Dog Park Dictionary

apron: A protective garment, typically waterproof, used in pet grooming.

artificial insemination: The introduction of semen into a female dog by unnatural means. Artificial insemination is one way to control and perfect the quality of breeds.

awn hairs: The coarser part of the undercoat. Awn hairs are longer than the downy undercoat and shorter than the primary guard hairs.

babbler: A babbler is a hound that barks as soon as it is turned loose without having a scent to follow.

baiting: The practice of releasing an aggressive dog onto a chained or otherwise confined animal.

bandy legs: An outward curvature of the legs.

barrier frustration: A reason animal behaviorists list for dog aggression when the animal wishes to be off-leash or outside a crate.

beard: Long thick hair under the jaw.

behaviorist: An expert who studies animal behaviors, and may be hired to address dog aggression issues.

bitch: A female canine.

bite inhibition: The ability of a dog to control the strength of a bite; a sense which is formed as a puppy with play-biting.

blanket: Coat coloring between the neck and the tail on the back and upper sides of a dog.

blaze: A white stripe or splash running down the center of a dog's face from muzzle to forehead.

bloat: A potentially fatal gastrointestinal obstruction that is also known as gastric dilation.

bobtail: A dog with a naturally short tail or a one that has been cropped short, i.e., docked.

boodline: A canine's pedigree, often in reference to a particular kennel.

booster vaccination: Periodic follow-on injections administered to perpetuate the immunity provided by the initial vaccination.

Bordetellosis: A highly infectious bacterial infection of the respiratory system.

Borreliosis: Commonly known as Lyme disease, borreliosis is an infectious, tick-borne disease caused by spirochete bacteria.

brindle: A random blend of colors in a dog' coat that produces a subtle tiger-stripe pattern.

brisket: The area between and just behind the forelegs of a dog.

brucellosis: A chronic, infectious, sexually transmitted disease that causes sterility.

BSL: "Breed Specific Legislation;" laws passed to restrict ownership of pit bulls such as requirements for muzzles, microchips or certain breeding practices.

burr: The irregular cartilage inside the ear's cupped area.

butterfly ears: Large, erect ears resembling the wings of butterflies.

butterfly: A breed of toy dog with large ears and markings reminiscent of a butterfly.

button ears: Smallish ears with a forward-folding flap in which the tip lies close to the skull and near the eye such that no internal part of the ear is visible.

camel back: An arched back reminiscent of a camel's hump.

candle flame ears: Large, erect, unevenly edged ears.

Cane Corso: A large, Italian breed of dog similar to a mastiff, which is most commonly used by humans as a guard dog.

canid: The family of carnivorous animals comprising coyotes, dogs, foxes, jackals and wolves.

canine distemper: A highly contagious viral infection characterized by acute upper respiratory symptoms, fever, diarrhea, vomiting and neurological symptoms.

canine teeth: Also known as the eye teeth, these large, sharp, curved teeth reside on both sides of the mouth more towards the front.

cap: Dark-shaded pattern on the top of the dog's head.

cherry eye: A condition occurring when the gland of the third eyelid (the eyelid that contains dogs' tear ducts) slips down or comes out of place, causing swelling and redness.

china eye: An eye that is clear, light blue, whitish and flecked or spotted with blue.

chocolate: A medium-brown coat likened to the color of chocolate.

cinnamon: A rich, brownish-red coat smiliar in color to the spice.

colostrum: The immunity-providing hormone in mother's milk produced in the first few days postpartum. Colostrum helps prevent newborn pups from disease.

congenital: A characteristic or condition, often a defect or imperfection, present at birth that may have genetic or environmental origins.

CordobaFighting Dog: An Argentine breed of dog developed for hunting and fighting.

coronavirus: A viral disease characterized by diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration.

counter-conditioning: A form of desensitization used by behaviorists to reduce fear of certain people or objects among dogs.

dam: The female parent of a puppy litter.

dander: Small scales from dead skin or hair that, when shed, induce an allergic reaction from some people.

deep-chested: Refers to breeds like German Shepherds, Great Danes and Irish Setters with a large rib cage structure.

desensitization: A type of therapy used by behaviorists to reduce anxiety in dogs.

dhlpp: The vaccine against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and parvovirus that is given to 1 year old puppies and dogs each year after.

dish-faced: A slight concavity of the dog's muzzle.

distemper: A viral infection characterized by acute upper respiratory symptoms, fever that will worsen and be accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting and neurological symptoms.

dock: Clipping or removing a tail to produce a bobtail.

Dogue de Bordeaux: A French breed of dog developed for fighting and guard duties.

domed head: Describes an evenly rounded, curved topskull.

dominant: Exhibiting forceful superiority in the social hierarchy. "Dominant" can also refer to the prevailing gene in a gene pair.

eclampsia: Caused by a calcium deficiency, eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy characterized by loss of consciousness and convulsions during or immediately following deliver. In some cases, eclampsia has occurred during the 5th month of pregnancy. This serious condition is usually the cause of hypertension and can result in death.

enteritis: Inflammation of the intestinal tract, particularly the small intestine, brought on by bacterial infection.

estrus: Commonly known as heat, estrus is a periodic state of sexual excitement or receptivity in female dogs.

euthanasia: Also known as "putting a dog down," euthanasia is the act of ending the life of a terminally ill or otherwise suffering animal by human hand.