What should Putin name his puppy?
The Russian strongman has enlisted the public's help to christen his pooch, and the possibilities are endless
![Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gets in touch with his softer side during a quiet moment with his new Bulgarian Shepherd puppy.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zDijbRbspfqMmCbjqdTAd9-415-80.jpg)
When Vladimir Putin secured an oil pipeline deal with Bulgaria last week, that country's head of state gave the Russian Prime Minister a Bulgarian shepherd puppy as a token of thanks. The only problem: Putin doesn't know what to name his new pet. The 3-month-old pup was dubbed "Yorgo" by its Bulgarian handlers, but Putin wants to Russianize the name — so he's turned to the internet for help, inviting the Russian public to come up with suggestions. Putin says he'll scrutinize each entry before he picks the winner next week. (See Putin and the dog.) Ever helpful, online commentators have already offered advice:
Let's Americanize it
Crowdsourcing the dog's name "makes Russian citizens feel like they actually have some kind of tangible freedom," says the Holy Taco blog. With that in mind, how about "Capitalist Dog?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Monty?
"Obviously, 'Puprestroika'" would have some resonance, says Max Read at Gawker, "but we also think 'Monty' is a great name for a dog, frankly, even if it has nothing to do with Russia."
An obvious choice?
There are plenty of good options, says Foster Kamer at The Village Voice. How about Clifford the Big Red Dog?
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Yukos rolls off the tongue
The Moscow Times says that many bloggers were suggesting the name Yukos — a "reference to the oil giant that was bankrupted by the state in a tax case widely seen as Putin-orchestrated punishment." How sweet.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
How can we fix tourism?
Today's Big Question Local protests over negative impact of ever-rising visitor numbers could change how we travel forever
By The Week UK Published
-
Simone Biles: Rising – an 'elegantly paced and vulnerable' portrait of the gymnast
The Week Recommends Netflix's four-part documentary is more than a 'riveting comeback story'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Paloma recipe: the cocktail of the summer
The Week Recommends This refreshing drink balances the fresh and fizzy taste of grapefruit soda with a subtle flavour of smooth tequila
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published