The 15 Funniest Names of Westminster Show Dogs
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The Westminster Dog Show has been around since 1877. It's the oldest dog-centered nonprofit in the U.S., and the annual show is one of the largest dog sporting events worldwide. It's also steeped in over a century of tradition.
Participating pets have two names: a registered name and a call name. The registered name is similar to that of a racehorse's name, indicating the animal's heritage. These names can be crazy long, and some get pretty creative. Of all the Westminster Dog Show names we've encountered, these 15 made us laugh the most.
Say It With Bacon
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Temora's Say It With Bacon is close to our hearts because, like this Australian terrier, we love bacon. This pooch didn't need to serve any breakfast food to wow the judges, either.
In 2014, he served so much agility and attentiveness that he became the only Australian terrier to win a Grand Slam, winning the Australian Terrier National Specialty, Best of Breed at Montgomery, Best of Breed at Westminster, Best of Breed at the AKC Invitational and a Best in Show. Dogs don't care too much about trophies, so we hope he got plenty of hot, crispy bacon as a prize.
Good Enough for Government Work
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Celebra’s Good Enough for Government Work, aka Gibbs, had a lengthy winning streak, winning best in breed from 2017 to 2019 before retiring. He is also a proud father, siring eight sweet puppies who have a promising future in the show ring.
We have to wonder how he got his name. Was he an elitist puppy who thought he was too good for hard work? Does he have a secret past as a CIA agent? We have no idea.
Formula for Drama
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Grabo Testarossa Formula for Drama, also known as Vinny, fits his name to a tee. He's a bull terrier, and he easily looks like he could have starred in "The Godfather."
With his muscular physique and glossy coat, he probably was the one in charge of organizing an after-hours, no-humans-allowed puppy party with unlimited bacon. Where did he acquire it? He has his ways. Judges loved Vinny enough that he won Westminster's Best of Variety in 2020.
Bow Chicka Wow Wow
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Barbary Bow Chicka Wow Wow is just called Chicka most of the time. Chicka was a toy fox terrier who won Best of Breed at Westminster in 2019, and her fiery, stubborn personality was part of the appeal.
She matched the breed's standards perfectly, but her owners love her for her affectionate personality and charm, which are far more important than her good looks.
Frat Party
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Foley’s Frat Party, aka Charlie, is one of our favorites. Frat Party is a sweet cocker spaniel who wouldn't be caught dead at a frat party. If he were a college student, he'd probably be found studying on the lawn with a group of friends, not throwing a rager.
Frat Party Charlie does have reason to celebrate, however, since he won several Best of Variety dog shows.
Bedrock Bombshell
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Cinnibon Bedrock Bombshell couldn't have a more confusing name. Is it a shout out to the addictive cinnamon rolls at the mall? Cinnibon is actually the breeder's name, and the name Bedrock Bombshell came from the Flintstone's.
Fittingly, her owners call her Wilma at home. We wonder if they yell "yabba-dabba-do" to cheer her on.
Kentucky Bourbon
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Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon isn't even from Kentucky. The name is a shoutout to her brother, another whippet named Tennessee Whiskey. Whiskey won Best of Breed in 2018, and Bourbon came out on top the following year.
She beat her brother and every other whippet there, winning Best of Breed in 2019 and a pile of other awards. She was even a National Specialty Top 20 Judge’s Choice. If there's ever a debate over whether whiskey or bourbon is better, we might have to let the dogs settle it.
Whiskeytown Captain Morgan Cranberry Kiss
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Talk about long names. Whiskeytown Captain Morgan Cranberry Kiss sounds more like a fancy cocktail than a show dog. The wirehaired pointing griffon's call name is simply Morgan, and the pup was an exceptional gun dog.
The name Whiskeytown came from the name of Morgan's breeder, but the rest remains a mystery. Maybe the dog was purchased on a whim after a few too many cranberry-adorned drinks?
Order in the Court
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Skyline Summerwind Order in the Court is quite the name, but we can't imagine any judge or jury objecting to this endearing fluffball. Order in the Court, better known as Jango, is a Keeshond. The Dutch breed always appears to be smiling, and it's hard not to follow suit when the friendly furball walks into the arena.
The court's final verdict: Jango is guilty, and he's going to jail for being one of the best Keeshonds in the country. He also won five all-breed Best in Show competitions.
Veni Vidi Vici
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Kiralia N Nanook's Veni Vidi Vici goes by Star when she isn't competing. The phrase Veni Vidi Vici means, "I came, I saw. I conquered," which is exactly what the Shiba Inu did.
The pup was born during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, so she wasn't used to people when she first hit the dog show scene. It took work, but she overcame her distrust of people and lived up to her name.
Spank Me Hard Call Me Crazy
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Of all the eccentric show dog names, this one takes the cake. Two plump cakes, by the sound of it. Starfire's Spank Me Hard Call Me Crazy is a petite Pomeranian who won Best in Show at the Tidewater Kennel Club event in 2014.
We aren't sure what the dog's call name is, but imagine if it were just an abbreviated version? Is there a dog owner at a dog park in Virginia calling out, "Spank Me! Come, Spank Me!" What could possibly go wrong?
His Royal Highness Prince Gizmo House of Gremlin
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McHill's His Royal Highness Prince Gizmo House of Gremlin is the longest registered dog name we've seen so far. The border terrier doesn't look like much of a gremlin, but terriers are known for being feisty, tenacious and full of energy.
They also tend to be full of themselves, but with a name like His Royal Highness Prince Gizmo, can you blame him?
Eat My Dust Pink Floyd
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For all the pomp and circumstance surrounding dog shows, let's not forget what they're really about: people who really, really love dogs. Dog people love everything about their pets, including their cute quirks.
Pink Floyd, a boxer, got his name because of the white "racing stripe" under his tail. He was always racing around as if to say, "Eat my dust."
Freddy the Frog
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The backstory of Freddy's name is even funnier. As every dog owner knows, the best way of avoiding fessing up to an episode of flatulence is by blaming it on the dog. In this case, Freddy.
"Freddy the Frogcaster" is also a children's book series about a weather-reporting amphibian. No idea what that has to do with dogs, but this Freddy didn't mind a bit.
Can't Stop Heinz
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Pure Pride's and Impression's Can't Stop Heinz is affectionately known as Ketchup. His owner, Tamara Hopkins, claims the boxer looks a bit like a bottle of ketchup from the front.
We don't see the resemblance, but she would know better than we would. The pair live just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the headquarters of Heinz is located.