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Sometimes you just have to call a dog by its name – and it should suit your four-legged friend’s unique character as well as possible. Still looking for inspiration for male dog names? With our wide selection of classic and unusual names for male dogs, you’re sure to find something that fits.
Finding the Right Male Dog Name: These Tips Will Help
Searching for the perfect name for your dog can be a real challenge for many dog owners. The name should reflect your pet’s character, match its gender and breed, and of course, suit your own taste.
When it comes to choosing a dog’s name, your imagination is the only limit. However, you should keep the 5 golden rules for naming dogs in mind to avoid confusion in everyday life:
Rule 1: A dog’s name should be easy for your dog to understand and for you to pronounce. Dogs pay close attention to emphasis, so names like “Sammy” are ideal – they start with a strong consonant and end with a vowel (a, e, i, o, or u).
Rule 2: Choose short names with one or two syllables. This way, you can call your dog quickly and he’ll immediately know you mean him.
Rule 3: Avoid names that could be confused with commands. For example, “Fritz” sounds similar to “sit”.
Rule 4: Stick with the name you’ve chosen. Dogs quickly get used to the sound of their name and find it hard to adapt to a new one.
Rule 5: For pedigree dogs, pay attention to the litter alphabet. This determines the first letter of the dog’s name and limits your options.
It’s also important to take your time when choosing a name. This helps you get a feel for your dog’s character. Once you’ve made your choice, help your puppy or new dog get used to their name by associating it with something positive. For example, say their name often when stroking or praising them.
Want to call your dog on a walk and have only him respond? Then one of these rare male dog names is the perfect choice:
Aiko
Bosco
Dante
Darwin
Django
Ekko
Kian
Kody
Kyros
Nero
Dog Names for Males: Short and Snappy
One of the golden rules for the perfect dog name is: the shorter, the better. Here are 10 male dog names with no more than two syllables:
Ace
Chase
Dash
Jax
Ozzy
Rex
Rico
Spike
Gizmo
Zeus
Beautiful Dog Names for Males
Whether a name sounds beautiful or not is, of course, a matter of personal taste. The following male dog names have a sound that many people find pleasant or evoke especially positive associations – highlighting your dog’s charm.
Bailey
Beau
Filou
Indigo
Lupo
River
Romeo
Sky
Thiago
Toto
Unusual Dog Names for Male Dogs
With an unusual dog name, you and your four-legged friend are sure to stand out. Get inspired by the name of an author, scientist, or singer you like. Or think of your favourite dish. Here are some examples of inspired and unique names for male dogs:
Bismarck
Bowie
Chili
Cosmo
Edison
Froot Loops
Ghandi
Hitchcock
Kafka
(Marty) McFly
Dog Names for Males with Meaning
Does your dog have a special trait or extraordinary talent? Then give him a name that highlights his individuality.
Asher = happy
Caius = content
Cassius = vain
Elliot = son of the wind
Hudson = mind (short for Hugh or Hugo)
Jasper = bringer of treasure
Onyx = claw (and the name of a black gemstone)
Quintus = born in the fifth month
Silas = forest
Wesley = western meadow
Funny Dog Names for Males Who Love a Laugh
Some dog breeds are known for their sense of humour. If your four-legged friend is a bit of a clown, maybe one of these male dog names will suit him:
Chaos
Ferrari
Ewok
Mad Max
Nacho
Peanut
Pumpkin
Snoopy
Spooky
Zombie
Cute Dog Names for Male Dogs
Especially for small dog breeds, cute names are a great fit.
Alfie
Biscuit
Kirby
Ollie
Siggi
Sparky
Sunny
Teddy
Willy
Yogi
Mystical Dog Names for Males
If you want to give your male dog a powerful name with a mysterious aura, look to mythology and astrology. Mystical dog names often come with a special story, so you’ll find a brief explanation for each name:
Adonis: Lover of Aphrodite in Greek mythology and a symbol of beauty
Apollo: Greek god of light and music
Atlas: A strong Titan from Greek mythology who carries the sky on his shoulders
Aquila: Constellation of the eagle
Fafnir: A dragon from Norse mythology
Icarus: Name from Greek mythology; “Icarus” is also the name of the Internet of Animals, a scientific project studying animal communication
Orion: A bright constellation
Phoenix: Mythical bird that is reborn
Eros: Son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love in Greek mythology
Hector: Name of the brave prince of Troy from Greek mythology
Is your dog a real heartbreaker? Then Romeo or Eros could be the perfect name.
Disney Dog Names for Males
If your love for dogs began with a Disney film like 101 Dalmatians, let the colourful world of cartoons and comics inspire you. Here are 10 dog names inspired by Disney dogs and other popular characters:
Goofy (Mickey Mouse comics)
Pluto (Mickey Mouse comics)
Pongo (101 Dalmatians)
Kuzco (The Emperor’s New Groove)
Lotso (Toy Story 3)
Mickey (Mickey Mouse comics)
Mushu (Mulan)
Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)
Timon (The Lion King)
Woody (Toy Story)
Nordic Dog Names for Four-legged Friends
For dog breeds from the cool North that are strong and close to nature, a Nordic dog name is ideal.
Asgard
Baldur
Bjarte
Fenrir
Gunnar
Hakon
Haldor
Kalle
Odin
Ragnar
Ragnarok
Sigurd
Thor
Vidar
Vali
Celtic Dog Names for Males
In Celtic culture, the line between reality and myth is often blurred. If your dog is a bit of a mystery, a Celtic name might be just right for your four-legged friend.
Aiden
Cian
Conan
Cormac
Declan
Fergus
Finn
Keegan
Kieran
Lorcan
Oisin
Torin
English Dog Names for Elegant Males
For English dog breeds or four-legged friends who always keep their composure, names from the United Kingdom are a great idea. The variety ranges from traditional to modern, so there’s something for every male dog.
Buster
Chester
Cody
Cooper
Duke
Henry
Jerry
Monty
Murphy
Reggie
Toby
Winston
Italian Dog Names for Lively Dogs
Maybe you’re a fan of Bella Italia or have a lively little four-legged friend looking for a name? How about an Italian name for your dog?
Aldo
Carmine
Dante
Enzo
Giorgio
Giovanni
Massimo
Rocco
Renzo
Vito
Japanese Dog Names for Your Favourite
The Japanese language sounds especially soft and beautiful to many ears. Japanese first names usually have a specific meaning, so you can choose one that matches your dog’s character.
Akira = intelligence
Bandai = forever
Daiki = great radiance
Harumi = beauty
Hiroshi = generous
Kazuki = hope
Kenji = strong son
Kibo = hope
Kuro = black
Masaru = victorious
Riku = land
Sanyu = cheerfulness
Shizu = calm
Takeshi = wild
Yukio = gets what he wants
French Dog Names for Males
If you want something a bit more extravagant and refined, we recommend a French dog name. The beautiful sound of these names is sure to get an “oh là là” reaction in the park.
Maxime
Louis
Hugo
Gaston
Rémy
Claude
Serge
Thierry
Jacques
Luc
Spanish Dog Names for Males
A Spanish name is especially fitting for lively male dogs with a fiery character who keep everyone on their toes.
Alonso
Arturo
Carlos
Cesar
Diego
Emilio
Ignacio
Javier
Mateo
Pablo
Paco
Pedro
Ramon
Santiago
Salvador
Dachshund Names for Males: Special Names for Special Dogs
The Dachshund is currently enjoying growing popularity. A few years ago, this short-legged breed was (almost) only kept by hunters and enthusiasts, but nowadays long-haired, short-haired, and wire-haired Dachshunds are seen much more often. Want to adopt a male Dachshund? Here are 15 dog names that are especially well-suited to a male Dachshund.
Cookie
Fiete
Hugo
Lumpi
Rusty
Struppi
Tapsi
Waldi
Wastl
Zamperl
Benno
Otto
Oswald
Rudi
Horst
Found a Male Dog Name? Let your Furry Friend Wear it With Pride
After careful consideration and together with your dog, have you found the perfect name? Why not celebrate your decision with a personalised collar? That way, your dog can wear his name proudly on his chest and every guest in your home will know straight away how to address your four-legged friend.
In the zooplus shop for dogs you’ll find suitable collars. And if you’re looking for tips on how to teach not just the name but also the most important commands, you’ll find all the know-how you need in the zooplus dog magazine.
Sabrina Schaub
Animals have accompanied me for as long as I can remember - there is hardly a child's photo without a budgie on my head or a cat on my lap. For more than ten years, I have been writing as an editor about various topics ranging from health insurance to cat ownership. Always with me: my cat Mimi, who is the best source of inspiration for many texts and knows when it's time for a break from writing.
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