APPLETON, Wis. — Dan Schachner, the longtime referee for Animal Planet's beloved Puppy Bowl, has a special connection to the event that goes beyond just calling the plays on the miniature football field. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Schachner revealed that he adopted one of the dogs he encountered while officiating Puppy Bowl XX in 2024, turning a professional encounter into a personal family milestone.
Schachner, who has been the 'Rufferee' for the event since its early days, first met his now-beloved dog, Whistle, during preparations for that year's show. 'She’s sleeping at my feet right now,' Schachner told Us Weekly ahead of Puppy Bowl XXII, set to air on Sunday, February 8, at 2 p.m. ET on Animal Planet. He explained that about two and a half years ago, Whistle was one of the puppies slated to participate but was sidelined due to health concerns. 'We had one dog that had bad knees and didn’t pass the physical,' he said.
The Puppy Bowl, an annual Super Bowl counterpart featuring adoptable shelter dogs in a playful football-themed competition, takes animal welfare seriously. Organizers require all participating pups to undergo thorough veterinary checks to ensure they can handle the lighthearted antics without risk of injury. Whistle's condition—dislocated kneecaps that organizers believed would likely resolve over time—meant she couldn't join the on-field action with teams like Ruff and Fluff. Instead, she found another way to contribute to the show.
Despite not playing, Whistle stole the spotlight in her own right. Dressed in a tiny referee shirt, she served as Schachner's assistant throughout the event. 'Everyone loved her,' Schachner gushed. After spending a week working closely with the pup, he was smitten. 'I was like, ‘I think this dog is pretty perfect,’ and she was just chill and sweet.' Bringing her home temporarily sealed the deal for his family. 'My family loved her... My kids loved her, and it was just inevitable. So I said, ‘Let’s just do it.’'
Today, Whistle is a fixture in Schachner's life and a frequent star on his Instagram account, where fans can see her lounging and enjoying family life. However, Schachner isn't planning to expand the pack anytime soon. Surrounded by adorable puppies each year at the Puppy Bowl, he faces constant temptation but remains practical about his household. 'Right now, with two teenage boys, I feel like I have three animals in my house,' he quipped, adding that the family likely won't welcome a second dog until his sons have grown up and moved out.
As the Puppy Bowl evolves, so does its mission to promote adoptions. This year marks a notable addition: a segment highlighting senior dogs during the Pro-Dog Halftime Showdown. For the first time, Team Oldies will face off against Team Goldies in a special exhibition game designed to draw attention to older shelter dogs who often struggle to find forever homes.
Schachner emphasized the importance of this initiative. 'The puppies that get adopted on Puppy Bowl, it’s not a big surprise — adorable dog on national TV, they’re going to find a forever home. Their parents, however, often don’t,' he told Us Weekly. He noted that many senior dogs, particularly mother dogs surrendered with their litters, linger in shelters far longer than their younger counterparts. 'A lot of these dogs come from a litter, so when they are surrendered to shelters or found as strays, they’re found with the mom. It’s almost always the mom and the litter, right? So that mom is usually hanging around in a shelter for a long time and has a much harder time being adopted.'
The halftime matchup will showcase these mature canines in a less frenetic style than the puppy games. Viewers can expect to see photos of this year's participants, including dogs from both teams, highlighting their unique personalities. 'Dogs at that age are not as toy-motivated, so they’re not going to be running in as rambunctious as you might see the puppies do,' Schachner explained. 'That is on purpose. That’s by design, because it appeals to people who would like a senior dog, a more chill, already house-trained dog. Perhaps they have a busy schedule, [they want] a dog to just nap on your couch all day. That might be the dog for you.'
By shedding light on these overlooked animals during the halftime show, organizers hope to boost adoption rates for seniors. Schachner believes the exposure could make a real difference. 'So, hopefully, us shedding a little bit of a spotlight at halftime helps that cause,' he said. This effort aligns with the Puppy Bowl's broader goal of connecting shelter dogs with potential owners, having facilitated thousands of adoptions since its inception in 2005.
February 8 will also feature the Puppy Bowl XXII Kickoff Show at 1 p.m. ET, providing an hour of pre-game hype. Schachner, entering his 15th year as host, remains enthusiastic about the event's fresh twists. This edition boasts a record 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the country, presenting a memorization challenge for the referee as he learns all their names.
What keeps Schachner coming back, beyond the cuteness overload, is the creative freedom in the game's rules. The scoring system is delightfully simple: 'Bring a chew toy into the end zone,' he described, noting it doesn't matter which end zone or toy. 'Doesn’t matter which chew toy. It’s very free-form. Any puppy at any time can score in any way you would imagine.' This loose structure allows for spontaneous moments that capture the essence of playful pups.
On the flip side, the penalty repertoire is where Schachner gets to flex his imagination. 'There’s an entire subset of penalties that are unique to dogs only,' he laughed. Examples include excessive slobber, unsportsmanlike digging, and end-zone zoomies—behaviors as unpredictable as they are endearing. 'These things happen, you can’t predict them. They’re going to happen, but we have to occasionally call them out, especially if they’re egregious.' Inventing these canine-specific infractions year after year keeps the job exciting for him.
The Puppy Bowl has grown from a quirky one-hour special into a cultural phenomenon, airing annually on the Sunday before the NFL's Super Bowl. It not only entertains but also raises awareness for animal shelters, with past events leading to immediate adoptions for many participants. Schachner's personal story with Whistle underscores the event's real-world impact, showing how the show's magic can extend into everyday lives.
Looking ahead, the inclusion of senior dogs could inspire more families to consider adopting older pets, who bring wisdom and calmer companionship. As Schachner prepares for another season of refereeing puppy pandemonium, he hopes viewers tune in not just for the laughs, but to discover their next family member. With 150 chances to fall in love, Puppy Bowl XXII promises to be the biggest and most heartfelt yet.
For those interested, the event streams on platforms like Discovery+ and Max, making it accessible nationwide. Animal Planet encourages potential adopters to visit local shelters inspired by the show, continuing the cycle of rescue and rehoming that defines the Puppy Bowl's legacy.