You’d be forgiven for thinking the council had gone to hell when you heard us barking about the number of Bolognese, Great Swiss, Bluetick and Tree Walkers in Tamaki Makaurau this year – but you’d be dead wrong, because they are actually some of the rarest pooches we’ve recorded!
Less surprising is the news that Bella and Charlie once again topped the list of the most popular dog names, as they have done every year we’ve covered the most popular puppy monikers.
Auckland Council’s recently released Animal Management Annual Report 2021 – 2022 has revealed the most popular dog names and breeds in Tāmaki Makaurau and the region’s rarest canines.
Elly Waitoa, Head of Animal Services at Auckland Council, says Tāmaki Makaurau is a dog-lover’s town, where “furry children” are an important part of many households in the area.
“Aucklanders love their dogs. Every year we’re excited to see what the most popular dog names and breeds are; and find out what the region’s rarest breeds are that you may not have heard of!” says Elly.
Top 10 Most Popular Dog Names
The council’s annual report lists the most popular names of registered dogs and bitches over the last year.
Bella is at the top of the list for females and Charlie for males. Max and Molly claim second place, with Buddy and Poppy coming in third.
Here are the dog names that made the top ten in Tāmaki Makaurau in 2022:
ranking |
Most Popular Name |
In total |
ranking |
Most Popular Name |
In total |
male dogs |
female dogs |
||||
1 |
charlie |
1035 |
1 |
bella |
1539 |
2 |
Max |
977 |
2 |
Molly |
920 |
3 |
Dude |
718 |
3 |
Poppy |
906 |
4 |
Tobi |
603 |
4 |
Luna |
832 |
5 |
Rocky |
599 |
5 |
coconut |
818 |
6 |
Oscar |
568 |
6 |
ruby |
805 |
7 |
Milo |
545 |
7 |
daisy |
654 |
8th |
teddy |
524 |
8th |
rosie |
646 |
9 |
Archie |
501 |
9 |
Roxy |
612 |
10 |
Olli |
459 |
10 |
Lola |
548 |
The ten most popular dog breeds
The report also reveals the most popular dog breeds in Tāmaki Makaurau, with Labrador retrievers claiming the top spot. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier came second, the Border Collie just under third.
These were the ten most popular dog breeds in Tāmaki Makaurau for 2022:
ranking |
Breed |
Masculine |
Feminine |
In total |
1 |
Labrador Retrievers |
7,941 |
7.173 |
15.114 |
2 |
Staffordshire bull terrier |
3.234 |
3,671 |
6,905 |
3 |
border collie |
3,047 |
3.007 |
6,054 |
4 |
Miniature Schnauzer |
2,522 |
2.209 |
4,731 |
5 |
Shih Tzu |
2,493 |
2.117 |
4,610 |
6 |
German shepherd dog |
2.206 |
1,995 |
4.201 |
7 |
Jack Russell Terrier |
2.138 |
1,890 |
4,028 |
8th |
Golden retriever |
2,044 |
1,563 |
3.607 |
9 |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
1,877 |
1,631 |
3,508 |
10 |
Maltese |
1,911 |
1,545 |
3,456 |
The rarest dog breeds in Tāmaki Makaurau
And the rarest dog breeds in the region? The report lists 13 rare and uncommon canines, only one of which makes Tāmaki Makaurau home at a time.
Breed |
Masculine |
Feminine |
In total |
Beauceron |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Bergamasque shepherd |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Bluetick Coonhound |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Bolognese |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Eurasian |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Gorge of Imaal Terriers |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Icelandic Shepherd |
0 |
1 |
1 |
otterhound |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Pyrenean Mastiff |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Red-Bone Coonhound |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Russian toy |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Treewalker Coonhound |
0 |
1 |
1 |
You can read the Animal Management Annual Report 2021 – 2022 on the Auckland Council website.