Here are Boston’s most popular dog names and breeds for 2021

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Surprisingly, the Boston Terrier did not make the list.

After a ruff year for all, the Boston Animal Care and Control Division analyzed licensing data from 2021 to find out the most popular dog names and breeds in the city.

The top dog name overall this year was Luna, with 112 dogs registered in Boston with that name. The top dog name for male dogs was Charlie, with 82 dogs registered.

For dog breeds, Labrador retrievers blew all other breeds out of the water with 1,833 labs registered in Boston. Next up were golden retrievers with 703 registered.

Chihuahuas and German Shepherds tied for third and four place, with 442 dogs registered for each breed.

The Animal Control division is hoping the data will help remind people to apply for dog licenses this year. All dog owners need to license their dogs by Thursday, March 31, 2022, the division said in a news release.

“Not only is licensing your pet the law, but a license is your pet’s ID and provides their fastest ticket home if they become lost,” Animal Care and Control Director Alexis Trzcinski said in the release.

Dogs must be licensed if they are older than six months. Owners must provide a copy of their dog’s current rabies certificate. For spayed and neutered pets, owners must submit proof of spaying or neutering if they have not done so previously. 

Licensing fees are $15 for a neutered male or spayed female or $30 for an intact male or female. The dog licensing fee is waived for service animals and dogs of residents age 70 and older.

Owners must also pay any outstanding Animal Care and Control fines. The fine for an unlicensed dog is $50.

Bostonians can call (617) 635-5348 or email [email protected] with any questions about the licensing process or to update their information in the database. 

Below are the top dog names and breeds of 2021.

Top 25 female dog names of 2021

1. LUNA
2. BELLA
3. LUCY
4. DAISY
5. PENNY
6. LOLA
7. STELLA
8. MOLLY
9. BAILEY
10. ROSIE
11. MAGGIE
12. LILY
13. SADIE
14. RUBY
15. OLIVE
16. CHLOE
17. SOPHIE
18. WINNIE
19. COCO
20. WILLOW
21. PIPER
22. MILLIE
23. MAYA
24. LULU
25. RILEY

Top 25 male dog names of 2021

1. CHARLIE
2. TEDDY
3. OLIVER
4. MAX 
5. OLLIE
6. MILO
7. COOPER
8. TOBY
9. ROCKY
10. FINN
11. WINSTON
12. TUCKER
13.  HENRY
14. GUS
15. BUDDY
16. LEO
17. BREA
18. LOUIE
19. JACK
20. ARCHIE
21. BENTLEY
22. BRUNO
23. DUKE
24. BAXTER
25. ZIGGY

Top 10 dog breeds for 2021

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Chihuahua
4. German Shepherd
5. Beagle
6. Yorkshire Terrier
7. Miniature Poodle
8. Shih Tzu
9. Australian Shepherd
10. Pit Bull