Published on 08 August 2025
Over 5,000 dogs registered for the 2025/26 year, and a familiar name at #1 (again)
Waitaki District Council would like to thank the owners of the 5,073* dogs who were registered in the District for the 2025/26.
Our register of dogs allows Council to put together a top 10 (and a lot, lot more) of the most pupular names in the District, both for this year and the last 15 years.
Rank
2025/26
Since 2011
1
Bella
2
Ruby
3
Meg
4
Poppy
Molly
5
Tess
6
Max
7
Jess
8
9
Daisy
Sam
10
Gus
Jack
It seems it’s a beautiful life, or a bella vita for the most popular dog name in the Waitaki District for the last fifteen years, with no change in the top three.
Dogs which were under 3 months old on 1 July 2025 can be registered once they are 3 months old.
Council encourages all dog owners to comply with the Dog Control Act 1996, and Council’s Dog By Law and Control Policy, by registering their dog.
This can be done by visiting this page, paying by Bank Transfer, or contacting Waitaki District Council: https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Services/Animal-Management/Dogs/Registering-your-dog
Photo: Comms Team honourary member, Bella. She's a good girl.
ENDS
*Number accurate as of Tuesday 5 August