Here Are The 11 Special Needs Dogs That Will Compete At Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl 2023 

• The Puppy Bowl is back and will be aired on Animal Planet while streamed on Discovery+ on February 12.
• Now in its 19th year, Puppy Bowl 2023 will be participated in by 122 puppy players from 67 rescues and shelters all over the United States.
• This year, eleven special needs pups will help make their team the winner of the “Lombarky” award.  

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Animal Planet is proud to announce the comeback of the Puppy Bowl.  Now in its 19^th year, the canine football event for our beloved furry friends includes 11 rescue dogs with special needs who will be helping their team compete for the coveted “Lombarky” award.

It will be aired on February 12 on Animal Planet and streamed over on discovery+

The event’s Team Ruff and Team Fluff are composed of 122 puppy players from 67 different shelters and rescues all over the country.

Meet the 11 special needs pups competing:

1. Mini (Rescue Dogs Rock New York City)

This tiny tri-pawed pup has a large dog personality and is a dynamo on and off the field.

2. Julius (Green Dogs Unleashed Troy, Virginia) 

Julius was born with a hearing loss but gets help from Hank, a deaf Dalmatian who competed in Puppy Bowl XVII, in preparing for the Puppy Bowl XIX.

3. Mykonos (Bosley’s Place Smyrna, Georgia)

This “play hard, sleep hard girl” was surrendered because of her inability to nurse from her mom because of her cleft palate.  Her rescue team taught her how to eat and drink with her cleft palate.

4. Little Mighty (Indy Humane Indianapolis)  

Little Mighty is a loving and playful pup who lives his life to the fullest after he was surrendered by his owner who could not afford to care for his broken leg.

5. Stardust (Danbury Animal Welfare Society Bethel, Connecticut)

Having only one eye has not stopped Stardust from being sweet and highly competitive and playing fetch.

6. Marmalade (Double J Dog Ranch Hauser, Idaho)

Marmalade has hearing loss and is recovering from a broken jaw but she sure is confident, feisty and a loving puppy.

7. Clover (Rescue Dogs Rock New York City) 

Clover was saved from being euthanized for her fused front leg and her disability has not stopped her from playing with other dogs.

8. Joey (Vintage Pet Rescue North Kingstown, Rhode Island)

Joey was born without his front legs but he loves playing with other special needs pooches, making everyone smile.

9. Cheeky Tinker (Green Dogs Unleashed Troy, Virginia)

Charming Cheeky Tinker was surrendered to the Green Dogs Unleashed because of her original family’s inability to sustain her hearing loss needs. She has been acing her behavior training.

10. Bea (ARF Beacon Beacon, New York)

Bea has learned to socialize and thrived into a sweet pet at the ARF with her sister.

11. Kayden (Green Dogs Unleashed Troy, Virginia)

Kayden, according to rescue workers, is the happiest ball of fluff in spite of his hearing impairment. 

Source: People