Super Bowl Is Going to the Dogs

Are you planning to watch the big game with your dog this Sunday?  What are your plans for this year’s Super Bowl?

“I’m going to watch the game at home, so yes, my dog will be there.” – Dane Chapman of Corona, on watching the Super Bowl with his dog, Stinky.

“I’m going to watch the game at a friend’s house and my dogs are coming with me.  If the game starts to suck we can always entertain ourselves watching the dogs.” – Erin Finch of Corona, on watching the Super Bowl with her dogs, Maui and Kona.

“I’m going to watch the game at home with my dog, but we only watch for the commercials.” – Sarah Beck of Riverside, on watching the Super Bowl with her dog, Diesel.

If you plan on being 1 of over 111 million people watching Super Bowl XLVI this year, (whether it’s solely for commercials or not) then you will be happy to know that there will be plenty of dogs for you to watch.  I’m not talking about players on the other team; I’m talking about the dogs starring in this year’s commercials.  Volkswagen, Anheuser-Busch InBev and Skechers have all created commercials starring dogs.

Volkswagen’s commercial features a dog named Bolt, who goes on a Jedi-like quest to be worthy of chasing the new Volkswagen Beetle.  Brian Thomas, general manager of brand marketing for Volkswagen says, "Dogs are a universal force for good, much like the Volkswagen brand."  

Anheuser-Busch InBev’s commercial will have a dog in two commercials, one for Budweiser and one for Bud Light.  The Budweiser commercial will briefly show their iconic Dalmatian while the Bud Light commercial will feature a bottle-fetching dog named Weego.  The Bud Light commercial is a satire for the beer’s tag line Here We Go.  Paul Chibe, vice president of A-B's U.S. marketing says, “People have always had a special relationship with dogs. The connection of dogs to our spots is more of a coincidence."

Skechers’s commercial will feature a dog named Mr. Quiggly, as he wears a pair of GOrun shoe’s and races a pack of greyhounds.  While this commercial has caused some controversy over greyhound racing from greyhound advocacy groups, Leonard Armato, president of Skechers Fitness Group, says the commercial is meant to inspire, not support greyhound racing.  Leonard says, “We believe he'll be the most lovable dog on the Super Bowl."

Wherever and for whatever reason you are watching the Super Bowl this weekend, have a fun and safe time with your pup!