The biggest sporting events of the year are happening this weekend: Dog Bowl III and Puppy Bowl XVI.

Three local celebri-dogs will represent North Idaho on national television as they scrimmage with other precious pooches on Animal Planet.

Filbert, Daphne and Lulu aren't just any canine competitors. They're residents of Double J Dog Ranch, a Hauser nonprofit sanctuary for special needs dogs.

Double J co-owner Cristine Justus said it is again an honor to partner with Animal Planet, which first reached out to the nonprofit for canine athletes in 2015.

"It's really important because it brings special needs awareness to a national level, for special needs dogs everywhere, not just in our program," Justus said Wednesday.

Filbert and Daphne will both play on Team Ruff in the Puppy Bowl. Filbert, a Shetland sheepdog/border collie, is deaf and vision-impaired. Justus described him as "a bit more of a player." His journey from the dog ranch to Puppy Bowl will be featured in a "Pup Close and Personal" segment that will air during the show. A crew from Animal Planet visited Double J last year to get exclusive footage for the piece.

"We filmed in the rain from sunup to sundown," Justus said. "They're just a great crew. We've been working with them for a few years now."

Daphne, a German shepherd, has canine megaesophagus, a condition that enlarges the esophagus and causes problems moving food and liquid to the stomach. She was more of a cheerleader and has been featured in social media leading up to the big game, Justus said.

"Pretty Girl" Lulu is a deaf 6-year-old Australian shepherd/border collie mix who will strut her stuff in the Dog Bowl, a canine competition that celebrates dogs ages 3 to 14 that are in need of forever homes.

"She did phenomenal. It was really good," Justus said. "She's a great dog."

Daphne and Filbert have since been adopted, but Lulu is still available, Justus said.

Everyone went to New York to film for the Puppy Bowl and Dog Bowl last fall.

"They loved playing with the other puppies and they loved all the added attention, and everyone had their hands on them so they loved that," Justus said. "They loved touring around Manhattan and telling everyone about special needs dogs. That was fun."

Dog Bowl III airs at 5 p.m. PST Saturday on Animal Planet. Puppy Bowl XVI is on at noon Sunday.

Spectators will have opportunities to vote for game MVPs. Last year, Bumble from Double J was the first special needs player to fetch the award.

Information: doublejdogranch.org