Hurray! We, too, are considering adopting another doggo before we begin TTC our second kiddo.
My sister (used my #1 girls’ name and) called her solid black GSP [name_f]Olive[/name_f]. I’m obviously biased but I think that’s a great short, sweet, spunky option.
Friends named their rescue mutt who looks and acts part-GSP (so speckled, so high-energy) [name_f]Hazel[/name_f].
I also like [name_f]Betty[/name_f]/[name_f]Bessie[/name_f], [name_f]Franny[/name_f], [name_f]Marla[/name_f], [name_f]Joanie[/name_f]/[name_f]Joni[/name_f], [name_f]Tess[/name_f], [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], and [name_f]Anita[/name_f].
Not gonna lie, most of these names are crossovers from my list for my future goat herd. Goats are every bit as a spunky and energetic as pups, ha.
This is the very gentlest word of caution: if you have any doubts at all about your ability to give a young dog the training, exercise, and other attention s/he will need when you have a new little one in your family too, it’s worth waiting. In the weeks after our son was born, our six-year-old American bulldog was diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma in her neck, and we began treatment, but it was not enough, and we had to put her down shortly after our baby’s 2-month birthday. We were so overwhelmed adjusting to new parenthood and caring for, and then grieving one ailing dog, that our younger dog got the short end of the stick. He still does, to be totally honest: we used to hike or run with him an average of an hour and a half each day, but we have to work hard to get out for even a quick walk in the morning and the evening now. He’s also pretty lonesome without a dog buddy at home, which I think is made worse by the fact that my LO takes up a lot more of my attention. He started having behavioral issues because he was so lonely, bored, and wound-up. Things are getting better now that we’re taking him to training and making sure to get him out more (and setting up dog play-dates) but adding a baby is a massive adjustment for all human and animal family members. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do it (that would be a tad hypocritical, eh?), but I am saying a high-energy dog can’t very well burn off that energy by herself when you’re stuck under a newborn who just wants to nurse 'round the clock for the first three months!