There are plenty of children’s programs out there these days. Some feature costumed characters and singing. Others are old favorites we grew up with, updated for a modern age. And then you have the animated programs. If you have children (or baby-sit children), you’ve probably seen ALL of them. Which means you’re familiar with PAW Patrol. This hit started on Nick Junior and quickly gained an excited following in the 3-5-year-old demographic. Heading into its ninth season, the cartoon hasn’t lost any momentum. So it comes as no surprise that PAW Patrol names are popping up all over the place. And if you include your kids in the naming of your new puppy, the show’s characters might serve as a positive influence. But do YOU know the show that well? If you don’t, rest easy. We’re going to get you up to speed.
PAW Patrol
PAW Patrol showed up in Canada in August 2013 on the channel TVOKids. The CGI-animated program came from the mind of Keith Chapman, who also developed Bob the Builder. Not long after the show won approval in Canada, Nickelodeon picked it up for their Nick Jr. channel. Since then, it’s appeared in over 160 countries!
Reviewers wrote favorably about the show. The characters problem-solved while engaging in child-safe action and spouting jokes children would find funny. Kids across the globe (including my niece and nephew) voted the show a top favorite. They recited every character’s name without a problem, rattling off catchphrases at the drop of a hat.
Unhappily, problems did show up. For one, the show is male-dominant. PAW Patrol didn’t add a second female pup until Season 2, perhaps in response to parental complaints and a Twitter campaign of “#IncludeTheGirls.” The cartoon has since added a third female to the team, but the numbers are still uneven.
The Pop Culture Influence
Despite the hiccups, PAW Patrol remains front and center – even outside of its young demographic. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admits that he and his children watch the show together, and he referenced the characters by name in a speech in 2017.
In 2018, Justin Timberlake appeared on The Tonight Show and stated Chase was his favorite PAW Patrol character (bringing a plush toy to the interview). Later that year, Jimmy Kimmel gave the pups a nod during the opening monologue at the Academy Awards, joking that Timothée Chalamet would have to miss an episode to attend the event.
And now there’s a movie slated for release. PAW Patrol fever remains strong, which means your kids will probably want to name the new addition to the family after one of the show’s characters. And if you haven’t been sitting down to watch episodes with them, you’ll have no idea where those name suggestions are coming from.
PAW Patrol Names
First, let me assure you that I understand. I’ve watched a single episode of PAW Patrol with my niece and nephew. That was more than enough for me. (Seriously, how do you get past the THEME SONG?!) After that experience, I did my best to convince them to watch something – ANYTHING – else. I couldn’t see the appeal. But I also don’t fall within the age group of 3-5. So maybe I’m missing a key component of the show. If nothing else, I CAN understand how an excited child would get PAW Patrol name inspiration from the show. There are different breeds with unique personalities and talents. And if you’re bringing home a specific pup to the family, they’re going to want to suggest that name, in particular.
But if you don’t watch the show, you won’t know where the idea came from. You don’t want to make the mistake of asking, “Why?” That’s not fair to your excited kid. So let’s explore the PAW Patrol names from the show, so you’re armed with all of the information you need. Then you can nod wisely when your little one suggests a name for the new pup joining the family. It’ll keep everyone smiling. And you might be surprised at their clever thought process!
PAW Patrol Names: Main Characters
Originally, the cast started with a team of six dogs. It’s grown since then as the adventures have branched out. Which is a good thing, as it gives you more breeds to consider in your puppy-choosing process. Of course, kids aren’t always worried about their dog matching up exactly. If their new puppy seems brave, loves water, acts clever, or simply matches their favorite character, that’s enough for them. It’ll open a conversation for you on why that PAW Patrol name is on the table. (Then you can pretend you’ve watched all those episodes you turned out)
- Chase: (German Shepherd) Chase works as a police, traffic, AND spy dog. He gets to drive around the traffic truck, help coordinate traffic problems, and take charge of the situation. Of course, he’s also allergic to cats and feathers, so that presents a challenge. And he’s afraid of the dentist. This is a great opportunity to start teaching canine dental health.
- Marshall: (Dalmatian) Marshall’s the fire, rescue, and EMT dog. He helps whenever there are flames, rescues people from high places, and uses an X-ray machine. There’s a distinct tendency to go overboard with his bandaging technique (kind of like a small child), but he means well. He also has the most fears of any of the team: flying, heights (ironic), snakes, bears, crocodiles, and bugs.
- Skye: (Cockapoo) Skye provides all of the aerial support for the team. She flies the team’s helicopter, monitoring situations from above. She was the first (and, for a while, ONLY) female pup on PAW Patrol. She’s afraid of eagles.
- Zuma: (Labrador Retriever) Named for Zuma Beach from Baywatch (a fact you WON’T find referenced in the show), Zuma loves water, of course, and handles the team’s aquatics. He pilots a hovercraft. He also speaks with a slight speech impediment, nodding to children who may suffer from similar problems. And he’s afraid of ghosts and crocodiles.
- Tracker: (Chihuahua) Tracker handles the jungle part of the team’s work. He uses his large ears to collect the smallest sounds (not QUITE a superpower, but it’s close). He drives around in a jeep, and he’s also bilingual, speaking English and Spanish (of course). And, in a parallel many kids understand, he’s afraid of the dark.
- Rocky: (Mixed Breed) Rocky is the ONLY mixed breed in the bunch, making him unique. He’s a whiz with recycling, using old pieces and parts to fix anything the team needs. He’s afraid of water, though, which can work to open some conversations about dogs and swimming.
- Rubble: (English Bulldog) Officially the youngest member of the PAW Patrol team, Rubble focus on construction. He has a bulldozer that comes equipped with different drills to allow him to get through various terrains. He’s also a rescue dog, which works well for opening discussions with kids. He’s afraid of spiders (who isn’t?), bats, and ghosts.
- Everest: (Siberian Husky) Everest handles the snow patrol section of the team. She drives a snowplow and keeps the mountain trails clear. She was also the second female to join the team. As yet, she hasn’t volunteered any fears. (Score one for the girls!)
- Tuck Tuck: (Golden Retriever) Okay, so the odds of finding a real Golden who can shrink at will isn’t likely. However, whenever Tuck shouts, “Mighty and small, I’ll give it my all!” he compacts down. Oddly enough, no fears have been reported for this team member yet.
- Ella: (Golden Retriever) The other half of the twin set (Wonder Twins, anyone?), Ella has the opposite powers of her brother, Tuck. Of course, her catchphrase is slightly different: “Time to think big!” (Or “It’s grow time!”) If you get a pair of dogs, these PAW Patrol names may work well.
- Rex: (Bernese Mountain Dog) Yes, there’s a Dino Land. Rex is special in that he uses a walker, allowing you to discuss dogs with special needs. He’s afraid of velociraptors (which seems reasonable for anyone who’s watched Jurassic Park).
- Wild Cat: Okay, so he’s not a dog. But when does that ever stop kids? Wild Cat is the first feline member of the PAW Patrol team. He has a mohawk, which, you have to admit, is pretty cool. But then he’s afraid of mice, which is kind of strange.
PAW Patrol Names: Other Characters
Maybe your children aren’t fans of the main team, though. It happens. Kids get attached to other characters, picking them out for PAW Patrol names when it’s time to name the new dog – or even the new kitten! There’s nothing wrong with letting your little one explore the reasoning behind their name choice. Who knows – they may have a good reason behind the decision. And since not all of these supporting roles appear in every episode, we’ll make sure we clue you in on who everyone is.
- Ryder: Despite only being 10-years-old, Ryder’s the leader on PAW Patrol. He hands out mission instructions, builds all of the equipment, and drives an ATV. (Maybe driving rules are different in Canada) He makes his home in the Lookout – arguably the best place in Adventure Bay.
- Katie: Ryder’s friend who runs the veterinary clinic.
- Jake: Everest’s “owner” who also runs the ski resort.
- Mayor Goodway: Self-explanatory, but she’s in charge of Adventure Bay (in theory).
- Chickaletta: Chiackaletta would be Mayor Goodway’s emotional support chicken.
- Cap’n Turbot: Adventure Bay’s resident Marine Biologist.
- Wally: The Cap’n’s pet walrus (Remember, it’s a cartoon).
- Francois: Cap’n Turbot’s French cousin.
- Farmers Al and Yumi: The local source of produce.
- Sid Swashbuckle: An evil pirate (of course).
- Arrby: Sid’s Dachshund companion.
- Sweetie: The villain, owned by Princess of Barkingburg.
- Robo-Dog: He’s not quite a member of the PAW Patrol team.
“Just Yelp for Help!”
PAW Patrol‘s designed to teach children about teamwork, problem-solving, and good citizenship. Ironically, those same lessons go into caring for a new puppy. Your child’s going to help you with training, feeding, and caring for the new four-legged member of the family. Sure, you’ll need to adjust how involved they may be depending on their age, but they’re still going to participate. So why not allow them to chip in on the naming process? You’ll help them feel responsible, and you’ll help forge that critical bond from the very beginning. And, really, they could have worse ideas than PAW Patrol names. (They could want to name the puppy after themselves – how confusing would that be?)
Whether you’re a fan of the show or not, most kids ARE. And with this handy primer, you’ll know who your kids are talking about when they offer their name suggestions. It’ll open a dialogue between you. It’s the perfect option – even if you never watch another episode.
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