How to Handicap Puppy Bowl 2026: Snout to the Grindstone
Listen, anyone can bet on a point spread in Santa Clara for Super Bowl 60. It takes a real degenerate - or, intellectual - to look at a 12-week-old Goldendoodle named "Bark Purdy" and say, "That’s my Lock of the Year."
Puppy Bowl 22 is upon us. The stakes? A giant stuffed toy and eternal glory. The athletes? High-motor, low-attention-span pups.
Here's how to handicap the Puppy Bowl - the greatest sporting event on grass (or turf-colored carpet).
🐶 Tail of the tape: Team Ruff vs. Team Fluff
| Metric | Team Ruff | Team Fluff |
|---|---|---|
| Average energy level | 11/10 | "Zoomie" dependent |
| Key draft strategy | Terriers (High motor) | Great Pyrenees (The enforcers) |
| 2025 result (XXI) | 66 (Heartbreaking loss) | 68 (Defending champions) |
| 2024 result (XX) | 72 (Won Lombarky Trophy) | 69 (Streak broken) |
| Recent dominance | Struggling for consistency | Won 2023, 2025, and most modern era bouts |
| Legacy status | The gritty Underdog | The established Modern Dynasty |
| General vibe | "We’re here to work." | "Squirrel?" |
🐕 Team Ruff vs. Team Fluff starting lineups
🤔 Critical handicapping factors
Here are two factors you need to consider prior to betting the Super Bowl before the Super Bowl. See the full rosters at www.puppybowl.com. Remember to use our Puppy Bowl watch guide to find further info.
The "Fluff" dynasty factor
Historically, Team Fluff has been the juggernaut. They secured a nail-biter 68-66 victory in 2025 and took the 2023 title as well. Handicappers should note that while Team Ruff briefly interrupted the reign in 2024, Team Fluff remains the "Patriots of the Puppy Bowl."
The size disadvantage
Don’t be fooled by the big pups. Sure, they have the reach, but the Chihuahua-mixes have the low center of gravity. In the Puppy Bowl, the "fumble" (dropping the toy) is the most common turnover. The smaller, scrappier breeds are much better at navigating the "Puppy Pile" to secure the score.
🐾 Team Ruff vs. Team fluff prediction: watch the tail
If the tail is tucked, they aren't ready for the bright lights of Animal Planet. If the tail is a helicopter of joy, that pup is absolutely locked in.
Prediction: I’m taking Team Ruff (+3.5) this year. They’ve drafted a lot of Terriers, and those guys have the nose for the end zone. Plus, the underdog (pun intended) narrative is just too strong to ignore.
❤️ A special cause for special paws: Why the Puppy Bowl is so special
Since its debut in 2005, the event has maintained a 100% adoption rate for every single animal featured on the field. Because the game is pre-recorded (filmed months in advance to account for bathroom breaks and naps), most of the puppies you see on screen have already found their forever homes by the time the show airs.
📺 How to watch the 2026 Puppy Bowl
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 8
- Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET (pregame show starts at 1 p.m. ET)
- TV/streaming: Animal Planet, Discovery Discovery+, HBO Max, TBS, and truTV
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