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.
Read more:
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.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
9. Chester
Chester claims ninth spot in our list of Golden Retriever names. It's derived from the Saxon word 'ceaster', meaning 'a fortified place', and led to the title of the English city of the same name. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Alfie
Completing our top 10 Golden Retriever names is Alfie. It's a name of English origin meaning 'wise counsellor'. | Canva/Getty Images