Choosing perfect dog names can be fun, especially if you have a sense of humor. You've heard of the big guy named Tiny or the bald guy named Harry. You will usually find that these guys have a great personality and are loads of fun to be around. These names are most likely nicknames given to them by their friends or family in fun and they stuck. Often people are given nicknames because their real names don't fit them. When our parents named us they had no idea what we would be like when we grew up, so more appropriate nicknames are sometimes assigned to us later in life.
Choosing dog names is different from choosing the names of our children. We already know what our puppies will grow up to look like, and we can guess at how they will act based on the temperaments of their breeds. We are able to choose appropriate dog names that won't have to be changed later because they are not fitting. Adult dogs don't typically respond well when they are confused, and a mid-life name change can be confusing and frustrating for your pet. Choose a dog name that you will enjoy calling out for years to come.
A sense of humor is always appropriate when picking out dog names, especially when the names are based on the looks of the dogs. You could call a Dalmatian Spot, but wouldn't it be more fun to call him Stripes or Squiggles. Wrinkles is an appropriate name for a Bloodhoud or a Shar Pei, of course. But wouldn't Baby, Smoothie, or Lucky be cute?
A large watchdog breed, such as a Doberman Pinscher or a Bullmastiff could be appropriately named Killer. You could hang a sign that says "This House Is Protected By Killer" to keep the bad guys away. On the other hand, you could add an element of surprise and announce that your house is protected by Buffy, Waldo, or Precious. Your killer pooch is precious to you, right?
Small dogs seem to be the noisiest of all dogs. Maybe because they are so little, they overcompensate by being overprotective and loud. People who own small breeds tend to choose dog names like Bitsy, Dinky, and Pounce. Like the big guy nicknamed Tiny, it might be more fun to call your Yorkie Zeus or your Maltese Apollo.
A fun way for the family to choose dog names is to play the opposite game with the kids. Make a list of the most popular dog names for your breed and call them out to the kids. They will then tell you what they think the opposite of that name is. You say Minnie, they say Mighty. You suggest Tinkerbell, they suggest Shrek. The opposite of King might be Bumpkin. You get the idea. Kids can come up with some of the best dog names with little effort just by playing word games with them.
When you are ready to choose a puppy for your family, it is important to choose the right breed to fit your lifestyle. Once you've decided on a breed, have some fun choosing perfect dog names.
So you think to yourself, just any ol name won't do. It's got to be unique, something different! Well, allow me to give you a few dog naming categories that will hopefully help you to come up with some really novel names for your four legged friend.
First though, when coming up with a name keep in mind a few things to watch out for.
1. Stay away from names that might be potentially embarrassing to both you AND your dog. The name "Stinky" might be cute at first, but once the joke gets old, think of how you'll feel a year from now when you have to call "Stinky" home at night. Embarrassing names could also apply to negative words that might rhyme with your dogs name.
2. There's been a tendency in recent years to give dogs human names. Though there's nothing wrong with this, be kind to your pooch and name him after someone you like. Also, if want to name him after someone you know, better check with that person first to see if it's alright. I'm not sure how much your human friend Max will like hearing, "Get off the couch Max!" or worse "We took Max to get fixed today."
3. If possible, keep the name to one or two syllables. Dogs not only learn it quicker, but it makes them easier to train as well.
On with the names!
In this article I've listed just 3 of the many dog name categories that might help you to think a bit outside the box when coming up with great puppy names. They are,
Unique Dog Names: Have you ever considered naming your dog after something that you eat or drink? I'm serious. Allow me to give you just a few examples that will hopefully get your creative juices flowing...
Bon Bon: I can see this as a good name for a small black dog. Caviar: For a dog with expensive tastes. Maybe a good Poodle name? Jalapeno: A good name for a dog with a sometimes fiery disposition. Crouton: Another good name for a small breed. Maybe a Chihuahua? Latte: Possibly a good name for a black dog. Kahlua: I can see this name on a brown dog.
As strange as it sounds, many more food and drink related dog names can be as close as your refrigerator, pantry or liquor cabinet!
Cool Dog Names: The dictionary defines the word "cool" as something that's fashionable, or hip. To me, when it comes to dog names, a name that's "cool" is a name that one doesn't normally hear. One that is creative enough to be memorable. And that perhaps matches that particular dogs appearance or disposition.
Here's just a few names from my site that I put into the "cool" dog name category for starters.
Funny Dog Names: By funny, I'm referring to cute dog names that will match it's physical appearance. Here's just a few ideas,
Espresso: For an energetic black dog. Kisses: For a small affectionate pup. Brutus: For a BIG dog. Putt-Putt: For a dog with short legs.
Here's some additional ideas,
Big Dog Names: Barbarian, Big Foot, Butkus, Chewbacca, Genghis, Godzilla, Hummer, Terminator, T-Rex, Tsunami
Small Dog Names: Doodle, Gumball, Kewpie, Laptop, Nibbles, Widget
For additional funny ideas, think opposites! Peanut for a BIG dog, Moose for a small dog.
If you spent as much time as you did when finding the perfect dog, why not spend a little extra time in finding the perfect name? Your dog will thank you for it!
Both Ryan Moxie & Richard Livitski are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ryan Moxie has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Pets and Puppies Dogs. Ryan Moxie shows you a variety of to help you pick the. Ryan Moxie's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.
Richard Livitski has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets. When Richard Livitski isn't busy running around after his own dogs, he's busy searching for more unique, cool and funny dog names for