How To Choose The Perfect Name for Your Puppy

Naming your new dog is not a decision to be taken lightly. After all, dogs are meant to be part of the family for a long time to come. Some people know exactly what they want to name their dog before they even bring it home, but others have a harder time choosing the perfect name. If you are trying to think of what to call your new four-legged family member, consider these puppy naming tips.

Choose a Short Name

There are a number of benefits to giving your puppy a name of one or two syllables. Dogs respond better to shorter names that are easier for them to remember and recognize. Also, short names make it easier to call your dog in public or issue commands in a hurry. If you decide to give your dog a longer name, make it one that’s easy to shorten into a nickname.

Consider the Breed

Your dog’s breed may give you ideas for a name. Consider where the breed originated from and what it was originally bred to do. For example, consider naming a German Shepard a traditionally German name, or naming a hound or retriever after its original function as a hunting dog.

Make the Name Unique

Choose a name that sounds different from common commands you give your dog. For example, the name “Joe” may be confusing for a dog as it sounds too much like “No.”

Consider a Popular Name

In 2014, the five most popular names for male dogs were:

• Max
• Buddy
• Charlie
• Jack
• Cooper

The five most popular names for female dogs were:

• Bella
• Lucy
• Daisy
• Molly
• Lola

If your dog’s name does not seem to stick after trying it out, you can always switch to a different name. However, do not wait too long to rename your pup as a sudden name change can be confusing once the animal gets used to responding to the first name.