S - Dog Dictionary Definitions
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Saber Tail
A tail that is carried in a semicircle
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Sable
A term used to describe a coat that is silver, gray, fawn, gold or brown in background color with black tipped hairs.
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Sacrum
Three fused vertebrae in the region of the vertebral column that articulate the pelvic girdle.
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Saddle
A coat pattern where there is a darker marking that is shaped like a saddle on the back and upper sides.
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Sandy
A term used to describe a coat that is a dull, medium saturated yellowish gray in color. It is a color that is seen in several breeds.
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Scent
The odor that is left by an animal or bird on a trail or through the air.
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Scissors Bite
When the inner side of the upper incisors meet the outer side of the lower incisors during a bite.
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Scottie Cramp
Scottie Cramp is a very common disorder in Scottish Terriers and is considered harmless to the breed. The symptoms of Scottie...(continued)
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Screw Tail
A tail that is naturally short and twisted in a spiral formation.
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Seal
A term used to describe a coat that is found in Boston Terriers where the color is black with a red cast when viewed in bright light.
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Season
The period when a bitch is interested in mating and can become pregnant.
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Second Thigh
Corresponding to the human shin, it is the area on the dog from the stifle to the hock, which includes the tibia and fibula.
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Selective Breeding
Mating to dogs to intentionally achieve or eliminate a specific trait or quality.
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Semi-Prick Ears
Ears that are erect with just the tips leaning forward, also called half-prick ears.
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Set up
The area in a show grounds where you hold and groom you dogs while you are not in the ring.
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Shelly
A body that is narrow and lacks the correct amount of bone.
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Shock
A physiological reaction to a severe physical or emotional trauma.
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Show Quality
A pedigreed dog that conforms to the official breed standard to the extent that they can compete successfully in the...(continued)
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Sidegait
The side view of a dog's gait.
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Silent Heat
A heat period that is unnoticed due to the bitch's lack of behavior changes, attraction to males, and swelling and bleeding.
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Silky Coat
A long, silky topcoat that is composed of fine hair.
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Single Coat
A dog that typically lacks a downy undercoat and just has a topcoat.
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Single Tracking
When a dog that is trotting creates a single line of travel where footprints fall into a single line.
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Sire
The term commonly used to describe the male parent. It is seen on registration papers as well as pedigrees.
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Slab-Sided
Ribs that are flat and have too little spring from the spinal column
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Slew Feet
Turned out feet.
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Slicker
A brush containing fine teeth with bent tops that is used to groom and brush the topcoat and furnishings.
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Slip Collar (See also: Training Collar)
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Sloping Shoulder
An obliquely set or laid-back shoulder blade.
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Small-Waisted (See also: Tuck-Up)
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Smooth Coat
Hair that is short and close lying.
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Snatching Hocks
A fault in a gait where there is an outward snatching of the hock that twists the rear pastern beneath the body.
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Snow Nose
Also called winter nose, it is when a solid black nose acquires pink pigmentation during the winter.
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Solid
A coat that is one color.
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Spaniels
A group of breeds ranging in size from small to medium in size that usually have short legs, a wavy, silky coat and drooping ears.
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Spay
Removal of a female dog's ovaries to prevent conception.
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Specialty
A conformation show that is hosted by a Breed Club that is only open to the specific breed of the club.
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Spectacles
Markings over and around the eyes that are dark in color and run from the eyes to the ears.
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Splenic Torsion
Splenic Torsion is caused when the spleen rotates around its own axis causing the spleen to expand and become engorged with...(continued)
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Spontaneous Mutation
Also called natural mutation, it is a mutation that occurs naturally without the exposure of a mutagen.
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Sporting Group
AKC and other kennel clubs place breeds into groups where the same breeds share many of the same attributes and...(continued)
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Spread
The width between the forelegs when it is accentuated.
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Spread Hocks (See also: Barrel Hocks)
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Square Body
A term used to describe a dog that is the same height from withers to ground as it is length from forechest to rump.
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Stand Away Coat
Also called a standoff coat, it is a heavy or long coat that stands away from the body.
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Standard (See also: Breed Standard)
A set of guidelines that specify the coloring, conformation, gait, and temperament of a dog breed. The breed standard is used by...(continued)
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Standing Heat
The period of time during the heat cycle of a female dog or bitch where she will accept breeding and can become pregnant.
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Standoff Coat (See also: Stand Away Coat)
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Stenotic Nares
Stenotic Nares is a congenital disorder that affects dogs with short muzzles. It appears at birth and causes difficulty...(continued)
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Stern Tail
A common trait found in hounds and sporting breeds where the tail is carried straight out.
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Sternum
The eight bones that form the floor of the chest.
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Steward (See also: Ring Steward)
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Stifle
The equivalent to the human knee joint, which allows movement between the tibia and femur. This joint is protected by the patella.
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Stop
The indentation at the base of the muzzle where the cranium and nasal bones meet.
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Straight In Pastern
Little or no bend at the wrist.
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Straight Shoulders
Shoulders that are not sloping or well laid back but instead run close to straight up and down.
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Stud Book
A catalog that lists all the registered studs for a specific breed or registry.
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Stud Dog
An intact male that is used for breeding purposes.
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Stud Fee
The fee paid to use the services of a stud dog.
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Sub-Aortic Stenosis
Is a disease that is present at birth and usually diagnosed as a heart murmur during a puppy's vaccination checkups. It...(continued)
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Superintendent
An individual who is hired to act as the coordinating management team for a conformation show.
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Suspension Trot (See also: Flying Trot)
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Swan Neck (See also: Goose Neck)
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Swayback
A concave curvature of the back between the withers and the hipbones.
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Sweepstakes
A non-regular class that is designed to recognize outstanding young dogs and puppies. It is the only class where there is a cash...(continued)
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Symmetry
When all the parts of a dog create a pleasing balance.
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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, also known as Lupus, is a rare autoimmune disease where the blood has unusual...(continued)
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