Consider Personality Traits When Naming Your Puppies
Naming your puppies is more of a challenge than you might think. The name you choose is a reflection of not only the newly adopted baby it is a reflection of you. If you choose a name too mundane, friends will think of you as boring or uncreative. A name too complex will make you seem pompous.
The results of a minor, very minor, study have produced some guidelines. The research has produced some data. The information has been broken down into two categories, people-friendly and puppy-friendly names. Contrary to popular belief, animals do not understand people nearly as much as we hoped. Names that do not stand out in a conversation are not easily recognized by puppies.
Soft-sounding names are difficult for dogs to distinguish. For example, Theodore is not as obvious as Teddy, with a hard T. The much-maligned name, Spot, will garner a reaction because it is short and has hard sounds, the P and the T. Likewise, Ariel will likely be ignored but Dog will get a response faster. One-syllable names are easier for your four-legged friend to remember, too.
While naming a puppy Dog may be funny at first, it may not be the best choice to impress friends. You will receive the same eye-rolling response if you name the dog Cat. The person who names a canine friend Dog or Cat has the same sense of humor as those who teach their dogs to come if they use the command Go. The intellectual rating is similar to that of knock-knock jokes. They were hysterical at age six.
Research has shown the best method of naming a pet is to consider the breed and the personality traits. German shepherd names should be strong, intelligent and faithful, like the dog. One-syllable names are the best. Since German shepherd dogs are often used as police dogs, a name like Judge is very appropriate. Nike is great for a female German shepherd; it was the name for the Greek goddess of victory. German shepherds are also known as Alsatians and are a regal breed that is hardworking and proud. The name Rex, which translates to king, suits them well.
Smaller, hyperactive breeds are a special case. A favorite for small, barking dogs is Pox. For those who appreciate incessant ear-piercing barking, like Pomeranians, Pom may be a good choice. Did you know that Pomeranian dogs are actually from Pomerania? For those who prefer an authentic name for their Pomeranian puppy, Zwergspitz might be appropriate. Although longer than recommended, it describes the breed and translates to Dwarf Spitz. The breed descended from the larger Spitz breed. Queen Victoria had a Pomeranian and made the tiny dogs popular, the royal dog.
Dachshunds are adorable and loyal. Their name translates to badger hound because they are so brave, they were used to hunt badgers. Miniature dachshunds hunt rabbits. A far cry from hunting badgers, but nonetheless, an enraged rabbit can be daunting. An unusual name for this breed would be Dackel, but it is appropriate, since that is their breed name in their native Germany. A Dackel that has passed certification for hunting and tracking is called a Teckel. Both are acceptable names.
When it comes to the final decision, naming your puppies is really a personal issue. It should be kept between you and the puppy. Forget all the research and the data. If you like the name and sometimes the dog cocks an ear when you use it, go for it, even if it sounds like a knock-knock joke to someone else.
About the Author:
Part of the fun of naming your new puppy is picking the right name. Puppies learn to respond to the name quickly if you repeat it a few times and reward the pet for coming to you.
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