Small pups have a lot going on for them. They’re cute, fit perfectly in our laps, they’re easy to travel with and will keep us entertained non-stop with their fun personalities. So, if you’re the lucky owner-to-be and looking for a small dog name that matches your friend’s diminutive looks to a T, here are a few options you can’t go wrong with.
Our favourite names for small dogs
Dot
Minnie
For mini-sized lady pooches, Minnie is a name that tells it exactly how it is. And if you’re a Disney fan this name surely makes you think of the sweet Minnie Mouse, Mickey’s long-time partner. What a perfect choice for your loving, tiny canine friend.
Teddy
Small dogs remind us of the cutest things in life. So, if your charming new puppy makes you think of an equally adorable human companion, the teddy bear, you can let the whole world know by choosing Teddy as the name for your small dog.
Elf
Elves are Santa’s little helpers with a reputation for pranks and mischief – a description that fits some of our furry companions perfectly. If you’re looking for a small dog name to match the tiny, rambunctious friend in your life, why not go for this short moniker?
Lilliput
Lilliput is the name of a fictional island where tiny people live in the novel Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. But it happens to also work great as a beautiful dog name for a small canine. It’s the perfect way to pay tribute to a pint-sized pooch. Plus, you can always shorten it to another perennial favourite dog name: Lilly.
Snowflake
Taking inspiration from all the tiny, precious things in nature is a great tip for owners looking for the ideal small dog name. The delicate snowflakes are some of the most beautiful things out there and if your companion is as white as snow, then there isn’t a better choice than Snowflake.
Peanut
Food names don’t always transfer well to our loyal friends, but if there’s one exception, Peanut might be it. Somehow it manages to turn into an affectionate, adorable name whenever it gets paired with a cute small dog. So, if your pet responds well to this moniker, go for it! Just make sure your family doesn’t think you’re after the snacks when you call for Peanut.
Button
Another small item with a name that can be repurposed if you’re looking for a small dog name. For people familiar with the saying ‘cute as a button’ that’s one more reason to put Button at the top of your dog names list.
Pico
Taking inspiration from other languages is another great tip. You can easily stumble across the perfect name for you small dog just by translating ‘small’ into different languages. Piccolo is a great example. It means small in Italian and you can even abbreviate it to Pico for an even shorter name worthy of your dog’s diminutive stature.
Other wonderful names you can choose for a small dog
If you’re looking for even more options, here are a few small dog names you’ll want to test with your pup:
- Teacup
- Pebbles
- Nugget
- Snuggles
- Cricket
- Dobby
- Cub
- Doodle
- Marshmallow
- Bubbles
- Tiny
- Jellybean
How to choose the right name for your small dog?
Finding it hard to decide on a good name for your dog? It’s always a good idea to choose a few favourites and start calling your dog using them. Imagine you’re out and about with your dog. Is the name easy to say on repeat or is it a bit awkward to say out loud? By testing the name a few times before deciding you might even discover that your dog has a favourite already. If the furry friend responds to one of the names by wagging their tail, coming up to you or just stopping in their tracks on their way to the favourite toy, you know you’ve got a winner!
If you’re trying to the find the best name for a new-puppy, you might also be looking for the best advice on taking care of the little fellow so they can have a great start in life. No worries, we’ve got you covered. Find out more about how you can look after new-born puppies with these simple tips.
