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Choosing A Name For Your New Puppy

Your new puppy will need a name unless it has already been given one by the breeder. Just as with a new child, it is important to give some thought to the name for your pet.

A dog can live for between ten and eighteen years, so it is better to chose a name that is unlikely to become old fashioned during that time. Quite often when you see the puppy for the first time a name will suggest itself from his general appearance and temperament.

The name you choose will depend on whether you are getting a family pet or a dog that is going to be exhibited at dog shows. Snoopy might be a good name for a family pet but a dog that is going to be shown usually requires a more grandiose name.

Be careful to choose a name that you are not going to embarrassed to walk around the neighborhood shouting. If your dog wanders off, you will need to shout out his name to get him to come to you.

It is best to choose a short name (one or two syllables) as your puppy will learn to recognize it more quickly than a long name.

Never choose a name that sounds similar to the common commands such as "come," "heel," "sit" or "stay," as it will just confuse your puppy.

Don't choose a name that is similar to your neighbor's dogs names. When your dog is outside and you call it's name you want your dog to come to you - not your neighbors dog. For example, Jilly and Billy will most likely confuse your puppy as they sound similar.

When you think you have found a suitable name, try using it for a few days to see if you and your family are comfortable saying it and if your puppy seems to like it. Don't worry if you want to try another name, at this stage your puppy has not got used to the name yet so it can still be changed. But don't leave it for more than a few days to settle on the final name or your puppy is going to get very confused.

If you have young children they are sure to have lots of suggestions for your puppy's name. But be careful - they may suggest their nickname for a school teacher - not good if he or she finds out.

Avoid naming your dog after a relative or friend as they are unlikely to be impressed with that and may take it as an insult to them.

Also, remember a name that sounds cute when your dog is a cuddly puppy will probably sound silly when your dog is fully grown (especially the larger breeds of dog).

Here are some suggestions of suitable names for puppies.