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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

Pack
Multiple hounds cast at one time.

Padding
A compensating action to offset constant concussion when a straight front is subjected to overdrive from the rear; the front feet flip upward in a split-second delaying action to coordinate the stride of the forelegs with the longer stride from behind.

Paddling
A gaiting fault, so named for its similarity to the swing and dip of a canoeists paddle. Pinching in at the elbows and shoulder joints causes the front legs to swing forward on a stiff outward arc. Also called tied at the elbows.

Pads
Tough, shock-absorbing projections on the underside of the feet. Soles.

Pants
See Breeches

Paper Foot
A flat foot devoid of arch to the toes.

Papillon
A breed of small dog related to the spaniel, having a long silky coat, a bushy tail that curves over its back, and large ears shaped like the wings of a butterfly.

Parainfluenza
In canines, a disease characterized by fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

Parasite
An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of its host.

Parti-Color
Two or more definite, well-broken colors, one of which must be white. For example, black parti-color would be black and white. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Parvovirus
A highly contagious febrile disease of canines and especially dogs that is caused by a parvovirus (genus Parvovirus), is spread especially by contact with infected feces, and is marked by loss of appetite, lethargy, often bloody diarrhea and vomiting, and sometimes death called also parvo.

Pathogen
An agent that causes disease, especially a living microorganism such as a bacterium or fungus.

Pedigree
The written record of a dog's genealogy of three generations or more.

Pekingese
A breed of small dog developed in China, having a flat nose, a long-haired coat, short bowed forelegs, and a tail that curls over its back.

Pelvis
Hip bones, each consisting of three fused bones

Pen Breeding
Unwitnessed mating that occurred because the sire and dam were confined to the same area.

Penciling
Black lines dividing the tan on the toes.

Pendant Ears
As seen in the Basset Hound, an ear with a long, hanging ear leather.

Pepper
Used to describe several breeds, this color is a lowly saturated, medium brilliant black. When coupled with Salt, it describes the alternating black and white hairs of the Schnauzer breeds. Also referred to as Peppering. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Pericarditis
An inflammation of the membrane covering the heart.

Periodontal Disease
A disease that attacks the gum and bone and around the teeth.

Peritonitis
An inflammation of the membrane covering the abdominal cavity.

Pet Shop
A commercial organization that buys and sells dogs. Is always listed as an intermediate in the chain of title for a dog.

Pharaoh Hound
A breed of sleek, swift-running hunting dog originating in Egypt and having a short, glossy, tan coat and large, pointed ears.

Phenotype
The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, as determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences.

Pheromones
A chemical secreted by an animal, especially an insect, that influences the behavior or development of others of the same species, often functioning as an attractant of the opposite sex.

Piebald
Covered with patches of two colors, especially black and white. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Pied
Patches of white and another color. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Pig Eyes
Eyes set too close.

Pig Jaw
See Overshot

Pigeon-Breast
A narrow chest with a protruding breastbone.

Pigeon-Toed
Toes pointing in toward the mid line.

Pigment
A substance, such as chlorophyll or melanin, that produces a characteristic color in plant or animal tissue.

Pile
Dense undercoat of soft hair.

Pincer Bite
See Level Bite

Pinking Up
In a pregnant bitch, the changing of the color of the nipples to pink. Typically occurs 18 to 20 days after mating and is useful in determining if a dog is pregnant.

Pinto
Marked with white and some other color (usually patches of color on white). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Placenta
A membranous vascular organ that develops in female mammals during pregnancy, lining the uterine wall and partially enveloping the fetus, to which it is attached by the umbilical cord. Following birth, the placenta is expelled..

Plume
(1) A long fringe of hair on the tail. (2) Carrying the tail plume-like over the back.

Point
The intense, stylized stance of the hunting dog, taken to indicate the presence and position of game.

Pointer
Breed of hunting dogs that point game, typically having a smooth, short-haired coat that is usually white with black or brownish spots.

Pointing Breeds
Term commonly applied to those sporting breeds that typically point game.

Points
(1) Color on face, ears, legs, and tail when correlated; usually white, black, or tan. (2) In events, credits toward championship status.

Poke
To carry the neck stretched forward in an abnormally low, ungainly position, usually when moving.

Police Dog
Any dog trained for police work.

Pomeranian
A breed of small dogs having long silky hair, a foxlike face, pointed ears, and a hairy tail curling over the back.

Pompon
A rounded tuft of hair left on the end of the tail when the coat is clipped.

Poodle
A breed of dogs originally developed in Europe as hunting dogs, having thick curly hair of varying color, and classified by shoulder height into standard, miniature, and toy varieties.

Portuguese Water Dog
A breed of strong, medium-sized dog developed in Portugal that is able to swim long distances and is characterized by webbed feet and a curved tail.

Posterior
The portion of the dog carried toward the rear during normal locomotion.

Pounding
Gaiting fault resultant of a dog's stride being shorter in the front than in the rear; forefeet strike the ground hard before the rear stride is expended.

Prick Ear
Ear carried erect, usually pointed at the tip.

Primary Coat
Also known as guard hair, the longer, smoother, stiffer hairs that grow through and normally conceal the undercoat, protecting the skin from superficial injuries.

Proestrus
The period immediately before estrus in most female mammals, characterized by development of the endometrium and ovarian follicles.

Professional Handler
A person who conditions, trains and exhibits dogs for a fee.

Professional Trainer
A person who trains hunting dogs and who handles dogs in field events.

Progesterone
A steroid hormone, C21H30O2, secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary and by the placenta, that acts to prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilized ovum, to maintain pregnancy, and to promote development of the mammary glands.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
A progressive degeneration of the retina that is inherited.

Prominent Eyes
As seen on Pugs, a big, round projecting eye.

Prong Collar
Collar used for training dogs. It has metal pieces on it that pinch a dog. It is against AKC rules to use this type of collar on the show grounds. Also called pinch collar.

Pug
A small sturdy dog of an ancient breed originating in China, having a snub nose, wrinkled face, squarish body, short smooth hair, and curled tail.

Pump Handle
Long tail, carried high.

Puppy
A dog under 12 months of age.

Puppy mills
Term used to describe a facility that breeds purebred dogs for profit with no regard for the breed standard, temperament, genetically linked defects, socialization or the dog's overall health and welfare.

Purebred
A dog whose sire and dam belong to the same breed and who are themselves of unmixed descent since recognition of the breed.

Put Down
(1) To prepare a dog for the show ring. (2) A dog unplaced in competition. (3) To euthenize a dog.

Pyometra
An accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity.

Quarantine
Enforced isolation or restriction of free movement imposed to prevent the spread of contagious disease.

Quick
The vein running through a dog's claw.

Rabies
An acute, infectious, often fatal viral disease of most warm-blooded animals, especially wolves, cats, and dogs, that attacks the central nervous system and is transmitted by the bite of infected animals.

Racy
Tall, of comparatively slight build.

Radius
One of the two bones of the forearm.

Ragged
Muscles appear ragged rather than smooth.

Rangy
Tall, long in body, high on leg, light-framed; gangly.

Rat Tail
The root thick and covered with soft curls; at the tip devoid of hair, or having the appearance of being clipped.

Reach of Front
Length of forward stride taken by forelegs.

Rear Pastern
The metatarsus; the region of the hindquarters between the hock and the foot.

Recessive Gene
A gene that is phenotypically expressed in the homozygous state but has its expression masked in the presence of a dominant gene.

Red
A reddish orange color of dog.

Red Sesame
Red with a sparse black overlay (Shiba Inu). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Register
The act of enlisting a dog, puppy or litter with a dog association.

Registration Papers
Documents showing proof of registration, date of birth, parents, breeder and owner issued by a dog association for a particular dog.

Registries
Organizations that keep official records on specific subjects. With respect to dogs, there are registries of purebred dogs for tracking lineage and health registries for rating certain health conditions (e.g., Canine Eye Registry Foundation, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, etc.).

Renal
Of, relating to, or in the region of the kidneys.

Retrieve
Performance

Retrieving Breeds
Term commonly applied to those sporting breeds that typically return birds to hand from water or over land.

Reward
Anything positive, such as treats or praise, that can be used as a motivating factor to induce desired behavior.

Rhodesian Ridgeback
A breed of large dog developed in Africa, having short, reddish-brown hair that forms a ridge along the back.

Rib Cage
The collection of paired ribs, cartilage, sternum, and associated tissue that define the thoracic region.

Ribbed Up
Long ribs that angle back from the spinal column. A reference to a long rib cage.

Ring Tail
Carried up and around almost in a circle.

Roach Back
A convex curvature of the back involving thoracic and lumbar regions.

Roan
Frequently a blue-gray or iron-gray, this color is the fine mixing of colored hairs with white hairs. For example, a blue roan is a coat comprised of black and white hairs. (Note

Rocking Horse
Both front and rear legs extended out from the body as on an old-fashioned rocking horse.

Rolling Gait
Swaying, ambling action of the hindquarters when moving.

Roman Nose
A nose whose bridge is so comparatively high as to form a slightly convex line from forehead to nose tip. Ram's nose.

Rose Ear
A small drop ear that folds over and back so as to reveal the burr.

Rottweiler
A German breed of dog having a stocky body, short black fur, and tan face markings.

Rounding
Cutting or trimming the ends of the ear leather.

Ruby
A rich, mahogany red (English Toy Spaniel). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.