Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the UK Kennel Club recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ to lovable mongrels.
There’s also always the option of adopting a dog from a dog shelter for a minimal fee - for example from the Dogs Trust.
Each has its own list of positive and negative attributes, and it’s important to take plenty of time to think about what breed will fit into your lifestyle the best - for instance a smaller dog if you live in a flat, or a hypoallergenic dog if the mere mention of dog hair makes you think about sneezing.
There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
Once you have chosen the breed it’s time to choose a name and you’d better pick wisely - you’ll be spending plenty of time shouting it in your local park.
Leading veterinary care provider Medivet has analysed 2025 data from more than 350 of its clinics in the UK to come up with its annual list of the most popular dog names.
Here are their top 10 of the last 12 months.
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1. Bella
There's a new top dog when it comes to puppy names and it's Bella. It is a name of Italian origin and simply means 'beautiful'. Which all dogs obviously are. | Canva/Getty Images
2. Poppy
Second spot for dog names goes to Poppy. It comes from the pretty red flower of the same name. | Canva/Getty Images
3. Luna
Luna has been the most popular dog name for a number of years but has now dropped down to third place. Of Latin origin, it simply means 'moon'. | Canva/Getty Images
4. Teddy
Next up is Teddy, a name meaning 'wealthy guardian' or 'gift of God'. It's most closely associated with American President Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt and the teddy bear. | Canva/Getty Images