The appearance of a dog in the house is always accompanied by many pleasant troubles. And first of all, you should think about what name to give your pet. It is not difficult to choose the right name for your dog - you just need to carefully study the advice of canine specialists in this regard.
An impressive list of names will help a novice dog breeder not to get confused and give his dog the most suitable nickname, which will also be beautiful, fashionable, original and funny.
General recommendations for choosing a name for a dog
All puppies born in kennels must receive an official name. It is indicated in dog documents and is used to represent the pet at various competitions and exhibitions.
As a rule, such nicknames are very long and difficult to pronounce. There are often cases when the official name does not suit the dog at all.
Official names are needed primarily to simplify the registration of babies born in a particular nursery. Typically, breeders give all puppies in a litter nicknames that begin with the same letter. Sometimes they use the names of their fathers or the name of the nursery in the babies' nicknames.
In addition, breeders often ask owners to name new family members with names of a specific theme (for example, related to astronomy, mythology, flowers or music).
For convenience, owners can come up with a so-called pet name for the dog. It will be used in everyday life and should suit the pet as best as possible.
You need to take your time choosing such a nickname, because weaning a dog off the name it is accustomed to is an almost impossible task.
That is why, when choosing an everyday nickname for your pet, you should be guided by a number of rules. Following them will help you name your dog the most suitable name for it:
- The name should be sonorous, short, easy to pronounce and consist of 1-2 syllables and 1-2 voiced consonants. Both the dog and its owner will quickly remember this name.
- The nickname should not be in tune with the teams.
- You should not call your dog a common human name, or one that sounds similar to the nicknames of other pets.
- It is not recommended to call your dog offensive words or religious names.
- It is extremely undesirable to give a dog the name of a previous pet - the likelihood that they will be similar is almost zero.
- It is advisable that the name reflect the gender of the dog.
This is interesting! If the owner cannot choose one of several names he likes, dog handlers advise calling the dog with each of them and calling the dog the one to which it responds.
nicknames for four-legged “gentlemen”
But if you notice the habits of a true Englishman in your dog, you should not deny it a national name.
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Your dog tries to serve in everything (brings slippers in the morning, and then carries them after you all day), is too obedient, friendly, stable, but is afraid to show his feelings, loves order and comfort - then choose something from this list.
- Armstrong,
- Bentley,
- Barton,
- Jeeves,
- Webster,
- Bobby,
- Burgher,
- Watson,
- Sherlock,
- Duke,
- Winfred,
- Glenmore,
- Beardsley,
- Graph,
- Lancelot,
- Greenwich,
- Bosswell,
- Carrington,
- Digby,
- Chadwick,
- Fergie,
- Cromwell,
- Dandy,
- London,
- Wesley,
- Rochester,
- Charles,
- Lard,
- Spencer,
- Wilson,
- Wilston,
- Oxford,
- Tower,
- Tennyson,
- Maxwell.
The best nicknames depending on the size of the breed
When choosing a name for your dog, it is important to consider the size of the breed. Thus, large pets should not be called by nicknames that are more suitable for small breeds. On the contrary, a small dog with the name of a large dog will look comical.
Nicknames that are perfect for small dogs:
- Busya;
- Zipper;
- Dwarf;
- Zhuzha;
- Zaya;
- Knopa, Krokha, Krosh, Kuzya;
- Little, Lyalya;
- Baby, Micro, Minnie, Mouse;
- Nyasha;
- Fluff, Fawn;
- Smalley;
- Fenya;
- Shusha.
Large dogs can be called one of the following nicknames:
- Atlas, Athos, Athena;
- Bagheera;
- Veles, the Giant;
- Hera, Hercules, Giant, Thunderstorm, Thunder;
- Zeus;
- King;
- Mukhtar;
- Naida;
- Puma;
- Rada, Rimbaud;
- Strength, Sparta;
- Chara.
How to accustom a puppy to its name
The nickname is the most common command that a dog hears. It is better to start accustoming a puppy to it from the first days of his arrival in the house, from 1 month. All family members must engage in the process, otherwise the animal will not obey them as it grows.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
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Every day, it is recommended to gently call the puppy 5-7 times, luring it with a piece of treat. When the dog approaches, give the treat and pet it, repeating the name and pleasant words. During the main feeding, put the bowl and call the dog by name several times, repeat 2-3 times while he eats.
You can use your favorite toy for learning. Call the puppy by his nickname and tease him briefly. It is not recommended to put pressure on the dog, everything comes with time. During the training process, you should not use threatening intonations or distort the name.
Names that reflect the pet's character
Observing the puppy after moving to a new home will help you decide on a name that suits its liking and behavior. In addition, in order to slightly pacify the too tough temper of your dog or, conversely, make it more courageous and severe, choose a name that reflects traits that it does not have.
Scientists have proven that under the influence of various combinations of sounds, the water cells that make up all living organisms change. That is why the successful consonance of consonants and vowels in a dog’s name influences its character and behavior.
For boys, one of these character-reflecting names is often chosen:
- Excitement, Angel;
- Babay, Bandit, Brawler;
- Faithful, Cheerful;
- Enthusiasm;
- Lapik, Leader, Fierce;
- Pirate, Trickster;
- Satyr;
- Tyson, Tiger, Tisha;
- Fakir, Fox;
- Hulk, Hunter, Tail, Trickster;
- Sherlock, Bumblebee, Stirlitz, Storm, Shustrik.
Girls are often given one of the following nicknames:
- Banda, Buka;
- Bark;
- Zhadi, Zhulya;
- Call;
- Spark;
- Comet;
- Weasel, Lady, Fox;
- Mila;
- Tenderness;
- Bullet;
- Rocket;
- Smaila, Sonya;
- Tiger;
- Umka;
- Tsapa, Tsatsa;
- Skoda, Shumka;
- Yula.
How to choose the right nickname
Beauty and sonority are two important aspects that dog owners rely on. This is a creative endeavor in which there are no specific rules or patterns. Freedom of imagination allows you to come up with unusual and beautiful names. Thanks to her, a large number of cool, funny nicknames were born.
If you have no ideas, then you can focus on the following criteria, they will make it easier to choose a name for the dog:
- Pet breed. Many families have features that can give you a push in the right direction. But this does not mean that simple cool nicknames are suitable for mongrels. A dog without ancient roots can look nobler and more important, unlike an expensive one with a passport and pedigree. The size of the dog is important.
- External features. Often, owners rely on the color of the baby - white - Snowball, brown - Chocolate, etc.
- Character. It is recommended not to forget that the name must correspond to the behavior of the puppy. It is advisable to observe the dog for several days to choose a suitable name for it.
- Sonority. For large breeds that require training, it is not recommended to give names that will go with basic commands. The nickname should be easy to remember and consist of a minimum set of letters - optimally 4-5.
Dogs perceive some sounds clearly and quickly, while others irritate the ears. The presence of sibilant consonants will make the name distinguishable even when pronounced in a whisper, but hard and voiced sounds come through faster.
Popular and fashionable nicknames
These days it is fashionable to call a dog by all sorts of foreign names (American, English, Japanese). Most often, owners choose nicknames for their pets after the names of the characters of their favorite films and cartoons.
Also, four-legged friends often receive nicknames in honor of pop stars, movies, sports or other celebrities. Typically, such nicknames are universal and suitable for dogs of almost any breed, size and temperament.
Nowadays, popular nicknames for boys' dogs are:
- Artik, Archie;
- Buddy, Bieber, Bill, Bim, Black, Bob, Brooklyn;
- White;
- Harry, Goofy, Gucci;
- Jack, John, Jordan, Dick;
- Carlos;
- Leo;
- Max, Marcel, Messi, Mickey;
- Oscar;
- Ralph, Rich, Roy;
- Sparky, Spotty, Sam;
- Tim, Tom, Teddy;
- Filya, Frank;
- Juan;
- Charlie, Chester;
- Elvis.
You can choose a name for your pet from among the most popular nicknames for girls’ dogs:
- Bella;
- Vesta;
- Eve;
- Goldie, Greta;
- Gigi, Ginger;
- Daisy, Jessie, Diva, Dina, Dolly;
- Katie;
- Lada, Lisa, Lika, Linda, Lola, Laura, Lucy;
- Manya, Molly, Mary;
- Nancy;
- Rosie, Roxa;
- Sarah, Cindy, Skylee, Susie;
- Frida;
- Hannah, Holly;
- Chelsea;
- Shiny, Sharon;
- Elsa, Annie.
Original Russian nicknames for boys
Russian nicknames are popular among Slavic peoples because their sound is familiar to the ear and is simply remembered. However, such a nickname is not suitable for every breed. Of course, northern dogs (Laiki, for example) were created for such simple but loud names, but such consonances do not suit elegant lapdogs and spaniels.
You can choose a Russian nickname based on several features:
- Coat color and length;
- Place of origin of the breed;
- Size;
- Temperament;
- Physical abilities.
Popular names of Slavic pagan gods, mythical creatures, heroes of fairy tales and legends : Yarilo, Witcher, Viy, Leshy, Sirin, Finist, Horse, Veles, Svarog, Stribog, Perun, Troyan, Bogatyr, Domovik.
Severe nicknames, hardened by cold and wind, are often used: Buran, Hurricane, Quickie, Thunder, Fog, Whistling, Darkness, Howl, Fight, Thunderous, North, Snow, Snowball.
Nicknames similar to human names are common: Styopka, Stepashka, Pavlusha, Gosha, Evgesha, Seryozhka, Dimka, Timoshka, Svyatik, Filya, Sashka, Bogdasha, Markusha, Shurik.
The most popular Russian nicknames : Mukhtar, Sharik, Timka, Bobik, Tuzik, Bim, Kuzya, Totoshka, Timoshka, Kazbek.
Animals are often named after natural resources or landmarks : Danube, Coal, Caucasus, Don, Amur, Ural, Dnieper, Elbrus, Sugan, Yantar, Ruby, Crystal, Emerald.
Beautiful names for pets
Undoubtedly, every owner tries to choose a beautiful name for their dog. For a boy, for example, one of these names might be a good option:
- Agate;
- Baikal, Balto;
- Veresk, Woland;
- Hephaestus, Gray, Goodwin;
- Jaret, Dior;
- Zorro;
- Figs;
- Kevin;
- Laurel, Lord, Lucas;
- Mars;
- North;
- Onyx;
- Uranus;
- Finn, Phobos;
- Caesar;
- Saffron;
- Emil, Ether;
- Eugene;
- Amber.
The most beautiful name for a girl's dog can probably be found among these:
- Quince, Assol;
- Barbie, Belle;
- Vaida, Violet, Wendy, Willow;
- Grace;
- Jasmine;
- Zara, Zlata;
- Willow;
- Cassie;
- Lana, Lesya, Leya, Leah, Luna;
- Mirta, Mia;
- Nymph;
- Rachel;
- Steffy;
- Tilde;
- Fairy, Fiji, Flora;
- Hunny, Needles, Chloe;
- Ellie, Elba, Amber, Angel;
- Yucca.
Original and unusual names
Choosing a rare or original name for your dog will be an excellent decision. Quite often awkward situations occur on walking areas when several more dogs come running when your pet calls his name. This only happens because dog owners choose the most common names for them.
An interesting and unusual nickname for a boy’s dog can be chosen among these nicknames:
- Avis, Aks, Aper, Argus, Akhird, Ayan;
- Veron, Voice;
- Le Havre;
- Evsey, Erysh;
- Pearl;
- Zufar;
- Ignat;
- Quint;
- Lynch;
- Tycoon, Morgan;
- Nepal, Nikon, Nihal;
- Odis, Orpheus;
- Pilate, Pusher;
- Sapphire;
- Taylan, Tayshet, Taco, Topaz, Trey;
- Urry;
- Bassoon, Fart, Fulgur, Fulu;
- Khazar, Khaki;
- Cerberus, Cepheus;
- Chavez, Chiter;
- Edem, Emir;
- Yurkhan;
- Yars.
The following names are suitable for girls:
- Ayla, Aqua;
- Bershka, Beta;
- Gamma;
- Delta, Gili, Zeta, Diya, Dyusha;
- Yeshka;
- Zenna, Ziggy;
- Ima;
- Carmen;
- Laffey, Lyra;
- Myra, Malu, Malva, Mara, Martha, Mercy, Muse;
- Nana, Neya;
- Oyki;
- Rasta, Risha;
- Sigma, Selma;
- Tavi, Tesla, Theta, Tom;
- Fira, Freya;
- Hayta;
- Tsilya, Tsimi;
- Charsi, Chera, Chibi;
- Effie;
- Yuda;
- Yaffee.
Funny and cool names
Sometimes owners call their pets by different funny names. Such names for a dog are quite acceptable if they do not sound offensive or rude.
Funny dog names become a reflection of the character and sense of humor of their owners.
For a boy’s dog, you can choose one of the following nicknames:
- Absinthe;
- Bucks, Loaf, Bacon, Benya, Bonus, Bosun, Bublik, Butuz;
- Venya, Whiskey;
- Garfield, Gosha, Gryzlik;
- Dema, Joker;
- Zheka, Zhorik, Zhuzhik, Zhurik;
- Zephyr, Zuko, Zyuzya;
- Raisin;
- Casper, Kwiki, Cupcake, Kefir, Coconut, Shortbread, Coffee, Krepysh, Cube;
- Ray, Buttercup;
- Major, Maybach, Muffin, Mikhey, Motya;
- Nachos;
- Peach, Potap, Pumbaa, Ottoman, Fawn;
- Rubik;
- Sema, Senya, Simba, Styopa, Syapa;
- Tema, Tofik, Tosha, Truffle;
- Date, Funtik, Fufik;
- Candied fruit;
- Chapai, Chip;
- Schwartz, Schweppes, Shrek, Shukher;
- Eclair;
- Yurik.
The following nicknames are perfect for a girl's dog:
- Asti;
- Basta, Bonya, Brunya, Buba;
- Gadget, Glasha, Grunya;
- Dosya, Dunya;
- Eura, Elka;
- Zizi, Zyama;
- Caviar;
- Kiwi, Kiki, Sprat, Klepa, Klunya, Kola, Kuba;
- Lelya, Lilu, Lusha, Lucy;
- Mazda, Mimi, Mulya, Mint;
- Nori;
- Osya;
- Palma, Panda, Peppy, Pepsi, Piggy, Plush, Ponca, Pusha;
- Lynx;
- Tasya, Tinky, Tootsie;
- Ulya;
- Fanta, Fenya, Fima, Frosya, Frutti;
- Halva;
- Chappie, Chacha;
- Shanya, Sheba, Shunka;
- UPI;
- Java.
Nicknames in foreign languages
Recently, nicknames in foreign languages have become increasingly popular among dog breeders. The best option would be a name in the language where the dog's breed originates.
In addition, you can name a dog with a beautiful foreign word, the literal translation of which will correspond to the appearance or temperament of the pet.
Names for boys dogs, borrowed from German:
- Besh – protector;
- Wild – wild;
- Dasbest is the best;
- Iga – hunter;
- Mutih – brave;
- Troy is loyal;
- Filer is lazy;
- Flo – fluffy;
- Schnell – fast;
- Stark – strong.
For girls, the following nicknames from German are quite suitable:
- Bruna – brown;
- Wilda – wild;
- Kiel - beloved;
- Muti – brave;
- Nelya – fast;
- Siji – tenderness;
- Sophie – wise;
- Frock – lady;
- Elsa is a goddess;
- Yut is a child.
Very beautiful and elegant nicknames are often chosen from the French language.
For boys dogs, one of these may be suitable:
- Ass – nobility;
- Baz – small;
- Boom - arrow;
- Vuayu is a bully;
- Jean – kind;
- Kudu – thimble;
- Yudon is a child.
The following nicknames are perfect for girls' dogs:
- Avril – open;
- Adele – noble;
- Blanche – white;
- Luke – light;
- Polly – small;
- Flo – flower;
- Esty is a star.
The most popular foreign nicknames are now considered to be names of Japanese origin, sounding melodious and original.
For boys dogs:
- Aiko – beloved;
- Akira – bright;
- Daiti – wise;
- Yoshiko – child;
- Kuro – black;
- Moka – coffee;
- Reo - lion;
- Teko - chocolate.
The following name options are possible for girls' dogs:
- June – obedient;
- Kami – deity;
- Keigo – devoted;
- Masuru – victory;
- Tenshi – angel;
- Fayto – fighting spirit;
- Hoshi – star;
- Chika – wisdom.
Bad dog names
There are dog names for pets that risk quickly losing their relevance after just a couple of years. Owners should not focus on many options.
Here are the ones you should always avoid:
- Sometimes owners of very small puppies become interested in famous actors or singers.
Their affection for the artist reaches the point that they even want to name their favorite pet in his honor. However, this is an option that you can quickly regret. Firstly, human names (especially foreign ones) often sound ridiculous when applied to animals. Secondly, the artist may soon lose both his fame and admiration in your eyes. Therefore, you should not name your dog after celebrities. - Experienced dog handlers advise not to choose dog names for girls with the vowels “i” at the beginning and the syllable “fu”. Since “fu” also means a prohibition on any action, and therefore carries a negative emotional connotation for the animal. The “i” sound makes frequent pronunciation difficult. Therefore, it will not be easy to call her to you often during a walk. For example: Fuchsia, Lily, Cindy.
- There is no need to give a girl a rude, ridiculous or funny nickname for a girl. This will sound awkward in relation to an already grown pet. In addition, you need to think about the people around you who will be forced to hear abusive or unpleasant words if you use them to describe your pet. The following options will not work: Malyshka, Lyalka, Durekha.
- Calling girls can be completely harmless, but very pretentious and difficult. You need to understand that every name in everyday life is shortened to three or four letters. And these letters should be convenient and easy to pronounce. Overly complex and long dog names are a bad choice.
Bad example: Clementine, Esmeralda.
Dog names of famous show business stars
Many famous Russian show business stars adore dogs. They often give funny and unusual names to their four-legged pets:
- Philip Kirkorov has a Jack Russell terrier named Pokemon and a Spitz named Harry;
- Alla Mikheeva has a French bulldog, Schnapps;
- Sergei Lazarev has mongrel dogs Lisa and Daisy;
- Mikhail Galustyan has a Jack Russell terrier Bucho;
- Alexey Vorobyov has a Welsh corgi, Elvis Melvis;
- Vadim Galygin has a Jack Russell terrier Anton Pavlovich.
There are also a lot of dog breeders among foreign show business stars:
- Lady Gaga has French bulldogs Koji, Eisha and Gustav;
- Jennifer Lawrence has a Chihuahua, Pippi;
- Orlando Bloom has Yorkie Sidee;
- Charlize Theron has a once-stray pit bull, Pitt, and a black terrier, Barkley.
No one can say for sure which dog name is the best. All dogs, like people, are unique and different from each other. That is why you need to take the choice of a nickname for your four-legged friend seriously.
Of course, you need to listen to the recommendations of dog handlers, but first of all you should study the character and habits of the dog. Only then will you be able to choose the most suitable nickname for your pet.
Brevity and ease are the sisters of talent
As already noted, short names for dogs are well remembered by owners and pets. For example, Duke can be shortened to Hera. The short form of Vincent is Vince and so on. With this abbreviation, not only foreign words are used, but also Russian ones.
Repetition of sounds is also widely used, which is very convenient for calling your pet on walks. And at the same time they sound cool. Examples: Bi-bi, Va-va, Dizi, Zhu-zhu, Zi-zi, Ki-ki, Ku-ki, Mi-mi, Pi-pi, Si-si, Fi-fi.