Why Every Day is National Mutt Day for Chris Evans

National Mutt Day, also known as National Mixed Breed Dog Day, may only be a mere 24 hours, but in the Evans household, Dodger the dog is celebrated 365 days a year.

We talked to actor Chris Evans about National Mutt Day and his own beloved “mutt” Dodger as well as Evans’ ongoing partnership with Jinx, a dog food brand that offers a “fresh take on kibble.”

Dodger the Pomeranian?

Evans can hardly believe Dodger will be a decade old later this year; he still boasts puppy-like energy! That may be due to Dodger’s unique breed makeup, making him the perfect dog to celebrate on National Mutt Day.

“We did a little DNA swab,” Evans says. “It came back Lab, boxer, [pit bull terrier]—and Pomeranian. I don’t know how Pomeranian worked into the mix. I feel like for all of those DNA tests, there’s always a little surprise breed in there!”

Pomeranians are especially active, regularly described as a small but mighty breed. Although Dodger isn’t as small as a purebred Pom, you can easily spot the characteristic Pom twinkle in his eye.

Forever Man’s Best Friend

For Evans, it was love at first sight where Dodger was concerned.

“He was just a very striking dog—just really handsome and really sweet and loving,” Evans recalls. So striking that Evans couldn’t bear the thought of Dodger going home with anyone else.

“I haven’t had many moments like this in my life where you just know,” Evans adds. “We were filming a movie in Savannah, Ga., and one of the scenes took place at a shelter. I had no intention of adopting a dog that day, but I was still walking up and down the aisles just looking at all the sweeties and saw him. I just knew, I saw our life together, and was like ‘Well, you’re coming home with me.'”

That fateful day was back in 2015, but Evans says Dodger still exceeds all expectations nearly ten years later.

“I don’t know how I’ll ever get another [dog], you know?” Evans says. “He’s one of one.”

A Pawsitive Partnership

Even though Dodger is currently an only child, Evans has found other ways to better the lives of other canines, having partnered with the dog food brand Jinx for multiple years now.

“I’m always looking for partnerships, and this one just made sense,” Evans says. “Not only am I a dog lover, but the people involved with [Jinx] have a good mission statement and are all dog owners and lovers themselves.”

Evans also made sure to pay tribute to his Captain America past by sharing a fitting current Jinx initiative: Through the end of August, the company is giving 5% of every Jinx purchase made at Walmart to United Services Organizations (USO) programs, including the USO Canine Program.

“[Jinx] is not just helping dogs nutritionally, but trying to give back where they can,” Evans says.

And Dodger certainly hasn’t lodged any complaints about his dad’s Jinx partnership. Okay, that may be underplaying it a bit; Dodger literally comes running in at dinnertime.

“My God, he knows the sound of the bag,” Evans laughs.

And of course, Dodger serves as an unofficial taste tester for all new Jinx recipes, but it’s been hard to top his all-time favorite: the jerky.

Chris and Dodger’s National Mutt Day

In addition to treating Dodger to plenty of jerky, Evans also shared how else he planned to make Dodger feel extra special on National Mutt Day.

“Maybe a nice long hike in the woods,” Evans says. “That’s his favorite thing. We also go to the D-O-G P-A-R-K, but I can’t say that one out loud because he will sit up and expect something. So maybe we’ll stop by there, too.”

National Mutt Day is celebrated bi-annually on July 31 and December 2 and is “all about embracing, saving and celebrating mixed breed dogs.”