You want to make sure you pick a name that suits your dog’s temperament, breed, energy levels, and personality – and you want to make sure you don’t feel embarrassed when it comes to shouting it out across the park each day.

You also want to make sure that you pick a name that your doggy will respond well too; according to science, you’re looking for a short one or two syllable name, max. Anything more complex and it’s likely your dog will find it difficult to learn their new moniker – and not respond so well to training.

Experts also suggest picking a name that starts with a hard/stop consonant, as it’s easier to grab your pup’s attention with a stop consonant.

And you should avoid ‘negative’ names, such as Killer or Bruiser, as it tends to give people a bad first impression of your dog – even if he’s the ultimate sweety-pie.

My fox terrier was officially called Picklu’s Chime Bell, ie, in the registration certificate… we called her Lulu… perhaps you could try this name?

My little Lulu was feisty, fiercely loyal, extremely sharp, alert and intelligent. And a drama queen!

Feisty: she and her partner (a male, Micki) had both contracted Parvo’s virus… they both pulled through. She would quickly gobble up her food and then charge at Micki’s! And raise hell if he protested…poor chap.

Loyal: once my mum had handed a book to her friend (Lulu hadn’t seen this), who placed it on the window sill of our entrance room while she put on her shoes. When my mum;s friend picked up the book, Lulu growled at her, and firmly stood in front of the door, and in the typical fox terrier pose. My mum eventually understood. She took the book from her friend and in front of Lulu gave it to her, and only then did Lulu allow her to leave the house.

Sharp, alert and intelligent: once my mum found Lulu whining away and jumping about her bedside, and then running out of the bedroom. Curious, my mum followed her… into the drawing room, where the TV was kept. The TV had been turned off but the switch (next to the TV’s plug, in the switch board) hadn’t been switched off. Lulu made sure that my mum did the needful. 🙂

Drama queen: once Lulu had picked up an infection and hurt a paw rather badly. The vet had dressed it rather well. She made good use of that paw to get what she wanted, lifting it up, and looking at us soulfully whenever she wanted another biscuit, or a ride in the car. Or some more chicken. One day, we saw her sadly limping towards the veranda from the dining room… thinking that she was out of our vision, she merrily ‘galloped’ away, through the bedroom door (which led to the veranda)!!

If you feel your female puppy names would like to be christened Lulu… please go ahead.

I also had guinea pigs: Ellie (named after the Ice Age female mammoth), Millie (to rhyme with Ellie) and Lily (as she had more white fur than any other colour), and Whiskers (and Benjy, the male guinea pig).