For the fifth year running, the name Bella retrieves the top spot as the most popular dog name in Ottawa County
The Ottawa County Treasurer’s Office has the list you’ve been waiting fur all year: the most popular dog names and breeds from October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021 based upon the licenses issued.
The most common dog names for Ottawa County are:
- Bella
- Charlie
- Lucy
- Luna
- Cooper
- Buddy
- Max
- Tucker
- Bailey
- Sadie
One look around your neighborhood and it’s not far-fetched that Ottawa County’s leading breed is the Labrador Retriever. Next on the list are 2-Golden Retriever, 3- German Shepherd, 4-Goldendoodle and 5-Shih Tzu. The top five breeds licensed the 2019-2020 were 1-Labrador Retriever, 2-Golden Retriever, 3-German Shepherd, 4-Chihuahua and 5-Shih Tzu.
If Santa delivers a new, furry friend to your family this year, be sure to stay on that nice list and have your dog licensed with the County.
Since the year 1919 Michigan law has required that dogs be licensed. Additionally, the law requires that to get a dog license, proof of a rabies vaccination by a veterinarian must be provided. Along with ensuring that pet owners keep rabies vaccinations up to date, dog licenses save time, money and emotional distress. If a dog is lost, the license will make the return of the pet simple. When a stray is picked-up by animal control (or a friendly neighbor), a dog wearing its license will be returned to its owner quickly for a tail-wagging, slobbery reunion. The stray’s license number can be entered online by anyone at miottawa.org/DogLicense and the corresponding owner information will be displayed. Unlicensed dogs risk being brought to the animal shelter. The owner may face fines, redemption fees, boarding costs and vet bills. Pets who remain unidentified could be put up for adoption.
Dogs must be licensed at four months of age. In Ottawa County, dog licenses can be purchased at any time but are issued to expire the month of the dogs’ rabies vaccination. New licenses are available for either one or three years and will expire in the month of the rabies vaccination. Owners can purchase licenses through participating veterinarians, some units of government or online at www.miottawa.org/DogLicense. More information about licensing dogs in Ottawa County is available online or by calling 616-994-4501.