Top Names For The Top 10 Dog Breeds

Whether you own a Labrador Retriever or a Yorkshire Terrier, careful consideration likely went into the name that you bestowed upon your new puppy. It's no secret that pet names are a big deal, which is why we decided to take a look at the most popular male and female names for the 10 most coveted dog breeds in America. We've culled the names of almost 1 million puppies born over the past year from Vetstreet's database of pet records. Our findings: Old reliable monikers like Max made the list — along with plenty of surprising picks.

Chihuahua

This popular pup is a native of Mexico, which explains why the most common name for male Chihuahuas is Chico. Other popular monikers, in order of popularity: Max, Peanut, Buddy and Gizmo. Meanwhile, female Chihuahua names are a bit more generic, with Bella taking the top spot, followed by Chloe, Daisy, Princess and Coco.

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1 of 11 Photo: Mary Bloom

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are known for one key trait: Everyone they encounter is their new best friend. Perhaps this is why Buddy is the most popular name for male Labs. Rounding out the top five: Max, Bear, Duke and Jake. The top lady Labrador name is Bella, followed by these equally girly picks: Molly, Daisy, Lucy and Sadie.

2 of 11 Photo: Mary Bloom

American Pit Bull Terrier

Pit Bulls can be found with coats in a variety of colors, but today's most widely held name, Blue, may refer to the bluish tint of some Pit Bull coats. Other popular picks riff off the Pit's strength: Zeus, Diesel, Rocky and King. The most common female Pit Bull names are unequivocally feminine -- so much so that we can't picture anything but a sparkly pink collar on Pitties named Bella (the number-one choice), Diamond, Princess, Roxy and Daisy.

3 of 11 Photo: Mary Bloom

German Shepherd Dog

When the phrase "man's best friend" was coined, it could have easily referred to the smart (and sweet!) German Shepherd Dog, who's well deserving of his popular human name, Max. He's also ready and willing to stand up for you, which explains why these names made the top five: Bear, Duke, Rocky and Zeus. Female German Shepherd Dogs, like Pit Bulls, tend to have more delicate names, with Bella also grabbing the top slot -- followed by Sadie, Sasha, Daisy and Roxy.

4 of 11 Photo: Barbara O'Brien, Animal Photography

Yorkshire Terrer

Alert, curious, smart and surprisingly tough for his compact size, the Yorkshire Terrier is another dog with all the qualities that you'd want in a human companion. Maybe that's why he, too, is often given the traditionally human moniker of Max. Other common names include Bentley, Charlie, Teddy and Gizmo. Like all the other female dogs on the top 10 breeds list, the most common name for a Yorkie is Bella. The runner-ups: Sophie, Chloe, Lucy and Zoey.

5 of 11 Photo: Mary Bloom

Shih Tzu

Ancient descriptions of the mischievous Shih Tzu have pegged him as being a little bit of everything: "a dash of lion, several teaspoons of rabbit, a couple of ounces of domestic cat, one part court jester, a dash of ballerina, a pinch of old man, a bit of beggar, a tablespoon of monkey, one part baby seal, a dash of teddy bear, and the rest of the dogs of Tibetan and Chinese origin." Yet the most popular name for males these days is decidedly modern: Gizmo. Other common monikers: Max, Bentley, Oreo and Charlie. For female Shih Tzus, the top pick is (once again!) Bella, followed by Sophie, Chloe, Lucy and Coco.

6 of 11 Photo: Sally Anne Thompson, Animal Photography

Boxer

Of course the most popular name for male Boxers pays homage to the most well-known boxer in movie history -- Rocky. It's also no surprise that the pick in second place is Tyson, followed by Max, Duke and Diesel. The most popular female names don't reference fighters -- although Layla does make the list at number nine, which could be a nod to Laila Ali -- but most of them will sound familiar: Bella (number one), Roxy, Daisy, Bailey and Lucy.

7 of 11 Photo: Mary Bloom

Dachshund

The wiener dog's most popular male name is Oscar. (You know, like Mayer.) Charlie, Max, Buddy and Cooper round out the top five. Female Dachshund names follow the same trends as many other breeds, with Bella coming in at number one, followed by Daisy, Lucy, Molly and Sophie.

8 of 11 Photo: Mary Bloom

Golden Retriever

Just like the German Shepherd Dog and the Yorkie, the Golden Retriever is a loving, loyal companion. They also share the most popular male name of Max. Other common names for the breed: Cooper, Buddy, Charlie and Bentley. As for female Goldens, the top name is -- you guessed it! -- Bella. Rounding out the top five: Lucy, Molly, Bailey and Maggie.

9 of 11 Photo: Barbara O'Brien, Animal Photography

Bulldog

Sometimes a breed is just built for a particular name, like the Bulldog, whose most popular male moniker is Tank. Other top picks for the breed: Diesel, Winston, Dozer and the very popular choice of Max. For females, Bella is once again the top option, trailed by Lola, Daisy, Lucy and Stella.

10 of 11 Photo: Mary Bloom

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36Comments

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Oct 15, 2012 8:19PM

'FYI' 'Bella' means *Beautiful* in 'Italian' -:) I can't imagine that everyone saw the 'Twilight Movies' I did not so unaware that name was connected with the 'Movie'. Anyway I had a 'Mongrel' that I found wandering the street when I was 9 years old and I called him *Pal*. I have had many other wonderful dogs after my sweet Lil Pal passed away at a very old age but he will always be in my heart, so smart it was scary, he would chase my mother out of my room when she would come to wake me up for school (haha). Back then owning a dog was special & quite simple, they didn't require all the 'Vaccinations' and 'Toxic Meds' that are so expensive!!! The only cost was a 'Rabies Shot' and of course their 'Food'. Today to own and maintain one's precious 'Fur Baby' is very expensive but necessary with all the horrible consequences from *Fleas* & *Ticks*. But the bottom line is: "LIFE WITH-OUT OUR 'FUR BABIES' WOULD BE INCOMPLETE. So as responcible Pet Owners we do what ever is required to keep them happy, healthy and safe. To me a 'House' is not a 'Home' with-out our precious pets. - My Pit Bull is asleep on the 'Love Seat', he's on his back with all four legs hanging freely ....his name is *Whisper* .... Anyone who owns a Pit Bull or a Staffy knows this is thier favourite sleeping position, absolutely comical, this I will say: Whisper is the sweetest and most lovable dog that has ever shared my life, I had him since he was 3 months old, he is now 11. My only wish is that our 'Best Friends' could live as long as we do for saying 'Good-Bye' to so many over the years has left a empty space in my heart.