Hello! My Name Is...

  *Updated July 2020* You're getting a new puppy soon! Yay! Now for a name... OH JOY. Now which name is fitting, sounds right yelled or whispered, and is your style!?

 Many breeders sell their puppies with "temporary names". These are used to keep the puppies identified when providing individual info to interested people. They are not the puppies' registered names; that honor is left up to you! Some buyers choose a name altogether different from the temporary name. Some like it good enough to keep it the same. Others jazz it up a little. (For example: keeping the pup's temporary name of "Tex" but registering him as "Texas Lone Star".)

 So, are you looking for something classic? Something unique? Meaningful? Cute? The possibilities are endless! As a start, here's a list of the 20 most popular dog names of 2019:

MALE:                                                                            

1. Max

2. Charlie

3. Cooper

4. Buddy

5. Rocky

6. Bear

7. Jack

8. Milo

9. Duke

10. Tucker

11. Oliver

12. Bentley

13. Teddy

14. Beau

15. Leo

16. Toby

17. Jax

18. Zeus

19. Winston

20. Blu/Blue

FEMALE:

1. Bella

2. Luna

3. Lucy

4. Daisy

5. Lily

6. Zoe

7. Lola

8. Sadie

9. Molly

10. Bailey

11. Stella

12. Maggie

13. Roxy

14. Sophie

15. Chloe

16. Penny

17. Coco

18. Nala

19. Rosie

20. Ruby

  Want something more unique and different? Be brilliant and release that imagination! Or you can always check out AKC's list of "Unique Dog Names". My overall reaction to that list was "They weren't kidding when they said unique!". But some were really cool, so I think it's a worthwhile list to check out.

 

  Searching for something sweet or adorable? AKC also has a list of "Cute Dog Names". If you go for a "cutesy" dog name though, keep in mind that your new puppy won't stay a puppy... There were a few in that list that I rather liked.

   Other names I personally have heard and liked or were in our toss-up for temporary names include: Axel, Berkley, Bodie, Flynn, Gage, Jett, Marshall, Ruger, Ryder, and Theo for males. Also, for females: Addy, Elsa, Emma, Greta, Keva/Kiva, Mila, Myrtle, Oakley, Paisley, and Willow.

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  A few little tips for your name game:

• Many trainers recommend a name that's easy both for you to say and also for the dog to learn. Many suggest names with two-syllables. Some one- or three-syllable names are just too good to pass up though, so use your own judgement. 
• It's wise to avoid names that sound too much like command words (Sit, Come, Stay, etc.), names of family members, or other frequently used words. For example, if a family member's name is Molly, then it would probably confuse the dog to be named "Polly". You get the idea.
• You don't have to name your pup before you get it or even the day you do. You can give it a few days if you want a name that truly fits your dog's personality!
• The AKC only allows 37 dogs per breed to share the same name. Try adding a "second" or "middle" name if your favorite is taken. Other ways to make your name choice unique for registration purposes include adding your name (e.g. "Amanda's ____ _____). Perhaps if your road name is Wyndham Circle, try "your name choice of Wyndham Circle", or your town name (e.g. "of Jefferson"). Keep in mind that the AKC also adds a $10 fee for names with more than 36 characters. Space, apostrophes, and hyphens count.
• Check AKC name availability for your breed here: https://www.apps.akc.org//apps/reg/namecheck/

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