After training numerous pointers for field trialing I found that you need to name a dog with a one or twosylable name and something that he will not confuse with whoa or stop or go or fetch or any other command that you might give him.

A good choice is one that ends with a "eee" like Buddy. Don't do something like naming the son after the father when you will be hunting with both of them at the same time.

But on the other hand, when in the field I very seldom call him by name. Just commands and the whistle. He will learn your voice and the tone of your voice and react to that. The name probably is more important when you are feeding him and the rest of your dogs. They like their name then.