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Dog names give dogs an identity. Do you remember Lassie? You can be sure that the people who came up that name thought long and hard about giving their star the right name. Lassie, being Irish for girl, was the perfect choice for the elegant dog with the long flowing mane.

Too often puppies are given puppy names because the owners don't take into consideration that this cute little puppy will grow up into a large dog. As such, dog names should be appropriate for the size, gender and type of dog.

Another point to consider is the purpose your dog will serve. Will it be a pet, a breeder, a guard dog or a dog trained to guard the visually impaired? Calling a future guard dog Cookie might not be the best choice.

A good way to get the feel for any dog names that you favour is to call them out loud. How do they sound? How would you feel introducing your dog by that specific name to your family, friends or your veterinarian? Your dog is a member of the family, so you want to give him a name that will make you feel proud.

To help you along the way, there are plenty of male dog names and female dog names available in books and on the Internet. There are pages and pages of websites that feature boy dog names, girl dog names, popular dog names, unique dog names, names that fit a specific breed of dogs and that even give the meaning of those names.

Popular dog names are popular for a reason. They usually have one or two syllables, making it easy for the dog to recognize the name when called. Here are a few that currently hold the top favourites spot:

Good Popular Male Dog Names

Max

Buddy

Jake

Rocky

Bailey

Bu ster

Cody

Good Popular Female Dog Names

Molly

Maggie

Daisy

Lucy

Sadie

Ginger

Chloe

Unique Dog Names

Avonmora

Allaire

Broadway

Es kor

Percival

Silver

Taveon

A strong name such as Max will fit a big male Doberman, while Buddy will be better suited for a male Pomeranian. Chloe might fit a French female Poodle while Daisy is more appropriate for a miniature Schnauzer.

Another way to find inspiration when choosing a dog name is to know their country of origin. Why not consider French names for a French poodle, or Russian names for a Siberian husky. Fifi has been popular for a long time; and you can't go wrong with a husky named Khan.

Hollywood and Broadway are two more sources of inspiration. Look at the stars of the silver screen and the stage. Don't forget artists or even your favourite writers. Naming your dog after a cultural icon will make it all the more special.

If you have children, why not involve the whole family in the decision making process? You can guide your children's thinking into acceptable names that are appropriate to the size and gender of your dog before the final selection is made.

Make it a fun project. If there isn't instant agreement, make a game out of naming your dog. Whoever wins, it's their name that is used.

Your dog will carry whatever name is chosen for years to come. Taking the time to choose a name that is appropriate will be well worth your time.

Learn more about this author, Conny Manero.
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