M - Dog Dictionary Definitions

• Macroblepharon

  Macroblepharon is an abnormally large eyelid opening that can leave the cornea exposed. It is seen as a precursor to other...(continued)

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  Mad Dog

  A common term used to describe a dog that is rabid.

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  Mahogany

  A term used to describe a coat that is a medium-saturated reddish brown in color.

• Maine Coon Cats

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  Major

  A big win for a dog competing in a conformation show. It is awarded to a dog that has defeated enough dogs to earn 3, 4 or 5 points...(continued)

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  Making a Wheel

  A tail that curves over the back.

• Maltese

• Maltese Shih Tzu

• Maltipoo

• Manchester Terrier

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  Mane

  Hair on the sides and top of the neck that is long and thick.

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  Mantle

  A portion of the coat on the shoulders, sides, and back that are darkly shaded.

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  Manubrium

  The region of the upper sternum where the clavicle and the first two pairs of ribs articulate.

• Manx Cat

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  Marcel Effect

  Regular continuous waves.

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  Markings

  Patterns or contrasting color on a dog's coat.

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  Mask

  Dark shading on the foreface.

• Mastiff

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  Mastitis

  An inflammation of breast or udder where there is redness, pain, swelling and tenderness. It can be caused by an infection and if...(continued)

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  Mate

  To breed a bitch and dog.

• Maternal Immunity

  A temporary immunity that is passed from a mother to her offspring either through the colostrum and milk or when the...(continued)

• Measure Out

  When the height at the withers is determined to be outside the limits of the breed standard.

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  Medial

  The midline of the dog.

• Median Line (See also: Furrow)

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  Megaesophagus

  Megaesophagus is believed to be both a congenital disease and adult onset disease where the esophagus loses tone and dilates....(continued)

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  Merle

  A term used to describe a coat pattern that is a light base or background color with a marbling of a darker shade of the same color....(continued)

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  Metatarsus

  Comparable to the middle part of the human foot that includes the five bones between the toes and the ankle, it is considered the...(continued)

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  Microchip

  A device encoded with the unalterable and unique numbers that identify the animal that is microchipped. This rice-sized device is...(continued)

• Milk Teeth

  Also known as baby teeth, deciduous teeth or primary teeth, they are the first set of teeth that are also temporary.

• Miniature Pinscher

• Miniature Schnauzer

• Miscellaneous Class

  The transitional class for breeds that are attempting full recognition with the AKC.

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  Mismark

  1. A coat coloration or pattern that does not conform to the acceptable breed standard. 2. color or coat.

• Mites

  An umbrella term to describe a variety of small arachnids belonging to the Acarina order that are usually parasitic to animals and

• Modified-Live Virus

  A virus that has been modified to no longer produce a disease while maintaining its ability to induce a protective...(continued)

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  Molars

  The teeth used to grind food that are shaped with a broad crown that are located in the posterior of the dental arcade with two on...(continued)

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  Molera

  An imperfect, incomplete or abnormal ossification of the skull.

• Mongrel

• Monorchid

  A dog that has one testicle retained within the abdominal cavity; see cryptorchid.

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  Mottled

  A term used to describe a coat pattern where there is a light base or background color with roundish blotches of a darker color.

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  Move

  To gait a dog in a pattern prescribed by the judge.

• Moving Close

  A movement where the dog is moving close in the rear with the hocks turning in and the pasterns dropping to the ground and...(continued)

• Moving Straight

  A movement where the angle begins at the shoulder and hip joint while the limbs remain relatively straight from the shoulder...(continued)

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  Music

  The baying of hounds.

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  Mustard

  A term used to describe a coat that is a dull, highly saturated brownish yellow in color. It is a coat color often found in Dandie...(continued)

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  Mute

  Running a trail without baying or barking, remaining silent or mute on the trail.

• Mutt

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  Muzzle

  1. The part of an animal's head that projects forward and includes the nose, mouth and jaws of the animal. 2. a restraint that fits...(continued)

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  Muzzle Band

  A white marking around the muzzle.

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  Myiasis

  The infestation or disease resulting from the infestation of fly larvae.