Southern Charm’s Shep Rose Named His Puppy Craig — and the Internet Has Feelings

By now, we’re sure you’ve seen the cuteness that is Shep Rose’s French Bulldog, Craig. And even if you haven’t, you're probably wondering why the Southern Charm bachelor’s dog and his pal Craig (Conover) share a name.

When Shep introduced the pup on Instagram, the post got over 55,000 likes and TONS of comments about his namesake status, with some people finding the name super sweet, while others found it very odd, or even offensive.

Is this really that unusual?

So many people get name-inspired by famous people, from late singers (Elvis) to living royalty (Prince Harry aka Puffy), while others choose a favorite TV persona for a pooch (like Charlotte York).

In fact, a 2019 survey by Rover.com found 33 percent of people have named their pet after a character from a TV show, video game, movie, or book, and 12 percent have named their dog after a famous or historical person... so the Wachas of the world are in good company.

The issue arises when considering the motivation behind naming an animal for a living human you actually know IRL — and the fact that there could be some confusion if someone blurts out, "Goddamnit, Craig" — like Shep does in the Southern Charm After Show clip above — when both human Craig and lil' Craig are present.

You should never name a dog after a person if it's done to spite or insult them. Shep admitted that it “just felt natural for me to yell the word Craig across my house and lawn” and Craig later confessed (with a smile) that it “gets confusing" so it seems these two are finding the humor in the situation.

Plus, Shep is not alone, as the same Rover.com survey found 10 percent of people asked have named their furry friend after someone they know.

Usually, when someone names an animal after a person (or adjective), it’s because either something about the pet’s looks or attitude reminds them of that word or person. I, for one, have no room to speak as I named my first dog “Joey” after a boy I had a crush on in preschool but would feel much like Dorinda famously did here if someone named their pet after me as an adult... and Naomie Olindo clearly agrees.

The study also offered other interesting results that apply here:

• Three out of four pet parents picked their dog’s name after meeting it so they could find one to fit their dog’s personality.
  • Shep did say yelling 'Craig!' felt natural.
• More than a third of pet parents have met a dog who shares their human name, and 12 percent have had it happen to them multiple times.
  • Well, there is also Craig, Chelsea's chicken so... check.
• Men and women are equally likely to meet a dog who shares their name.
  • Sorry, Naomie.
• People with toy-sized dogs are most likely to name their dogs after someone they know.
  • French Bulldogs aren’t quite teeny tiny toy-sized, but they’re still small dogs.
• Millennial pet parents are more likely to meet a dog who shares their name.
  • And Craig is a millennial, after all.

If you’re thinking about naming a pet after your friend or relative (who you’d like to continue to have a relationship with), consider running the name by them first. Shep commented on his same Instagram post showing off lil' Craig to say, “Craig the person loves it,” so it seems clear Craig is onboard. And who are any of us to judge Shep and Craig for their choices?

We will, however, end with two suggestions for the Southern Charm crew: How about Craig’s next sewing project is a custom doggy pillow bed for this very good boy? Or, at the very least, maybe Patricia will make Craig and Shep pajamas with Craig the dog's face on them?