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 Labrador 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 Lab.
Here are their top 10 Labrador Retriever names.
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1. Bailey
Bailey tops the list of most popular Labrador Retriever names. It is an Old English name meaning 'bailiff' or ,berry clearing'. It was also the name of the doggy lead character in the film 'A Dog's Purpose'. | Getty Images
2. Bella
Bella is the second top choice for Lab owners. It fits the breed very well indeed - meaning 'beautiful' in multiple languages, including Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek and Latin. | AFP via Getty Images
3. Poppy
The final podium position for Labrador puppy names goes to Poppy. It comes from the red flower of the same name and means 'milk of happiness' in Latin. | Getty Images
4. Luna
Meaning 'moon' in Latin, Luna is the fourth top pick of name for adorable Labrador puppies. In Roman mythology Luna was the moon goddess. | Getty Images