If you are making a list of dog pet names, keep in mind that you have undertaken a difficult, but fun, task. Picking the right name for a dog can be as difficult -- if not more difficult -- than choosing the right breed and the right dog. You are giving your new companion a major piece of his/her identity.
There are some basics to follow:
- Make it easy on you and the dog; a list of dog pet names should not include tongue-twisters or long five-syllable names. These may be cute and even fitting, but they may be hard for your new best friend to understand.
- Consider dog pet names you won't mind calling out through the neighborhood at 7 a.m. if you want the dog to come in. (Just think of how you might feel calling "Here, Butthead!")
- Avoid dog pet names with words that sound like a command; skip dog names like "Naughty Nick" or "Healing Touch".
- Take a pass on dog pet names you need to explain. Hard as it is for you to believe, not everyone has read "Beowulf" and might not know who Grendel is.
Just make sure you consider dog pet names that are relatively easy for you to say and for the dog to understand. And, it's OK, even preferable, to express your individuality and that of your pooch. Think of dog pet names that have meaning to you or reflect the dog's appearance or personality. 
For example:
If you plan on spending a lot of time in front of the TV with your canine companion, you may select one of these dog pet names:
- Vintage TV: Lucy, Zorro, Gilligan, Mannix, Magnum, Mister French
- "Sex And The City": Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, Miranda, Mister Big
- "Desperate Housewives": Bree, Susan, Lynette, Gabrielle, Edie
- "Star Trek": Kirk, Spock, Data, Jean-Luc, Dax, Geordi, Odo
- "X Files": Dana, Fox, Scully, Mulder
- "Friends": Chandler, Phoebe, Rachel, Joey
Or, call upon your ethnic heritage when thinking about dog pet names.
- Scottish: Bonnie (sweet and good), Laird (lord of the manor), Maisie (child of light), Murdoc (victorious sailor)
- Irish: Brigid (powerful), Dillon (lightning), Fergus (strong fighter) Fiona (beautiful and fair)
- French: Aime (loved), Capucine (nasturtium), Allete (cheerful) Marvel (miracle)
- Italian: Agosto (venerable), Othello (rich) Raul (friend of the wolf) Santo (saint)
- German: Berta (glorious), Dutch (the German), Luther (warrior) Morgen (morning), Roth (red-headed)
- Mexican: Bronco (unbroken horse), Diego (someone who replaces another), Bonita (beautiful)
- Gazpacho (a tomato-based, spicy soup)
If you are a chef or just like cooking, think about dog pet names that may be mouth watering:
- Ginger
- Mocha
- Honey
- Cayenne
- Basil
- Noodles
- Moon Pie
- T-Bone
- Cocoa
- Coffee
- Sugar Cookie
- Ham Bone
If you work with precious stones, or just admire them, you can consider dog pet names that will positively sparkle:
- Pearl
- Onyx
- Diamond
- Ruby
- Emerald
- Opal
- Jasper
- Topaz
If you are of Native American heritage or even just like the culture, consider dog pet names like:
- Cheyenne
- Kokopelli
- Seneca
- Pocahontas
- Kiowa
Dog pet names for those who are gardeners could include:
- Daisy
- Buttercup
- Nightshade
- Wysteria
- Tulip
- Chamomile
- Iris
- Huckleberry
OK, so you don't have a green thumb. If you are an artist consider dog pet names like:
- Monet
- Picasso
- Manet
- Rembrandt
- Dali
- Whistler
- Ochre
- Mona Lisa
Dog pet names can be as simple or complex as you wish. But, dog pet names should include only those names special to you and your dog.
