Is your dog's name one of the most popular in New Jersey?
There's been a lot of doggone news for the canine community, just in time for National Puppy Day on Thursday, March 23.
Earlier this month, the American Kennel Association announced that the French Bull Dog dethroned the Labrador Retriever as America's favorite dog breed, a title which the loyal family dog held for over 30 years.
Then Camp Bow Wow released its list of favorite dog names by state. Winners were based on the national doggy day care's database of nearly 400,000 campers.
The top New Jersey dog name? Luna. Runner-ups were Cooper, Charlie, Bella and Bailey. And it seems like the rest of the United States agrees, as Luna dominated as the nation's favorite dog name as well (including nearly every East Coast state).
Many southern states have Bella as the top dog name, but six states chose something else: Lucy (Iowa and Mississippi); Charlie (Utah); Buddy (Oklahoma); Sadie (Rhode Island); and Daisy (Illinois).
According to Erin Askeland, Camp Bow Wow's Animal Health and Behavioral Expert, the choice of names is a practical manner.
“Short names are helpful for getting your dog’s attention,” she said. “A good rule of thumb is to stick to two syllables and avoid names that could sound like commands. For example, Clay is a cute name, but it may sound like ’stay’ to a dog.”
Common pet names caused some drama recently at one local shelter.
“We had a little problem here … with both cats and dogs. We had a run on Bellas a month or two ago, and it was just silly," said Laurie Fasinski, director of Jersey Shore Animal Center in Brick. "We had to change some names because it got crazy.”
Occasionally, rescuers ask if they can change their new pet’s name.
“We don’t care as long as you love them,” Fasinski said. “It doesn’t matter if the dog or cat is 12 years old and you want to rename them. They just want to be with you, so that’s a secondary thing in their world.”
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Fasinski did recommend giving dogs and cats short, respectable names, just to keep it simple for them.
With consistent training, rescue animals are “quick learners.”
“Animals are scent-oriented, so it’s [more about] what they’re smelling,” she said.
One happy sniffer available for adoption at the Jersey Shore Animal Shelter is Prince Eric, a friendly Cattle Dog mix who has been looking for a loving home for nearly a year.
“He just needs someone who will give him a chance and ask to meet him," his bio reads. "Prince is a year old [and] needs to be rescued. Will you be his hero?”
Go: Jersey Shore Animal Center: 185 Brick Blvd., Brick; 732-920-1600, jerseyshoreanimalcenter.org.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Most popular dog names in New Jersey: Luna tops the list
