When you got the chance to name your dog is worthwhile to give it time, thought, and consideration.

I got my first dog, a nine-month-old boxer back in 1980. He was a fine, noble looking bridle, all most black with a white blaze on his chest. He was a big, well-proportioned dog, with a fine stride and easy gate. People stopped in the street to look at him. When I got him he was named Leo. I did not think the name did him justice so I determined to change his name before he got much older. So, the search began, back and forward, over and back with different names but none seemed to match the character and aura of the dog.

1980 was the year of the Moscow Olympics and the Belfast born Boxer, Hugh Russell had reached the quarter finals. That left Ryan-Sik-Yo, the North Korean champion between the Irish champion and an Olympic bronze medal. The fight was scheduled for 6 PM Irish Time which made me tune into my car radio to listen to the fight on the way home from work.

It proven to be a tough fight with Russell securing victory on a split decision 3 to 2 against the North Korean. As I sat outside my house listening to the fight results and cheering Russell’s success, I had a light bulb moment.

What better name for an Irish Boxer dog than Russell?! That decision began a dynasty of Boxers with Irish Surnames. Next came Kelly, Reilly, Casey, Ryan, Kiely, Murphy and Darcy. We had two other boxers Sam and Debbie who we did not rename as they came to us as older dogs.

I think it is important when naming your dog to try and reflect its character, personality, size and breed and also to have no more than two syllables so that the dog reacts better to commands. A harsh commanding consonant will help your dog distinguish its name. Also, be conscious of how the name will be abbreviated into a nickname. If you intend having dogs into the future then it’s also helpful to have a theme that connects your dogs over time. That connects your family of dogs over time.

My dogs will make you smile

Dogs are so wonderful,

They make you smile a lot,

They do it without thinking,

Shows what a heart they've got.

Smiling is infectious,

you catch it like the flu.

My dog smiled at me today,

and I started smiling too.

I passed around the corner

and someone saw my grin.

When he smiled I realised

I’d passed it on to him.

I thought about that smile,

then I realised its worth.

A single smile, just like mine

could travel round the earth.

So, if you feel a smile begin,

don’t leave it undetected.

Let’s start an epidemic quick,

and get the world infected!

Smiles may be hidden

beneath a mask of blue,

Smile with your eyes, a doggy smile

a smile that’s real and true.

With apologies to Spike Milligan.