Perfect puppy names

Choosing your puppy`s name is one of the fun things about being a new `parent`.

Although it isn`t quite as fraught as choosing a baby`s name, it can come close!

You don`t want to take a month to make a decision but you do need to take a little time to think about it.

It`s important to pick a name that feels `just right` because you`re going to using it what seems like a hundred times, every single day, for years to come :)

Whether you`re looking for a popular name, one that`s unique, or one to suit your sense of humor/your dog`s breed/color/size/personality and so on, I can help you find the perfect fit.

What`s In A (Puppy) Name?

It might actually be more than you think, because the name you choose for your new pup can say a lot about you, as well as a fair bit about how you view your dog!

Other people might even judge your dog`s personality by the name yougive him.

Calling him `Killer` or `Hannibal` might seem funny if you own a complete softie who wouldn`t say boo to a goose!

BUT strangers may not be amused when he`s barking or growling at them - especially if you own a breed that tends to be feared due to media hype and lack of public education (such as Pitbulls and Rottweilers).

It might also be a good idea to rein in your sense of humor :)

If you choose the name `Tiny` for your Great Dane puppy or`Rocket` for your little Basset Hound, it will probably raise a smile atthe dog park.

But it can undermine your dog`s natural dignity when you go for a laugh at his expense.

Dogs are intelligent animals, and don`t think they don`t sense whensomeone is making fun of them.

The best foundation for a goodrelationship between you and your puppy is mutual love and respect, bear that in mind when choosing a puppy name.

Puppy Naming Tips & Advice

There are a few basic guidelines you can use to help you pick outthat perfect puppy name. When choosing names for a puppy, you can usethe following tips to find a name that sounds `just right`

• Keep it simple
  There are two reasons for this. Firstly, dogs respondbetter to short commands and can easily get confused by long,strange-sounding words. Keep the name you choose short and simple,one or two syllables is best.

  If your puppy is a pure-bred you can indulge your desire for an exotic name when you pick his or her registered name. SecondlyYou are going to be using your puppy`s name many (repeat, MANY) times aday! It`ll be a lot less wearing if it`s short and simple.

  Video: How to Pick Dog Names

• It`s not just a puppy nameYour new puppy won`t always be this small! You`re alsochoosing a DOG name here. Depending on the breed he or she could reachanywhere up to 130lbs plus within a couple of years. Even athoughtfully chosen puppy name such as `Tickles` or `Buttercup` may seema whole lot less appropriate when `Tickles` the St. Bernard is fullygrown.
• Let your puppy help you out
  Yes, believe it or not your little bundle of fur can help choose his own name! How? It`s quit simple - just take a close look at him (okay, you`re a little tooclose when he`s planting puppy kisses on your nose!) and then payattention to his personality.

  Remember the `Rocket` example I used earlier? Well, not for a BassetHound perhaps, but it could be the perfect puppy name for yoursuper-speedy Italian Greyhound. Or how about `Snowflake` for yourAmerican Eskimo pup? See what I mean?

• Consider his heritageIf you have a purebred puppy you probably know what country his breed originated in. If you have a Rottweileror German Shorthaired Pointer then a German dog name would be a greatchoice. The same goes for your French Bulldog, or Italian Mastiff etc.etc.
• What about a theme?
  A great way to find puppy names that are not so `run of themill` is to think of a theme.. this also helps later on if you`re addinganother pup to your home. You can pick two names that work together andsound cute!

  When it comes to themes, there are just way too many to list, but here are a few that might jump-start your imagination... cartoon characters, celebrities or movie stars, sports stars or teams, music - ie bands, rock stars, opera, country music etc., presidents, artist... the list could go on and on and on.....

Most Popular Puppy Names

Here`s a quick look at the top boy and girl puppynames for 2014 (plus a quick comparison of some of 2013`s favoritesagainst this years crop).

These lists are taken from surveys compiled by two different organizationswho have millions of puppy names in their databases.

There`s a SLIGHT variation between them, but the top contenders are pretty much identical.

Video: Dog names

Basically just the same names jostling for position in the girl lists.

Luna is a new female dog name on vetstreet`s 2014 list, and Bailey is the new addition for rover.

On the boys side, there`s a little more variation, with Bentley, Zeus & Duke showing only on vetstreet`s list, and Jack, Jake & Tucker on rover`s.

Now, just for fun, let`s take a look at 2013`s survey results.....

This gives you a few more to get your teeth into.

My favorites are Luna (and Luna shows up in the Top 10 for 2014. I picked a winner!) and Milo, but Lily and Oliver are close seconds :)

Of course there are also lots more adorable and popular puppy and dog names to choose from.

If you`re looking for something different, unique, or with a certain international `flair`, why not check out some of these pages.

There`s bound to be at least one name that`s absolutely perfect for your new pup.......

Video: Top 10 Male Dog Names for 2016

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