What Happened to Teigan, the 2026 Puppy Bowl Champion Dog, Who Died Three Months Ago?
Teigan, a participant in Viral Puppy Bowl XXII, sadly passed away three months prior to the event that aired before the 2026 Super Bowl.
Teigan, a member of the victorious Team Fluff, captured hearts on Sunday, February 8, as she showcased her skills while using a wheelchair. (The event brought together 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption.)
Following the event, it was revealed that Teigan had died in October 2025 after fighting pneumonia.
“Teigan, my little girl, was both fragile and strong,” posted Perfect Imperfections Rescue, a Connecticut animal sanctuary, via Facebook. “She was born with neurological issues and a severely curved spine. When she first joined me, she almost succumbed to pneumonia.”
The organization elaborated, “She fought to survive, but we knew this could be a recurring challenge for her.
Her head’s tilt made it difficult for her to eat and swallow, so we adjusted her feeding position and took special care to ensure food wasn’t obstructing her throat.”
The post shared that Teigan’s day started “normally,” as she “ate, played a bit,” and then “settled in for a nap.”
“I noticed she had regurgitated,” the message recalled. “I quickly took her to the vet. Within an hour, her breathing worsened. X-rays revealed severe pneumonia. She spent the day at the vet receiving oxygen and IV fluids, but her breathing remained strained. I took her home to continue her treatment.”
The message further explained that they checked on Teigan “every two hours to adjust her position and flush her catheter.”
“I started seeing tail wags when I spoke to her, and for a moment, I felt hopeful she would overcome this once more. But given her previous struggles, I was apprehensive,” the post continued. “I checked on her every two hours. After the last check, I noticed she seemed exhausted, and shortly thereafter, she took her final breath.”
In the days leading up to the event’s broadcast, the organization provided a sneak peek of Teigan during the Puppy Bowl XXII taping.
“It will be bittersweet to see her on TV,” the Facebook post noted on Friday, February 6. “For those unaware, Teigan and I spent a day at the rescue shooting a segment about her condition and her custom cart made by K9karts.”
The message further noted, “A few weeks after filming, we traveled to NY and participated in the Puppy Bowl. It was such a wonderful experience where we met so many incredible people from rescues across the USA. Spending a day in a room full of puppies was an added delight.”
The organization urged fans and social media users to “tune in and help celebrate Teigan” during Puppy Bowl XXII on Sunday.
“She was such a remarkable soul,” the post concluded. “I don’t think I will ever fully come to terms with losing her so soon.”
