Last Updated on March 4, 2025 by Dogs Vets
At the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the competitors’ names are so elaborate they could stump a password generator. Take GCHG CH Calicops Sassafras Gonnakikurass, a Brussels griffon with a moniker that’s as bold as her personality. “She’s a saucy girl. Her name says it all,” says owner Fred Ortiz, grooming her for the 2025 competition. But what does it really say? And why are these names so long? Let’s break it down.
The Westminster Stage: Where Names Shine
The 149th Westminster Dog Show kicked off its main event on Monday, February 10, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, returning to the iconic venue after a five-year hiatus. Following agility and obedience contests on Saturday, the breed-by-breed judging began, culminating in the prestigious Best in Show award on Tuesday night. Among the semifinalists announced Monday were:
- Neal, a bichon frise with a fluffy coat and a champion’s strut.
- Mercedes, a German shepherd and last year’s runner-up, retiring after this show.
- Comet, a shih tzu who lit up the ring as a 2024 finalist and 2023 AKC National Championship winner.
- Bourbon, a whippet and two-time Westminster runner-up, who clinched the Hound group.
“Comet enjoys every moment of this,” co-breeder and handler Luke Ehricht told the cheering crowd. “He’s such a fun dog.” Three more finalists were set to join them Tuesday night, each with a name as unique as their journey to the ring.
Why Show Dog Names Are a Puzzle
If show dogs are canine royalty, their “registered” names—the formal titles used in competition—are their crowns. Far from random, these mouthfuls are packed with meaning:
- Titles: Strings like GCHG (Grand Champion Gold) or CH (Champion) showcase a dog’s accolades in breed judging or other events. More letters mean more victories.
- Kennel Name: The first word after the titles, like “Calicops,” identifies the breeding program behind the dog. Additional kennels or ancestors might appear later in the name.
- Creative Flair: The rest often reflects personality, heritage, or breeder whimsy. For Sassafras Gonnakikurass, it’s a playful hint at attitude—call her “Wrassy” for short.
These names ensure uniqueness in registries spanning over 100 years, but they’re also a breeder’s canvas. Meanwhile, “call names” like Wrassy, Neal, or Bourbon keep daily life simple.
The Art of Naming: Breeders Get Creative
Breeders don’t just slap names together—they craft stories. Here’s how some 2025 Westminster stars got theirs:
- Alphabetical Order: Handlers Rachel Adams and Alberto Montila name their miniature schnauzer litters sequentially—A, B, C—making it easy to track. Adams was spotted Monday blow-drying GCHG CH Elysium’s Adventurous Rapscallion D’Assisi, aka Finn, a French bulldog with flair.
- Puns and Themes: Amie McLaughlin of Kent, Washington, loves a good pun. Her Norwegian buhund, GCH CH Cloudpointe Nothing Betta Than This CGC (call name Eirik), hails from a fish-themed litter—“Betta” nods to the Southeast Asian fish. Eirik won best of breed Monday.
- Pop Culture Nods: Otterhound GCH CH Aberdeen’s Zoltar RN BN-V—just Zoltar—belongs to comedian Chris Hardwick and Lydia Hearst. Named after the fortune-telling machine in Big, it suits the 120-pound cuddlebug who “grew plenty big,” Hearst says.
Standout Stars and Their Stories
The 2025 show spotlighted dogs whose names tell tales:
- Sassy (GCHS Diva’s Sassafras Lass), a French bulldog co-bred and owned by Patricia Hearst Shaw, won her breed Monday. Famous for her family’s legacy in Frenchies, Shaw’s pick reflects sass and the Diva kennel.
- Graham (GCH CH Bugaboo’s Give Me S’more), an old English sheepdog, nabbed his breed win too. Handler Colton Johnson, who themes litters around songs or “fluffy things,” named him for s’mores’ graham crackers. A grandson of 2013 runner-up Swagger, Graham nearly made the herding group finals but lost to Mercedes.
- Mercedes (GCHP Kaleef’s Mercedes), the German shepherd, retires post-show. “I wanted something German and excellent,” says co-owner Cynthian Wilhelmy. “Classic, reliable—that’s Mercedes.”
Why These Names Matter
In the dog show world, a name is a brand. It celebrates achievements, honors lineage, and adds personality to the polished pups vying for glory. As Westminster’s judges call out mouthfuls like GCHG CH Calicops Sassafras Gonnakikurass, they’re not just announcing contenders—they’re sharing stories of dedication and creativity.
Optimized for You (and Google)
Next time you hear a Westminster dog’s name, don’t cringe at the complexity. From Wrassy to Mercedes, each title is a badge of honor, a breeder’s signature, and a glimpse into canine aristocracy. Want to learn more? Watch the finals Tuesday night—or dive into the quirky world of show dog names right here.
Source: USA.Today
