Think about how often you see and hear dog names like Rover, Spot, Spike, or Fido used in a context where it’s implied these names are so common, quintessential, or stereotypical they’re considered almost cliché.
When was the last time (outside of a Warner Bros. cartoon) you actually encountered a dog named Rover or Fido? I don’t think I ever have. How about you?
When I was a teen-ager, we had a dog named Spike. A very friendly gentle shepard.
I have never met a Rover or a Fido.
The Spot I met was a cat.
One dog named Dot - dalmatian of course.
I’ve met one dog, two cats, and one man called Spike.
We had a “Bowser” once.
My father was a small animal veterinarian for forty years, and never encountered a dog named either Rover or Fido.
Regards,
Shodan
I used to have a dog named Spot.
We had two “Buds” - three, sort of. Two black labs when I was a kid, and a temporary Golden my mother had for two years. I had a gray and white shorthair who absolutely insisted her name was Miaow-Miaow.
We tend to be inventive with pet names. I just has the pleasure of naming a new puppy and reached back 4700 years for a name.
I believe that. On further reflection, I’m not sure I should have included ‘Spot’ in this pantheon. I forgot about the Spot that was in our dog’s obedience class.
When I was a teen, we had a poodle, and we talked about naming her Phideau, but we didn’t.
I had a cat named Fido.
And come to think of it, a professor named Bowser.
I spilled some spot remover on my dog, and now he’s gone.
There is a theory that the name of the dog guarding Hades, Cerberus, is derived from Kerberos, meaning “spotted”.
Yes, Hades’ three-headed monster dog is named “Spot”.
My aunt has had dogs named Bowser and Spike. What’s the deal with Bowser? Why is it a common dog name? For me, that’s a Super Mario Bros. name!
We had a golden retriever named Goldy.
I’ve known a lot of dogs through doggy school and daycare. Never run in to a Rover, Spot or Fido.
Abraham Lincoln’s dog was named Fido. I don’t know he was following a cliché, or if it became a cliché because of him.
I met a guy who named his dog Deeohgee (pronounced D.O.G). Heh, whatever.
Then a few months later I met another guy with a dog with the same name. No relation to guy #1.
Never met a Spot, Fido, Rover, not even a Snoopy, surprisingly.
Three of ours have human names. Some people find that wrong.
Toby, Gus, Sophie.
And Shado. He came with a trailing W, but we prefer it this way.
I have heard of people using “traditional” dog names to be cute. It was a Hollywood meme for awhile (for example, the dog in “Fun With Dick and Jane” was named Spot and there was also a 2001 movie called “See Spot Run”).
[QUOTE=Just Asking Questions]
Three of ours have human names. Some people find that wrong.
[/QUOTE]
Not by me. Our dog names have included Sally, Portia, Bessie and now Patience.
Not to mention the inimitable Bubba.
I submit for consideration “Rex” and “Lassie”. Anyone ever had/met either of those?
[QUOTE=Jackmannii;19442269Our dog names have included …Portia, Bessie and now Patience.[/QUOTE]
I thought you said they had people names? 
Our dog’s name is Tia Maria (usually just Tia). Our Spanish exchange student was very confused why we would name a pet a name that to him was effectively “Aunt Mary”. We had to explain the liqueur’s name and origin.
All of my dogs have had human names. Gus, Mandy, Brandon, Whitney, and my current dog, Brewster.