F - Dog Dictionary Definitions

• Fall

  The hair that overhangs onto the face.

• 

  Fallow

  A term used to describe a coat that is pale yellow, yellowish-red or pale cream to light fawn in color.

• Fancier

  Singular of the word Fancy, it is a term used to describe a person who is interested in either a specific breed of dog or purebred...(continued)

• Fancy

  A group of people who are interested in either a specific breed of dog or in purebred dogs in general. Usually these people are active...(continued)

• 

  Fang

  Any of the long, sharp teeth, which a carnivorous animal uses to seize and tear prey. Also see Canines Teeth

• 

  Fawn

  A term used to describe a coat that is medium in hue and yellowish brown in color.

• Feathering

  A fringe or feathery tuft of longer hair that is usually found on the ears, tail, body, or legs of a dog. Feathering can occur on...(continued)

• 

  Femur

  The bone that is similar to the human femur where the bone extends from the hip bone to the knee or stifle in a dog. It is also known...(continued)

• 

  Fetch

  1. A popular game where the dog will go and bring back an item thrown for it, i.e. a ball or stick. 2. a common command used in...(continued)

• Fetus

  The later developmental stages of an unborn animal in utero. The animal is recognizable in basic structure to that of the adult animal...(continued)

• Fever

  An abnormal temperature that is higher than 103F in a dog.

• 

  Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy

  Is an obstruction or embolism in a blood vessel causing a portion of the spinal cord to die. The...(continued)

• 

  Fibula

  A similar structure to humans, it is the thinner and outer bone that extends from the stifle; canine knee, to the hock; canine ankle.

• Fiddle Front

  Also known as the French Front or Chippendale front, it is when the forelegs are positioned like a fiddle where the elbows are...(continued)

• Field Spaniel

• Field Trial

  Competitions where certain breeds, such as hounds or sporting breeds, are judged on their abilities to track, course, find or...(continued)

• 

  Filled-Up Face

  A face that is free of excess muscles giving it a smooth contour.

• Fillers

  Used to describe, chemicals and other indigestible materials that are used to increase the volume of pet food.

• Finish

  1. A term commonly used in conformation competitions and it indicates when a dog has received enough points to be awarded a Champion...(continued)

• Finnish Lapphund

• Finnish Spitz

• Fixed

  See spay, neuter or alter. 2. a permanent change to the carriage of ears or tail due to a surgical procedure.

• 

  Flag

  A tail that is carried high, it is usually long with feathering.

• Flagging

  A term used to describe the act where a bitch holds her tail to the side indicating that she is ready to be bred.

• Flank

  The side of the body that extends from the last rib to the hip.

• 

  Flare

  A blaze of color usually white that gradually widens as it approaches the top of the skull

• Flat-Coated Retriever

• Flat-Sided

  Insufficiently rounded ribs approaching the breastbone or sternum.

• 

  Flews

  The sides of the upper lip on certain dogs that are large and pendulous. This is a common trait in Bloodhounds and some other breeds.

• Flexi

  A popular brand of retractable leashes that allow the dogs to be kept on both a short or long lead without having to switch leashes....(continued)

• 

  Floating Rib

  The 13th rib that is both the last and unattached.

• 

  Fluffies

  An extremely long coat that has exaggerated feathering on the chest, legs, feet, under parts, ears and hindquarters.

• Flush

  1. To rouse, drive, or start birds to fly up from cover. 2. to drive an animal or bird away from cover. Many breeds have been and are...(continued)

• Flushing Breeds

  An umbrella term to describe the many breeds, including spaniel breeds, used to flush or force animals from cover, more...(continued)

• Flyball

  A competition where teams of dogs race each other over hurdles, to a box that releases a tennis ball when the dog presses the pad...(continued)

• Flying Ears

  Any ears that are semi prick or drop that stand or fly.

• Flying Trot

  Also known as the suspension trot, it is a gait where all four feet are briefly off the ground during each half stride. It gives...(continued)

• Fold Dermatitis

  A skin infection caused by folds in the skin where rubbing occurs or moisture gets trapped. Although it is not ranked as a...(continued)

• 

  Folded Ears

  An ear that is erect at the base but folds forward.

• 

  Follicle

  A cul-de-sac, lacuna or crypt; the depression in the skin from where the hair emerges.

• Forearm

  Similar to the human equivalent, it is the part of the leg that runs between the hock, wrist and the elbow.

• 

  Foreface

  The front portion of the skull.

• Forequarters

  The front assembly, from the shoulder blade to the feet.

• Foster Mother

  A bitch used to nurse puppies that are not her own.

• Foul Color

  A term used to describe a color or marking that does not conform to the breed standard or is not a characteristic for the breed.

• Fox Terrier

• 

  Foxtail

  A common foreign body that affects many dogs in North America. It is several types of grasses under the genus Alopecurus that have...(continued)

• Foxy

  A dog with a pointed nose and short foreface resulting in a sharp expression.

• Fracture

  When a bone, or cartilage is cracked, broken or ruptured.

• Free Bait

• French Bulldog

• French Choke/Martingale

  A type of choke collar. See also training collar.

• French Front

  Also known as the Fiddle Front, it is when the forelegs are positioned like a fiddle where the elbows are out, the pasterns...(continued)

• Fresh Extended (Chilled) Semen

  Semen that is extracted by a dog within its own country by a licensed veterinarian, extended and then shipped...(continued)

• Frill (See also: Apron)

• Fringes (See also: Feathering)

• Frogface

  A nose that extends and is accompanied by a receding jaw that is commonly overshot.

• Front

  The forepart of a dog, including the head, forelegs, brisket, shoulder line and chest.

• Frontal Bones

  The forehead or anterior bones of the cranium.

• 

  Frozen Semen

  Semen that is reported with and stored in compliance with the AKC after it has been extracted, and frozen by a licensed...(continued)

• Fungicide

  A chemical agent that either destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi.

• 

  Fungus

  A parasitic type of primitive plant, such as ringworm. It can also be an abnormal growth that forms in a wound.

• Furnishings

  A term used to describe the long hair on the head, tail and other extremities found on some breeds.

• Furrow

  A slight indentation along the median line, which is at the center of the skull to the stop.