Warner Bro’s Puppy Bowl XXI is an annual television program similar to the American football championship, the Super Bowl, but featuring puppy players. It is returning for its 21st year on Sunday, February 9 and will feature 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states and two countries.

Puppy Bowl XXI is the 21st anniversary of arguably the cutest pre-Super Bowl event. The "competition" each year has two teams of dogs from shelters and rescues around the world facing off in a football game. The event encourages viewers to consider adopting a dog from an animal shelter or rescue rather than a breeder.

Puppy Bowl XXI, which airs Sunday afternoon on Animal Planet and other channels (see tune-in information below), will feature 142 rescue dogs from 40 states in three hours of play. Teams Ruff and Fluff will vie for the Lombarky Trophy, their rosters including eight dogs from New Jersey.