Little terrier pup needs a name... help!
October 6, 2018 3:05 PM   Subscribe

I adopted a little male terrier mix a month ago. (awww so cute!). He is currently, and sadly, the no-name pup.

He was found as a stray, but the shelter & vet estimate his (current) age at 5 or 6 months. He's currently 8lbs, so I'm guessing he'll wind up in the 10-15lb range. Personality-wise, he's all terrier: sweet, stubborn, bursts of energy the he needs to run out, loves (LOVES) chasing things. Balls are his best friends and all squirrels (and most blowing leaves) must be chased. Super friendly with other dogs and loves to greet new dogs coming into the dog park. Likes people, but isn't too sure about men in dark clothes.

I've never struggled to name a pet before in my life. This guy, though... I'm at a loss.

About me, if you want to mine that for suggestions over his adorableness:
- old school internet geek - storytelling & digital media, experience design
- US history buff & political junkie
- a bit of foodie and work with locally owned restaurants
- eclectic music tastes, but primarily listen to folk, Americana, and singer/songwriters or new wave, ska/two-tone, and post-punk. (a bit of a split personality, there)
- I dig anagrams, puns, and other wordplay

Pup currently comes to kissy sounds and my voice, but he's definitely gaining his independence and is a bit less glued to my side. Time to settle on and teach him a name. What do you think it is?
posted by imbri to Pets & Animals (44 answers total)
 
SO CUTE!
That dog’s name is Ruckus.
Congratulations on your new family member!
posted by bookmammal at 3:08 PM on October 6, 2018 [5 favorites]


The physicist James Clerk Maxwell, who pioneered the theory of electromagnetism, had a terrier named Toby. This cutie looks like a Toby too.
posted by moonmilk at 3:11 PM on October 6, 2018 [3 favorites]


Simon.

I like Toby, too.
posted by lazuli at 3:19 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


Best answer: Scruffy... like the dog in "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir".
posted by KazamaSmokers at 3:21 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


Benjamin Franklin
posted by sara is disenchanted at 3:22 PM on October 6, 2018


Gasp! He's adorable! He's identical to my sweet little guy. Our guy is named Desmond, The Hobo. If you like that name, then let there be to terrier Desmonds in the world!

A close second for our guy was Lloyd. So, I'll recommend Lloyd.
posted by meese at 3:23 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


Ches
Short for Chesley Bonestell
posted by phunniemee at 3:25 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


The face screams "Oliver" to me. He would be cute with a pair of wire-rimmed glasses.
posted by strelitzia at 3:36 PM on October 6, 2018 [2 favorites]


Scrap!!!!!!
posted by dismas at 3:39 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


Ervine.
posted by onebyone at 3:47 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


The name “Whisky” came to be unbidden when I saw his face 🤷‍♀️
posted by tatiana wishbone at 3:47 PM on October 6, 2018 [6 favorites]


Roscoe
posted by frumiousb at 3:53 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


Gimli.
posted by vers at 3:54 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


Barley
posted by kitty teeth at 3:55 PM on October 6, 2018 [2 favorites]


He's a spitting image of, "Well, my goodness, Scraps is a boy dog, isn't he?"

If not that, I suggest "Barnes."
posted by rhizome at 4:01 PM on October 6, 2018


That dog is Sprocket.

Maybe just Rocket or Rockey. But I’m feeling more of a Sprocket.
posted by kellygrape at 4:08 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


No no no. This dog's name is Thistle.
posted by Temeraria at 4:16 PM on October 6, 2018


Scallion, Scalawag for long.
posted by rustcellar at 4:18 PM on October 6, 2018 [2 favorites]


Hmmm. Scalawag is pretty good.
posted by KazamaSmokers at 4:22 PM on October 6, 2018


Oh, that dog is a Toby.
posted by sarcasticah at 4:32 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


He really looks like an Otis to me!
posted by Illuminated Clocks at 4:36 PM on October 6, 2018 [2 favorites]


To me, he looks just like this Leroy, so I vote for Leroy.
posted by MadamM at 4:40 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


Best answer: I would call him scruffles
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 4:56 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


Toby immediately came to mind for me also
posted by wats at 4:59 PM on October 6, 2018


Best answer: Alvin.
posted by KMoney at 5:01 PM on October 6, 2018


Oscar!
posted by MysteriousSympathy at 5:08 PM on October 6, 2018


Pepper. He’s Pepper Pupper
posted by MexicanYenta at 5:15 PM on October 6, 2018 [1 favorite]


Biscuit was my immediate thought upon seeing his (adorable) face.
posted by karayel at 5:23 PM on October 6, 2018 [2 favorites]


Grits. Also the name of the family dog of president Carter in the '70's.
posted by Mariemma at 5:45 PM on October 6, 2018


Franklin
posted by Weeping_angel at 5:59 PM on October 6, 2018


Sparky.
posted by Marky at 6:12 PM on October 6, 2018 [2 favorites]


What a good boy! He looks like a Tralfaz to me.
posted by Rob Rockets at 6:14 PM on October 6, 2018


Rawlings!

he is such a good boy
posted by mochapickle at 6:15 PM on October 6, 2018


Benji! He looks like such a Benji.
posted by snowysoul at 6:26 PM on October 6, 2018


Russer

Ollie
Banjo
Scruffy
Rascal
Linus
Calvin
Dandy

and I really like Benji and Ruckus from above, too
posted by pseudostrabismus at 6:58 PM on October 6, 2018


Arnold
Germaine
posted by sciencegeek at 6:59 PM on October 6, 2018


Chester
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:04 PM on October 6, 2018


Response by poster: So many great names here! Aside from Toby which would be great for him if he was not mine, but ex-boyfriend issues cross that one right off my list.

Alvin is the one that jumped out. He has a habit (a phase, I hope) of bringing acorns home from our walks. Not just one - but 2 or 3 or 4 which he drops on the floor as soon as we get in the door. I never see him pick them up (when I do, I take them away). Yet, without fail, he's managed to bring some in. I was telling people at the dog park today that he's part chipmunk. It'll be nice to remember this time as he's older.

My coworker has been calling him Doc for his wild floof of white hair (Doc Brown) and I've been playing with the scruffy/scrappy/shaggy type names as well as a few others mentioned here. I think it's all come together and I have turned into one of those people that give their dogs a full name...

Dr. Alvin Scruffleupagus. For my childhood favorite Sesame Street invisible friend. For mad scientists everywhere. For the Chipmunks. It's a lot to live up to for a 5mo old puppy, but I think he's got it in him! Besides, friends everywhere will just call him Scruff or Scruffles and that the little guy can definitely handle.

Thanks so much for all your help. Tons of great names here. Hopefully, they'll go to good use by some lucky dog in the future.
posted by imbri at 7:14 PM on October 6, 2018 [29 favorites]


Chad
posted by Middlemarch at 10:10 PM on October 6, 2018


Mr Pod suggests Rupert.
posted by escapepod at 10:19 PM on October 6, 2018


I came to suggest Bailey, but Alvin is also great.
posted by rpfields at 11:34 PM on October 6, 2018


Stripe. He has one down the center of his face.
posted by metasunday at 7:09 AM on October 7, 2018


Bones!
posted by spinifex23 at 10:46 AM on October 7, 2018


He looks like a sweetie. One with coconut to be exact. I think you should call him Macaroon.
posted by Margalo Epps at 10:05 PM on October 8, 2018


« Older Why did my internet radio stop working with new...   |   Cabo for a long weekend in February Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.