Chris Evans discusses Dog Dodger and his partnership with Jinx

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

We spoke with actor Chris Evans about National Mutt Day and his 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 the Dodgers will have a decade later this year; still boasts puppy-like energy! This may be due to Dodger’s unique breed makeup, which makes him the perfect dog to celebrate National Mutt Day.

“We did a little DNA swab,” says Evans. “It’s back Lab, boxer(pit bull terrier)—i Pomeranian. I don’t know how the Pomeranian got into the mix. I feel like with all those DNA tests there’s always a little bit of a surprise!”

Pomeranians are particularly active, regularly described as a small but powerful breed. Although Dodger is not as small as a purebred Pom, you can easily see the characteristic Pom twinkle in his eyes.

Man’s best friend forever

For Evans, Dodger was love at first sight.

“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 someone else.

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

That fateful day was in 2015, but Evans says the Dodger is still exceeding expectations nearly a decade later.

“I don’t know how I’m ever going to get another (dog), you know?” Evans says. “He’s one of them.”

Pawsitive Partnership

Although Dodger is currently an only child, Evans has found other ways to improve the lives of other dogs, having partnered with dog food brand Jinx for several years.

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

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

“(Jinx) isn’t just about helping the dogs with their nutrition, it’s about trying to give back where they can,” Evans says.

And Dodger certainly made no complaints about his father’s Jinx partnership. Okay, that might be an understatement; Dodger literally arrives at dinner time.

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

And of course, Dodger serves as the unofficial taste tester for all new Jinx recipes, but it was hard to top his all-time favorite: Christmas trees.

Chris and Dodger’s National Mutt Day

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

“Maybe for a long time hiking in the woods,” says Evans. “That’s his favorite thing. We also go to DOG PARKbut I can’t say that out loud because he will sit down and expect something. So maybe we’ll stop by there too.”

National Mutt Day it is celebrated every two years on July 31st and December 2nd and is “all about accepting, rescuing and celebrating mixed-breed dogs.”