Natty, an 8-week-old Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever mix, is gearing up for his Major League debut as the Nationals’ official Team Dog in partnership with Canine Companions® and Eukanuba. The newest (and furriest) member of the Nationals will make his first big-league appearance on Friday, May 15, when the Club hosts the Baltimore Orioles at 6:45 p.m. While it will be a great day to introduce a Team Dog, it’ll be a bad day to be a hot dog at Nationals Park, as the ballpark will enter a full state of glizzy madness for Hot Dog Day. To purchase tickets, visit Nationals.com/Tickets.*
Natty earned his name through an online fan vote in March. Born on March 5, 2026, he is one of six brothers and sisters who will be trained for service. Natty began his journey to the Majors in Northern California near Lake Tahoe, eventually earning a promotion to the Canine Companions headquarters in Santa Rosa, Calif., for final medical evaluations. He made the cross-country journey to Washington, D.C., on May 4, where he met his volunteer puppy raisers, Jackie and Laura, for the first time. Natty, Jackie and Laura reside in Virginia, where Natty will learn good manners, basic cues and eat a nutritious diet to prepare for professional training with Canine Companions instructors in 18 months.
Natty will also train alongside Nationals staff, players and fans as he practices his socialization skills and prepares for his future as a service dog. Eager to begin his big-league career, Natty is already familiarizing himself with bats, baseballs and gloves. His highly anticipated introduction on Friday, May 15, will be one of several games and community events where he will appear this season.
Natty joins the Nationals through the Club’s partnership with Eukanuba, supporting Canine Companions as their exclusive dog food partner of more than 35 years. He will be fueled by Eukanuba through every stage of service. After completing time with his puppy raisers, Natty will begin professional training with the goal of becoming a service dog for a person with a disability. Canine Companions provides service dogs to children, adults and veterans with disabilities, as well as facility dogs to individuals in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings.
Follow Natty’s journey as Team Dog on social media at @NatsPup on X and Instagram.*
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