Achilles

Achilles is a name from Greek mythology — the greatest warrior of the Trojan War, son of the mortal Peleus and the sea nymph Thetis. His name's etymology is uncertain, but may derive from achos (grief) and laos (people), meaning one who causes grief to the people. He is famous for his near-invulnerability and his single fatal weakness: his heel.

Achilles is a name for the dog who seems utterly invincible — fast, strong, fearless — until he dramatically injures a paw and requires three weeks of coddling and special treatment. The irony is part of the charm. More seriously, Achilles is an exceptional name for athletic, powerful breeds: Greyhounds, Dobermans, Pit Bulls, or any dog built for speed and power. It has genuine mythological weight and sounds extraordinary when said with appropriate gravity at the dog park.