COLUMBUS – The most popular dog in Franklin County is a mixed-breed named Bella.
That is according to statistics released by county Auditor Michael Stinziano, whose office reports that the most popular dog name of 2023 remained Bella, followed by Lucy, Max, Daisy and Charlie.
And the most popular breeds are the mixed breed, Labrador retriever, pit bull, German shepherd and Golden Retriever.
There were four dogs named Swift, though Stinziano says that could be unrelated to the singer.
Candy was a popular theme with 132 dogs named Snickers and others answering to Skittles, Twix and Snickerdoodle (5).
Ohio State-inspired names continue to be common as well. There are 393 Brutuses, 220 Buckeyes, 196 Scarlets, 121 Scarletts and one C.J. Stroud.
The MLC Cup champions are honored by 15 dogs named Crew, Stinziano said.
The list has been released along with a reminder of the January 31 deadline for dog owners to get the pets licensed without penalty.
Licenses, which can be purchased or renewed online, ensure that if a dog is lost they are quickly returned to their owner and the fees support the Franklin County Dog Shelter, Stinziano said.