Black and white dogs are a stunning bunch, from the feisty Boston terrier to the striking Alaskan malamute, the pointer, the border collie, or any lovable mixed breed dog that landed the black and white coat genes.
So how do you find a great name for your new black and white dog? Consider size, look, and personality. This list has options to fit any dog, from a lovely Cupcake to a strong Obsidian. Choosing the best dog name, like choosing the perfect dog sitter, is a fun and important task for every pet parent. Luckily, we’ve rounded up some great options for you.
We’ve handpicked these choices by digging through our Rover database of dog names worldwide. Many of these names are unique, while others show up on the list of top 100 dog names.
The Best Black & White Dog Names
Many of these are gender-neutral. A female black and white dog can easily go by Jazz, for example, while a male black and white dog could sport Swirl.
- Alfie
- Audrey
- Aurora
- Barcode
- Bessie or Bess
- Betty (Boop)
- Blot
- Bob
- Butler
- Chanel
- Chaplin
- Charlie
- Chess
- Chester
- Coco
- Cookie
- Cookies n’ Cream
- Cupcake
- Dabble
- Dapple
- Dice
- Domino
- Dotty
- Drake
- Freckles
- Garbo (black and white film star)
- Greta
- Groucho
- Hemera (Greek goddess of day and night)
- Holstein (the cow)
- Inkblot
- Inky
- Jack
- Jasper
- Jazz
- Junior
- Keys
- Kiss (the band)
- Lucky
- Luna
- Magic
- Magician
- Magpie
- Marble
- Marmite
- Maverick
- Mickey
- Minnie
- Mittens
- Moon
- Moo (or MooMoo?)
- Motley
- Mottle
- Nigel
- Noir
- Nova
- Nyx (God of the night)
- Obsidian (volcanic rock)
- Odette or Odile (the black and white swans from Swan Lake)
- Onyx
- Orca
- Oreo
- Panda
- Parfait
- Patches
- Peanuts (in honour of Snoopy!)
- Penguin
- Pepper
- Perdita (the mother of 101 Dalmatians)
- Piano
- Pinwheel
- Pixel
- Pongo
- Pudding
- Puffin
- Puzzles
- Raven
- Rebel
- Retro
- Rocky (Raccoon!)
- Rorschach
- Salt n’ Pepper
- Scrabble
- Shadow
- Shady
- Silhouette
- Skunk
- Smudge
- Snoopy
- Sprinkles
- Socks
- Storm or Stormy
- Stripey
- Sushi
- Swan
- Swirl
- Sylvester
- Thor
- Tiger
- Trooper
- Tuxedo (Tux)
- Vega
- Vintage
- Ying-Yang
- Zebra
- Zigzag (Ziggy)
- Zorro
Do Black & White Dogs Need a Themed Name?
Sure, a black and white dog named Domino or Panda is pretty cute. But you don’t have to go that route. Some of the names on Rover’s list are inspired by your dog’s colour, but not all! You don’t have to give your new puppy a name that has anything to do with their coat if you don’t want to.
Here are some other considerations when choosing your new black and white dog’s name.
People Names for Dogs
Do you like the sound of a human baby name on a puppy? If so, you’re not alone. It used to be that most of us agreed on a good name for a dog. Fido, Rex, Lady: we expected generic choices. Now, however, you’re more likely to hear human names on dogs.
Our data shows that each year, dog owners increasingly turn to human names for their pets. This reflects the larger cultural trend that embraces dogs as full-on family members who deserve their own special place in our homes and hearts. Our dog love runs deep.
Dog Naming Advice
If you’re having trouble deciding, keep in mind that a great black and white dog name can come from many different sources of inspiration, such as your favourite foods, books, celebrities, your heritage, or even dog breed history. For example, an Italian greyhound puppy might sport a fashionista name like Chanel, while a husky mix could carry a name like Zorro.
Another consideration when choosing your dog’s name? Dog training. This is of particular importance for puppies. When you’re teaching your new dog to respond to commands like sit, stay, or come, you’ll want to be sure their name isn’t a source of confusion. In other words, avoid puppy names that sound like a common dog training cue, such as “Bit,” which could easily be misheard as “sit.”
Of course, what matters most is that the dog name you choose rolls off your tongue. The best names will make you happy. We’re fans of the “backdoor test” for dog name selection. It’s pretty much what it sounds like: stand at the back door and call out your new dog‘s potential name. Saying “Marble, it’s time for dinner!” or “Snoopy, leave it!” helps take the name out of your imagination and into reality.
More Dog Names
Good luck, have fun and make sure to check out our other dog name coverage. Over the years, we’ve compiled plenty of names for you to peruse—and we keep our lists updated with new dog name data each year. You can also check out our list of unique dog names, or take a look at our list of Scottish dog names, and Irish names for dogs!
The Dog Name Generator
If you need some more name inspiration, check out our Dog Name Generator! We’ll delve into our huge Rover database of dog names and based on the information you provide, we’ll give you some dog-name-related intel. We’ll tell you the two most popular dog names for your dog’s breed and gender, and if you’re looking for a name that stands out from the pack, you’re in luck! We’re throwing in a third, decidedly random option that’s just for fun. That’s right, we won’t just give you one result, we’ll give you three whole dog names to choose from! Then we’ll leave it up to you to decide if your new addition is more of an Alfie or a Captain Merrylegs. Good luck and have fun choosing the perfect name for your new wee friend.
