PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYIf you yell the name "Bella" out at a Dunedin dog park, expect a swarm of labrador retrievers to answer the call. As 2025 wraps up, the Dunedin City Council has released what names the city’s residents are dishing out to man’s best friends. A council spokeswoman said the name Bella came in at No1, with 192 dogs in the city claiming the name. Bella is a long-standing favourite for dog owners and has taken the top spot multiple times over the past eight years. Their highlight however, was holding 105 dog safety sessions in Dunedin schools and kindergartens — up from 96 sessions in 2024.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 28, 2025 17:02 UTC