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A Plus Pet Goods - Glossary of dog terms Category: Animals and Nature > Glossary of dog terms Date & country: 12/11/2010, USA Words: 897

Achondroplasia
Improper development of cartilage at the ends of the long bones, resulting in a form of congenital dwarfism. A defect in most breeds and a requisite in others like Dachshunds and Basset Hounds.

Acquired Immunity
Immunity obtained either from the development of antibodies in response to exposure to an antigen, as from vaccination or an attack of an infectious disease, or from the transmission of antibodies, as from mother to fetus through the placenta or the injection of antiserum. Results in resistance to further infection.

Acute Disease
An illness that manifests rapidly.

Affenpinscher
A breed of small dogs of European origin, having wiry, shaggy hair and a tufted muzzle.

Afghan Hound
A large, slender hunting dog having long, thick hair, a pointed muzzle, and drooping ears.

Afterbirth
The placenta and fetal membranes expelled from the uterus following the birth of each newborn puppy.

Agent
See Handler

Agility Excellent (AX)
A suffix title conferred on dogs for qualifying the requisite number of times in the Agility Excellent class at AKC agility trials.

Agility Trials
An organized competition at which dogs negotiate a series of obstacles and jumps in three classes of increasing difficulty. Suffix titles are earned at each level (Novice, Open, and Excellent) by qualifying a predetermined number of times.

Agouti
Used to describe Siberian Huskies, this color is the alternating bands of light and dark along each hair in the coat. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Akbash Dog
A breed of sheep dog native to Turkey possessing characteristics of both mastiffs and gazehounds.

Akita
Also known as the Akita Inu, a large breed dog of Japanese origin

Alaskan Malamute
A breed of sled dog developed in Alaska

Albino
A relatively rare, genetically recessive condition resulting in white hair and pink eyes.

All-Breed Show
Conformation show where all AKC-recognized breeds may be exhibited.

Allele
One member of a pair or series of genes that occupy a specific position on a specific chromosome.

Allergen
A substance, such as pollen or pet dander, that causes an allergy.

Allergy
An abnormally high sensitivity to certain substances, such as pollens, foods, or microorganisms. Common indications of allergy may include sneezing, itching, and skin rashes.

Almond Eyes
An elongated eye shape, rather than rounded.

Alpha
Term used to describe the highest ranked or most dominant individual of one's sex. Used of social animals

Alter
To castrate or spay (an animal, such as a cat or a dog).

Amateur Field Champion (AFC)
A prefix title conferred on dogs that have earned the required number of placements and/or points in amateur stakes at field trials for pointing breeds, retrievers, and spaniels.

Amble
A relaxed, easy gait in which the legs on either side move almost, but not quite, as a pair. Often seen as the transition movement between the walk and other faster gaits.

American Eskimo
Formerly called the Spitz, a small to medium size breed of companion dog originating in the U.S. in the twentieth century and characterized by its white, fluffy coat.

American Kennel Club
An organization, established under the laws of the State of New York, whose goals are to adopt and enforce uniform rules regulating and governing purebred dogs events; to regulate the conduct of persons interested in exhibiting, running, breeding, registering, purchasing, and selling dogs; to detect, prevent, and punish frauds in connection therewith; to protect the interest of its members; to mai...

American Water Spaniel
A breed of medium-sized spaniels originating in America having chocolate or liver-colored curly coat.

American-Bred Class
A regular class for all dogs (except champions) six months of age whelped in the USA as a result of a mating that took place within the USA.

Anal glands
Glands which secrete a substance that is used by a dog to mark its territory. Located near the anus.

Anestrus
An interval of sexual inactivity between two periods of estrus in female mammals that breed cyclically.

Angulation
Angles created by bones meeting at their given joints.

Ankle
See Hock

Ankylosis
Abnormal immobility and fusion of a joint. Noted as cause of faulty tails in the German Shepherd Dog standard.

Anterior
The front assembly of the body.

Appenzell Cattle Dog
Also known as the Appenzeller, the Appenzell Mountain Dog, and the Appenzeller Sennenhund. One of the four Swiss Sennenhunds, a muscular and hardy dog bred for herding.

Apple Head
A round-shaped or dome-like head as seen in the Chihuahua.

Apricot
Used to describe Afghans, Pugs, Mastiffs, and Poodles, this color is a dull, medium-saturated orange (like the fruit of the same name). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Apron
Longer hair below the neck on the chest; also called the frill.

Arm
The anatomical region between the shoulder and the elbow. Sometimes called the upper arm.

Articulation
Where two or more bones meet.

Artificial Insemination
The introduction of semen into the female reproductive tract by artificial means.

Asthma
A chronic respiratory disease, often arising from allergies, that is characterized by sudden recurring attacks of labored breathing, chest constriction, and coughing.

Asymptomatic
Neither causing nor exhibiting symptoms of disease.

Australian Cattle Dog
Also known as the Queensland Heeler or Blue Heeler, a herding dog developed in Australia. A medium-sized dog characterized by much energy and an independent streak.

Australian Kelpie
A medium-sized Australian breed of sheep dog that comes in a variety of colors including red and black with white tips.

Australian Silky Terrier
See Silky Terrier

Australian Terrier
A small dog of a breed originally bred in Australia, having a coarse blackish coat with tan markings.

Auto-immune disease
A disease resulting from an immune reaction produced by an individual's white blood cells or antibodies acting on the body's own tissues or extracellular proteins.

Awn hairs
A part of the undercoat that is coarse and longer than the downy undercoat yet shorter than the primary guard coat.

Babbler
A hound that gives `tongue' when not on the trail.

Back
The area of a dog's body extending from the withers to the croup.

Back crossing
A form of inbreeding in which a dog is mated to its parent.

Backyard breeder
A person who casually breeds purebred dogs with little or no regard to the breed standard, genetically linked defects or temperament.

Bad Mouth
Crooked teeth; when the mouth is closed, upper and lower teeth do not line up according to the standard of the breed.

Badger
A grayish-brown color that may be mixed with a few dark hairs (Great Pyrenees, Sealyham Terriers). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Balance
When all the parts of the dog, moving or standing, produce a harmonious image.

Bandy Legs
Legs that bend outward.

Barrel
A rib region that is round in cross section.

Barrel Hocks
Hocks that turn out, causing the feet to toe in. Also called spread hocks.

Barring
Striped markings.

Base coat
The primary color of the coat.

Basenji
A dog of a breed originally from Africa, having a short, smooth, reddish-brown coat and characterized by the absence of a bark.

Basset Hound
A smooth-haired breed of hound with short legs and long ears.

Bat Ear
An ear that stands up, with a broad base, rounded at the top, with opening facing forward.; An erect ear that is broad at the base and rounded on the top.

Bay
The prolonged bark or voice of a hunting hound.

Beady
Eyes that are small, round, and glittering, imparting an expression foreign to the breed.

Beard
Thick, long hair growth on the underjaw.

Bearded Collie
A breed of herding dogs originating in Scotland, having a long shaggy coat and drooping ears.

Bea-Sting Tail
A relatively short, strong, straight tail that tapers to a point. Used to describe the characteristics of a Pointer's tail.

Beauty Spot
A distinct spot, usually round, of colored hair, surrounded by the white spot of the blaze, on the topskull between the ears (Blenheim Spaniel or Boston Terrier).

Beaver
A mixture of white, gray, brown, and black hairs. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Bedlington Terrier
A terrier of a breed developed in England, having a woolly grayish or brownish coat.

Beefy
Over-heavy development of the hindquarters.

Behavior Modification
The use of basic learning techniques, such as conditioning, biofeedback, reinforcement, or aversion therapy, to teach simple skills or alter undesirable behavior.

Belge
Used to describe Brussels Griffon, this color is black and reddish-brown mixed. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Belgian Sheepdog
A hardy working dog developed in Belgium for herding sheep.

Belton
A color pattern in English Setters (named after a village in England) of light or dark ticking or roaning. Colors include

Bernese Mountain Dog
A Swiss breed of large, muscular dogs having a soft, silky black coat with russet or tan markings on the forelegs, over each eye, and on both sides of a white chest. The dogs were formerly used for draft.

Best in Show
During a championship conformation show, the dog with the most points and wins earned.

Best of Breed
As deemed by the judge, the dog that comes closest to meeting the breed standard among the competing dogs of that breed.

Bi-color
Coloring of a dog who is mostly white but with large patches of one other solid color.

Bird Dog
A sporting dog bred and trained to hunt game birds.

Bird Dog Field Trials
See Field Trial

Bird of Prey Eyes
Light yellowish eyes, usually harsh in outlook.

Biscuit
Usually used to describe Pekingese and Samoyeds, this color is a combination of light gray, yellow, and brown hues with medium brilliance and saturation (perhaps a gray-yellow). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Bitch
A female canine.

Bite
The relative position of the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are closed. Bite positions include scissors, level, undershot, or overshot, depending on the breed.

Blanket
The color of the coat on the back and upper part of the sides, between the neck and the tail.

Blaze
A white stripe running up the center of the face usually between the eyes.

Blenheim
Used to define the color of markings of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (red and white). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Blinking
Briefly pointing a bird and then leaving it, or upon finding a bird, avoiding retrieving it.

Bloat
Also known as gastric dilation, a flatulent digestive disturbance of domestic animals and especially cattle marked by abdominal bloating. Most common in deep-chested dogs and can rapidly lead to death if untreated.

Blocky
Square or cube-like formation of the head.

Blocky head
A head with a squarish, cube-like appearance. Seen on the Boston Terrier.

Blooded
A dog of good breeding; pedigreed.

Bloodhound
One of a breed of hounds with a smooth coat, drooping ears, sagging jowls, and a keen sense of smell.

Bloodline
Direct line of descent; pedigree.

Blue Gray
Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Blue Merle
A color pattern of black blotches or streaks on a blue-gray background. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description. See Merle

Blue-cream
A coat color combining blue with cream.

Bluies
Colored portions of the coat have a distinctive bluish or smoky cast. This coloring is associated with extremely light or blue eyes and liver or gray eye rims, nose, and lip pigment. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.