Family Dog

Welcome to Petparents.com’s guide to better pet ownership! Here you’ll find everything you need to be the best owner you can be, from your dog’s infancy through adulthood. From helping you know what to expect, to finding and preparing to visit the veterinarian, to daily tips on living with your pet, Petparents.com is your pet resource.

Pet Names

The name you choose for your pet is important. Keep reading for naming tips and additional resources.

Three quick tips to keep in mind when naming your new loved one:

1. Simple names (one or two syllables) are best: They are easy for both your pet and/or children to learn.

2. Are you thinking about adding more than one pet to your family? Consider pet names that sound very different from one another.

3. Avoid pet names that could easily be confused with a typical command. Your dog might think you’re saying “no!” when you’re really saying Joe!

4. Some dog names, like Scottie, reflect a dog’s nationality, while others are influenced by other languages, especially Latin. Fido (“faithful”), Sam (“listener”), and Max (“the greatest”) are still popular pet names.

Here are some ideas to help you get started brainstorming the perfect name for your new pet.

Let’s get physical. Sometimes, your dog’s appearance will inspire you.

• Spot
• Blackie
• Red

Buying into the myth. Mythological or historical names can be both fun and unusual.

• Zeus
• Adonis
• Athena
• Merlin

Food faves. Dogs love food, so name yours after the food you love best:

• Oreo
• Peanut
• Cupcake
• Snickers

Screen gems. Movies, TV, music artists, or favorite books serve as great inspiration for dog names.

• Scarlett
• Rhett
• Buffy
• Doogie
• Snoopy

Seeing double? Adding two dogs at once is twice the fun – make the most of it by naming your pair after a famous couple.

• Bonnie and Clyde
• Fred and Ethel
• Yogi and Booboo
• Fred and Ginger
• Barney and Betty
• Ike and Tina