Robert on a pet is a declaration of intent. It is the most stubbornly formal English male name in common use, ranking in the US top 5 for most of the twentieth century, and giving it to a dog or cat creates an immediate comedic register: this animal has a 401(k) and files his own taxes. The joke is in the gap, and the gap is enormous.
Deadpan Human Names on Animals
There's a specific owner-type who names their pet Robert, Gerald, or Gregory: someone who finds maximum humor in minimum decoration. No descriptive nicknames, no nature references, just a name that belongs in a corporate directory applied to something that licks its own fur. The human name Robert derives from Germanic hrōd (fame) and beraht (bright) — meaning literally "bright fame" — which adds a layer of irony when attached to a beagle who ate your passport.
Bob as the Exit Ramp
Robert offers an automatic nickname in Bob, which substantially softens the formality while retaining the bit. A pet who is Robert on the vet forms but Bob at the park achieves the best of both registers. Labrador Retrievers carry Robert with particular commitment to the deadpan.
Counter-Reading: Explaining the Joke
Once guests meet Robert, you will explain the naming rationale many times. Owners who enjoy that conversation find it endlessly rewarding. Owners who tire of it after two weeks should reconsider. The name has no middle gear — it's fully committed to the bit from day one.