The Washington Nationals have a new roster addition — and this one has four legs.
Natty, an 8-week-old golden retriever and Labrador retriever mix, will make his big-league debut Friday, when the club hosts the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park. The puppy is the franchise’s first official team dog, joining through a partnership with nonprofit Canine Companions and dog food brand Eukanuba.
Natty earned his name through an online fan vote in March, beating out contenders including Cherry, Monty and Tater. Born March 5, 2026, near Lake Tahoe in Northern California, he is part of a litter being raised for potential service dog placement. After clearing final medical evaluations at Canine Companions headquarters in Santa Rosa, California, he made the cross-country trip to Washington on May 4, where he was placed with volunteer puppy raisers Jackie and Laura, who live in Virginia.
Over the next 18 months, Natty will live with his raisers and learn basic obedience and socialization skills before beginning professional training with Canine Companions instructors. He will also spend time at the ballpark alongside players, staff and fans as part of that preparation.
Canine Companions, which is marking its 50th anniversary this year, says it helped pioneer the modern service dog movement in 1975 and has since placed more than 8,600 trained dogs with clients at no cost, funded entirely through donations. The organization serves children, adults and veterans with disabilities, as well as professionals in healthcare, law enforcement and educational settings across all 50 states.
The Nationals’ partnership with Eukanuba, which has supported Canine Companions as its exclusive dog food partner for more than 35 years, will keep Natty fed through every stage of his development. Once his training is complete, the goal is for him to be placed as a service dog for a person with a disability.
Friday’s debut will coincide with Hot Dog Day at Nationals Park, with first pitch set for 6:45 p.m. Fans can follow Natty’s journey on X at @NatsPup_ and on Instagram at @NatsPup.
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