Who made the Team Ruff starting lineup for Puppy Bowl XVI?
As part of our coverage of all things Puppy Bowl XVI (Puppy Bowl 16), we here at Dog O’Day present the Pedigree Team Ruff starting lineup as they look to defend the Lombarky Trophy inside this year’s tilt at GEICO Stadium on Animal Planet on Sunday, February 2 at 3 p.m. ET.
Team Ruff claimed the first team game in Puppy Bowl XI, and most recently won Puppy Bowl XV 59-51 with a thrilling comeback.
(For more on the history of the big game, click here for more information.)
In the actual Super Bowl itself later in the day, red will be the color of the day as the Kansas City Chiefs will take on the San Francisco 49ers in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium in Super Bowl LIV (Super Bowl 54) in Miami at 6:40 p.m. ET on Fox.
Team Ruff will be rocking a new team color this year, as their bandannas will be officially Tail Mary Tangerine, which is basically orange.
Now, onto the Team Ruff starting lineup…
Who made the Team Ruff starting lineup? Let’s find out.
From Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue in Colorado; an Australian Cattle Dog/Cocker Spaniel mix – ASPEN!
Aspen is a lifelong Denver Broncos fan, and she also likes hiking and snowboarding. She would love to meet Colorado Avalanche mascot Bernie someday.
From the Florida Little Dog Rescue in St Cloud, Florida; a Bulldog – BETTY!
Betty is a bookworm, especially a fan of Bruce Cameron novels and Spencer Quinn mysteries.
From AHeinz57 Pet Rescue in De Soto, Iowa; a Chihuahua/Dachshund mix – BRODY!
Brody would love to be Bob Costas someday once his playing career ends, and he’s known for his speedy Barry Sanders-like zooms out on the field.
From Miami-Dade Animal Services in Doral, Florida; a Chinese Crested Dog/Yorkshire Terrier mix – CAFECITO!
Cafecito has all the inside info on the best spots to spend Super Bowl week throughout the Miami area. He also knows the best pizza places and coffee shops.
From the Texas Old English Sheepdog Rescue in Argyle, Texas; a Boxer/Old English Sheepdog mix – CANDY!
Candy would love to be the next canine version of Mandy Moore or Kelly Clarkson some day, and is hoping that this will be her big break when it comes to TV.
From Angel City Pit Bulls in Los Angeles, California; an American Staffordshire Terrier – CRUMPET!
Crumpet is hoping to prove that people’s perceptions of pit bulls is a crummy one, showing how sweet they could be.
From the Double J Dog Ranch in Hauser Lake, Idaho; a German Shepherd – DAPHNE!
Daphne only has three legs, but her alert German Shepherd mind will help plan the Ruffers’ strategy to help her team succeed.
From AHeinz57 Pet Rescue in De Soto, Iowa; an American Eskimo Dog/Labrador Retriever mix – FERRIS !
Ferris has wheels, because life comes at you fast. He also has a mind full of shenanigans and different colored eyes.
From the Double J Dog Ranch in Hauser Lake, Idaho; a Border Collie/Shetland Sheepdog mix – FILBERT!
Filbert is out to prove that special needs doggos are just as capable and amazing as everyone else, even if they do go a bit slower sometimes.
The Team Ruff starting lineup continues as good pups hope to lead their team to victory.
From Last Chance Animal Rescue in Waldorf, Maryland; a Chow Chow/Labrador Retriever mix – GINA!
Though she is but little, she is fierce – Gina never backs down from a challenge. She’s also a huge Bone Jovi fan.
From Miami-Dade Animal Services in Doral, Florida; an American Staffordshire Terrier/Rottweiler mix – GOLDIE!
Goldie will be a hard worker and try really hard not to chew out her teammates or chew on their toys.
From Vanderpump Dogs in Los Angeles, California; a Miniature Poodle/Shih Tzu mix – HUCK!
Huck can be a little derpy at times, but he means well and tries his hardest.
From Love Leo Rescue in Santa Monica, California; a Chihuahua/Miniature Poodle mix – JACK!
Jack is a huge Niners fan, and is thrilled that they play in the big game on the same day that his game airs. His celebrity crush is Zoe the Frenchie.
From Animal Friends in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; a Boxer/Golden Retriever mix – KENNY!
A bit of a Smash Williams or Joe Namath type, Kenny’s already predicted that he will be the MVP, and he’s already a frontrunner for the Dog O’Day MVP of Cuteness, at least.
From Big Fluffy Dogs in Nashville, Tennessee; an Alaskan Malamute mix – LEE!
Lee simply CANNOT WAIT until it’s time to play, and will be a force to be reckoned with.
From New Life Animal Rescue in Marlton, New Jersey; a Miniature Poodle/Pomeranian mix – LINUS!
Named after the beloved Peanuts character, Linus is known in the locker room as the philosopher of the team.
From the Virginia Beach SPCA in Virginia Beach, Virginia; a Longhaired Dachshund/Pekingese mix – MAVERICK!
Maverick’s going to do his best to herd his teammates into the end zone, and maybe sign some pawtographs for the fans.
From Foster Dogs NYC in New York City, New York; an Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Lacy mix – MOCHA!
Mocha brings her brand of streetwise toughness to the team, and really hopes brighter days are ahead for the Jets.
From Last Chance Animal Rescue in Waldorf, Maryland; a Bichon Friese/Papillon mix – POPPY!
Poppy’s speed could make her an excellent receiver.
From Rescue Road Trips in White Cottage, Ohio; a Miniature Schnauzer/Shih Tzu mix – RHUBARB!
Rhubarb is a huge fan of football, and considers it an enormous honor to represent her state of Ohio out on the field.
From the Danbury Animal Welfare Society in Bethel, Connecticut; a Cocker Spaniel/Siberian Husky mix – STARLA!
Football isn’t really that popular in Connecticut – basketball and lacrosse are more Starla’s sports – but she’ll do her best.
From the Citizens for Animal Protection in Houston, Texas; a Miniature Pinscher/Toy Poodle mix – STRUDEL!
Strudel brings both sugar and spice to the Ruffers lineup, and will be a valued member of the squad.
Who are your favorite members of the Team Ruff starting lineup? Who do you think will win the big game?
Again, Puppy Bowl XVI kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Animal Planet on Sunday, February 2.