Dog names have certainly changed over the years. When was the last time you met a dog named ‘Spot?” Or Fido? Or even Rover?

We haven’t conducted any scientific studies, but it seems to us that, as society accepts that dogs are members of the family, more and more sport “people” names. We’ve jumped on board ourselves – first with Teddy and now Simon in the family.

This week we’ll be watching lots of dogs on TV as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show kicks off. And as each of the dogs takes his/her turn around the ring, we’ll be hearing the “registered name” as well as the dog’s “call name.”

What does “registered” dog name mean?

In order to compete in any American Kennel Club event, the dog must be “registered.” Actually, that’s really what the AKC does – it’s a registry that keeps track of all the dogs. In order to be considered a “purebreed” dog, the dog’s ancestry must be traceable through generations. And that’s what the AKC does – it keeps track of the lineage of all the dogs.

As a side note – we’re supporters of the AKC because of all the things it does to advocate for dogs. Things like the Canine Health Foundation that supports research and awards grants to further the health of our best friends. And keep track of legislation, in both the states and nationally, to protect both the dogs and the rights of dog owners. We’re not blind to the shortcomings of the organization. But we also know that it’s the only legitimate registry that’s trying to help dogs.

Back to the “registered name” stuff!

All dogs competing in AKC events must be registered. But not all registered dogs have to be purebreds. All dogs are welcome to compete in AKC performance and companion events like obedience, rally, agility, barn hunt, nose work, etc.

And, when applying for AKC registration, as owners we choose a formal name for our dogs that becomes part of the permanent history of dogs in this country.

We have a friend who adopted a mixed-breed dog from a shelter and named her “Lucy” – her “call name.”  Our friend Lisa started taking agility lessons and wanted to compete with her girl. So she filled out the registration papers and chose the name “Heaven on Harlem’s Lucy I’m Home” to be Lucy’s “registered name.”

Breaking it down

Most breeders have a name for their “kennel,” which is not really a place or a building, but a reputation they build. When you get a dog from a reputable breeder, most times they’ll want their kennel name to be part of the dog’s registered name.

Without a breeder’s name to use, our friend Lisa, who’s home was on Harlem Avenue, decided on “Heaven on Harlem” as the name she’d use for her rescued dogs. And the “Lucy I’m Home” part was to recognize her favorite TV show, I Love Lucy.

So the “call name” is what you yell across the yard when you want your dog to come inside. The registered name is the one that you enter when you’re signing up for agility trials, or obedience trials, or conformation shows. And it’s the one that appears on title certificates when things work out the way you want at those trials and shows.

The call name and registered name don’t have to be closely related, as Lucy’s is. Hope’s Teddy’s registered name was Bullmarket To Catch A Thief. The breeder’s kennel is Bullmarket. “To Catch A Thief” because the breeder had a theme for this litter, which was Hitchcock movies. To Catch A Thief is Hope’s favorite Hitchcock movie.

Speaking of titles

All of those shows and events dogs participate in, aside from being fun, can also result in the dogs earning “titles” which become part of the dog’s name.

In AKC parlance, championship titles come before the dog’s registered name, and all other go after the dog’s registered name. And that goes for all championship titles, whether in conformation or in performance events.

So these titles go before the dog’s name:

• CH (conformation champion)
• GCH (conformation grand champion)
• OTCH (obedience champion)
• MACH (agility champion)
• RACH (rally champion)

And there are many, many titles that go after the dog’s name. For example, although Teddy never earned any championships, he did have a few titles. His registered name was Bullmarket To Catch A Thief BN, RN, AX, OAJ, CGC:

• BN (Beginner Novice – obedience
• RN (Rally Novice)
• AX (Agility Excellent)
• OAJ (Open Agility Jumpers)
• CGC (Canine Good Citizen)

Most important dog names

All of those titles just meant I loved spending time with my dog and doing “stuff” with him. The most important names? The ones I used when we were cuddling on the couch watching tv. “Teds,” “Tedster,” “Teddums,” and, when he got into mischief “Theodore!”

Because the nicknames we call our dogs are the most special names they have. What are some of the nicknames you call your dogs?