Avon Name for Labrador Retriever

This name honors the Dukes of Buccleuch, Scottish nobles who were instrumental in the development and preservation of the Labrador Retriever breed in the 19th century. Alongside the Earls of Malmesbury, they established the foundational kennels from which all modern Labradors descend. The name signifies a direct link to the breed's aristocratic heritage and its transition from the St. John's water dog to a refined gundog.

A Scottish place name and ducal title, likely derived from a location in the Scottish Borders. The Buccleuch kennels were pivotal in the Labrador's history.

This name honors Zanjeer, a heroic detection dog with the Mumbai Police in India. During the 1993 serial bombings, he saved thousands of lives by detecting vast quantities of explosives and weaponry. 'Zanjeer' represents the Labrador's exceptional sense of smell and its critical role in law enforcement and public safety. It is a testament to the breed's courage, work ethic, and unwavering focus under pressure, traits honed from its gundog ancestry.

A Hindi word meaning 'chain' or 'shackles.' It was the name given to the famous detection dog of the Mumbai Police, symbolizing his role in restraining terror.

A 'jigger' was a type of weighted, unbaited hook used by Newfoundland fishermen to catch cod. The ancestral St. John's water dogs were known to retrieve fish that slipped off these hooks. This name is a direct and authentic link to the specific daily tasks the breed's forebears performed. It embodies the dog's functional role in the fishery and its innate retrieving drive, which was later refined for gundog work.

A nautical term for a specific type of fishing lure used in the Newfoundland cod fishery. The term also refers to a small sail or a pulley system on a ship.

A 'Bosun' (or Boatswain) is a ship's officer in charge of equipment and crew, a position of great responsibility and reliability. This name perfectly captures the dependable, hardworking nature of the St. John's water dog, which served as a vital crew member on Newfoundland fishing vessels. It signifies strength, competence, and a deep connection to maritime life, reflecting the breed's history of hauling nets and ropes.

A phonetic spelling of 'boatswain,' from Late Old English 'batswegen,' meaning 'boat's swain' or 'servant.' A key position among a ship's petty officers.

This name pays homage to Colonel Peter Hawker, a celebrated British sportsman who, in 1814, provided one of the earliest written accounts of the St. John's water dog being used as a retriever in England. 'Hawker' represents the historical moment when the breed's skills were first recognized by the sporting elite, beginning its transition to a gundog. It signifies the breed's innate retrieving drive and its historical importance in field sports.

An English occupational surname for one who trained and flew hawks. It is also the surname of Colonel Peter Hawker, an influential 19th-century sportsman and author.

A tribute to one of the most decorated service dogs in history, a British Labrador named Endal. He was renowned for his incredible intelligence and ability to perform complex tasks for his disabled owner, from using an ATM card to putting his owner in the recovery position. This name embodies the pinnacle of the breed's trainability, devotion, and capacity for selfless service, showcasing the modern evolution of the Labrador's purpose.

The name of a real service dog in the UK, who became a symbol of canine assistance and heroism. His name is unique and directly tied to the breed's modern cultural significance.

Skipper, the master of a fishing boat, is a name that directly connects the Labrador to its origins as the St. John's water dog, the indispensable partner of Newfoundland fishermen. It evokes a sense of leadership, reliability, and expertise on the water. This name honors the breed's heritage of working cooperatively with humans in the harsh maritime environment, retrieving nets and fish with its famously 'soft mouth.'

From the Middle Dutch 'schipper,' meaning 'shipper' or 'master of a ship.' The term was adopted into English to denote the captain of a vessel.

A tribute to Sully, the devoted service dog to former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. Sully's loyalty and skill brought global attention to the vital role of assistance dogs. This name represents the Labrador's modern identity as a symbol of selfless duty and unwavering companionship. It highlights the breed's high intelligence and stable temperament, which are essential for the complex tasks required of a top-tier service animal.

An Irish surname, an anglicized form of Ó Súileabháin, meaning 'descendant of the hawk-eyed one.' It became famous as the name of President George H.W. Bush's service dog.