L - Dog Dictionary Definitions

• LaPerm Cats

• Labradoodle

• Labrador Retriever

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  Lactation

  The period when the mammary glands produce and secrete milk.

• Lakeland Terrier

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  Lame

  Impairment or disability of locomotion caused by an injury or defect.

• Lancashire Heeler

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  Landseer

  A color pattern found in Newfoundlands that is named in honor of the 19th Century artist, Sir Edward Landseer, who used...(continued)

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  Lateral

  Pertaining to the side.

• Layback

  When viewed from the side, it is the angle of the shoulder blade as it is compared with the vertical plane.

• Layon

  When viewed from the front, it is the angle of the shoulder blade as it is compared with the vertical plane.

• Lead

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  Leash

  Used to lead, control or hold an animal, it is a chain, strap or rope that can be attached to the harness or collar of a dog.

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  Leather

  The flap or outer ear that is supported by cartilage.

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  Lemon

  A term used to describe a coat that is a brilliant, medium-saturated yellow in color. It is used to describe a coat color in Pointers.

• Leonberger

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  Leptospirosis

  A zoonotic disease that can affect a wide range of animals and humans as well that is caused by spirochetes of the genus...(continued)

• Level Bite

• Level Gait

  A movement where the shoulders do not rise or fall.

• Lhasa Apso

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  Lick Granuloma

  A lesion that is usually caused by the constant licking of an area such as the carpus joint or wrist.

• Line Breeding

  Mating a dog to an earlier generation in the dog's bloodline.

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  Lippy

  Lips that do not fit together tightly or are pendulous.

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  Litter

  The offspring or puppies produced in one whelping.

• Litter Complement

  The number of puppies in the litter according to the sex. I.e. two males and two females.

• Litter Registration

  Recording a litter of puppies that are whelped from your bitch, with a dog association such as the AKC.

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  Liver

  A term used to describe a coat that are various shades of chocolate brown including a deep reddish brown in color.

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  Liver Shunt

  A liver shunt is an abnormal blood flow between the liver and the body. When a shunt occurs the blood flow from the body...(continued)

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  Livestock

  Animals such as horses, sheep, or cattle that are domesticated, kept and raised on a ranch or farm for personal use or profit.

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  Loaded Shoulders

  Shoulders that have excessive development of the muscles located there.

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  Lobe Ear

  Ears that are set at the back of the head and slightly folded.

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  Loin

  The part of the body that runs on either side of the spine from the false ribs to the hipbone.

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  Loose Slung

  When the muscles in the shoulder are looser than the desired attachment.

• Lowchen

• Lower Thigh

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  Lumbar Vertebrae

  The seven vertebrae of the loin region

• Lumbering

  A gait that is awkward.

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  Lurcher

  A term used to describe a dog that is the result of a crossbreeding between a sighthound and another working or terrier breed.

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  Lure Coursing

  An organized event that demonstrates the natural ability of sighthounds as they chase an artificial lure over a course.

• Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

  The hormone, which stimulates ovulation in female mammals and androgen release in male mammals that is produced by...(continued)

• Luxating Patella (See also: Patellar Luxation)

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  Luxation

  Misalignment or dislocation of an anatomical structure such as a joint or organ.

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  Lyme Borreliosis

  Also known as Lyme disease, it is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of a deer tick which causes a type of infectious...(continued)

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  Lymphosarcoma

  Lymphosarcoma is the third most common cancer that is found in dogs and can be found in various parts of the body such as the...(continued)