If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Royal Kennel Club (that’s the new name for the UK Kennel Club) figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels over recent years.
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.
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
But even when you’ve settled on a type of dog, there’s still the tricky task of choosing a name.
If you’ve opted for an adorable Golden Retriever then personalised gift site yappy.com can help – they’ve surveyed thousands of their customers to come up with the most popular names people choose for their lovable pup.
Here are their top 10 Golden Retriever names.
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1. Buddy
Buddy is the most popular puppy name for new Golden Retriever owners. It's the perfect fit for this most amiable of breeds - simply meaning 'friend'. | Getty Images
2. Cooper
Cooper is the runner-up in the top names for Golden Retrievers list. It's an English name that means 'barrel maker'. | AFP via Getty Images
3. Milo
A Germanic name meaning 'soldier' or 'merciful', Milo claims third spot in our Golden Retriever name list. Milo was also the name of Stanley Ipkiss's dog in the film 'The Mask', starring Jim Carrey. | AFP via Getty Images
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4. Poppy
Fourth place for Golden Retriever puppy names goes to Poppy. It comes from the red flower of the same name and means 'milk of happiness' in Latin. | Getty Images