Part of the joy of pet ownership is finding the perfect name, something that defines your puppy's unique personality. Puppy names can be funny, descriptive, historical or even fanciful. The important thing to keep in mind about puppy names is that they grow with your pet. There's a reason we don't meet many 90 year old women named Caitlin or Britney, so keep that in mind before little Fluffy reaches the 90 pound stage.
Some puppy names are based on physical characteristics. You might want to consider Cinnamon, Rusty or Ginger if your puppy has a reddish coat, for example. Spotted puppies might earn the name Freckles, Spot or Dot. Other puppy names based on physical appearance might be Droopy, Patches or Tiger.
The good thing about puppy names based on appearance is that they will almost always age well. Calling a ten year old dog Patches won't seem out of place. The difficulty lies in finding something distinctive about the puppy's appearance. Many breeds don't have variations in coloring or coat.
Another source for puppy names is personality traits. A puppy may display a bubbly personality, leading to names like Sparky, Bubbles or Sunshine. Another puppy might be very frenetic, which could inspire puppy names like Scampy, Scooter, Speedy or Hyperdog. Other personality traits could inspire appropriate puppy names like Curious George, Snooper, Princess or Queenie. Naming a puppy for a personality trait might help distinguish one from another when dealing with more than one pet.
Many dog owners choose puppy names based on famous human personalities or literary characters. A male and female puppy combination might be called Bonnie and Clyde, or Elvis and Priscilla. An especially curious puppy might become Sherlock Holmes. A gang of four puppies could easily become John, Paul, George and Ringo or Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Some owners may choose puppy names which leave room for later additions. The first puppy might be named Happy, while a second might be named Sneezy. As more puppies are added to the fold, the rest of the seven dwarfs' names can be added. Large puppy families can bear the names of famous television families, like the Brady Bunch or the Simpsons.
Whatever method you use to select puppy names, it might be best to allow the younger pet owners to assist in the process. Naming a puppy often enhances the bonding process between a young child and his or her new pet. With a sense of ownership may come a sense of responsibility as well. Finding that perfect name for the right pet should provide some quality family time as well.