Pick a Perfect Name for Your New Pet

Have you seen the hilarious commercial when a man comes home from work and calls out to his dog: “Mr. Barkie von Schnauser!” He receives no answer. Why? With a name like that, no wonder! Just as important as picking out the perfect pet, picking the perfect name for your pet is just as important.

There are many ways you can of choosing a name for your wonderful new pet. The following are some simple suggestions:

• Some pets are given human names. Among the most popular for instance are: Molly, Sam, Max, Jack, and Daisy.

• Most people consider their pet's personality and/or color when naming them. They will also derived their name from literature genres, music, art, history, or even the current fashion fads. Some pet names may even reflect the name of a country, state, town, or city. Others may get their pet name from from a favorite drink or sport, a special handbag, or even a movie hero, such as John Wayne or Lucille Ball.

Here is one example of how a family got together and chose a name for their new puppy: They all jotted down their favorite names on paper, placed them in a hat, and they asked the youngest child pull out a name. Whatever the child pulled was the name.

Although many families leave it up to the children to decide upon a name, in many cases a single person will choose a name and the name usually reflects their own personality and/or favorite things. For instance, one pet owner who owned a Maxima chose the name "Max" while another pet owner chose the name “Gucci” after her favorite handbag.

One of the most popular names was “Uno,” the name of the beagle who won 2008 Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show. Most likely a great many new pet owners utilize the name from that very popular dog show. 2009 winner was "Stump", a beautiful 10-year-old Sussex Spaniel, the oldest dog ever to win the Westminster show!

If you purchase your puppy from a breeder you will receive a pedigree with the names of the puppy's parents. As an example, the name of the pup may appear on the pedigree as “Rook's Lucky Break.” Thus, the owner may name the pup “Lucky.”

Another owner's favorite show as a child may have been the “Little Rascals”, and decided to name his new puppy "Rascal" or “Petey.” Or a dog that is almost all black might be named “Blackie.”

Perhaps the name may reflect an icon such as “Madonna,” “Elvis,” “Rambo,” or “Duke, the nickname of John Wayne (also from Marmaduke, the playful pooch cartoon that has delighted fans since 1954).

There is no denying that picking the perfect name for your pet is difficult, but not impossible. Depending upon the pet’s personality, there are a myriad of names to choose from. There may be something about the pet’s appearance or breed that invokes a specific name. Or there may be some little idiosyncrasy the pet has that triggers a perfect name.

It is important to assign the correct name to your new pet and it needs to fit your unique pet. Your pet and you will live with it for many years. Names can range from the majestic to the ordinary, however it may take some time before a designated name is given.

Some may prefer a nickname such as “Bandit,” Checkers,” or "Lily".

Remember the commercial where the owner kept calling his pet “Dog,” and was quite abrupt with him. He would say, "Move it, Dog,” and “Get off the couch, Dog.” Until one day “Dog” took a stroll and found a one dollar bill on the street. He walked to the local candy store and purchased a lottery ticket, and he won! The next scene shows the owner strolling along a street and suddenly saw “Dog,” in a limo with three French Poodles!

Picking the perfect pet name is important, so take time to consider carefully!