January 31, 2020

Puppy Bowl 2020 will feature 5 special needs dogs

WATCH: ‘Stick together’ dogs team up to snag big twig

Before the 49ers face off against the Chiefs, a pack of adorable pups will face one another on a different gridiron for the annual Puppy Bowl.

This year's Puppy Bowl XVI, Animal Planet's Dog Bowl event that takes place every Super Bowl Sunday and features dogs living in rescues and shelters, will also include five special needs dogs.

Animal Planet
Puppies play on the field for Puppy Bowl XVI.

"These fuzzballs won’t let anything deter them from playing hard and finding a loving family," Animal Planet said in a press release. "As always, viewers are ready for a cuteness overload."

MORE: Puppies rescued after hurricane to star in Puppy Bowl

Take a look at all five furry competitors below.

The Roster

Rooster An American Staffordshire terrier /bulldog mix with a cleft palate.

Keith Barraclough/Animal Planet
Rooster poses during Puppy Bowl XVI.

Ferris A three-legged Labrador retriever mix.

Keith Barraclough/Animal Planet
Portraits of puppies during Puppy Bowl XVI.

Kismet A hearing impaired Great Dane.

Keith Barraclough/Animal Planet
Kismet poses during Puppy Bowl XVI.

Paprika A hearing-impaired Chihuahua mix.

Keith Barraclough/Animal Planet
Paprika poses ahead of Puppy Bowl XVI.

Filbert A blind and hearing-impaired Shetland sheepdog mix

Keith Barraclough/Animal Planet
Filbert poses during Puppy Bowl XVI.

This is the third year that the Puppy Bowl presents the Dog Bowl with over 60 adoptable dogs ranging between the ages of 3 to 14 years old.

Animal Planet will feature over 150 adoptable puppies and dogs combined from both game days.

A representative from the American Humane Association will be on set during play to ensure the safety of all animals and a veterinarian will be there to examine each animal before they take the field.

The Puppy Bowl airs on Sun. Feb 2 at 3 p.m. ET on Animal Planet.