Welcome to the Dogzonline Breeders Community Dictionary, I hope it will help some understand things that may not always seem clear when, I will be coming back and forth editing and adding new words, links, images etc to help for a better understanding all around
Enjoy...
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.
Internet LinkAcquired 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.
Afterbirth: The placenta and fetal membranes expelled from the uterus following the birth of each newborn puppy.
Internet LinkAgent: 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.
Link From The InternetAgility 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.
Link from the InternetAlbino: A relatively rare, genetically recessive condition resulting in white hair and pink eyes.
Internet LinkAll-Breed Show: Conformation show where all ANKC-recognized breeds may be exhibited.
Allele: One member of a pair or series of genes that occupy a specific position on a specific chromosome.
Link from the InternetAllergen: A substance, such as pollen or pet dander, that causes an allergy.
Internet Link [/b]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. [i]Internet LinkAlmond Eyes: An elongated eye shape, rather than rounded.
This link is breed specific, but I thought the photos could give you a good idea of what almond eyes are ?Alpha: Term used to describe the highest ranked or most dominant individual of one's sex. Used of social animals: the alpha female of the wolf pack..
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.
Internet LinkAmble: 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.
Internet LinkAmerican 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 maintain and publish an official stud book and an official gazette; and generally to do everything to advance the study, breeding, exhibiting, running, and maintenance of purebred dogs.
Internet LinkAnal glands: Glands which secrete a substance that is used by a dog to mark its territory. Located near the anus.
internet Link[/b]Anestrus: An interval of sexual inactivity between two periods of estrus in female mammals that breed cyclically.
Internet LinkAngulation: Angles created by bones meeting at their given joints.
Internet Link on hindquarter angulationAnkle: See Hock
Ankylosis: Abnormal immobility and fusion of a joint. Noted as cause of faulty tails in the German Shepherd Dog standard.
Internet LinkApple Head: A round-shaped or dome-like head as seen in the Chihuahua.
Internet LinkApricot: 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.
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 aka BYB: A person who casually breeds dogs with little or no regard to the breed standard, genetically linked defects or temperament.
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.
Bad Mouth: Crooked teeth; when the mouth is closed, upper and lower teeth do not line up according to the standard of the breed.
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.
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.
Bea-Sting Tail: A relatively short, strong, straight tail that tapers to a point. Used to describe the characteristics of a Pointer's tail.
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.
Belton: A color pattern in English Setters (named after a village in England) of light or dark ticking or roaning. Colors include: blue belton (black and white), orange belton (orange and white), lemon belton (lemon and white), and liver belton (liver and white). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Best in Show aka BIS: During a championship conformation show, the dog with the most points and wins earned.
Best of Breed aka BOB: 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-cream: A coat color combining blue with cream.
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
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.
Blunt Muzzle: A square muzzle typical of many breeds such as the Mastiff and Pointers.
Board: To feed, house, and care for a dog for a fee.
Bobtail: A dog born without a tail, or a dog with a tail docked very short. Often used as a name for the Old English Sheepdog.
Body Length: Distance from the prosternum (front portion of the breastbone) to the posterior portion of the pelvic girdle.
Booster Vaccination: Periodic injections given after a primary injection to continue immunity to a specific disease.
Bordetellosis: A bacterial infection affecting the respiratory system.
Borreliosis: An infectious arthritis caused by a spirochete bacterium, more commonly known as Lyme disease.
Bossy: Over-development of the shoulder muscles.
Brace: (1) Two of the same breed presented together as a pair. (2) Performance: To run dogs together in certain types of field events.
Break: Term used to describe changing of coat color from puppies to adult stages.
Breastbone: See Sternum
Breech Birth: A birth of a puppy whose hind end comes out first rather than the head.
Breeches: The fringe-like hair on long-coated dogs that grows on the upper and sometimes lower thighs. Also known as culottes, pants and trousers.
Breed: A domestic race of dogs (selected and maintained by man) with a common gene pool and characterized appearance and function.
Breed club: An organization comprised of dog fanciers dedicated to the promotion and improvement of a particular breed of dog.
Breed rescue: An organization dedicated to finding good homes for unwanted or abandoned purebred dogs.
Breed Standard: The set of breed descriptions originally laid down by the various parent breed clubs and accepted officially by international bodies.
Breeder: A person who breeds dogs and for the purposes of Dogz Online breeders community a ‘breeder’ is someone that is registered with their applicable Canine Association and has bred at least one registered litter.
Breeding Particulars: Sire, dam, date of birth, sex, color, etc.
Briard: An ancient French breed of sturdily built, rough-coated dogs.
Brick-shaped: Rectangular.
Brindle: A marking pattern used to describe many breeds, usually in conjunction with another color. Layering of black hairs in regions of lighter color (usually, fawn, brown, or gray) producing a tiger-striped pattern. Brindle is often used to describe Great Danes, Bulldogs, and Boxers. In Boxers, reverse brindle may occur; i.e., there is such a heavy concentration of black striping that the fawn background color barely, although clearly, shows through (appears black with fawn stripes). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Brisket: Usually refers to the sternum, but in some standards it refers to the entire thorax.
Britches: Longer hair found on the upper rear area of the legs.
Broken Color: Self-color broken by white or another color. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Broken-haired: A rough, wiry coat.
Broken-Up Face: A receding nose, together with a deep stop, wrinkle, and undershot jaw, as in the Bulldog or Pekingese.
Bronze: Used to describe Newfoundlands, this color is usually a tinge in a black coat caused by the sun. It is like the color of the metal of the same name, which can be described as a moderately bright, yellowish brown. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Brood Bitch: Female dog (bitch) used for breeding.
Brows: The ridges formed above the eyes by frontal bone contours.
Brucellosis: A chronic disease caused by the bacterium Brucella canis and characterized by prolonged disorders of the genital tract, including infertility.
Brush: A bushy tail; a tail heavy with hair.
Brushing: A gaiting fault, when parallel pasterns are so close that the legs brush in passing.
Buff: Off-white to gold. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Bull Neck: A heavy neck, well-muscled.
Burr: The inside of the ear; i.e., the irregular formation visible within the cup.
Butterfly: A partially unpigmented nose; i.e., dark, spotted with flesh color.
Buttocks: The rump or hips.
Button Ear: A small, neat ear with the flap folding forward, covering the opening of the ear.
By-Products: Animal products which are not of a sufficient quality to be used for human consumption
C5 Vaccination– See DHLPP
Cafe Au Lait: Usually used to describe Poodles, this color is the typical color of the French coffee of the same name, which is about equal parts of coffee and milk. It may be described as rich, well-saturated light brown. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Camel Back: An arched back.
Candle Flame Ears: A type of dog-ear that is large and erect with uneven edges.
Canid: A family (Canidae) of carnivorous animals including dogs, wolves, coyotes, foxes, and jackals.
Canine: An animal of the family Canidae, especially a dog.
Canine Distemper: The most important viral infectious disease in dogs, caused by canine distemper virus and characterized by acute upper respiratory disease symptoms and fever and later by more serious respiratory symptoms as well as fever, vomiting, diarrhea and neurological signs.
Canine Good CitizenŽ (CGC): Outreach program, put on by a club, which tests a dog's behavior.
Canine Teeth: The large, sharp, curved teeth that are located on each side of the mouth. Also referred to as eye teeth.
Canter: A gait with three beats to each stride, two legs moving separately and two as a diagonal pair. Slower than the gallop and not as tiring.
Cap: Darkly shaded color pattern on the skull of some breeds.
Cape: Long, thick hair covering the shoulders.
Cardiomyopathy: A disease or disorder of the heart muscle, especially of unknown or obscure cause.
Carnivore: A flesh-eating animal.
Carpals: Bones of the wrist.
Carrier: A dog who, though not showing any indication of being affected, carries a genetic defect or disease-causing organism that can be passed to other animals.
Castrate: To remove the testicles of a male dog.
Cataract: Opacity of the lens or capsule of the eye, causing impairment of vision or blindness
Cat Foot: Neat, round foot, with high-arched toes held closely together.
Champion aka CH: A title conferred on a dog by the AKC as a result of defeating a specified number of dogs in specified competition at a series of AKC-licensed or -member dog shows.
CEA: Abbreviation for Collie Eye Anomaly
Cheeks: The region of the skin that lies below the eyes and begins at the lips, reaching back to the area in front of the ears.
Cheeky: Cheeks prominently rounded; thick, protruding.
CERF: Abbreviation for Canine Eye Registration Foundation -- an organization that registers "normal eyed dogs"
Cherry Eye: Prolapsed gland of the third eyelid.
Chest: The part of the body or trunk that is enclosed by the ribs.
Chestnut: Usually used to describe Irish Setters and Pharaoh Hounds, the color may be described as deep, heavily saturated, reddish brown (like the nut of the same name). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
China Eye: A clear or spotted blue, light blue, or whitish eye.
Chippendale Front: Forelegs out at the elbows, pasterns close, and feet turned out. Named after the Chippendale chair. Also called fiddle front.
Chiseled: Clean-cut in head, as contrasted with bumpy or bulging outlines, particularly beneath the eyes.
Chocolate: A medium chocolate brown color of dog.
Choke Collar: A chain collar that tightens like a noose when the leash is pulled, used to train or control dogs or other animals. Also called choke chain.
Chops: Jowls or pendulous flesh of the lips and jaw.
Chorea: A nervous jerking caused by involuntary contractions of the muscles (may be caused by distemper or hepatitis).
Chronic Disease: A disease lasting indefinitely.
Cinnamon: Usually used to describe Chow Chows. Like the color or the spice of the same name, this color is a lightly saturated, yellowish brown. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Circular Eye: A round eye. Seen in the Smooth Fox Terrier.
Cleft Palate: A birth defect in which the two halves of the mouth do not fuse together properly.
Clip: The method of trimming the coat in some breeds.
Clipping: When pertaining to gait, the back foot striking the front foot.
Cloddy: Low, thickset, comparatively heavy.
Close Mating: A condition where there is less than 4 months and 15 days between either (1) The date of mating of a previously registered litter and the date of mating of a newly submitted litter application for the same dam; or (2) The whelping date of a previously registered litter and the whelping date of a newly submitted litter application out of the same dam.
Close-Coupled: Comparatively short from the last rib to the commencement of the hindquarters; occasionally used to characterize a comparative shortness from withers to hipbones.
Coarse: Considered a negative term, a dog not refined or harmonious in conformation.
Coat: The dog's hair covering. Most breeds have two coats: an outer coat and an undercoat.
Cobby: Compact, with a short body.
Collar: (1) The markings around the neck, usually white. (2) A leather, nylon, or chain neck band for restraining or leading a dog when the leash is attached.
Colitis: Inflammation of the colon.
Colostrum: The milk secreted by the mother during the first few days following birth that provides the puppies with immunity to some diseases.
Compact: Term used to describe the firmly joined union of various body parts. Also used to describe a short- to medium-length coat, very close lying, with a dense undercoat and giving a smooth outline.
Companion Animal Recovery(sm) (CAR): A national database in which any companion animal with a form of positive identification, such as a microchip or tattoo, can be enrolled.
Companion Dog (CD): A title conferred on a dog by the AKC as a result of having won certain minimum scores in Novice classes at a specified number of AKC-licensed or -member obedience trials.
Companion Dog Excellent (CDX): A title conferred on a dog by the AKC as a result of having won certain minimum scores in Open classes at a specified number of AKC-licensed or -member obedience trials.
Concaveation: Milk production in a spayed female dog in response to the suckling of a puppy.
Condition: Health as shown by the coat, skin, general appearance, and behavior.
Conformation: The form and structure, make and shape; arrangement of the parts in conformance with breed standards.
Congenital: Present at birth; may have genetic or environmental causes.
Copper: Usually used with white to describe Siberian Huskies. Like the color of the metal of the same name, this color is a bright, brownish red. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Corded: A type of coat as seen on the Komondor and Pulli breeds that grows in long cord-like strings.
Corky: Active, lively, alert.
Coronavirus: Disease characterized by vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration.
Couple: Two hounds.
Coupling: The part of the body between the ribs and the pelvis/hindquarters; the loin.
Coursing: The sport of chasing prey with sighthounds.
Covering Ground: The distance traveled by a dog with each stride as it gaits.
Cow-Hocked: Hocks turning in, accompanied by toeing out of rear feet.
Crabbing: Dog moves with its body at an angle to the line of travel. Also called sidewinding.
Crank Tail: A tail carried down and resembling a crank in shape.
Crate: Portable container used for shipping, transporting, or housing dogs. Also called cage or kennel.
Cream: Used to describe many breeds, this color is a lowly saturated, light-to-medium yellow. Often, it has just a little more color than white. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Crest: The upper, arched portion of the neck.
Cropping/Crop: The cutting or trimming of ear leather to encourage it to stand erect.
Crossbred: A dog whose sire and dam are representatives of two different breeds. A crossbred dog cannot be registered by the AKC.
Crossing Over: Unsound gaiting action that starts with twisting elbows and ends with crisscrossing and toeing out. Also called knitting and purling and weaving.
Croup: The region of the pelvic girdle, formed by the sacrum and surrounding tissue.
Crown: The top part of the head; the topskull.
Cruelty: Conscious action or inaction that may endanger life or cause serious health consequences to animals.
Cry: The baying or music of the hounds.
Cryptorchid: The adult whose testicles are abnormally retained in the abdominal cavity. Bilateral cryptorchidism involves both sides; i.e., neither testicle has descended into the scrotum. Unilateral cryptorchidism (also called monorchid) involves one side only; i.e., one testicle is retained or hidden, and one is descended.
Culotte: The longer hair on the back of the thighs.
Cur: See Crossbred
Curled Tail: A tail which is tightly curled and held close to the back.
Cushion: Fullness or thickness of the upper lips. (Pekingese)
Cynology: The study of canines.
Cyst: An abnormal membranous sac containing a gaseous, liquid, or semisolid substance.
Cystitis: Inflammation of the urinary bladder.
Dam: The female parent.
Dander: Small scales from the skin, hair, or feathers of an animal, often causing an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.
Dapple: A mottled or variegated coat color pattern. Single dapple is expressed as lighter color areas contrasting with the darker base color, which may be acceptable color. Looks like the merle effect in Shelties, Collies, etc., except that it is found in Dachshunds. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Date of Whelping: Date of birth.
Deadgrass: Tan or dull straw color. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Deep-Chested: Term describing the rib cage structure of dogs like German Shepherds, Great Danes and Irish Setters. Deep-chested dogs have a greater tendency to develop stomach dilatation, also referred to as bloat.
Dehydration: Excessive loss of water from the body or from an organ or body part, as from illness or fluid deprivation.
Demodex: A mite that causes mange.
Dentition: Forty-two adult teeth, including incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
Depth of Chest: An indication of the volume of space for heart and lungs, and commonly referenced to the elbow (i.e., above, at the level of, or below).
Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin.
Dewclaw: An extra claw on the inside of the leg; a rudimentary fifth toe, removed on most breeds.
Dewlap: Loose, pendulous skin under the throat and neck.
DHLPP aka C5: Vaccine to immunize a dog against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and parvovirus
Diabetes: A disease in which the body is unable to utilize blood glucose because inadequate amounts of insulin are produced by the pancreas.
Diagonals: Right front and left rear legs constitute the right diagonal; left front and right rear legs constitute the left diagonal. In the trot, the diagonals move together.
Diehard: Nickname of the Scottish Terrier.
Digit: Toe.
Dilute: Washed out color. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Dingo: A wild dog (Canis dingo) of Australia, having a reddish-brown or yellowish-brown coat.
Dish-faced: A slight concaveness of foreface when viewed in profile.
Dishing: Weaving.
Distemper: An infectious viral disease occurring in dogs, characterized by loss of appetite, a catarrhal discharge from the eyes and nose, vomiting, fever, lethargy, partial paralysis caused by destruction of myelinated nerve tissue, and sometimes death. Also called canine distemper.
Distemper Teeth: Teeth discolored or pitted as a result of distemper or other disease or deficiency.
Divergent Hocks: Hocks that turn out. Barrel hocks.
DNA: A unique genetic makeup. DNA testing is done to prove the actual parentage and/or identity of an animal.
DNA Test: A test to determine identity and/or verify parentage. Results must be processed by an AKC-approved facility to be accepted by AKC.
Dock: To clip short or cut off an animal's tail.
Dog: A male canine or term used to refer generically to all canines, male or female.
Dog Fancy: Term describing the group of people interested in and active in the promotion of purebred dogs.
Dog Show: Also known as a conformation show, a show in which dogs are judged on how closely they adhere to the breeds standard.
Dogue de Bordeaux: Also called the French Mastiff and the Bordeaux Bulldog, a short, stocky mastiff with a large, heavy, broad and wrinkled head.
Domed Skull: Evenly rounded in topskull; curved, not flat.
Domesticated: A term used to describe an animal that has been tamed or reclaimed from a wild state.
Dominant: exerting forcefulness or having dominance in a social hierarchy.
Doming: As seen in Cocker Spaniels, the rounded portion of the head in between the ears.
Domino: Reverse facial mask pattern on some breeds. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Dorsal: The portion of the dog carried farthest from the substratum (i.e., away from the ground) during normal locomotion or side of the body furthest from the ground.
Double Coat: An outer coat resistant to weather and protective against brush and brambles, together with an undercoat of softer hair for warmth and waterproofing. A dog with this type of coat can also be referred to as a double coat.
Double Dapple: Varying amounts of white coloring occurring over the body in addition to the dapple pattern. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Down-Faced: The muzzle inclining downwards from the skull to the tip of the nose.
Down Hairs: A term referring to the shortest hair on the dog, which is usually found next to the skin beneath the top coat and is soft and downy in texture.
Drag: A trail prepared by dragging along the ground a bag impregnated (usually) with animal scent.
Drive: A solid thrusting of the hindquarters, denoting sound locomotion.
Drop Ear: The ear leather folds over; not erect or prick ears.; Ear in which the leather is folded over to some degree.
Dropper: A bird dog cross.
Dry Neck: The skin taut, neither loose nor wrinkled.
Dudley Nose: Flesh-colored.
Ears: The auditory organ, consisting of three regions: inner ear, middle ear, and the most important pinna (or leather), which is supported by cartilage and which affects the expression of all breeds.
Ear Mites: Microscopic insects that survive by feeding on the lining of the ear canal.
Earthdog Events: Non competitive tests that gauge the trained and natural abilities of Dachshunds and small terriers to follow game to ground.
East-West Front: Incorrect positioning that causes the feet to turn outwards.
Eclampsia: Coma and convulsions during or immediately after pregnancy, characterized by edema, hypertension, and proteinuria.
Elbow: The posterior region of the articulation between the arm and forearm.
Elbows Out: Turning out or off from the body; not held close.
Electronic Collar: A collar that provides a warning sound and/or an electric stimulation to the dog upon receipt of an electronic signal given by the user. Used as a training device.
Embryo: An undeveloped fetus.
Enteritis: Inflammation of the intestinal tract, especially of the small intestine.
Entire: A dog whose reproductive system is complete.
Entropion: A complex genetic condition that results in the turning in of the upper or lower eyelid, potentially resulting in corneal ulceration.
Estrus: The periodic state of sexual excitement in the female of most mammals, excluding humans, that immediately precedes ovulation and during which the female is most receptive to mating; heat.
Euthanasia: The act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment.
Even Bite: Meeting of upper and lower incisors with no overlap. Also called level bite.
Ewe Neck: A neck in which the topline is concave rather than convex.
Expression: The general appearance of all the features of the head.
External Parasite: Organisms that affect the outside areas of the body, such as ticks and mites.
Eyeteeth: The upper canines.
Fall: Hair overhanging the face.
Fallow: Pale cream to light fawn color; pale yellow; yellow-red. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Fancier: A person especially interested and usually active in some phase of the sport of purebred dogs.
Fang: See Canines Teeth
Fawn: A brown, red-yellow with hue of medium brilliance. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Feathering: Longer fringe of hair on ears, legs, tail, or body.
Femur: Thigh bone. Extends from hip to stifle.
Fetch: (1) The retrieving of game by the dog. (2) The command to retrieve game.
Fetus: The unborn young of a viviparous vertebrate having a basic structural resemblance to the adult animal.
Fever: In dogs, a body temperature reading over 103ƒ.
Fibula: One of the two bones of the leg (i.e., the lower thigh, second thigh, or lower leg).
Fiddle Front: Forelegs out at elbows, pasterns close, and feet turned out. French front.
Field Trial: A competition for certain hound or sporting breeds in which dogs are judged on ability and style in tracking, finding, coursing, or retrieving game.
Filled-Up Face: Smooth facial contours, free of excessive muscular development.
Fillers: Meant to increase volume, chemicals and other indigestible material that are added to pet food.
Fixed: (1) See Neuter. (2) Surgical procedure that permanently changes the carriage of the tail or ears.
Flag: A long tail carried high. Feathering on the tail.
Flank: The side of the body between the last rib and the hip.
Flare: A blaze that widens as it approaches the topskull.
Flat-Sided: Ribs insufficiently rounded as they approach the sternum or breastbone.
Flews: Upper lip pendulous, particularly at their inner corners.
Floating Rib: The last (or 13th rib), which is unattached to the other ribs.
Fluffies: A coat of extreme length with exaggerated feathering on ears, chest, legs and feet, underparts, and hindquarters. Trimming such a coat does not make it any more acceptable.
Flush: To drive birds from cover, to force them to take flight; to spring.
Flushing Breeds: Term commonly applied to those spaniel breeds that typically flush or force a bird from cover.
Flyball: A dog sport in which teams of dogs race against each other from their handlers, over a line of hurdles, to a box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses the spring loaded pad, then back to their handlers while carrying the ball.
Flying Ears: Any characteristic drop ears or semi-prick ears that stand or fly.
Flying Trot: A fast gait in which all four feet are off the ground for a brief second during each half stride. Because of the long reach, the oncoming hind feet step beyond the imprint left by the front. Also called suspension trot.
Folded Ears: As seen on the Fox Terrier, an ear which stands erect at the base and folds forward.
Follicle: A crypt or minute cul-de-sac or lacuna, such as the depression in the skin from which the hair emerges.
Forearm: The portion of the forelimb between the arm and the wrist.
Foreface: The front portion of the skull that articulates with the cranium.
Forequarters: The combined front assembly from its uppermost component, the shoulder blade, down to the feet.
Foster Mother: A bitch used to nurse puppies not her own.
Foul Color: A color or marking not characteristic for the breed. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Foxtail: Any of several grasses of the genus Alopecurus, having dense, silky or bristly flowering spikes. They represent the most common penetrating foreign body that affects dogs in North America.
Foxy: Sharp expression; pointed nose with short foreface.
Fracture: A break, rupture, or crack, especially in bone or cartilage.
French Choke/Martingale: Examples of choke collars. See Training Collar.
French Front: See Fiddle Front.
Fresh Extended (Chilled) Semen: Semen that is extracted and extended by a licensed veterinarian. The semen must be extracted from a dog within the USA and shipped to a point within the USA only. This type of semen must be used within a specified period of time.
Frill: See Apron.
Fringes: See Feathering
Frogface: Extending nose accompanied by a receding jaw, usually overshot.
Front: The forepart of the body as viewed head-on; i.e., forelegs, chest, brisket, and shoulder line.
Frontal Bones: The anterior bones of the cranium forming the forehead.
Frozen Semen: Semen that is extracted, frozen, and stored for future use by a licensed veterinarian. The collection must be reported to the AKC, and the collector/storer must be an AKC-approved facility and in compliance with AKC record keeping practices.
Fungicide: A chemical substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi.
Fungus: A primitive form of plant life that can be parasitic (as in the case of ringworm).
Furnishings: The long hair on the extremities (including head and tail) of certain breeds.
Furrow: A slight indentation of median line down the center of the skull to the stop.
Gait: The pattern of footsteps at various rates of speed, each pattern distinguished by a particular rhythm and footfall.
Gallop: Fastest of dog gaits; has a four-beat rhythm and often an extra period of suspension during which the body is propelled through the air with all four feet off the ground.
Game: Hunted wild birds or animals.
Gaskin: The lower or second thigh.
Gastric: Of, relating to, or associated with the stomach.
Gay Tail: A tail carried above the horizontal level of the back.
Gazehound: See Sighthound
Genealogy: Recorded family descent. Pedigree.
Gene pool: The collective genetic information contained within a population of sexually reproducing organisms.
Genes: A hereditary unit consisting of a sequence of DNA that occupies a specific location on a chromosome and determines a particular characteristic in an organism. Genes undergo mutation when their DNA sequence changes.
Genetically Linked Defects: Problems with health or temperament that are passed to offspring by their ancestors.
Genetics: The science of heredity.
Genotype: The genetic makeup, as distinguished from the physical appearance, of an organism or a group of organisms.
Gestation Period: The time between mating and birth (it averages 63 days).
Get: Offspring.
Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums, characterized by redness and swelling.
Goose Neck: An elongated, tubular-shaped neck. Also called swan neck.
Goose Rump: Too steep or sloping a croup.
Goose Step: Accentuated lift of the forelimbs.
Gordon Setter: A medium-sized hunting dog of a breed originating in Scotland, and having a silky black-and-tan coat.
Grizzle: A mixture of black or red hairs with white hairs. Frequently, a bluish-gray or iron-gray color. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Groom: To brush, comb, trim, or otherwise make a dog's coat neat.
Grooming Powder: A talc-like powder meant to separate and give volume to the dog's hair.
Ground Color: The color of the hair at the point that is closest to the body.
Groups: The breeds as grouped into seven divisions by the AKC to facilitate judging. The seven groups are: sporting, hound, working, toy, terrier, non-sporting, and herding.
Guard Hairs: The longer, smoother, stiffer hairs that grow through and normally conceal the undercoat.
Gun Dog: A dog trained to find or pursue game.
Hackles: Hairs on neck and back raised involuntarily in fright or anger.
Hackney Action: A high lifting of the front feet accompanied by flexing of the wrist like that of a Hackney horse.
Half-Prick Ear: Also known as the semi-prick ear, ears carried erect with just the tips leaning forward.
Hallmark: A distinguishing characteristic.
Handler: One who trains or exhibits an animal, such as a dog.
Hard-Mouthed: A dog that crushes or renders game unfit for consumption.
Hare Foot: Foot on which the two center digits are appreciably longer than the outside and inside toes of the foot, and the arching of the toes is less marked, making the foot appear longer overall.
Harlequin: Patched or pied coloration, usually black or gray on white. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Harness: A leather, nylon or cloth strap shaped around the shoulders and chest, with a ring at its top for the lead.
Haunch Bones: The hip bones.
Havanese: A small breed of dog with a soft coat originating in Cuba.
Haw: A third eyelid or membrane on the inside corner of the eye.
Head: The front portion of the dog, including the muzzle and the cranium.
Head Planes: Viewed in profile, the contours of the top portion of the skull from occiput to stop, and the foreface from stop to tip of the nose.
Heartworm: A filarial worm (Dirofilaria immitis) transmitted by mosquitoes and parasitic in the heart and associated blood vessels of dogs and other canids.
Heat: (1) Seasonal period of the female. Estrus, in season. (2) Performance: A competitive running of dogs.
Heel: Command to a dog to keep close beside its handler.
Height: Vertical measurement from the withers to the ground; usually called shoulder height.
Hemorrhage: Excessive discharge of blood from the blood vessels; profuse bleeding.
Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, caused by infectious or toxic agents and characterized by jaundice, fever, liver enlargement, and abdominal pain.
Herding Group: Group of dogs bred to help shepherds and ranchers herd or work livestock.
Hie On: A command to urge the dog on; used in hunting or in field trials.
High Standing: Tall and upstanding, with plenty of leg.
Hindquarters: Rear assembly of the dog (pelvis, thighs, hocks, and paws).
Hip Dysplasia: Abnormal formation of the hip joint.
Histamine: A physiologically active amine, C5H9N3, found in plant and animal tissue and released from mast cells as part of an allergic reaction in humans. It stimulates gastric secretion and causes dilation of capillaries, constriction of bronchial smooth muscle, and decreased blood pressure.
Hock: The collection of bones of the hind leg forming the joint between the second thigh and the metatarsus; the dog's true heel.
Hocking Out: Spread hocks.
Hocks Well Let Down: Hock joints close to the ground.
Holt: The lair of the fox or other animal in tree roots, banks, drains, or similar hideouts. Lodge.
HomeAgain: Brand name for microchips sold by Schering Plough to veterinarians for permanent identification of companion animals.
Homeopathic: A system of veterinary practice that treats a disease by the administration of very minute doses of a remedy that in a healthy animal would produce the symptoms of the disease that is being treated.
Honorable Scars: Scars from injuries suffered as a result of work.
Hook Tail: A tail that is carried down, but with the tip curled upwards.
Hormone: A substance, usually a peptide or steroid, produced by one tissue and conveyed by the bloodstream to another to effect physiological activity, such as growth or metabolism.
Hound: A dog of any of various breeds commonly used for hunting mammals by sight or by scent.
Hound Group: Group of dogs used for hunting game by scent or sight.
Hound-Marked: A coloration composed of white, tan, or black. The ground color, usually white, may be marked with tan and/or black patches on the head, back, legs, and tail. The extent and the exact location of such markings, however, differ in breeds and individual dogs. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Housebreak: To train a pet to live cleanly in a house.
Hucklebones: Top of the hipbones.
Humane Societies: Groups that aims to stop animal and human suffering due to cruelty or other reasons.
Humerus: The bone of the arm (i.e., the upper arm).
Identification: On-dog system whereby a dog may be identified to a record (i.e., microchip, tattoo or DNA).
Hypertension: Abnormally elevated blood pressure.
Hyperthermia: Unusually high body temperature that can result from heat stroke.
Hypothermia: Abnormally low body temperature, typically resulting from exposure to cold environmental conditions.
[b]Immune Response: The body's reaction to infection.
Immunization:[/b] To produce immunity in, as by inoculation.
Imported Semen: Frozen semen that is imported from another country.
In Whelp: Pregnant.
Inbreeding: The mating of two closely related dogs. Generally said a brother and sister mating, father and daughter, mother and son is in breeding, dogs less closely related is referred to as line breeding as a rule. Although a common joke is its line breeding until it stuffs up, then it’s inbreeding
Incisors: The six upper and six lower front teeth between the canines. The point of contact forms the bite.
Incontinence: The inability to control excretory functions.
Incubation Period: The period between infection and the appearance of symptoms of a disease.
Inflammation: A localized protective reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection, characterized by pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes loss of function.
Inherited: To receive (a characteristic) from one's parents by genetic transmission.
Injection: Something that is injected, especially a dose of liquid medicine injected into the body.
Interbreeding: The breeding of dogs of different breeds.
Internal Parasites: One celled protozoan, larvae and worms that survive by living off the host animal's meals or blood.
Iris: The colored membrane surrounding the pupil of the eye.
Isabella: Usually used to describe Doberman Pinschers, this color is similar to fawn or light bay, but has more saturation and brilliance (similar to a bay-colored horse). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
***DISCLAIMER***The opinions stated are not to be considered as fact, just that paticular persons opinion, I take no accountablility for the accuracy of the advise given, nor is this in anyway connected to the opinion of the forum Dogzonline.Following on from another topic.
What are your opinions about Stud Dog owners actively seeking out and soliciting stud work for their dogs???
I personaly find it a bit offensive that people feel the need to do that. As a breeder you should know what is out there or at least have an idea of what is available and what may suit your bitch. Why do you need stud dog owners promoting their stud dogs to you with comments like.........
"I think you should use my dog over your bitch, you would get great puppies"
"My dog and your bitch would produce super pups"
"You should use my dog he is Multi (fill in blanks ie titles) and he will help sell your pups"
"You should think about using my dog over Fifi, he has produced this and that, you would get nice puppies"
Promotion by way of advertising is a totally different kettle of fish. I am talking about those owners who actively seek out potential studs (bitch owners) at say shows or where ever a breed gathers is what I am talking about.
What do other breeders think of those who promote their stud dogs in such a way?
I know it's been done to death but I'm not sure what to make of an email we got today.
We have a breeder's listing on DOL for the Irish but no litter listed however Ruby is currentl interstate being entertained by a gorgeous stud dog, so we are looking at our first litter to be born early November.
I got home today to find this email:
Title: Irish Terrier
Email Body:
Can you pls give me a call when you can. 0418330642.
Sent via iPhone
No name except for what it comes up as the email address. They may have tried to ring as we weren't home today and only the home number is listed.
Is it worth just giving them a call? I'm a bit put off by the bluntness of the email and surely if they were that interested in a pup they would try calling again or send an email with a bit more body to it.
I'd normally talk to our mentor but she's overseas for a couple of weeks.
I eventually want to start breeding dogs most likely GSDs but i'm still not sure and it would be a long time away once I have a good idea of the breed (whichever i choose) but I was just wondering if it is easier if you learn off a breeder that has been doing it for a while before starting for yourself and the betterment of the breed or is it not done like that?
does co-owning a breeding dog with the breeder make it easier or just more difficult?
Thank You for your replies. I am looking at the future (ie 5 - 10 yrs away)
A breeder friend of mine has been asked to look after some of the pups she has bred over Christmas when they go on holidays to which she has happily agreed. She lives on a farm and so she is worried about liability of snake bites, injury etc. Just wondering if anyone has a contract or similar that I could show her so she can get an idea of what to put in it. Also she is unsure as to what she should charge, any ideas of prices would also be fantastic.
Any help would be greatly appreciated to give a base to start from.
I have enquired about a nice looking staffy, however am concerned about the age the seller is passing it onto me at 6 weeks old.
Should i be alarmed, he said the VCA recommends 8 weeks, but 6 weeks will be ok.
Thoughts? I'm due to have a look tomorrow morning.
I don't know how true this is but I was told today a dog can be put onto the main register in SA without the breeder's permission???? Please tell me this is not true
I bought a bichon frise puppy from a breeder back in February and he was advertised as "will be registered with Dogs NSW" which I thought meant that I would get some sort of papers showing the registration and I was told this by the breeder as well. But Ive emailed the breeder a number of times and the last time she told me she had sent the docs off but its been more than a month and I've not heard back from her.
Shes no longer replying to my emails and she doesnt answer the phone.
She also showed me a certificate of the puppy's pedigree which she said she was going to send to me in the post but she hasnt and I paid a premium price for what I thought was a pedigree puppy - but now I dont know if she even shows her dogs. And she has given me a bad impression of her "operations"
She is still selling puppies on the DogzOnline pages and she seems to have puppies available for sale all the time.
The other thing was when I got my puppy he was not in good condition. He had infections in both ears with one ear completely blocked with smelly brown stuff which also caused his eyes to tear and stain. He's healthy and happy now but Im not happy with the "breeder" who I feel is selling so called pedigree puppies under the guise of a responsible dog breeder/shower when she's not. Because she cant even get her act together and give me my dog's papers which she promised.
Is there anything I can do?
For those who take their bitches temps and start a couple of weeks out from the due date, has anyone else found that they get a temp drop about a week before the pups actually arrive ?
I've plotted temps for every bitch over the years and have found that every one of them has had a dip under 37 about a week before they whelp. It doesn't stay down for more than half a day. If I went by my temp charts and what I've observed, I would feel confident in predicting a bitch will whelp 6-7 days after the first drop.
Anyone else noticed this and does it vary between breeds ?
today I had two enquiries for puppies, (Of which I don't have any, not planning another litter until this time next year).
the long and short of the both conversations, both sounded like great puppy home prospects. Then it came to the question of how much i sell puppies for ,or the going rate for them.
When I said what it was both ladies were shocked, thought they would be able to get a puppy for about 1/2 asking price. Both said :"but I only want a pet one, not a show one".
I tried to explain that it doesn't matter whether they are buying a show or pet puppy, it still costs the same amount to raise them. (and as we all know, we really don't recoup our money)
How do other breeders react when asked this question. Should I be trying to justify the price or not,
thanks
scrappynsuzie
Breeders Community
1 2 3 > »
Agghh I cant use the darn thing..Ive just spent the last couple of hours filling in a data base of names and now have no idea how to make a pedigree...?? Ive clicked almost everything, can someone tell me in 'dumb computer illterate' form how to make a 5 gen pedigree...please?
- If any breeders have contracts for their dogs, would you mind allowing me to view them?
Let's hope she comes early!!
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