Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Dog parents should be binge-watching Puppy Bowl on Hulu

If you’re a dog parent, you probably have fond memories of when your furry family member was just a puppy. If you’re missing that sweet, cuddly phase (but not all the work that goes into it), you should binge-watch Puppy Bowl on Hulu. Watching this six-episode series is a fantastic way to spend the day for anyone who loves their dog.

Hulu is an American streaming service owned by the Walt Disney Company offering on-demand viewing of movies and television shows. Plans range from $5.99 to $64.99 per month, depending on the access you choose. The basic subscription service includes access to shows and movies with limited advertising; Hulu + Live TV lets you stream 65 live and on-demand television channels.

Related Videos

About Puppy Bowl

You’ve probably heard about the annual Puppy Bowl, a darling alternative to football that airs on the Animal Planet channel during American football’s biggest game of the year. Teams of adoptable puppies square off in a pet-sized stadium in an effort to win the “Lumbarky” Super Bowl trophy, sponsored by Chewy.com. There’s even a kitten halftime show.

The first Puppy Bowl debuted in 2005 and has aired every year since. Contestants, all from shelters across the country, “score” by dragging a toy over the goal line. The actual “game day” is shot in October over two days with as many as 21 cameras on the “field.” More than 500 shelter animals have found homes thanks to this event.

Why you should watch

Season 14 (six episodes) is a matchup between Team Ruff and Team Fluff, beginning with an introduction to the contestants and ending with the main event, Puppy Bowl XIV. Episodes include “Cute as Fluff,” “Countdown to Puppy Bowl,” “The Dog Bowl,” “Training Camp Confidential,” “Pre-Game Show,” and “Puppy Bowl XIV.”

On game day, you’ll meet Shirley, the rescue sloth/referee, who takes her time with the coin toss, and Jokgu the chicken, a season 12 America’s Got Talent contestant, who plays the national anthem on the piano. You’ll enjoy watching the gerbil mascots and rabbit cheerleaders, as well as the baby ducks and pigs that stop by for comic relief. By the end of the game, the field is strewn with dog toys and some of the contestants are taking a nap.

In addition to a whole lot of puppy dog cuteness, the series features behind-the-scenes stories leading up to game day. You’ll meet Kohl, a black Lab rescue who tries out for the college football team as a kickoff tee retriever. The “Countdown to Puppy Bowl” episode looks back at some of the Puppy Bowl’s best plays. And the “Training Camp Confidential” episode provides an in-depth look at each contestant and what it takes to be on the team.

The Puppy Bowl usually airs about four hours before February’s big football game. For those football fans in the crowd who are too busy with pregame preparations to watch puppies play, binge-watching this series now is the perfect solution. Fair warning: These puppies are C-U-T-E, and you’ll become extremely envious of the human referee who frequently finds himself in the middle of a puppy pileup. No matter whether you’re Team Fluff or Team Ruff, you won’t be disappointed with the game’s outcome. You may, however, feel a bit deprived when the season ends. Console yourself with a walk around the block with your own pet champion and take heart. Next year’s Puppy Bowl will be here before you know it.

Editors' Recommendations

Howling dog went viral for sounding like an opera singer — we can’t get enough
This video shows a pup who has mastered the art of music with his perfectly on key howling
A dog lies in the grass and howls at the sky

Many of us think that our dogs talk way beyond the average woofs and barks that we all hear. Some seem to be particularly good at human speech, mimicking our sounds to try to be more like their pet parents. While most beasties never quite make it to speaking to us in our language, others go a step further and decide they will learn to sing too. Singing pups have taken over the internet, and this diva is no different.

If you've ever been to the opera, you know to listen for the tell-tale vibrato, which is really just moving between two pitches very quickly. There's nothing quite like it, and most of us will immediately think of that sound when we listen to this melodious dog.

Read more
50 spring-inspired names for dogs, from Forrest to Petunia
Springtime names for dogs influenced by the season, from Cosmo to April
A black and white Pomeranian sits in front of a tulip field and gives a head tilt

As the snow begins to melt beneath the longer hours of daylight, so many new things are taking form. Flowers are budding, animals are welcoming their young, and everything begins to feel renewed. Springtime is near! It's also an ideal time to welcome a new furry friend into your household. After all, longer days and warmer temperatures will make outdoor activities with your pup much more fun.

If you're planning on adopting a new dog come spring, you'll need to have some good dog names on hand. Of course, you can always opt for one of the classics, but these names for dogs are inspired by one of the most magical times of the year: springtime. These are 50 of our favorites, and we hope you'll love them as much as we do!

Read more
Have your heart set on a breed? Here’s why it’s important to consider different types of dogs
Think you need a small dog? Here's why you should research different types of dogs first
A woman kissing a dog

Perhaps you love your friend’s Yorkie. Maybe you grew up with a beagle and always dreamt of having one of your own. Getting fixated on a specific breed is normal and natural, and there’s no shame in it. Just like gender disappointment is a "thing" in parenting, so is dreaming about welcoming a specific dog with a distinct look and characteristics into your family.

Still, you want to consider different types of dogs while searching for a new furry family member. It may be difficult to wrap your head around, but researching other breeds and considering all of your options is an essential step in the process of choosing a dog breed. That doesn’t mean you must consider all dog breeds — that’s overwhelming — but you want to look into several. Here’s why and how to jumpstart your search for your next four-legged best friend.

Read more