What's hot ... and what's not to call your pet...
Spot is out and Charlie is in during NATIONAL PET MONTH
PET PROTECT - the nationwide pet insurer is celebrating National Pet Month this April with a special survey of the most popular and unusual names we give our pets.
Henrietta Corcoran from Pet Protect said: "If you go to a park and shout 'Spot!' or 'Rover!', you will be disappointed but holler 'Charlie' or 'Molly!' and prepare for a stampede. The fashion seems to be to call our pets similar names to those we might give to our children. I guess it reflects the way we see them as a true part of the family, and whereas 20 years ago they were sleeping in the shed they're now much more likely to be found tucked up in bed with us!"
The Pet Protect surveyed around 60,000 dogs and cats. Nationally there are 6.8 million pet dogs and 6.6m cats in the UK.*
| The top 5 Dog names in 2007: | ||||
| 1. Charlie | 2. Molly | 3. Tigger | 4. Poppy | 5. Oscar |
| The top 5 Cat names in 2007: | ||||
| 1. Max | 2. Charlie | 3. Molly | 4. Poppy | 5. Holly |
With three of the top names common in both lists, the cat and dog divide seems to have narrowed. There are still a few 'Spots', 'Busters' and 'Fluffies' in the list but some more unusual names too.
FAMOUS NAMES - From Mr Darcy to Alexander the Great, Frankenstein to James Bond. Alcohol may be the inspiration - from Guinness to Chablis, Bacardi to Jack Daniels. Some names are influenced by fashion (Gucci and Reebok), others by the silver screen - from Bilbo Baggins to Billy Elliot. Marshmallow, Piglet, Psycho and Princess Fluffy Moo are all listed.
SHOW OFF NAMES - Some names are more complicated than others. Pedigree show dogs have a 24-character limit. Racing greyhounds can have up to 16 letters in a name. But no matter how complicated these 'proper names' are, all tend to have a shorter 'kennel name' away from the racetrack or show ring.
TOP TIPS FOR NAMING YOUR PET
- Pick a simple name - pets respond better if it is one or two syllables and easy to recognise.
- Avoid names that sound like common commands - Joe, for example, sounds like No.
- The pet's breed heritage and country of origin may give some inspiration. For examples: German (Shepherds, Dachshunds and Schnauzers), French (Poodle), Scottish (Terriers), or Irish (Wolfhounds and Setters)
- Is it a name you can imagine shouting out the back door several times a day or in the park without embarrassment?
For more information about National Pet Month - which runs from 5th April - 5th May - see www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk. * Stats from the Pet Food Manufacturers Association [PFMA].
Last updated: 06.05.08
