Naming of Dogs

Thinking up a name for a dog can give you quite a headache.  If you have a new dog and you don't have a pet name yet I've compiled a list of dog's names that might help.  If you want to compete in Agility, Flyball, Heelwork to Music, Obedience or Working Trials you must also think up a name for your agility dog and register it on the Activity Register at the Kennel Club.  You will need to think up at least two names in case the first one is taken.  Once you have registered you can compete at Kennel Club licensed events for the activities previously mentioned but it does not qualify you for entry on the Kennel Club Breed Register or to compete in Field Trials, Gundog, Working Tests, Bloodhound Trials and Breed Shows (except Companion Shows). Neither may its progeny be registered on the Breed Register.

The following rules on the naming of dogs are taken from the Kennel Club registration form for the Activity Register.  You can download the appropriate form by clicking on the link.

Guidelines for Naming Dogs (please read carefully).

i) A name must consist of more than one word but not exceed 24 letters.
ii) A name which conflicts with an approved current Kennel Name granted to another person will not be accepted.
iii) The surname of the breeder(s)/current owner(s) is not acceptable.
iv) A word cannot be repeated when applying to register more than one dog
on the Activity Register, unless an application is made to register the word as a Kennel Name. However, the repetition of a single common word may be allowed in the centre or end of the name, providing it cannot be mistaken for a registered Kennel Name.
v) If a Kennel Name is to be used when registering a dog, the Kennel Name must appear as the first word if named by the breeder. If you are not the breeder of the dog, or the breeder of both the parents, the Kennel Name must appear as the last word of the name. The Kennel Club will not allow the use of a registered Kennel Name (exactly as it is spelt/granted) in any dog’s name, unless the applicant is the registered Kennel Name holder.
vi) A Kennel Name holder is entitled to repeat their granted word in each dog’s name.
vii) Initials cannot be used and abbreviations may be disallowed.
viii) Numbers in figures are not acceptable. Numbers in words are acceptable except when used to indicate a sequence, e.g. “Morris Dancer the Second”.
ix) Punctuation marks may be disallowed.
x) Canine terms are not permissible, e.g. “dog”, “bitch”, “Kennel”, “Champion”, “Crufts” and specific names of breeds.
xi) It is not advisable to use words from a dog’s pedigree. These may include a Kennel Name (and therefore will not be acceptable).
xii) The Kennel Club reserves the right to refuse any name, which it considers inappropriate or offensive. The Kennel Club also retains the right to request a fresh name for any dog after the registration has been accepted, in the event of a complaint being lodged with the Kennel Club which is upheld.
xiii) Once approved, a registered name may not be repeated.

Home     Kennel Club Index     Top of Page