B - Dog Dictionary Definitions

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  Babbler

  A term used to describe a hound that makes noise or gives 'tongue' when not on a trail.

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  Baby Teeth (See also: Milk Teeth)

• Back

  In relation to the human body, the back of a dog extends from the withers to the croup.

• Back crossing

  A term used to describe inbreeding between a dog and its parent.

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  Backyard breeder

  An individual who causally breeds dogs without titles or clearances and without any clear regard for improving, and...(continued)

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  Bad Mouth

  A mouth where the upper and lower teeth do not line up when the mouth is closed. The teeth are crooked and do not conform to breed...(continued)

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  Badger

  A term used to describe a coat that is grayish-brown and mixed occasionally with a few dark hairs. This term is used to describe coat...(continued)

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  Bait

  1. A piece of food used to encourage or bait the dog into showing animation and a desired expression. 2. using a piece of food or toy...(continued)

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  Balance

  When a harmonious image is created by dog's physical attributes, whether it is standing or moving.

• Balinese Cats

• Bandy Legs

  A term used to describe legs that are bend outwards.

• Barbet

• Barrel

  A region in the rib cross-section that is rounded.

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  Barrel Hocks

  Also known as spread hocks, it is a term to describe hocks, or ankles, that turn outwards which causes the feet to toe in.

• Barring

  A term used to describe striped markings on a dog's coat.

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  Base coat

  The main or primary color of a dog's coat.

• Basenji

• Basset Hound

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  Bat Ear

  A large erect ear that has a broad base, a forward facing opening and a rounded top.

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  Bay

  1. A term used to describe a coat that is a reddish-brown in color. 2. the sound that a hunting hound makes when it is on the scent. It...(continued)

• Bea-Sting Tail

  Often used to describe a Pointer's tail, it is a strong and straight tail, which is relatively short and tapers into a point.

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  Beady

  An undesired expression in regards to breed standards where the eyes are round, small and glittering.

• Beagle

• Beard

  Reminiscent of the human equivalent, it is thick, long hair that grows on the under or lower jaw.

• Bearded Collie

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  Beauty Spot

  A distinct spot of color that is generally round in shape, found on the top of the head between the skulls and surrounded by the...(continued)

• Beaver

  A term used to describe a coat color that consists of white, brown, gray, and black hairs mixed together.

• Bedlington Terrier

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  Beefy

  A thick or heavy development of the hindquarters.

• Behavior Modification

  A way to alter undesired behaviors or teach skills using basic techniques such as biofeedback, aversion therapy,...(continued)

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  Belge

  A term used to describe the coat color of a Brussels Griffon that is a mixture of black and reddish-brown.

• Belgian Malinois

• Belgian Sheepdog

• Belgian Tervuren

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  Belton

  A term used to describe a color pattern found in English Setters where the coat has a roaning or light or dark ticking. Belton comes...(continued)

• Benched show

  An all-breed conformation show where the entries are assigned to a "benching area" where they are required to stay when they...(continued)

• Bengal Cats

• Berger Picard

• Bernese Mountain Dog

• Best of Breed

  The dog that is displays the best conformation to breed standard among all the other competing dogs of the same breed. Winners...(continued)

• Best of Opposite Sex

  The dog that displays the best conformation to the breed standard and is of the opposite sex of the Best of Breed

• Best of Variety

  An award given in lieu of Best of Breed where the breed being shown is divided into varieties. The breeds that are split...(continued)

• Best of Winners

  The dog that displays the best conformation to the breed standard between the Winners Dog and the Winners bitch.

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  Bi-color

  A term used to describe a coat pattern that consists of two colors usually white as a base color and large patches that consist of...(continued)

• Bichon Frise

• Bird Dog

  A term used to describe a dog that is both bred and trained to hunt game birds.

• Bird Dog Field Trials (See also: Field Trial)

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  Bird of Prey Eyes

  Light yellowish eyes that have an usually harsh look to them similar in appearance to that of a bird of prey.

• Birman Cats

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  Biscuit

  A term used to describe a coat that is a combination of yellow, brown and light gray in hue or color with a medium brilliance and

• Bitch

  An accepted term used to describe a female canine.

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  Bite

  Used to describe the position of the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed. There are several different terms for the various...(continued)

• Black Russian Terrier

• Black and Tan Coonhound

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  Blanket

  The coat color on the back and upper part of the sides.

• Blaze

  A white stripe that usually starts at the base of the muzzle, up between the eyes and onto the top of the head. It is usually in the...(continued)

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  Blenheim

  A term used to describe a coat pattern found in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel where the coat is red and white.

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  Blinking

  When a retrieving or pointing dog briefly looks at or points at a bird before moving on.

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  Blocky head

  A head that is square or cube-like in shape

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  Blooded

  A term used to describe a dog with a good pedigree and breeding.

• Bloodhound

• Bloodline

  The pedigree or line of descent.

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  Blue Gray

  A coat color that is described as being a blend between slate blue and gray.

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  Blue Merle

  A term used to describe a coat pattern that has a blue-gray base color with black streaks or blotches.

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  Blue-cream

  A coat color combination that has both blue and cream pigmentation in the fur.

• Bluetick Coonhound

• Bluies

  A term used to describe the portions on a coat that has a smoky cast or distinct blue color. It is often seen with light or blue eyes...(continued)

• Blunt Muzzle

  A muzzle that is square in shape.

• Board

  A place to house, care for and feed your dog while you are away.

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  Bobtail

  A nickname of the Old English Sheepdog, it is also a term used to describe a dog with a very short or no tail, that is either...(continued)

• Body Length

  The measurement between the front of the breastbone, prosternum to the posterior portion of the pelvic girdle.

• Bolognese

• Bombay Cats

• Booster Vaccination

  Usually done on an annual basis, depending on the vaccine, it is an injection that is given to continue the immunity to...(continued)

• Border Collie

• Border Terrier

• Bordetellosis

  Is one of several respiratory infections that is known as Kennel Cough. The disease is very contagious and causes an...(continued)

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  Borreliosis

  Commonly linked to ticks, it is an infectious arthritis that is also known as Lyme disease.

• Borzoi

• Bossy

  A term used to describe shoulder muscles that are over-developed.

• Boston Terrier

• Bouvier des Flandres

• Boxer

• Boykin Spaniel

• Bracco Italiano

• Brace

  1. The use of several dogs together during certain field events. 2. when two dogs of the same breed are presented as a pair.

• Break

  When the coat color of a puppy changes to a different color as an adult.

• Breastbone

• Bred-by-Exhibitor Class

  A regular category or class in a conformation show that any dog six months of age or over and not a champion that is...(continued)

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  Breech Birth

  A posterior or rear facing delivery where the hind end of the puppy is birthed first leaving the head inside the birth canal...(continued)

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  Breeches

  Also known as the pants, culottes or trousers, it is a term used to describe the longer fringe-like hair on the upper and lower...(continued)

• Breed

  A type of dog that is characterized by a similar appearance, qualities and function, which also share a common gene pool.

• Breed Standard

  Usually created and laid down by the various parent clubs of individual breeds it is a set of descriptions that outline in...(continued)

• Breed club

  An organization that is dedicated to a particular breed and its improvement and promotion. Many members of any breed club are...(continued)

• Breed rescue

  An organization that is dedicated to placing a particular breed of dogs that was abandoned or unwanted into good homes.

• Breeder

  An individual who breeds and raises a specific breed(s) of dog.

• Breeder-Owner-Handler

  An individual who not only breeds dogs but also owns, handles and exhibits the dogs themselves.

• Breeding Particulars

  The information about a breeding such as the name of the sire and dam, when the breeding took place, date of birth,...(continued)

• Briard

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  Brick-shaped

  A term to describe a dog that is rectangular in shape.

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  Brindle

  A coat patterned with specks and streaks of light and dark markings, a wide range of colors can be seen in a brindle but there must...(continued)

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  Brisket

  A term used to refer to the sternum although in some breed standards the term refers to the entire thorax.

• Britches

  A term to describe the long hair on the upper area of the rear legs.

• British Shorthair Cats

• Brittany

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  Broken Color

  A base color that is broken by another color such as white.

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  Broken-Up Face

  A common trait in Bulldogs and Pekingese, it is a receding nose with an undershot jaw that also has a deep stop and wrinkles.

• Broken-haired

  A term used to describe a coat type that is wiry and rough.

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  Bronze

  A term used to describe a color found in Newfoundlands that is caused by the sun. When it occurs the normally black coat has a metal...(continued)

• Brood Bitch

  A term used to describe a bitch, female dog that is used for breeding.

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  Brows

  Similar to the human brow, it is the frontal bone contours that form the ridge over the eyes.

• Brucellosis

  An infectious disease that is transmitted from one dog to another through sexual contact. It can lead to a infertility in both...(continued)

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  Brush

  A term used to describe a tail that has a dense or heavy amount of hair; also known as a bushy tail.

• Brussels Griffon

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  Buff

  A term used to describe a coat that is off-white to gold in color.

• Bull Neck

  A neck that is heavily muscled.

• Bull Terrier

• Bulldog

• Bullmastiff

• Burmese Cats

• Burmilla Cats

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  Burr

  The visible inside of the ear.

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  Butterfly

  A nose that is dark with a spot of flesh color or unpigmented skin.

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  Button Ear

  A term to describe an ear that is small in size with a flap covering the opening of the ear.

• By-Products

  Products that are not acceptable for human consumption but can be used in animal products.