Bowl IV, which aired on Animal Planet on February 3, 2008, had more than 8 million viewers for all its broadcasts, for a total increase of 1,060% from its first airing in 2005.{{cite web|title=Puppy Bowl IV Draws Over 8 Million Dogged Fans|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.arts.tv/cF5K1ZfHoy0|work=MultiChannel News|date=February 5, 2008|access-date=January 29, 2013}} It was also the first Puppy Bowl broadcast in high definition.

Puppy Bowl VI aired on February 7, 2010, and a record 1.1 million viewers watched the first broadcast alone.

Puppy Bowl VII aired on February 6, 2011, with a total of 9.2 million viewers over the twelve hours it was aired. The actual premiere drew 1.7 million viewers, up 60% from last year.{{cite magazine|title=Puppy Bowl Draws 9.2 Million Viewers|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/02/08/puppy-bowl-rating|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 8, 2011|access-date=January 29, 2013}} Puppy Bowl VII in 2011 had a total 9.2 million estimated viewers for all airings.{{cite web|last=Greenberg|first=Julia|title=Puppy Bowl 2012: Starting Line-up Announced, Pictures Released|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/286299/20120123/puppy-bowl-2012-starting-lineup-announced-pictures.htm|work=International Business Tribune|date=January 23, 2012|access-date=February 1, 2015}}

Puppy Bowl VIII aired on February 5, 2012. This airing was the second most-watched social television program in America, with more than 10 million viewers over five airings.{{cite web|url=http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20130117/NEWS/130119896/1016&parentprofile=1058|title=Hedging a Super Bowl Bet Is One Thing, But What About Hedgehog Cheerleaders?|last=Chandler|first=Rick|date=January 17, 2013|work=Tahoe Daily Tribune|access-date=January 22, 2013}} This included an increase of 17% in ratings in its target demographic group (adults age 25-to-54).{{cite web|title=Puppy Bowl Now Mastiff-Sized|url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/puppy-bowl-now-mastiff-sized-146663|work=Ad Week|date=January 22, 2013|access-date=January 22, 2013}} More than 200,000 Puppy Bowl-related tweets were made on that day.

Puppy Bowl X aired six times over 12 hours on February 2, 2014, with new content added for each airing. A record 13.5 million people watched the show's six airings.{{cite web|last=Pesce|first=Nicole Lyn|title=Dog Daze! Animal Planet brings cuddly canines to Daily News to promote Puppy Bowl XI|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/puppy-bowl-sunday-animal-planet-article-1.2096678|work=New York Daily News|date=January 29, 2015|access-date=February 4, 2017}}

Puppy Bowl XI aired on February 1, 2015, and was watched by 2,767,000 viewers in its initial airing.{{cite web|title=ShowbusDaily's Top 25 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update)|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-25-sunday-cable-originals-2-1-2015.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203203857/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-25-sunday-cable-originals-2-1-2015.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2015|work=Showbuzz Daily|date=February 1, 2015|access-date=February 4, 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Maglio|first1=Tony|last2=Otterson|first2=Joe|title='Puppy Bowl XII' Paws Its Way to 2.2 Million Viewers|url=http://www.thewrap.com/puppy-bowl-xii-animal-planet-super-bowl-tv-ratings/|work=The Wrap|date=February 9, 2016|access-date=February 4, 2017}}

Puppy Bowl XII aired on February 7, 2016, and was watched by about 2.2 million viewers in its initial airing (a drop of about 21% over 2015), and 9.3 million viewers (including time-shifted viewing) over all airings. It was the number one non-sports program on cable among adults aged 25-to-54 and among women aged 18-to-49 during its initial 3 PM-to-5 PM airing. It was the number two most-watched program on all television (cable and broadcast) from 3 PM-to-5 PM among adults aged 25-to-54 and among women aged 18-to-49. Only the Super Bowl itself had more viewers. This was the fourth year in a row that the Puppy Bowl's initial airing was the second most-watched program in the nation those demographic groups.{{cite web|title=Puppy Bowl XII Retrieves Hit Ratings for Animal Planet|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/PUPPY-BOWL-XII-Retrieves-Hit-Ratings-for-Animal-Planet-20160210|work=Broadway World|date=February 10, 2016|access-date=February 4, 2017}}

Puppy Bowl XVI aired on February 2, 2020.

Puppy Bowl XVII aired on February 7, 2021.{{cite web |last1=Kagan |first1=Isabelle |title=How to watch the 2021 Puppy Bowl |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2021/02/02/how-watch-2021-puppy-bowl-discovery/4352422001/ |website=USA Today |access-date=3 April 2024 |date=February 2, 2021}}

Puppy Bowl XVIII aired on February 13, 2022.{{cite magazine |last1=Williams |first1=Madison |title=How to Watch the 2022 Puppy Bowl |url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2022/02/11/watch-2022-puppy-bowl |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=3 April 2024 |language=en-us |date=11 February 2022}}

Puppy Bowl XIX aired on February 12, 2023, and was simulcast on Animal Planet, TBS, Discovery Channel, Discovery+ and HBO Max (now Max).{{cite magazine|date=February 10, 2023|first=Dan|last=Snierson|title=11 puppies you CAN actually adopt during Puppy Bowl XIX|url=https://ew.com/tv/puppy-bowl-2023-puppies-kittens-you-can-adopt/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 12, 2023}} It was the first puppy bowl to go into overtime.{{cite news|last=Sottile|first=Zoe|title=Team Fluff wins 2023 Puppy Bowl|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/12/sport/puppy-bowl-2023-winner/index.html|access-date=February 12, 2023 |work=CNN|date=February 12, 2023}}

Puppy Bowl XX aired on February 11, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=Meredith |title=How to watch today's 2024 Puppy Bowl with or without cable: Starting time, livestream options, more - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/essentials/how-to-watch-puppy-bowl-2024/ |website=CBS News |access-date=3 April 2024 |date=11 February 2024}}

Puppy Bowl XXI aired on February 9, 2025.

Advertising revenue for the 2013 show was up 19% over 2012, and drew a number of new advertisers. For the first time, Animal Planet allowed commercial branding of its "stadium" in 2013 as well. It was referred to throughout the program as the "GEICO Puppy Bowl Stadium". An aggregate of 12.4 million viewers watched part of all six airings of the Puppy Bowl in 2013.

Advertising revenue for the 2014 Puppy Bowl rose 30% over 2013. Three new companies became sponsors of the show, and Mars, Incorporated's Sheba cat food company sponsored a new "cat VIP suite".

A spinoff of the Puppy Bowl, known as Puppy Games, aired opposite NBC's primetime broadcast of the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics on August 8, 2008. The Puppy Games included swimming, gymnastics, boxing, and soccer, and kittens were used for the "opening ceremony." John Ramey and Mary Beth Smith, respectively, served as the play-by-play announcer and color commentator for the event.[https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/54854/15-fun-facts-about-puppy-bowl 15 Fun Facts About Puppy Bowl|Mental Floss]

Another spinoff, the Dog Bowl, aired on February 3, 2018, a day before Puppy Bowl XIV. It features 50 dogs ages 2–15 years separated into "Oldies" and "Goldies" and promotes the adoption of older dogs.{{cite web|last=Ryan|first=Patrick|title=Exclusive: Animal Planet starts 'Dog Bowl', a new breed of football game|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/01/04/exclusive-animal-planets-dog-bowl-new-breed-football-game/995805001/|work=USA Today|date=January 4, 2018|access-date=January 29, 2018}} A second edition, Dog Bowl II, aired February 2, 2019.{{Cite web|title=Abandoned for being 'too old,' 16-year-old dog finds fame during Super Bowl|url=https://www.today.com/pets/dog-bowl-animal-planet-showcases-adoptable-senior-dogs-t147908|work=TODAY.com|date=February 2, 2019 |access-date=February 3, 2019|language=en}} A third edition, Dog Bowl III, aired on February 1, 2020.

The Puppy Bowl is the inspiration for Hallmark Channel's Kitten Bowl, which first aired in 2014.{{Cite web |title=How to Watch the Kitten Bowl When You Realize Super Bowl 2020 Has No Cats |url=https://people.com/pets/kitten-bowl-2020-hallmark-channel/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}} The Dog Bowl also inspired the creation of the Cat Bowl, which was first aired in 2019. The Cat Bowl features adult cats instead of kittens.{{Cite web |title=About Hallmark Channel's Cat Bowl |url=https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/cat-bowl/about-cat-bowl |website=Hallmark Channel}}

In addition, the Puppy Bowl also inspired the Fish Bowl, four hours of goldfish swimming in a bowl, which first aired in 2014 on the Nat Geo Wild cable network. Great American Family began to air Great American Rescue Bowl in 2023, which features both cats and dogs.{{Cite web |title=Great American Rescue Bowl 2024 |url=https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/show/great-american-rescue-bowl-2024/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Great American Family |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=H |first=David |title=The Great American Rescue Bowl |url=https://www.animalleague.org/great-american-rescue-bowl/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Animal League |language=en-US}}

In 2018, Blizzard hosted an Overwatch-themed Puppy Rumble featuring two teams of puppies playing capture the flag to celebrate the Year of the Dog in-game event and promote adoption. The event was broadcast live on Twitch.{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=2018-02-19 |title=The Overwatch 'Puppy Rumble' celebrates the Year of the Dog with real dogs (Updated) |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-overwatch-puppy-rumble-celebrates-the-year-of-the-dog-with-real-dogs/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=2018-02-19 |title=Watch the Overwatch Puppy Rumble right now |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/19/17020562/overwatch-lunar-new-year-2018-watch-puppy-rumble |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

• List of dog sports

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• {{official website}}

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{{Dog sports}}

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