Large Dogs – With Human Names – Popular in Commack

A review of Commack-Smithtown's dog licensing records show that residents have continued to license dogs at an increasing rate, choose more "human" sounding names and continue to pick larger breeds.

According to the Director of Communications for the New York state Department of Agriculture and Markets, Jessica Ziehm, dog licensing from 2008 to the present has gone up.

"The number of dog licenses recorded for (Commack) zip code 11725 was 353 last year, up from 311 in the year 2008, and we track all breed and name information provided by owners on the license application," said Ziehm.

According to staff at Smithtown Town Clerk Vincent Puleo's office, The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets requires that all dogs four months of age or older be licensed.

Owners must show proof of their pet's rabies vaccine together with spaying or neutering certificates.

The fee for an unaltered pet is $13.00.For a spayed or neutered pet it is $5.00. An unaltered puppy (under four months of age) may be licensed for a fee of $10.00.

Names, according to the same records, have changed as well. Residents in Commack-Smithtown have chosen these names in their top ten: Max, Bella, Casey, Ruby, Bailey, Chloe, Crystal, Harley, Maggie and Murphy.

"I think the name choices show people are thinking differently about their pets than they used to," said longtime Commack resident Peter Ceglio.

"Dogs that were once chained in the yard and living in a doghouse are now part of the family. I think the shift to more human-sounding names reflects that change in mindset," he said.

The state records also show that Commack–Smithtown residents aren't drawn to smaller breeds, instead opting for more traditional larger ones, according to the top ten breeds listed on applications.

The top ten breeds are: Other Mixed Breed, Labrador Mix, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Shepherd Mix, Beagle, Other Pure Bred, Poodle and Boxer.

Those numbers don't surprise resident Terri Heubner.

"The perception with those smaller breeds is that some owners treat them like they're little trophies or novelty items," she said. "I just don't think that's what most Commack residents are like – we're more down-to-earth."

Call 631-360-7620 for further information or Download a Dog License Application Form. For help finding a dog (or cat) go to the Smithtown Animal Shelter & Adoption Center.

Interested in learning more "Did You Know" facts about Commack? Tell us what fact you'd like to know – by emailing victoria@patch.com – and we'll get to the bottom of it!