120 cute and uncommon dog names you probably haven't heard of

So you've brought a little bundle of (doggy) joy home after endless nagging from the kids and now you're all wondering what to call this new addition.

Naturally, you turned to the oracle of knowledge: the internet, for the answer. Well done, you.

Like human names, pet names go in and out of fashion and so you won't hear any puppies down at the dog park named Rover, Spot or Fido anymore.

The good thing is unlike human babies, the naming options for fur babies are pretty much only limited to your vocabulary.

So if you want to call your pet pooch something a little left-of-field, here are the top 10 names you should avoid, according to Pet Insurance Australia.

"Take your time and choose a sensible name that is going to stand the test of time," says Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia.

"For dogs, it's a good idea to see how the name carries when called."

Pick something you and the kids can say easily and your dog can learn easily.

Experts suggest you stick to names with two syllable names such as Molly and Coco so your dog can differentiate between its name and a typical command (sit, stand, stay etc).

Remember you will have to call this name out across your yard, in public, where people can hear, so don't make it too ridiculous or embarrassing – for you and your dog's sake.

If you want to go unique then think of famous people you're a fan of, your fave shows or even use everyday items for inspo – hey, if Gwyneth can call her daughter Apple then you can call your dog Vino if you so choose.

There's no harm in waiting a while until your dog shows its true personality.

Australians love their pooches - we have one of the highest household rates of pet ownership in the world, at around 62%. And recent figures suggest around 3.6 million households have pet dogs.

Like us, dogs get sick or injured. And here's a word of warning - veterinary costs aren't cheap.

Pet insurance is becoming increasingly popular for pet owners. In Australia, how it works is you pay a premium to the pet insurance company of your choice and if your pet gets ill or hurt, the insurer, such as Woolworths Pet Insurance, will pay a percentage of your the vet bills.

As when buying any insurance policy, shop around and read the fine print - but a bonus from the Woolworths insurance is that policy holders get 10 per cent off their grocery bills once a month.