A,B,C

Abdomen:

The body cavity between the hindquarters and the chest.

Abscess:

Swollen or enflamed area of body tissue, usually accompanied with pus.

Achalasia:

A defect in the line from the esophagus to the diaphragm in which there is a pocket where food and liquid lodge and are never digested.

Acarus:

A parasitic mite that can cause mange.

Acetabulum:

Socket of the hipbone that holds the femur(thigh bone).

Achilles tendon:

Most prominent, longest, and strongest tendon in the dog, provides an anchor and extension for the calf muscle onto the fibular tarsal bone.

Action:

The way a dog walks, trots or run.

Acupuncture:

Ancient Chinese medical practice of inserting sharp needles at specific points in the body to alleviate pain or uncomfortable condition.

ACV:

Apple Cider Vinegar

A.D.:

Agility dog.

Addison's disease:

Hypoadrenocorticism, hormonal deficiency especially of the adrenocortical hormones most common among young to middle-aged dogs.

Adenocarcinoma:

Deadly malignant tumor that originates in the cells which form a gland that quickly spreads throughout the entire body.

Adenoma:

Benign tumor, or non-inflammatory growth usually found in the mammary glands.

Adrenal glands:

Glands located near kidneys that produce adrenalin which acts upon the heart and ultimately regulate the blood pressure.

Advanced Agility Dog:

Second title for agility competitions(AAD).

Afterbirth:

Placenta and fetal membranes discharged from the womb after the birth of the pup.

Agalactia:

Contagious viral disease that causes a decrease or stoppage of milk production in a nursing bitch.

Agility dog:

First title for agility competitions, A. D.

Agility trials:

Competitive sport involving man and dog in which the handler directs his/her dog through a timed obstacle course; scoring is based on faults.

AHBA:

American Herding Breeds Association

A.K.C.:

American Kennel Club.

Alariasis:

Infection caused by ingestion of flukes; the flukes mature and feed on intestinal contents.

Alarm dogs:

Dogs which bark to call attention to something or someone that is out of line.

Albinism:

Lack of pigmentation of the skin, hair, and irises of the eyes.

Alert:

A. any dog of attention

B. racing dog that is quick out of the box.

Almond eyes:

Oval-shaped eyes that are pointed at either corner.

Alopecia:

Unusual loss of hair, inherited skin problem that has no treatment or cure.

Alpha:

In a group of dogs, the "top dog," is alpha; groups of dogs will also have a higher alpha which is the owner of the dogs.

ASCA:

Australian Shepherd Club of America

AWTA:

American Working Terrier Association

BARF:

Biologically Accepted Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food.

Bench Show:

Dog show where dogs are displayed on benches except during ring sessions.

Best in Show:

Award given to the dog who is judged best of all breeds in a show.

BIS:

abbreviation for Best in Show title

Bitch:

A female dog

Bitchy:

When a male dog shows female characteristics

Bloom:

Glossiness of coat

BOB:

abbreviation for Best of Breed title

Bobtail:

A naturally tailless dog, or a dog with a very short docked tail.

BOS:

abbreviation for Best Opposite Sex (to BOB)

Brace:

Pair of dogs

Brindle:

A mixture of black hairs with brown, grey or tan.

Brisket:

Front of chest between the forelegs.

Brood bitch:

Female used for breeding.

BW:

abbreviation for Best of Winners title

CD(Companion Dog):

Title earned by successfully completing novice classes at three AKC obedience trials.

CDX(Companion Dog Excellent:

Title earned by successfully completing classes at three AKC obedience trials.

CEA:

abbreviation for Collie Eye Anomaly

CERF:

abbreviation for Canine Eye Registration Foundation-an organization that registers "normal eyed dogs"

Ch.,Champion:

Title awarded to dog that has defeated a specific number of dogs in competition at AKC dog shows.

CHD/HD:

abbreviation for Canine Hip Dysplasia/Hip Dysplasia

Chest:

Directly under the dog, behind the forelegs.

CKC:

Canadian Kennel Club

Coupling:

Part of the body between the shoulders and hips

CPI:

abbreviation for Canine Parainfluenza

CPV:

abbreviation for Canine Parvovirus

Crabbing:

Dog that moves toward you with its body at an angle rather that straight ahead; also called side-wheeling or side-winding.

Conformation:

A dog's form, structure and shape, which should conform to the standard for each breed.

Cropping:

Forming erect ears by the cutting or trimming of the ear leather.

Croup:

Portion of the back directly above the hind legs before the tail.

D,E,F

Dam:

female parent

Dew claws:

Rudimentary toes often removed shortly after birth.

Dewlap:

skin on the throat.

DHLPP:

Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus shot

Dish faced:

Where the tip of the nose is higher that the stop.

Dog:

a. any canine, male or female

b. male dog, especially when used in conjunction with bitch.

Doggy:

Female dog showing male characteristics, especially in weight and size.

Entropion:

Complex genetic condition that results in the turning in of the upper or lower eyelid, potentially resulting in corneal ulceration.

Eyeteeth:

Upper canines.

FCh.,Field Champion:

Title awarded to a dog who has defeated a certain number of dogs at a series of AKC competitions.

FDSB

abbreviation for Field Dog Stud Book-a registry of pointing dogs published by the American Field Publishing Company

Field Trial:

A competition for specific Hound or Sporting Breeds. Dogs are judged on the ability and style of finding or retrieving game.

Flews:

Pendulous upper lips.

G,H,I

Gait:

Way a dog moves.

GSD:

abbreviation for German Shepherd Dog

GSP:

abbreviation for German Shorthair Pointer

Haw:

Third eyelid.

Heat:

mating period for bitches.

Hocks:

Joints above the pasterns of the legs.

Isabella:

Fawn or light bay color.

J,K,L

Jaws:

The two bones that frame the mouth, holding the teeth.

KC:

Kennel Club-of Great Britain

Kennel Cough:

Respiratory disease resulting in acute coughing spasms, a.k.a. Canine Infectious Tracheo bronchitis.

Landseer:

Black and White Newfoundland Dog.

Liver:

Deep reddish brown color.

Luxation:

Dislocation of an anatomical structure, i.e. lens or patella.

M,N,O

Match Show:

An informal show at which no championship points are awarded.

Merle:

Blue-gray or red gray coloring with flecks of black.

Miscellaneous Class:

Competitive class of dogs who don't formally fit into regular show classification.

Nape:

The junction of the base of the skull and the top of the neck.

NQ'd:

Not Qualified-failure to complete exercise in ring

obedience Trial:

An event in which a dog and handler display their competence in executing specific skills such as sit, down, heel, and stay.

OES:

abbreviation for Old English Sheepdog

OFA:

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals-hip certification

OTCh(obedience Trial Champion):

Title earned by a dog that has won the number of points and first place wins specified in the current obedience regulations.

Open Class:

A dog show in which all dogs of all breeds, including Champions, imported dogs, and mixed breeds.

P,Q,R

Pad:

Cushioned part of the foot.

Pastern:

Part of the leg below the knee in the rear legs.

Quarters:

The four regions that comprise a quadruped.

RBKC:

Rare Breed Kennel Club

ROM:

abbreviation for Register of Merit-awarded by parent clubs of specific breeds

Rose ear:

Small drop ear that folds over the back to reveal the burr.

RWB:

abbreviation for Reserve Winner's Bitch title

RWD:

abbreviation for Reserve Winner's Dog title

S,T,U

Scent hound:

A dog that hunts primarily by scent.

Schutzhund:

German-developed training regimen for protective work used world-wide, only strong, determined, and aggressive perform well with Schutzhund.

Second thigh:

Area of the hind quarters between the hock and the stifle.

Septum:

Vertical line between the nostrils.

Show dog:

Dog bred for conformation to its breed standards and shown in competition on that basis.

Sire:

Male parent

SKC:

State's Kennel Club

Stifle:

Upper joint of the rear legs which correspond to humans' knees.

Stop:

Point between the dogs' eyes.

Stud:

Male dog used for breeding.

TD(Tracking Dog):

Title earned by a dog that has passed an AKC tracking test.

TDI:

abbreviation for Therapy Dogs International

TDX(Tracking Dog Excellent):

Title earned by a dog that has passed an AKC dog excellent tracking test.

Triple Champion:

Dog that has won bench show, field trial, and obedience trial memberships.

UD(Utility Dog):

Title earned by a dog that has won certain minimum requirement scores in utility classes as a specific number of AKC obedience trials.

UDT/UDTX:

Title earned by a dog in a AKC test that combines Utility Dog and Tracking Dog requirements.

U.K.C.:

United Kennel Club

Undershot:

Front teeth(incisors) of the lower jaw overlapping beyond the front teeth of the upper jaw when the mouth is closed,i.e. bulldog skull.

V,W,X,Y and Z

Vaccination:

Immunization against communicable diseases.

WB:

abbreviation for Winner's Bitch title

WD:

abbreviation for Winner's Dog title

WH:

abbreviation for Wolf Hybrid

Whelps:

Unweaned Puppies

Withers:

Highest point of the shoulders, right behind the neck.