‘Bella’ leader of the pack

Ron and Marion with Bella, who shares her name with another 521 dogs in Christchurch. PHOTO: NEWSLINE

If you’re a Christchurch resident with a pup named Bella, you’re certainly not alone.

There are 522 dogs named Bella registered in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, making it the most popular dog name in the region.

Marion and Ron adopted their Bella, a 5-year-old heading/collie mix, in April last year.

“We’d been wanting a dog for quite a while, but wasn’t sure how to go about it,” said Marion.

“Back in our day there were animals and livestock advertised at the back of the newspaper, but everything’s online now and we don’t know how to work it so we wondered how we could adopt a dog.”

Photo: Newsline

Marion and Ron made their way to Christchurch’s Animal Shelter and met with the team, and then met a pup named Bella.

“We wandered down the kennels and lots of the bigger dogs were barking, but Bella came straight to the gate, wagging her tail,” said Marion.

“She loves kids and has an awesome nature. She’s always on bird patrol and runs up and down the section on the fence line to chase away the birds – she’s far too slow to catch any though.”

Another Bella was adopted from the shelter in May by residents Courtney and Jotham.

Bella the huntaway/golden retriever. Photo: Supplied

The pair says while they briefly considered renaming the huntaway/golden retriever since it’s such a common name, Bella was there to stay.

“We were so happy to be able to adopt her,” said Courtney. “She is the cuddliest dog and loves nothing more than hopping into bed with us in the morning or night.”

The second-most popular dog name in Christchurch is Charlie (465).

Some dog owners took naming inspiration from their favourite All Black, well-known rockstars or fictional characters.

There are three Richie McPaw’s (and one Richie McCaw), four Sonny Bill’s and an Israel Dogg living in Christchurch. Yet while there’s five Jordie’s, two Beauden’s and two Scott’s, there’s unfortunately no Barrett’s.

You might come across an Indiana Bones, a Tommy Shelby, John Snow, Xena Princess Warrior or Obi Wan Kenobi at your local dog park.

You may even hear a call for a Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder or Bob Marley.