2024 was a big year for our nation’s dogs, and what their owners did set the stage for what 2025 holds. Another lap around the sun means another batch of exciting new trends for the future of dogs, but what exactly?
It was also a big year for Zigzag, the number one puppy training app, who recorded almost a quarter of a million new users signing up last year alone! The app has been a game changer for puppy parents around the country, and we are super excited to share what they’ve put together for you, but first here’s what their Co-Founder Patrick Luke had to say about why you should be using Zigzag:
“With our app, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of success with your dog. From essential life skills that prevent behavioral issues to the peace of mind of 24/7 coaching support, we’re here to guide new pet parents through the challenges of puppyhood and beyond.”
With that in mind, Zigzag has dug up some interesting and telling themes of puppy and owner behaviour. From the favourite breeds and names to training trends and pop culture – 2025 will surely shake things up!
So let’s get stuck into what 2025 has in store for our nation’s dogs!
Breeds and Names: What’s in, what’s out?
Puppy names of 2024
Picking a puppy’s name is something deeply special to all pooch parents, and it turns out people really did have favourites when it came to these! Zigzag has done the digging, instead of the dogs for a change, to reveal from their user insights: the Top Zigzag Puppy Names of 2024! With over 10,000 unique puppy names shared in 2024 via their app, Zigzag has zoomed in on the top 30 most popular for a deep dive: Of this sample, Here’s the list everyone’s been waiting for.
The weird and wonderful names of 2024
These names are popular for a reason, they’re great! However, there were plenty of unique pawrents onboarding last year as the only pup with one of these weird and wonderful names of 2024 that Zigzag loved on their program above too!
It looks like ‘Pupular’ Culture really rubbed off on dog owners, particularly with last year’s hits such as House of the Dragon, Star Wars: Tales of the Empire, or should we say tails in your case, and old school classics like Scooby Doo. However, we’ve got a lot more on that later, so sit tight!
What names do we predict to see in 2025?
That’s all for last year, however towards the end of 2024 and jumping into 2025 they did see some shifts in popularity for certain names, with new names on the rise – could these be puppy names to watch out for in 2025?
Barney and Rocky were new kids on the block, with both names breaking through into the top 30. As well as this, Zigzag saw names like Max and Nala rising 5 and 4 places respectively. Oh, and one for all you Marvel fans – Loki is on the up, breaching the top 20 for popular names for the first time.
So, look out for these names in the New Year, because we think you’ll be seeing a lot more of them!
Brilliant Breeds
Dog breeds come in all different shapes and sizes, with each one being as fabulous as the next! There were over 300 breeds registered on the Zigzag app last year, but these were the household favourites amongst puppy parents, along with how their popularity shifted over the last year.
Let’s also give a shoutout to some of the weird and wonderfully niche breeds that they saw using their app last year, with 60 unique breeds being onboarded in 2024! Whether they’re breeds from around the world or dogs that sound like Pokémon, Zigzag has put together some of their favourites for you.
What breeds do we expect to see in 2025?
Now onto the good stuff, what breeds are we going to see ruling the roost in 2025? Well, they’ve put paw to paper and done the research and the results are in!
Sorry to break it to you, but if you’re a Maltipoo lover, it looks like they’re on the way out for 2025, with Goldendoodles, Pugs, and German Shepherds on the up towards the end of last year, so if you’ve got one of these breeds you better get that training started. We can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for these breeds!
Training Trends: What our dog owners loved vs what they could do better last year
Now this wouldn’t be a Zigzag article without talking about training – I don’t know if you know but it’s kind of their thing!
So, Zigzag has delved into the stats and pieced together exactly what pet owners were smashing and what they might need a little bit of practice with this year training-wise.
Hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was the perfect puppy; but you’ll get pretty close with Zigzag’s help!
Most popular lessons of 2024
Pet owners couldn’t get enough of these lessons, with the highest completion and star ratings being awarded to these top ten lessons, keep doing what you’re doing pawrents!
Training challenges pawrents faced
Now for the dreaded lessons, that pet parents struggled with. Last year these lessons may have thrown a curve ball their way, but Zigzag was on hand to help.
Let’s hope that by putting this forward they can help the dog community realise that they are not alone. Puppy training can be very tough, and finding challenges along the way is just part of the process.
So let’s keep that in mind, and in the words of Bear Grylls, Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome in 2025!
Puppy training goals for 2025
As we look ahead to 2025, let’s embrace the journey of puppy training with renewed enthusiasm and patience. Every wagging tail, curious sniff, and happy bark is a reminder that progress is happening, even when the lessons feel challenging. Celebrate the small wins—whether that’s mastering “Drop it” or finally enjoying a peaceful “Day out!”—and view the trickier moments as opportunities to grow together.
This year, dog parents’ resolutions will be about persistence, positivity, and partnership. Whether it’s perfecting “Heel” and “sit” or tackling reactivity on walks, remember: every puppy and pawrent is unique, and every step, no matter how small, is a step toward success. Together, you will face the highs and lows, creating stronger bonds and happier lives for you and your furry companions.
Here’s to a year of learning, growing, and wagging into 2025!
‘Pupular’ Culture: predictions for 2025!
Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for, ‘Pupular Culture!’ Last year it was all about Brat Girl Summer, Euro 2024, The Eras Tour, Baby Reindeer, Deadpool, and Wolverine – need I go on?
However, it’s out with the old and in with the new. Pop Culture moves fast, just like puppies when they see a cat. So with that in mind hopefully you don’t get left behind with these funky predictions for what Zigzag thinks is going to rock puppy names in 2025!
Film and TV puppy prediction trends
We all love a good bit of TV. Whether you’re binging a series with your pup asleep on your lap, or off to the cinema for a few hours and praying they don’t rip up your house whilst you’re out – there’s nothing like it!
We are in line for a lot of exciting releases this year, which will no doubt result in a lot of fun new puppy names. Here’s what Zigzag believes you’ll be seeing a lot more of in 2025:
- Wicked vs. Gladiator 2 (November 2024) – Could we see a rise in Elphaba and Glinda as popular puppy names, along with a surge in Cairn Terrier popularity (just like Toto from The Wizard of Oz)? And let’s not forget Gladiator 2—everyone loved Dundas the Monkey!
- Superman: Legacy (July 2025) – With the return of the Man of Steel, we might see Clark trending as a popular pup name.
- Snow White (2024) – Will Dopey, Bashful, Sneezy, or even Grumpy become new favorite pet names? Take your pick!
- New SpongeBob Movie (December 2025) – Expect to see some Patricks, Sandys, or even Planktons popping up. (Mr. Krabs, though? Maybe not!)
Sporting events that will have you fetching up some new ideas!
Dogs love chasing a ball, we love watching a bunch of athletic people run around after one, are we so different after all? Sport is the beating heart of society, and this year Zigzag has put together some awesome events that are going to be super influential on those puppy names.
Take a look at some of our predictions here:
- 2024 was a huge year for sport, with names like Jude, Saka, Lola, and Toby soaring in popularity, thanks to the Euros and the Olympics hype.
- Euro 2025 – Could we see a rise in Lionesses-inspired names like Leah (Williamson) and Russo (Alessia Russo)?
- African Cup of Nations – Football fans might take inspiration from stars like Mo (Salah) and Sadio (Mané).
- The Ashes – Cricket enthusiasts could turn to Ben (Stokes) or Oli (Pope) for their pup’s name.
- Lions Tour 2025 – Rugby-inspired names such as Maro (Itoje), Finn (Russell), and Marcus (Smith) might be the ones to watch.
Pup Stars: Will This Year’s Music Shape Puppy Names?
Your pups may love rockin’ out to some classical music to distract them from fireworks, but last year it was all about Charli XCX and Taylor Swift for us humans.
What does 2025 have in store for dogs though? Well, a lot quite frankly, these artists will be having a big influence on puppy names this year!
Last year was all about Charli and Taylor, but 2025’s music scene is set to be even bigger!
- Oasis Reunion – Could we see a surge in pups named Liam and Noel? Or maybe even Bonehead – see what we did there?
- Lana Del Rey Tour – Dreamy names like Lana might trend.
- Sam Fender – A top pick for indie lovers!
- Tyler, The Creator – Edgy and unique, just like his music.
- Sabrina Carpenter – A pop sensation inspiring a new wave of pup names.
Which artist would your puppy be named after? 🎶🐶
A Year Full of Wagging Tails Awaits!
2025 promises exciting trends, new challenges, and countless joyful moments for pups. From mastering training goals to embracing pop culture-inspired names, there’s so much to explore and enjoy.
Here’s to making this year the best yet for those furry friends—one wagging tail at a time!
