Richard shows up 61 times in the male-leaning pet registry at rank 1682. It's a three-syllable Germanic name — from ric (power) + hard (strong, hardy) — and it is also the most thoroughly middle-of-the-century American name in this batch. On a dog, Richard reads as either a deeply personal tribute or a deadpan comedic choice, with very little middle ground.
The Registry Artifact Question
At this tier of the registry, Richard is likely a mix of genuine tribute names (dogs named after Richards in the family) and licensing artifacts — owners who wrote their dog's full formal name on the form when they usually say "Rich" or "Richie" at the park. The full form Richard on a dog registration is a slightly formal choice that registry data alone can't fully interpret. Charlie and Buddy are the human-name-turned-pet-name choices that feel most natural in pet contexts by comparison.
Famous Richards and Cultural Weight
Richard carries a roster of famous bearers: Richard Nixon, Richard Pryor, Richard Branson, three English kings named Richard (including Coeur de Lion). On a dog, invoking any of these associations is likely ironic, which is a viable naming strategy. The nickname Rich is punchy and works well as a call name; Richie reads warmer. Golden Retrievers named Richard are often called Richie by everyone within a week.
The Counter-Read
Richard is a genuinely uncommon pet name that will reliably prompt a double-take. Whether that's worth it depends entirely on the owner's relationship to formality and irony — and their willingness to explain themselves at least occasionally.