Lifestyle Pets Meet the Dogs with Special Needs Competing in Puppy Bowl 2024 — the 'Puppiest' Puppy Bowl Ever! Six puppies with special needs will appear in Puppy Bowl XX, Animal Planet's 20th Puppy Bowl. By Kelli Bender Kelli Bender Kelli Bender is the Pets Editor at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2013. Her work has previously appeared on MTV, The Frisky, Vice, and Best Friends Magazine. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 11, 2024 11:01AM EST Mr, Bean, one of the six dogs with special needs competing in Puppy Bowl 2024. Photo: Animal Planet Puppy Bowl XX is almost here, and Animal Planet is planning the "puppiest" Puppy Bowl every to celebrate 20 years of the canine sporting event. Puppy Bowl 2024 will air on Feb. 11 as a three-hour special featuring over 131 puppies, the most dogs ever to take part in Puppy Bowl. The competing pets, divided between Team Ruff and Team Fluff, are from 73 shelters and rescues across 36 states and territories. Among the dogs taking the field are six puppies with special needs. PEOPLE has an exclusive look at this sextet of talented canines. The puppies are eager to show that dogs with special needs can accomplish anything their hearts desire. Rescue Husky Breaks Out of Kennel, Sets Off Alarm and Tries to Free Friends Before Getting Busted Read on to learn more about the six dogs with special needs joining Puppy Bowl 2024, and don't forget to prepare for the big, furry game. Animal lovers can tune in to Puppy Bowl XX on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on Animal Planet, Discovery, Discovery +, TBS, TruTv, and Max. Skipper Skipper, a deaf American pit bull mix competing in Puppy Bowl XX. Animal Planet Skipper of Angel City Pit Bulls was born deaf, but her lack of hearing has not impacted her love for learning. The American pit bull mix is attentive and patient, which has helped her master 10 tricks already. Moosh Animal Planet Moosh, a deaf Australian shepherd mix, has earned his name because he is a giant snuggle bug, according to Green Dogs Unleashed in Troy, Virginia. The pup adores wrestling with his foster siblings, playing in the snow, and cuddling — of course. Riddle Riddle, a pug mix playing in Puppy Bowl 2024 on Feb. 11. Animal Planet This pug/wire-haired terrier mix was born at Pug Nation L.A. after the California rescue took in his pregnant mother. Riddle arrived after a difficult birth and was later determined to have cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological condition that affects his mobility and coordination. This hasn't stopped Riddle from running, playing in Puppy Bowl, and enjoying life. Stryker Stryker, a deaf border collie mix playing in the 2024 Puppy Bowl. Animal Planet This deaf border collie mix started out shy at Green Dogs Unleashed but quickly emerged from his shell. The pup, who learned to do tricks through hand signals, is now an unstoppable force that loves trying new things like swimming, puzzles, frisbee, and playing dog football. Mr. Bean Mr, Bean, one of the six dogs with special needs competing in Puppy Bowl 2024. Animal Planet This papillon mix was born without front legs and lived as a stray before a county municipal shelter in West Palm Beach, Florida, took him in. The shelter contacted Barky Pines Animal Rescue & Sanctuary for help, and the rescue took over Mr. Bean's care. Since his rescue, Mr. Bean has greatly enjoyed numerous new adventures, Puppy Bowl included. Xinia Xinia, a deaf Australian shepherd mix that will appear in Puppy Bowl XX. Animal Planet Like Moosh, Xinia is a deaf Australian shepherd mix from Green Dogs Unleashed. She is all about making friends. The spunky pup loves encouraging the dogs around her to play, run, and have fun, making her an ideal addition to the Puppy Bowl 2024 roster.