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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

Liver
Used to describe many breeds, this deep, reddish brown color includes various shades of chocolate brown, from light to very dark. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Livestock
Domestic animals, such as cattle or horses, raised for home use or for profit, especially on a farm.

Loaded Shoulders
Excessive development of the muscles associated with the shoulder blades.

Lobe Ear
Ears which are lightly folded and set at the back of the head.

Loin
The region of the body associated with the lumbar portions of the vertebrae column (i.e., behind the ribs and in front of the pelvic girdle).

Loose Slung
Construction in which the attachment of the muscles at the shoulders is looser than desirable.

Lower Thigh
See Second Thigh

Lumbar Vertebrae
The seven vertebrae of the loin region.

Lumbering
An awkward gait.

Lurcher
A crossbred hound.

Lure Coursing
Organized performance event for sighthounds which demonstrates those breeds' ability to perform their historical work by chasing an artificial lure over a course.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
A hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum in the female and the production of testosterone by the interstitial cells of the testis in the male.

Luxating Patella
A problem that causes the kneecap to slip when the joint is moved. Transmitted genetically and can lead to lameness.

Luxation
Dislocation of an anatomical structure.

Lyme Borreliosis
More commonly known as Lyme disease, an infectious arthritis caused by spirochete bacteria.

Mad Dog
A rabid dog.

Mahogany
Used to describe several breeds, this color is a medium-saturated, dull, reddish brown. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Making a Wheel
Term given to the circling of the tail over the back.

Mandible
The bone of the lower jaw.

Mane
Long, thick hair on top and sides of neck.

Mantle
Dark-shaded portion of the coat on shoulders, back, and sides.

Manubrium
The first sternabra of the chest.

Marcel Effect
Regular continuous waves (specified in the American Water Spaniel standard).

Marking
An instinctual behavior in which male dogs urinate in certain locations to establish their territory.

Markings
Contrasting color or pattern in a dog's coat.

Mask
Dark shading on the foreface.

Mastiff
An ancient breed of large strong dogs, probably originating in Asia and having a short, often fawn-colored coat.

Mastitis
Inflammation of the breast or udder.

Mate
To breed a dog and bitch.

Maternal Immunity
A form of temporary immunity passed from a mother to her offspring while in the uterus and after birth in the colostrum and milk.

Measles
An acute, contagious viral disease, usually occurring in childhood and characterized by eruption of red spots on the skin, fever, and catarrhal symptoms. Also called rubeola.

Measure Out
Measured height at withers was determined to be outside the limits for that breed as set forth in the breed standard.

Medial
Toward the mid line of the dog.

Median Line
See Furrow

Merle
A marking pattern, used in conjunction with another color, to describe Shetland Sheepdogs, Collies, Great Danes, and Australian Shepherds. The color is characterized by a marbling effect of dark patches against a lighter background of the same color. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Metatarsus
The corresponding part of the hind foot in quadrupeds or of the foot in birds.

Microchip
A rice-sized device encoded with a unique and unalterable number. The chip is implanted just under the skin in the scruff of the neck and is read by a scanner.

Milk Teeth
The first, temporary teeth. Also called baby teeth.

Miniature Pinscher
A breed of small dogs resembling the Doberman pinscher but typically reaching a height of only 25-30 centimeters (10-12 inches).

Miscellaneous Class
Transitory class for breeds attempting to advance to full recognition by a breed association.

Mismark
(1) Coat or color. (2) A dog that has coat coloration or markings not conforming to that which is acceptable for the breed.

Mites
Any of various small or minute arachnids of the order Acarina that are often parasitic on animals and plants, infest stored food products, and in some species transmit disease.

Modified-Live Virus
A virus which has been modified to no longer produce a disease but still retain the ability to induce a protective immune response so that it can be used as a vaccine.

Molars
The posterior teeth of the dental arcade, with two on each side in the upper jaw and three on each side in the lower jaw in an adult with correct dentition.

Molera
Incomplete, imperfect, or abnormal ossification of the skull.

Mongrel
See Crossbred

Monorchid
A dog that has one testicle retained or hidden in its abdominal cavity. See Cryptorchid

Mottled
Pattern of dark roundish blotches on a lighter background. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Move
To gait a dog in a pattern prescribed by the judge.

Moving Close
When the hocks turn in and pasterns drop straight to the ground and move parallel to one another, the dog is moving close in the rear.

Moving Straight
Term descriptive of balanced gaiting in which angle of inclination begins at the shoulder, or hip joint, and limbs remain relatively straight from these points to the pads of the feet, even as legs flex or extend in reaching or thrusting.

Music
The baying of the hounds.

Mustard
Usually used to describe Dandie Dinmont Terriers, this color is like the color of the spice; i.e., a dull, highly saturated, brown-yellow. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Mutation
A change of the DNA sequence within a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not found in the parental type.

Mute
To run mute, to be silent on the trail; i.e., to trail without baying or barking.

Muzzle
(1)The forward, projecting part of the head of certain animals, such as dogs, including the mouth, nose, and jaws; the snout; (2)A leather or wire restraining appliance that, when fitted over an animal's snout, prevents biting and eating.

Muzzle Band
White marking around the muzzle.

Myiasis
Infestation of tissue by fly larvae.

Natural Breed
A breed of dog which occurred naturally without the interference of much selective breeding. This is usually a result of geographical and environmental conditions.

Natural Mutation
A genetic accident which permanently alters certain genetic characteristics.

Natural Selection
The process in nature by which, according to Darwin's theory of evolution, only the organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics in increasing numbers to succeeding generations while those less adapted tend to be eliminated.

Nausea
A feeling of sickness in the stomach characterized by an urge to vomit.

Neapolitan Mastiff
A large, powerful breed of dog characterized by it's massive head and wrinkled face.

Neck Well Set-On
Good neckline, merging gradually with withers, forming a pleasing transition into topline.

Nesting Behavior
Behavior of a pregnant female who prepares a place to give birth and nurture young.

Neuter
To castrate or spay.

Newfoundland
A breed of large, strong dog developed in Newfoundland and having a thick, usually black coat

Nick
A breeding that produces desirable puppies.

Nictitating Membrane
A transparent inner eyelid in birds, reptiles, and some mammals that closes to protect and moisten the eye. Also called third eyelid.

Nite Hunt
Performance competition for coonhounds.

Non-Sporting Group
Group of dogs that may share attributes, but don't fit into the mold of other groups.

Norwegian Elkhound
A Scandinavian breed of hunting dog, having a compact body, heavy grayish coat, and a tail that curls over the back.

Nose
(1) Organ of olfaction. (2) The ability to detect by means of scent.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
A breed of dog somewhat similar in appearance to a small Golden Retriever and originating in Canada. Bred originally to toll or lure ducks in the manner of a fox.

Obedience Trial
An event held under AKC rules at which a leg toward an obedience degree can be earned.

Obesity
The condition of being obese; increased body weight caused by excessive accumulation of fat.

Oblique Shoulders
Shoulders well laid back.

Obliquely Placed Eyes
Eyes with outer corners higher than their inner ones.

Occipital Protuberance
A prominently raised occiput characteristic of some sporting and hound breeds.

Occiput
Dorsal, posterior point of the skull.

Odd-Eyed
Eyes of different color, such as one brown eye and one blue eye.

Old English Sheepdog
An English breed of sturdy dog having a docked tail and a thick, shaggy, bluish-gray and white coat with fur that hangs over the eyes.

Omnivore
A person or animal that feeds on both animal and vegetable substances

On-Dog Identification
A system of tagging, tattooing, or microchipping used to uniquely identify a dog.

Ophthalmic
Of or relating to the eye; ocular.

Orange Belton
See Belton. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Otter Tail
Thick at the root, round, and tapering, with the hair parted or divided at the underside.

Out At The Elbows
Elbows turning out from the body as opposed to being held close.

Out At The Shoulders
With shoulder blades loosely attached to the body, leaving the shoulders jutting out in relief and increasing the breadth of the front.

Outcrossing
The mating of unrelated individuals of the same breed.

Oval Chest
Chest deeper than wide.

Oval Eye
As seen in Poodles, an eye with an egg shape.

Ovaries
The usually paired female or hermaphroditic reproductive organ that produces ova and, in vertebrates, estrogen and progesterone.

Overage Dam
A dam over 12 years of age on the date of mating.

Overage Sire
A sire over 12 years of age on the date of mating.

Overhang
A heavy or pronounced brow.

Overreaching
Fault in the trot caused by more angulation and drive from behind than in front so that the rear feet are forced to step to one side of the forefeet to avoid interfering or clipping.

Overshot
The incisors of the upper jaw projecting beyond the incisors of the lower jaw, thus resulting in a space between the respective inner and outer surfaces.

Ovulate
To produce ova; discharge eggs from the ovary.

Pace
A lateral gait that tends to promote a rolling motion of the body. The left foreleg and left hind leg advance in unison, then the right foreleg and right hind leg.