Glossary












All information expressed here, is the opinion of the author and should NOT be used as a diagnosis or treatment or in place of a professional's advice. The information contained on this site is meant for general knowledge ONLY! The author is not an authority on these topics and is simply stating opinion based on her/his own research and personal experience. You should speak to a Veterinarian or acknowledged professional whose job it is to properly diagnose and offer treatment.

 

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
Click on the letter above representing the section you wish to go to


 A

A.K.C- The commonly used abbreviation for the American Kennel Club.
Abscess- a pocket of infection filled with white blood cells.
Albino- A deficiency of pigmentation which causes the nose leather, lips and eyerims to be pink.
American Kennel Club-  Also known as the AKC. The official registration for purebred dogs on the United States. The AKC manages the Stud Book, litter registration, indv. dog registration, transfer's of ownership, ect.
Anemia- A condition resulting from abnormally low numbers of red blood cells.
Angulation- The angles formed by the meeting of the bones, consisting of the shoulder and upper arem in the forequarters and of the stifle and hock in the hindquarters.
Antihistamine- a drug used to treat the symptoms of allergies.
Autoimmune- a condition in which the bodydestroys its own cells.


 B

Balance- Symmetry and proportion. A correctly balanced dog is one in which all of the parts appear are in correct ratio to one another, as determined by the Official AKC standard for that breed, height to length, head to body, skull to foreface, and neck to head and body.
Benched show- Dog show at which the dogs are kept on benches while not being shown in competition.
Best in Show- The highest honors awarded to a dog or bitch that is chosen as the most representative of any dog in any breed from among the group winners at an all-breed show.
Best of Breed- The dog or bitch that is awarded best of any competing in it's breed at a dog show.
Best of Opposite Sex- The dog or bitch that is selected as the best of the opposite sex to the Best of Breed.
Best of Winners- The dog or bitch selected as the better of the two between Winner's Dog and Winner's Bitch.
Bitch- A female dog.
Bite- The manner in which the upper and lower jaws meet.
Birth Defect- an abnormality present at birth.
Brace- Two dogs, or a dog and a bitch, closely similiar in size, markings, color, and appearance, moving together in unison.
Breed- Purebred dogs descended from mutual ancestors refined and developed to create a stable type.
Breeder- A person who breeds animals.
Brisket- The forepart of the body between the forelegs and beneath the chest.
Brood Bitch- A female dog used for breeding.


 C

CACIB- A title awarded by the Federation Cynologique Internationale towards a dog's championship.
Canine Teeth- The four sharp pointed teeth, two upper amd two lower, flanking the incisors; often referred to as fangs.
Carpals- Pastern joint bones.
Castrate- To neuter a male dog by removing his testicles.
C.D- An abbreviation of Companion Dog.
C.D.X.- An abbreviation of Companion Dog Excellent.
Cesarean Section- a surgery preformed to deliver infants unable to be born vaginally.
Ch.- An abbreviation of Champion.
Champion- A dog or bitch that has won a total of fifteen points, including 2 majors of 3 or more points, the total number under not less than three judges, two of which must have awarded the majors at A.K.C. point shows.
Character- Appearance, behavior and temperament considered correct in an indv. breed of dog.
Cherry Eye- an eyelid with an enlarged third eyelid.
Chest- The part of the body enclosed by the ribs.
Choke Collar- A chain or leather collar that gives max control. Is used by the handler to give a solid correction with a "Snap and Release" motion, which causes a quick tightening followed by an immediate relaxation of pressure of the choke chain.
Chronic- of long term.
Close-Coupled- Compact in appearance, Short in the loin.
Companion Dog- The first Obedience title optainable.
Companion Dog Excellent- The second obedience title optainable.
Conformation- The overall build and construction of the dog, referring to it's form and structure.
Congenital- a condition which exists at birth.
Contagion- the transfer of a disease from one individual to the next.
Coupling- The section of the body known as the loin.
Cow-Hocked- Hocks turned inward at the joint, thus causing the hock joints to approach one another which also causes the feet to toe outward instead the correctly pointing straight ahead.
Crabbing- A dog moving with it's body at an angle rather than straight, also known as side-wheeling or side winding.
Croup- The portion of the back directly above the hind legs.
Cryptorchid- An adult dog with testicles not normally descended.
Culture- to grow an organism, commonly to identify bacteria.
Cyst- An abnormal sac structure containing fluid.


 D

Dam- Female parent of a dog or bitch.
Dehydration- A loss of fluids from the cells and tissues to a below normal level.
Dentition- Placement of the teeth.
Dermatitis- an inflammation of the skin.
Dew Claws- Extra claws, a 5th toe, on the inside of the legs. The back dew claws should be removed when the puppy is 1-3 days old and is relatively painless with little blood and is required for German Shepherd. Back dew claws left intact are often ripped off later in play or running and is EXTREMELY painful if this happens.
Disqualification- A fault or condition that renders a dog ineligible to compete in organized shows. Judges may not give awards to dogs with a disqualifying fault, and must notes these Faults in the Judges Book with the reason for doing so. Once disqualified, a dog can not be shown again until/unless examined and reinstated by the AKC initiated by an appeal from the owner.
Distemper Teeth- Discolored, stained or pitted teeth associated from having suffered Distemper.
Dog- A male dog. Often used for a male dog opposite a bitch/female dog.
Dog Show- A competition in which dogs have been entered for the purpose of evaluation and to recieve the opinion of a judge.
Dog show- All breed- A dog show in which many breeds are judged in separate breed groups and governed by the AKC.
Dog Show- Specialty- A dog show featuring only one breed.Generally considered a showcase of a breed and is highly valued due to the higher type of competition usually encountered at these events.
Double Coat- A coat consisting of a hard, weather-resistant, protective outer covering over a softer, denser, short/close undercoat which provides warmth.
Down in Pastern- A softness or weakness with the pastern which causes a noticable deviation from the vertical.
Drive- The powerful action of the hindquarter's which should equal the degree of reach of the forequarters; the desire, dedication and high energy exhibited by a dog used to work in Schutzhund and the various other jobs required of the dog.
Drop Ear- Drooping or hanging ears.
Dry Eye- an eye with inadequate lubrication due to abnormally low tear production.
Dual Champion- A dog having earned obedience and conformation championships.
Dysplasia- an abnormal tissue development, common in the bones of the canine.


 E

Elbow-Out At- Elbow pointing away from the body rather than being held in close.
Enteritis- an inflammation of the intestines.
Enzyme- a protein produced by certain cells that helps break down or change other substances such as sugars and fats.
Even Bite- Exact meeting of the front teeth, undesirable, with no over or underlap of the uppers or lowers.
Eyeteeth- The upper canine teeth.


 F

Fancier- A person actively involved in the sport of purebred animals.
Fancy- The enthusiasts of a sport or hobby.
Fangs- The canine teeth.
F.C.I.- Abbeviation of the Federation Cynologique Internationale.
Feathering-The longer fringes of hair that appear on the ears, tail, chest and legs.
Federation Cynologique Internationale- A canine registry representing numerous counties, mainly European, much as our AKC.
Fertility- the ability to reproduce.
Field Champion- A dog that has earned the title, "Field Champion" by defeating a specified number of dogs in competition at a series of AKC licensed or member field trials.
Field Trial- A competition for specified Hound or Sporting breeds where each is judged on thier ability and style on following game trail or on finding and retrieving game.
Flank- The side of the body through the loin area.
Fld. Ch.- Abbreviation for field champion.
Flyer- A special and promising puppy.
Forearm- The front leg from elbow to pastern.
Foreface- The Muzzle of the dog.
Foriegn Body- any abnormal substance within the body.
Front- The forefront of the body viewed head-on, Head, shoulders, chest and feet.
Futurity Stakes- A competition at shows or field trials for dogs who are less than 12 months old and are nominated at or before birth.


 G

Gait- The manner in which a dog walks or trots.
Gallop- The fastest gait. Should never be used in the show ring!
Game- Animals or wild birds which are hunted.
Gay Tail- Tail carried high.
Groom- To bathe, brush and trim.
Gun-shy- A dog who cringes or shows other signs of fear at the sound or sight of a gun.


 H

Hackney Action- high lifting of the forefeet in the manner much like a hackney pony.
Handler- A person who shows dogs in competition. A professional handler recieves payment for doing so.
Hare Foot- An elongated paw much like the foot of a hare.
Heat- The period during which a bitch can be bred and is also referred to as "being in season."
Hemorrhage- to bleed excessively.
Hernia-  the protrusion of an organ through and abnormal opening.
Hindquarters- Rear assemblage of the dog.
Hock- The joint between the second thigh and the metatarsus.
Hormone- a chemical substance produced by one organ and carried by the bloodstream to affect another organ.


 I

Incisors- The front teeth behind the canines.
Int. Ch.- an abbreviation of international championship.
International Champion- A dog awarded four CACIB cards at FCI shows.
Intravenously- to administer into the blood vessel such as a vein.
Intussusception- the folding of one intestinal segment into another abstructing the flow of intestinal contents.


 J

 K

Kennel- The building in which dogs are housed. Also used when referring to a person's collective dog's.
Knee Joint- Stifle joint.


 L

Lactation- the act of milk production and secretion.
Layback- Describes correctly angulated shoulders.
Lethargy- to be without energy almost to the state of unconsciousness.
Level Bite- an even bite where both the upper jaw and lower jaw meet equally.
Loaded Shoulders- Excessive muscled shoulders.
Loin- Area of the sides between the lower ribs and hindquarters.


 M

Major- A win of either Winner's Dog or Winner's Bitch or 3 or more points toward championship.
Match Show- a practice and informal show where no championship points are earned.
Mate- To breed a dog and bitch to one another.
Maturity Stakes- For members of the breed who the prevous year had been entered in the futurity stakes.
Metabolism- the process of energy utilization by the cells.
Milk Teeth- The first baby teeth.
Monorchid- A dog with only one descended testicle and is a disqualification in AKC conformation shows.
Mucus- a clear, thick secretion produced by mucous membranes.
Muzzle- The part of the head in front of the eyes; to fasten something over the mouth.


 N

Nick- A Successful breeding where the resulting puppies are of excellent quality.
Nose- The dog's organ of smell.


 O

Obedience Trial- A licensed obedience trialheld under AkC rules where you can earn a "Leg" toward  a dog's obedience title(s).
Obedience Trial Champion- an Obedience trial championship is earned by having gained a specified number of points and first place awards.
Occiput- Upper back point of skull.
O.F.A- Abbreviation for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals- Reads his radiographs (x-ray) of dogs and certifies the existance of or freedom from hip dysplasia.
O.T. Ch- An abbreviation of obedience trial champion.
Out at Elbow- Elbows are held away from the body rather than in close.
Out at Shoulder- shoulder blades that are set too wide and jut out from the body.
Overshot- Upper incisors overlap the lower incisors.


 P

Paddling- Faulty gait in which the front legs swing forward in a stiff upward motion.
Pad- Thick protective covering of the bottom of the foot. Serves as a shock absorber.
Palpation- to examine with the hands of fingers.
Paralysis- loss of povement through inadequate nerve supply.
Parasite- an organism which lives upon or within another and feeds upon it.
Pastern- The area of the foreleg between the wrist and the foot.
Pedigree- Written record of dog's lineage.
Pheromone- substance secreted by one individual and detected by another usually by smell.
Pigeon chest- A protruding short breast-bone.
Pigeon-toed- Toes point inward.
Pile- soft hair making a dense undercoat.
Plume- A long fringe of hair on the tail.
Pointed- A dog that has won points toward its championship is referred to as "pointed."
Police Dog- Any dog that has been trained to do police work.


 Q

Quality- Excellence of type and conformation.


 R

Racy- Lightly built, appearing overly long in leg and lacking substance.
Rangy- Excessive length of body combined with shallowness through the ribs and chest.
Reach- The distance to which the forelegs reach out in gaiting.
Register- To record your dog with the AKC.
Registration Papers- A peice of paper from the AKC which breed, name, indv. dog number, names of Sire and Dam, date of birth, breeder and owner. If the dog has been bred, it will also show the assigned Stud Book number of the dog.
Regurgitation- the expelling of food.
Ringworm- a condition resulting from a fungus, shown by a circular appearance.
Roach Back- A convex curvature of the topline of the dog.
Rolling gait- An aimless, ambling type of gait.


 S

Saddle back- Of excessive length with a dip behind the withers; also refers to a common coat pattern.
Scissors Bite- A correct bite where the outer tips of the lower incisors touch the inner tips of the upper incisors.
Second Thigh- The area of the hindquarters between the hock and the stifle.
Seizure- an attack or sudden onset of symptoms generally related to the nervous system of individuals affected with epilepsy.
Septum- The vertical line between the nostrils.
Set up-To pose or stack your dog in position for examination by the judge.
Shoulder height- The height of the dog from the ground to the highest point of the withers.
Sire- The male parent.
Soundness- Mental and physical stability.
Spay- To neuter a bitch by surgury.
Special- A dog or bitch entered only for Best of Breed competition at a dog show.
Specialty Club- An organization devoted to sponsoring an individual breed of dog.
Stake- A class in field trial competition.
Stance- The natual position a dog assumes in standing.
Standard- The official description of the ideal specimen of a breed.
Stifle- The joint of the hind leg corresponding to a person's knee.
Stilted- Choppy gait of a dog lacking in angulation.
Stop- The set-up from nose to skull.
Stud- A male dog that is used for breeding.
Stud Book- The official record kept on the breeding particularsof recognized breeds of dogs.
Substance- Degree of bone size.
Swayback- Downward curvature in the topline between the withers and the hipbones.
Sweepstakes- Competition at shows for young dogs, but unlike the Futuries, no prior nomination is required.
Symptom- a term used to describe a deviation from normal.


 T

Tailset- Manner in which the tail is placed in the rump.
T.D.- An abbreviation of Tracking Dog.
T.D.X.- An abbreviation of Tracking Dog Excellent.
Thigh- Hindquarters from the stifle to the hip.
Topline- The dog's back from withers to tailset.
Torsion- the twisting of an organ.
Tracking Dog- A title awarded to dogs who have fulfilled the AKC requirements at licensed or member club tracking events.
Tracking Dog Excellent- An advanced tracking degree.
Trail- hunt by following a trail scent.
Trot- The gait at which the dog moves in a rhythmic two-beat action.
Tuck-up- A natural shallowness of the body at the loin creating a small-waisted appearance.
Type- The combination of features which makes a breed unique.


 U

U.D.- an abbreviation of Utility Dog.
U.D.T.- Abbreviation of Utility Dog Tracker.
Unbenched Show- Dog show at which dogs must arrive in time for judging and may leave anytime thereafter.
U.D.T.X.- An abbreviation for Utility Dog and Tracker Excellent.
Ulcer- a lesion in which the tissue surface is eroded away.
Ultrasound- using ultrasonic vibrations to detect tissues of different densities commonly used to determine pregnancies and as an aid in the diagnosis of cancer.
Undershot- The front teeth of the lower jaw reach beyond the front teeth of the upper jaw.
Upper arm- The foreleg between the forearm and the shoulder blade.
Utility Dog- Another level of obedience title.
Utility Dog and Tracker- A double title indicating a dog that has gained both utility and tracking degrees.
Utility Dog and Tracker Excellent- A double title indicating a dog that has gained both utility and advanced tracking degrees.


 V

Vitamin- substance usually derived from food that are necessary for cell metabolism.


 W

Walk- The gait in which three feet support the body.
Walleye- A blue eye, fish eye, or pearl eye caused by a whitish appearane of the iris.
W.C.- An abbreviation of Working Certificate.
Weedy- Lacking in substance and bone.
Wheel back- Roached back with topline arched over the loin.
Wheezing- a noise made as air passes through the larynx or trachea due to an abnormal narrowing.
Withers- THe highest point of the shoulders right behind the neck.
Working Certificate- An award earned by dogs who have proven their hunting ability anjd are not gun-shy.


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