Introduction
When it comes to similarities between dogs and humans, few activities overlap as much as a love for running — at least for active humans and non-brachycephalic breeds. In reality, it’s one of the purest activities you can enjoy with your dog and weather-permitting, can be done just about anywhere, also making it one of the best ways to get exercise together. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that as a sport, it’s littered with iconic names like Usain Bolt, Jesse Owens and Emil Zatopek, all of which make for the perfect fodder for honing your favorites and naming your run-loving dog simultaneously.
Running Inspired Dog Names in Pop Culture
In the grand scheme of dog names, Bandit is easily one of the most popular of all-time, next to the likes of Spot, Buddy, and Fido and for good reason. Dogs are often as mischievous as bandits, known to steal food, socks, toys, and plenty of other items around the house. The name works just as well in the running world, as they are certainly the stray runners many people encounter after finding them chasing bikes, cars, rabbits, and various other fast-moving objects.
But while the name itself has a bit of a negative connotation in terms of its actual meaning, many famous dogs throughout history have been quite the opposite: heroes of a rare type and quality. If you need any further examples, feel free to search for Bandit the Rescue Dog or Bandit the Therapy Dog.
While there may have been earlier instances in pop culture, few were as well-known and popular as Bandit, the Bulldog Pug sidekick of the Quest family from both Johnny Quest and Johnny Quest: The Real Adventures, the prior hitting the TV screens of American families in 1964.
In contrast to many of Hannah-Barbera’s other dogs of the time, Bandit was one of very few who was not anthropomorphic, instead taking on the regular shape, size, and proportions of the breed he was supposed to be: a Bulldog, even though he appears to be mixed with something else given his overall look, ability, and demeanor. But like most of his cartoon companions, he was still able to understand English incredibly well and was also known to use complex facial expressions to convey his state of being. He was originally voiced by Don Messick, although the audio production team supposedly mixed in actual dog barks for the sake of realism.
Even though Bandit was a far cry from his walking-talking cartoon counterparts, he shared many of their characteristics, especially that of Scooby Doo, in that although he often positioned himself as a brave soul around his friends and family, he was a bit of a coward when it came to the most intense situations, not unlike that of a real dog, who may not be able to handle the real rigors of a crime-fighting group. And yet, his quick-turn reservations never quite seem to stop him from helping Jonny, Haji, Dr. Quest and Race foil the plans of their foes, often being a pivotal member of the team.
In turn, even when the show got extra intense, Bandit also carried the role of comic relief, a familiar duality to many dog owners that helped to round out his personality, leaving him to be as entertaining as to many as their own dogs prove to be.
Running Inspired Dog Name Considerations
There are numerous ways you can go about finding a suitable running inspired name for your dog. We suggest making a list of your dog’s most notable traits, whether physical or in terms of their personality, as these are usually the best shortcuts to finding a clever and meaningful name.
For instance, if your dog is a specific breed type, you can always match them up with a suitable runner with the same origin, such as giving your Basenji or Sloughi the name of an Ethiopian or Kenyan runner like Kipsang or Mutai. If they are more inclined to run or play with quick bursts of speed, consider a short distance runner like Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay or Asafa Powell. If they’re your partner in long-distance running, maybe Deena Kastor or Paula Radcliffe would be more suitable as points of inspiration or namesakes.
If you don’t have any particular favorite runner or maybe just find a generic runner’s name more appealing, try to match them up with a more universal term name, such as Dash, Rush, Glide or Pacer, based on their personality, tendencies, or behavior.
There’s no limit to how you come up with your dog name, but chances are you’ll know it when you come across it. It may be quick or may take some time, so remember, this is one of few instances where the process can be a sprint or a marathon.
Male Running Inspired Dog Names
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Zatopek
After Czech runner Emil Zatopek, mid-20th century legend
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Radcliffe
After Paula Radcliffe, an esteemed and record-holding marathoner
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Benoit
After Joan Benoit Samuelson, one of America's greatest marathon runners
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Samuelson
After Joan Benoit Samuelson, James E. Sullivan award-winner
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Hicham
After Hicham El Guerrouj, one of history's best middle distance runners
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Guerrouj
After Hicham El Garrouj, a record holding Moroccan runner
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Usain
After Usain Bolt, known as the fastest man in history
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Bolt
After Usain Bolt, Olympic gold medalist and record holder
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Kipsang
After Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich, world record-holding Kenyan marathoner
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Salazar
After Alberto Salazar, who won the New York Marathon three years in a row
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Lewis
After Carl Lewis, 10 world championship medals and 10 Olympic medals
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Saiid
After Saiid Aouita, one of the most versatile running record holders in history
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Khalid
After Khalid Khannouchi, a marathon world record holder
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Owens
After Jesse Owens, a record-setting runner and strong equal rights supporter
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Bannister
After American Roger Bannister, who ran the first track mile in under 4 minutes
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Linford
After Linford Christie, the most successful male runner in British history
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Jurek
After Scott Jurek, who held significant streaks and records in the sport
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Tyson
After Tyson Gay, the next fastest short distance runner to Usain Bolt
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Rush
To hurry or do things quickly
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Dart
To spring forward swiftly
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Dash
A fast but short sprint
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Jogger
One who jogs
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Sprint
A fast-paced short distance run
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Marathon
A 26 mile foot race
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Track
The platform/venue for foot races
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Bandit
One who runs without registering for a race
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Streaker
A runner who has a streak of consecutive wins
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Tempo
The paced rhythm of a runner
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Trail
Off-road running not done on a traditional track
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Runner
One who runs
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Female Running Inspired Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
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Haile
After Haile Gebrselassie, Olympic gold medalist and world record setting runner
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Emil
After Emil Zatopek, widely considered to be the best runner in the world
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Meb
After Meb Keflezighi, numerous title-holding US marathon runner
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Kiprotich
After Kenyan-born Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich and Olympic medalist
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Florence
After Florence Griffith-Joyner, AKA "Flo Jo"
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Joyner
After Florence Griffith-Joyner, known as the fastest woman in history
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Deena
After Deena Kastor, national title holder and Olympic medalist
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Kastor
Deena Kastor, esteemed Olympian
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Mutai
After Geoffrey Mutai, the Kenyan who ran the fastest marathon in history
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Ndereba
After Catherine Ndereba, one of the best and most accomplished female marathoners
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Kenenisa
After Kenenisa Bekele, world record holding runner
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Bekele
After Kenenisa Bekele, one of, if not the, the most decorated cross country runner
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Paavo
After Paavo Nurmi, who won an insane 453 career races
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Nurmi
After Paavo Nurmi, the most decorated distance runner ever
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Tergat
After Paul Tergat, a highly-successful Kenyan runner and Olympic medalist
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Prefontaine
After Steve Prefontaine, who set American records in 7 events before dying in a car accident
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Abebe
After Abebe Bikila, a gold-medalist runner
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Bikila
After Ethiopian Abebe Bikila, who is known for winning medals without shoes
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Switzer
After Katherine Switzer, the first woman to compete in the Boston Marathon
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Coe
After Sebastian Coe, who dominated numerous events in the late 70s and early 80s
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Karnazes
After Dean Karnazes, one of the world's best ultra marathoners
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Asafa
After Asafa Powell, who set numerous records in short distance
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Farah
After Mo Farah, one of only seven to score under 3:30 in the 1500 meter
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Racer
One who races
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Pacer
A standard setter
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Glide
To move smoothly with little effort
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Swift
Smooth, largely effortless movement
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Bib
The sign that displays the runner's racer number
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Rice
After RICE, rest, ice, compression, elevation, the key to healing running-related injuries
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Stride
The distance between steps
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