A name on a collar made a dog identifiable
A collar was more than something to hold a leash: an inscription could attach a particular name to a particular animal. That turns a small object into evidence of how people related to dogs. Names such as “Good Herdsman” suggest a dog’s useful role, while “Grabber” points to a recognizable behavior. “Useless” is striking because it sounds less like praise than a dry verdict.
Names could describe, distinguish, or amuse
A name that sounded like a job description would have been easy to understand in daily life. It might identify what a dog did, or simply make the animal recognizable by a trait people noticed. The surviving names do not tell us exactly why each owner chose one, but their variety suggests that naming was not limited to solemn titles or affectionate compliments.
The English renderings also deserve a little caution: they are translations of ancient names, not necessarily exact matches for every shade of meaning in modern English. Even so, the bluntness survives. A name on a collar could preserve a practical label, a joke, or an owner’s candid opinion—so an ordinary piece of dog gear can reveal a surprisingly personal voice from the past.
