Naming Your Gun Dog

You’ve finally found the perfect breed and may have already picked out just the right pup from the litter. Narrowing down what to call man’s best friend…now that’s the hard part!  You’re getting a sporting dog.  They are in a league of their own.  They have been bred to a specific mate for a particular purpose, many with proud pedigrees and a rich heritage. How’s that for pressure?  Let’s see if we can make this a little easier for you.

What to Avoid When Choosing a Name:

• Choose a name befitting your dog’s general purpose.  Are you secure enough in your masculinity to holler “Come, Twinkle Toes,” through the woods?

• Do not choose a name that rhymes with a command you will use.

• Do not choose a name that is a mile long.  Choose something with one or maybe two syllables.  You’ll be belting out this name for the next 12-15 years…do yourself a favor.

• For a dog you’ll be taking into the woods or plains and deserts out west, please don’t name your dog Bear, Snake, or Timber.  You’ll understand soon enough!

• Avoid further confusion with your hunting buddies by steering clear of popular adult names: Bob, Chuck, John, and the like.

Naming Your French Dog:  The “One Letter Per Year” System

In 1926,  the S.C.C. in France decided that all dogs born in the same year would have a name beginning with the same letter, which would simplify the work of dog genealogists.  In later years, the letters “K,Q,W,X,Y & Z” were excluded because the choices beginning with these letters were not great enough in the French language.  Here is a link that can show you the year-to-letter match-up.  Also, click on the alphabet letter corresponding to the correct year and get a list of male and female French dog names.  We don’t require this, but it’s fun and helps stay closer to their French heritage.

http://www.braquedubourbonnais.info/en/dog-name.htm

Happy Hunting!