W - Dog Dictionary Definitions

• Walk

  A gait where three legs support the body and one foot is lifted from the ground. This gaiting pattern follows a regular sequence and...(continued)

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  Walleye

  An eye where the iris is free of pigmentation resulting in a white or greyish color.

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  Warrigal

  A wild dog from Australia that is yellowish-brown and wolf like in appearance.

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  Wean

  The process where young mammals are accustomed to take other forms of nourishment than suckling from its mother. In dogs, this is a...(continued)

• Weaving (See also: Crossing Over)

• Webbed

  A connection of membrane, often found between toes.

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  Webbed Toes

  Toes that are connected by a patch of skin or membrane. It is a common trait of many breeds that are used for water retrieving.

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  Weedy

  A scrawny build or a light-boned build where there is an insufficient amount of bone.

• Weimaraner

• Well Let Down

  Usually referring to short metatarsals, which are bones in the hind legs; in general it means having short hocks.

• Welsh Springer Spaniel

• Welsh Terrier

• West Highland White Terrier

• Westminster KC

  A very prestigious conformation competition and second oldest sporting event in the United States, that is held every...(continued)

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  Wet Neck

  Superfluous or loose skin on the neck.

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  Wheaten

  A term to describe a coat that is the color of wheat; pale yellow or fawn.

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  Wheel Back

  An arched back where the arching occurs between the thoracic region of vertebrae and lumbar region of vertebrae.

• Whelp Date

  The estimated date that the dam will be delivering her puppies on.

• Whelping

  An accepted term used to describe the act where a pregnant bitch gives birth to puppies.

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  Whip Tail

  A tail that is carried straight out both stiffly and pointed.

• Whippet

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  Whiskers

  Long stiff hairs that grow on the sides of the muzzle, which serve as sensory organs or vibrissae.

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  White

  A term to describe a dog that lacks a pigmentation color.

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  Whitelies

  A term to describe a body color where the body is white with red or dark markings.

• Wicket

  A device used to measure a dog's height. It is important to note that all dogs are measured to the height of the withers; shoulders.

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  Wild Boar

  A term used to describe a coat that is dull gray in color with black hairs intermingled throughout it. The term is often used to...(continued)

• Wind

  To catch a scent, usually applied to hunting where a dog will catch the scent of the desired game.

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  Winging

  A gait where the front foot or feet turns outwards as the dog swings its legs forward. This gait is considered a fault in regards to...(continued)

• Winners Bitch

  All females shown in a day who has won their class, i.e. Puppy Bitch, 1st place Junior Bitch and so on, compete against each...(continued)

• Winners Dog

  The same as Winners Bitch only the competition is between the winning males entered.

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  Winter Nose

  Also called snow nose, it is when a solid black nose acquires pink pigmentation during the winter.

• Wirehair

  A coat, found on many breeds, consisting of hard, stiff wiry hair.

• Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

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  Withers

  The point on the dog's shoulders that is highest. The height of a dog usually measured from the ground to the withers.

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  Wobbler's Syndrome

  Also known as cervical spondylomyelopathy, cervical vertebral deformity or spondylomyelopathy, Wobblers Syndrome is caused...(continued)

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  Wolf Sable

  A term to describe a coat that is light grey with silver or steel gray guard hairs that are tipped in black. The coat is free of...(continued)

• Working Group

  A group of dogs that were bred to provide a working function either as a breed used for cart pulling, sled pulling, guarding...(continued)

• Wrinkle

  Loose folds of skin on the forehead, and face of some dog breeds. The folds of skin can also appear on the body and can appear as...(continued)

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  Wry Mouth

  A twisting of the mouth caused by one side growing faster then the other. It may cause difficulties with eating and grasping.