11 Athletic Puppies with Special Needs Are Part of the 2025 Puppy Bowl Lineup

Mar. 15, 2025

Jolene, a puppy player with special needs competing in Puppy Bowl XXI.Photo:Animal Planet

Animal Planet

Eleven dogs with special needs are part ofPuppy Bowl 2025’s record-breaking bunch.

Puppy Bowl XXI is set to have the most puppy players ever, with 142 dogs from 80 shelters and rescues participating in the year’s most crucial game of canine football. All of the dogs will get time on the field during the big game on either Team Ruff or Team Fluff.

The annual canine competition, the longest-running call-to-adoption television event, now in its 21st year, has always opened its field to all types of rescue pups, including young dogs with special needs.

The 11 dogs with special needs competing in this year’s Puppy Bowl are excited, athletic, and eager football stars ready to play hard and win the “Lombarky” trophy.

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Trio

Trio the rescue puppy.Animal Planet

Trio is on Team Ruff and has limb differences in his front legs. The dog also had to have one of his back legs amputated, but that hasn’t stopped him from traveling fromLouie’s Legacy Animal Rescuein New York City to follow his Puppy Bowl dreams.

Winston

Winston the rescue pup.Animal Planet

Phoenix Animal Rescue’s pup player, Winston, is blind in one eye. He will play on Team Fluff, a good match for his luxurious fur.

Trevor

Trevor, a dog on Puppy Bowl XXI’s Team Ruff.Animal Planet

Trevor, who is deaf, took a break from his search for a forever home atGreen Dogs Unleashedto play on Team Ruff in Puppy Bowl XXI.

Hunter

Hunter, a puppy competing in Puppy Bowl XXI.Animal Planet

Like Trevor, Hunter is deaf and from Green Dogs Unleashed. The rescue puppy is also one of the visually impaired dogs on Team Fluff.

Mindy

Mindy, a Puppy Bowl 2025 player with special needs.Animal Planet

Adorable Mindy is a visually impaired dog playing for Team Ruff. She is from theBrandywine Valley SPCAin Pennsylvania.

Hewett

Hewett, a rescue puppy from MatchDog Rescue in New Jersey.Animal Planet

Hewett fromMatchDog Rescuein New Jersey is missing an eye. Look for him huddling up with Team Fluff during Puppy Bowl XXI.

Jolene

Jolene, a Puppy Bowl 2025 player who uses a wheelchair.Animal Planet

This Jolene, a wheelchair user from Ohio’sHumane Society of Greater Dayton,is here to snag a Puppy Bowl win for Team Ruff, not take your man.

Carl

Carl, a rescue puppy from Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue.Animal Planet

Carl is blind but has no problem playing football and is ready to impress on Team Fluff. He is from Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue in New York City.

Sprinkle

Sprinkle the rescue puppy.Animal Planet

Rocky

Rocky, a player in the 2025 Puppy Bowl.Animal Planet

Rocky, a pup born with limb differences, is prepared to bring home a win for Team Ruff andPets with Disabilities, a rescue in Maryland.

Maxx

Max the rescue puppy.Animal Planet

Maxx had to have his front leg amputated early in life, so he is ready to do on three legs things most dogs can only do on four paws. The talented canine is from theNevada SPCAin Las Vegas.

source: people.com