> If you're really keen on

having the name, why don't you just apply
anyway.

I've just taken the plunge and applied. Fingers crossed....

Oh good on you MsT - I have my fingers crossed for you too :)

> Oh good on you MsT - I have my fingers crossed for you too :-)

The good news is - they are processing kennel name applications very fast. Their response came today.
The bad news is, they say the name is already registered.

This is despite me using the Name Checker, which does tend to flag up kennel names - obviously this is not a reliable way to check, as it didn't bring this one up at all. There's a lesson for all of us!

I might call them to discuss, but in the meantime I am back to the drawing board and I am stumped. I would have liked to make this word my own, even though I have no plans for breeding [but could have added it to my dogs' names] so perhaps I will apply for a refund and just wait for inspiration.

How disappointing for you.

Can you alter the spelling somehow?

I've heard they sometimes accept the alteration.

Also for your next application I understand one of their checks is on Companies House.

Chatsworth is right, a minor adjustment may be all that's needed. I spent months trying to come up with a name that says something about this area--we live next to the moors, and there is a type of building characteristic of this area--so I went for Moorlaith. I was told on the phone it was fine, so I felt pretty down in the dumps when the email came through to say I couldn't have it (AND they had misspelt it as "Moolaith" so I would have been very annoyed if they'd approved it!).

Just to rub salt in it, the email came through on a Friday afternoon, so there was no one to speak to till Monday. Needless to say I was unable to concentrate on a thing all weekend so I went hell for leather at trying to reinvent a new name. By Monday I had four choices and sent them off. When I rang again on the Wednesday (patience running out) I was told they would approve Laithmoor, the first alternative on my list. They never checked any of the other three.

> Also for your next application I understand one of their checks is on Companies House.

This is the odd thing - the word did not come up at all on KC puppy name-check as a kennel name, but does seem to be registered at Companies House. I thought I'd have a try anyway... And they tell me it's already a registered kennel name.

I've emailed them back suggesting alternate spellings but I'm not so happy as it's not as phonetic (if you get my drift). I'm dithering... if I can't get exactly what I wanted, I want to think of something else entirely different. Hopefully my suggestions of alternate spellings by return email aren't going to be binding even if they say they are permissible.