Deaf Chesapeake pooch named Mako — like the shark — finding TV stardom in Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl

Mako the Dalmatian spends his days learning “sign language,” protecting the yard from trespassing wildlife, following his mom around and snuggling under blankets. And Sunday, he becomes a TV star.

The deaf pup picked up from a breeder in South Carolina was adopted by a Chesapeake family through Green Dogs Unleashed, a rescue in central Virginia. He’s one of 11 special needs dogs competing in Animal Planet’s 19th annual Puppy Bowl.

The popular three-hour “Super Bowl” airs at 2 p.m., with a pre-game show starting at 1 p.m., where the channel highlights the work of 67 animal shelters and rescues across 34 states. This year, the big game unleashes 122 puppies into a “stadium” for hours of play. Animal Planet filmed the Puppy Bowl late last year in New York.

Mako will share the field with two other regional puppies from the Virginia Beach SPCA, Brisco and Espresso, who also have been adopted. Mako not only appears in the big game, but he’s also made it to the Pupularity Playoffs, where he’s competing to be the most “pupular” player.

When Mako arrived at Green Dogs Unleashed, his name was Julius. But now, he lives by the water with his Chesapeake family that renamed him Mako, “like the shark,” the rescue said in a puppy profile.

“Mako fills his mom’s heart and soul by going everywhere she goes and learning to communicate with hand signals from Mom,” the bio reads. “He loves to play with his new friends and family that live close by.”

He also spends his days as a member of the neighborhood watch from the comfort of his couch inside or on the back porch.

“When not playing or keeping everyone safe from bird and squirrel intruders, he enjoys snuggling under blankets with his Mom” Green Dogs said. “His mom was inspired to start fostering with their local SPCA, and now has a dalmatian foster sibling!”

The Puppy Bowl has featured more than 600 puppies over the years, and all have been adopted.

Watch party

The SPCA is hosting a watch party Feb. 12 from 1-4 p.m. with guest appearances from Espresso and Brisco at Smartmouth Brewing Pilot House, 313 32nd St., Virginia Beach. Smartmouth is donating 10% of proceeds that day to the SPCA.

Kari Pugh, kari.pugh@virginiamedia.com