First dogs Major and Champ Biden will make their acting debut alongside First Lady Jill Biden in a commercial about masks during Puppy Bowl XVII.

In the public service announcement, which will air on game day on Sunday, the first lady sits alongside the German shepherds in front of a fireplace in the White House while discussing the importance of continued use of face masks amid the pandemic. 

“For a lot of us during this pandemic, our pets have been such a source of joy and comfort," Dr Biden says in the video. "And maybe a bark or two on a video conference.

“The unconditional love from a dog is one of the most beautiful things on earth – and we owe it to them to keep ourselves healthy.”

The first lady concluded the brief clip urging people to “please keep wearing your mask, even when you’re out walking your dog”, with the ad then directing viewers to visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information about preventing the spread of Covid-19.

The PSA will air during Animal Planet’s annual Puppy Bowl on Sunday, which will see puppies on Team Fluff face off against Team Ruff. 

The role in the commercial was especially fitting for Major, who was adopted from a shelter by the Bidens, as one of the main goals of the Puppy Bowl is to raise awareness of animals available for adoption.

Puppy Bowl XVII will air Sunday 7 February at 2pm ET on Animal Planet.