A - Dog Dictionary Definitions

• Abyssinian Cats

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  Achondroplasia

  A genetic disorder that is common defect in many breeds and a requisite in breeds such as the Dachshund, and Basset Hound. It...(continued)

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  Acquired Immunity

  An immunity to a to a specific infectious disease obtained through one of four ways; vaccination, attack of the infectious...(continued)

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  Acute Disease

  An illness that occurs suddenly, progresses rapidly and is short in duration. It can be severe in nature and usually requires...(continued)

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  Acute moist dermatitis

  Is a red and inflamed area of skin that is caused by a bacterial infection. The more common name of this health...(continued)

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  Addison's Disease

  Addison's Disease is a very serious disease that is also known as hypoadrenocorticism. It is caused when the adrenal gland...(continued)

• Affenpinscher

• Afghan Hound

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  Afterbirth

  The fetal membranes and placenta that is expelled from the uterus shortly after birth. Generally each puppy is born with its own...(continued)

• Agent

• Agility Excellent (AX)

  The title and suffix held by dogs that have successfully qualified a specific number of times in an AKC sanctioned...(continued)

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  Agility Trials

  An obstacle course that comprises of various apparatus such as dog walks, tunnels, A-frames, and weave poles where the dogs...(continued)

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  Agouti

  A term to describe an irregular pattern of hair. It is usually used to describe a coloring that is found in Siberian Huskies where...(continued)

• Airedale Terrier

• Akita

• Alaskan Malamute

• Albino

  White coat and red eyes, which are caused by a recessive gene. Albinos are rare in dog breeds.

• All-Breed Club

  A group of dog fanciers that are recognized by the AKC. The clubs are required to educate the public on breeding practices,...(continued)

• All-Breed Show

  An event where multiple breeds of dogs are judged against their breed standards. Dogs that conform to the standards and...(continued)

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  Allele

  One or more genes in a DNA coding that occupies a specific location or locus, position, on their correlating chromosome.

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  Allergen

  A substance that causes a negative physical reaction in a dog or human. These substances can be topical such as flea powders, food...(continued)

• Allergies

  Allergies are common ailment in dogs. There are three main types of allergies, these are: food based allergies which are treated...(continued)

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  Almond Eyes

  A shape of eye that is more oval than it is rounded with an elongated curve that ends in a slightly higher outer corner.

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  Alpha

  1. Derived from the first letter in the Greek alphabet, it is used to describe the first rank in an animal hierarchy. It is often...(continued)

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  Alter

  To spay or castrate an animal.

• Amateur Field Champion (AFC)

  The title and suffix held by dogs that have successfully earned the specific number of points in an Amateur Field...(continued)

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  Amble

  A gait that uses both legs on opposite sides of the body alternately. It is described as an easy, relaxed gait that is a transition...(continued)

• American Bobtail Cats

• American Curl Cats

• American English Coonhound

• American Eskimo Dog

• American Foxhound

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  American Kennel Club

  An organization founded in the late 1800's that serves a multitude of roles in regards to the purebred dog world. The...(continued)

• American Pit Bull Terrier

• American Water Spaniel

• American Wirehair Cats

• American-Bred Class

  A regular category or class in a conformation show that any dog six months of age or over that was either whelped or the...(continued)

• Anal glands

  Two glands or sacs that are located near the anus. They are also known as scent glands, which secrete a brownish liquid that...(continued)

• Anatolian Shepherd Dog

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  Anesthesia Sensitivity

  Sighthounds are sensitive to anesthesia and some other drugs that can lead to the death of the dog if it is...(continued)

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  Anestrus

  An interval of sexual inactivity that occurs after and before each period of estrus or heat cycle. This interval occurs in...(continued)

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  Angulation

  The angles created by bones when they meet at their joint.

• Ankle (See also: Hock)

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  Ankylosis

  A fusion or adhesion of bones or other hard tissues in a joint.

• Anterior

  In regards to canines, it is a term that pertains to the front assembly of the dog; this can be the head or forward end of the

• Appenzeller Sennenhunde

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  Apple Head

  Often used to describe the head of a Chihuahua, it refers to a round or dome-like head, similar in shape to an apple.

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  Apricot

  A term used to describe a medium-saturated orange coat color. It is often seen in Afghans, Mastiffs, Poodles and Pugs.

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  Apron

  Also known as a frill, it is longer hair below the neck.

• Arm

  Also known as the upper arm, it is the anatomical section between the elbow and the shoulder.

• Articulation

  The juncture where two or more bones meet, also know as the joint.

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  Artificial Insemination

  The introduction or injection of semen into the uterus or female reproductive tract without sexual contact.

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  Asthma

  A paroxysmal disorder that is often caused by allergies. Symptoms are usually wheezing, chest constriction, difficulty breathing, and...(continued)

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  Asymptomatic

  Showing no symptoms or evidence of a disease.

• Australian Cattle Dog

• Australian Shepherd

• Australian Terrier

• Auto-immune Hemolytic Anemia

  Auto-immune Hemolytic Anemia is a life threatening disease where the body attacks its own red blood cells....(continued)

• Autoimmune disease

  A term used to identify certain diseases or disorders that affect the immune system. In Autoimmune diseases, the immune...(continued)

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  Awn hairs

  The part of an animal's coat that is longer than the undercoat and shorter than the guard hairs. It is usually coarse in texture...(continued)

• Azawakh