Dog naming dilemma

Dear Dog Lady,

What’s in a name? A dog’s name, that is. I am thinking of getting a dog but I’m more befuddled by what to call the dog than what kind of dog to get. Is this a silly obsession? After all, a dog is a dog is a dog. The name doesn’t matter. I could just call the dog “Fido” or “Spot,” or any of those stereotypical dog names and be done with it. The creature wouldn’t know the difference. Right?

Bruce, Portland, Me.

Bruce, a rose is a rose by any other name. But a dog becomes known and identified by its name. Of course, it makes a difference. Don’t be ridiculous. The monikers people give their dogs reflect as much on the dogs as on the people.

Dog Lady thinks you’re putting the cart before the horse -- or the leash before the dog -- by thinking more about your prospective pet's name than about what type of dog to get. If you want to let a dog into your life, you should be doing your research as to what breed or mixed breed suits you. Should you adopt from a shelter or a rescue organization? Or bring home a brand new puppy? These are questions only you can answer.

Now, onto the naming ceremony. Dog Lady believes that once you set eyes on your dog, you will know his/her name. However, it doesn’t hurt to do a little thinking beforehand about what statement you want to make through your dog’s name.

Some dog trainers advise new dog keepers to bestow a name of two syllables upon their canine. Dogs respond well to simple differentiations in tone. Dog Lady, the contrarian, believes a dog will learn to react eagerly to its name, whatever it is -- although “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” might be a little excessive. By Googling, you can find Web sites full of dog names.

Recently, Dog Lady ran into a man with two poodles named Jake and Andrew. Obviously, the man gave his dogs real human names -- as if the poodles were his sons. And the owner was very protective and finicky about those names, careful to make clear it was “Andrew” not “Andy.”

To some dog keepers, their animal’s name is whimsical, or a joke. Dog Lady ran into a man on a hiking trail this summer. The hiker was carrying his West Highland Terrier through a clump of poison ivy. When I asked the name of the cute pooch poobah he was toting in his arms, the man replied: “Nobody.” Dog Lady must have looked dumbfounded. The man rejoined: “Because Nobody’s perfect.”

Give your dog a name that strikes your fancy but will also reflect well on the dog – and on you. Some of Dog Lady’s favorites are “Smudge” (a black Lab), “Ollie” (a Cairn terrier), “Shorty” and “Sherman” (West Highland Terriers), “Casper” (a white boxer), “Rusty” (a Jack Russell), “Webster” (a black poodle), “Rufus” (a big shaggy mix), “Tailer” (a miniature Schnauzer with no tail). The list goes on.

Here’s a suggestion: If you get a priceless male dog with a game show personality, a coifed coat and perfect teeth, call him “Bob Barker.”

Posted by Dog Lady at March 13, 2003 12:00 PM