Glossary of Canine Terms

This Glossary of Terms provides definitions of canine terminology used in the Breed Standards. It does not intend to
define general anatomical terms. Where appropriate, examples are given to direct the reader to the standards in which
particular definitions occur.

Abdomen- The body cavity between the chest and pelvis.

Action- Movement. The way a dog walks, trots or runs.

Albino- Lacking in pigmentation, usually with pink eyes.

Angulation- The angles formed at a joint by the meeting of bones e.g. shoulder or stifle, when dog is standing
erect.

Apple Head- Very domed, rounded skull (e.g. Chihuahua).

Apron- Longer hair below the neck on the chest. Frill.

Back- Region between withers and root of tail, but in some standards may refer to region between withers and
loin.

Badger- Colour Admixture of white/grey/brown and black hairs of varying intensity (e.g. Bloodhound), often
occurring in patches about the head and/or body on a basic white background, which is termed badger pied (e.g.
Basset Griffon Vendeen).

Balance -Consistent whole; symmetrical; typically proportioned as a whole or as regards its separate parts; i.e.
balance of head, balance of body, or balance of head and body.

Bandy Legs- Bowed legs.

Barrel Ribs- Rounded, well-sprung ribs.

Beard- Thick, long hair on muzzle and underjaw (e.g. Bearded Collie).

Beaver- Mixture of white, grey, brown, black hairs (e.g. Pomeranian).

Beefy- Overweight, over muscled.

Belly- Underpart of abdomen.

Belton- Intermingling of coloured and white hairs as blue belton, lemon, orange or liver belton (e.g. English
Setter).

Bitchy- Feminine looking.

Bite- The relative position of the upper and lower front [incisor] teeth when the mouth is closed.

Irregular Bite- Some or all of the incisors have erupted in abnormal fashion.Level, Even, Pincer or Vice-Like Bite The front teeth meet exactly edge to edge.

Overshot Bite- The upper front teeth overlap and do not touch the lower front teeth when the mouth is
closed. Usually a fault.

Scissor Bite- The upper front teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Undershot Bite- The lower front teeth project beyond the upper front teeth when the mouth is closed.

Reverse Scissor Bite- The upper incisors close just inside the lower.

Blanket- Solid colour of coat on back and upper part of sides between neck and tail.

Blaze- White stripe running up the centre of the face (e.g. Bernese Mountain Dog).

Blenheim- Rich chestnut markings on a pearly white background (e.g. Cavalier King Charles and King Charles
Spaniels).

Bloom- The sheen of a coat in prime condition.

Blown- When the coat is moulting or casting.

Bobtail- Naturally tail-less dog or a dog with a tail docked very short. Alternative name for the Old English
Sheepdog.

Bodied Up- Mature, well developed.

Body- Anatomical section between fore and hind quarters.

Body Length- In some breeds taken as the distance from point of shoulder to point of buttock, in others, taken
from top of withers to set on of tail.

Bone- The thickness, quality, and strength of bone as seen in the legs, especially forelegs.

Bone Shape- Shape of bone in cross-section (foreleg). May be flat (e.g Gordon Setter), oval (e.g. Pointer) or
round (e.g. Australian Cattle Dog).

Bossy in Shoulder- Over development of the shoulder muscles.

Bowed- Forelegs curved outward (e.g. Pekingese).

Bracelets- Rings of hair left on the legs of some breeds in show trim (e.g. Poodle).

Breastbone- Series of bones and cartilages which form the floor of the chest. Also known as sternum or keel.

Breeching- 1. Hair on outside of thighs (e.g. Chow Chow).2. Undesirable intermingling of tan amongst black hair on outside of hindlegs (e.g. Manchester Terrier).

Breed Standard- “Blueprint” of the ideal specimen in each breed approved by a governing body e.g. The Kennel
Club, the FCI and the American Kennel Club. Following agreement at the 1981 World Congress of Kennel
Clubs, The Kennel Club changed all its Breed Standards into a standard format to enable easy comparison.

Breed Standard (Interim) As above for a breed not granted Kennel Club Challenge Certificate status.

Brindle- Colour pattern caused by darker hairs forming bands which produce a striped effect on a background of
tan, brown or yellow (e.g. Boston Terrier, Boxer, Cairn Terrier, Great Dane).

Brisket- Forepart of body below the chest, between the forelegs.

Broken Colour -Self colour broken by white or another colour.

Bull- Neck Short, thick heavy neck.

Butterfly Nose- Parti-coloured nose; dark, spotted with flesh colour (e.g. Great Dane (Harlequin), Otterhound).

Characteristics- Combination of type, appearance, disposition and behaviour.

Cheek- Fleshy part of the head below eyes and above mouth.

Cheeky- Cheeks prominently rounded; thick, protruding.

Chest- The forepart of the body enclosed by the ribs.

Chippendale- Front Forelegs out at elbows, pasterns close, and feet turned out.

Chiselled- Clean cut, showing bone structure of face (e.g. Fox Terrier (Smooth), Spaniel (Cocker)).

Chops- Jowls or pendulous flesh of the lips and jaw.

Cloddy- Thickset, comparatively heavy.

Coarse- Lacking refinement.

Coat -The hairy outer covering of the skin. Many breeds have two coats; an outer coat and an undercoat.
Examples of single-coated breeds are Italian Greyhounds, Maltese and Pointers.

Corded- Coat Narrow or broad twists of felted hair like thick string or ribbon, formed by the intertwining of
top coat and discarded undercoat. Cords should always be distinctly separated from each other, down to the skin
(e.g. Hungarian Puli, Komondor,).

Curly- Coat A mass of thick tight curls, which traps air, protecting the dog against water and cold (e.g.
Retriever (Curly Coated), Spaniel (Irish Water)).

Smooth- Coat Short smooth, close-lying hair (e.g. Bull Terrier, Dachshund (Smooth-Haired)).

Stand-off - Coat Long, harsh jacket with hair standing out from the body supported by shorter, soft, dense
undercoat (e.g. Keeshond).

Wire- (Broken) Coat Consists of a harsh and often wiry outer jacket with a softer dense undercoat (e.g.
German Wirehaired Pointer, Schnauzer).

Cobby- Short-bodied, compact.

Collar- Marking around the neck, usually white (e.g. Boston Terrier).

Compact -Closely put together; not rangy. Neat.

Condition- Health as shown by the body, coat, general appearance and deportment. Denoting overall fitness.

Conformation- The form and structure; physique.

Conical- Head Head that is circular in section and tapers uniformly from skull to nose (e.g. Dachshund).

Conjunctive- Thin membrane lining the inner surface of eyelids and reflected over eyeball.

Corkscrew- Tail Twisted tail, not straight.

Coupling - The part of the body between the last rib and the start of the hindquarter section; the loin region.

Short-Coupled/Close-Coupled -The situation when this distance is short and relatively strong.

Long-Coupled- The converse to short-coupled.

Open Couplings- Long loins and flanks insufficiently well muscled (e.g. listed as undesirable in the
Retriever (Flat Coated)).

Cow-Hocked Hock- joints turned or pointed towards each other, causing the feet to turn out.

Crabbing Dog- moves with body at an angle to the line of travel.

Crank Tail -Sharply bent or angled tail (listed as a fault in Bullmastiff).

Crest -1. Upper, arched portion of the neck. 2. Hair starting at stop on head and tapering off down neck (e.g. Chinese Crested Dog).

Croup (Rump)- Part of the back from the front of the pelvis to root of the tail.

Crown 1. Highest part of the head. 2. Circular formations of hair at front of ridge as on the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Cryptorchid Male dog without testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Culotte- Longer hair on the back of the thighs (e.g. Chow Chow, Schipperke).

Dappled- Mottled marking of different colours, no one predominant (e.g. Dachshund).

Daylight- The light showing underneath the body. Dead Grass Straw to bracken colour. (e.g. Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)).

Dentition- The number and arrangement of teeth. The total number of teeth is forty two, made up of:- Upper jaw; six incisors, two canines (eye teeth), eight premolars and four molars. Lower jaw; six incisors, two canines, eight premolars and six molars.

Dewclaw -Fifth digit on the inside of pastern. Most breeds do not have rear dewclaws but some breeds require double rear dew claws (e.g. Briard, Pyrenean Mountain Dog) and the Italian Spinone has single rear dew claws.

Dewlap- Loose, pendulous skin under the throat.

Diamond Distinctive- shaped marking on a Pug’s forehead.

Dish-Faced- When the nasal bone is so formed that the nose is higher at the tip than at the stop; or, a slight concavity of the line from the stop to the nose tip (e.g. Pointer).

Dock- To shorten the tail.

Doggy- Masculine looking.

Domed- Evenly rounded in skull (e.g. King Charles Spaniel).

Down-Face -The muzzle inclining downwards in an unbroken outward arc from the top of the skull to the tip of the nose (e.g. Bull Terrier).

Down on Pastern- Weak or faulty pastern set at an exaggerated angle from the vertical.

Drive- Powerful thrusting of the hindquarters denoting sound locomotion.

Dry- The skin smooth; neither loose nor wrinkled.

Dudley Nose- Nose lacking in pigment.

Ear- Consists of three parts: the external ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Standards refer to the outer ear (ear lobe or leather). There are three main types of ear shape:

Erect- pricked (e.g. German Shepherd Dog, Pomeranian).

Drop- pendent, pendulous (e.g Retrievers, Spaniels which include Lobular e.g. Spaniels (Cocker) and Spaniels (American Cocker)).

Semi-drop semi-pricked (e.g. Collies, Fox Terriers). Bat Ear Erect ear, rather broad at the base, rounded in outline at the top, and with opening directly to the front (e.g. French Bulldog).

Button Ear- The ear flap folding forward, the tip lying close to the skull so as to cover the opening, and pointing toward the eye.

Cropping- The cutting or trimming of the ear leather to make the ears stand erect.

Filbert Ear- Rounded off triangular shape as in a Filbert nut (e.g. Bedlington Terrier).

Flying Ears- Any characteristically drop ears or semi-prick ears that stand or “fly”.

Rose Ear- Small drop ear which folds over and back thus revealing the upper part of the external ear canal (burr) (e.g. Bulldog, Whippet).

Ectropion- Condition in which the eyelids are turned outwards.

Elbow -The joint between the upper arm and the forearm.

Elbows, out at- Turning out or away from body; not held close.

Elongated- Skull Long, slender, tapering skull.

Entire Dog- Dog with two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Entropion- Condition in which the eyelids are turned inwards causing irritation.

Equilateral- Equal sided triangle (e.g. Bichon Frise – Head and Skull clause).

Expression- The general appearance of all features of the head as viewed from the front.-

Eye- All standards include an eye clause which usually comments on shape, size and eye colour. Shape and size are due to the shape of the area exposed by the eye rims i.e. orbital aperture. (The eyeball is round.)

Eye types include:-

Almond Eye-s Aperture basically of oval shape, bluntly pointed at both ends (e.g. English Toy Terrier, Irish Setter (unshelled almond), Akita).

Globular Eye- Round, slightly prominent, not bulging (e.g. Pug).

Goggle Eye- Protruding eye listed as a fault in the Spaniel (American Cocker).

Oval Eyes -The most common eye shape. Egg-shaped aperture (e.g. Saluki, Schnauzer).

Round Eyes- Eyes set in circular-shaped apertures (e.g. Griffon Bruxellois, Weimaraner).

Triangular Eyes- More angular in contours than oval eyes (e.g. Afghan Hound).

Obliquely Set Eyes- Eyes where the outer corners are higher in the skull than the inner corners (e.g. Japanese Spitz).

Eye Colour- This is due to the presence of the pigment melanin in the iris. The more melanin the darker the eye.

China Eye- Both eyes clear blue. Merle Eye Iris flecked with brown and blue.

Wall Eyes- One blue and one brown eye (e.g. Great Dane (Harlequin), Old English Sheepdog).

Eyebrows- The skin and hair above the eye covering the projecting superciliary ridges.

Fall- Long hair surrounding head (e.g. Lhasa Apso, Yorkshire Terrier).

Fallaway -Slope of the croup.  Fallow Light reddish or yellowish brown.

Feathering -Longer fringe of hair on ears, legs, tail or body.

Feet- These are made up of four separate toes (digits).The toes are joined by a fold of skin termed the web.

Feet vary in shape:

Cat (like)- Foot Short, round, compact foot like that of a cat (e.g. Spaniel (Cocker)).

Hare Foot- Foot with the two centre toes appreciably longer than the outside toes. The toes should be close together with arching. (e.g. Borzoi hind feet, Tibetan Spaniel).

Oval (spoon shaped)- Feet Both centre toes are slightly longer than in cat feet (e.g Pointer, Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)).

Webbed Feet- These have well-developed webs (Newfoundland, Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)).

Flag-Feathering on tail (e.g. English Setter, Gordon Setter).

Flange- Projecting edge of last rib (e.g. listed as a fault in Basset Hound).

Flank- Fleshy side of the body between the last rib and the front of thigh.

Flat Sided -Central section of the ribs insufficiently rounded.

Flecked Colour-Coat or eye lightly ticked with another colour.

Flews- Pendulous upper lips - chops (e.g. Bulldog).

Floating Rib- The last (thirteenth) rib which is attached only to the spinal column.

Flocked- Coat of cottonwool texture (e.g. Bolognese).

Fluting- Median furrow on skull (e.g. Spaniel (English Springer)).

Forechest- Front part of the chest (e.g. Boxer, Miniature Pinscher).

Foreface- Head in front of the eyes, nasal bone, nostrils and jaws.

Forehand- Front part of dog, including head, neck, shoulders, upper arm, legs and feet.

Foreign Expression- Expression not typical of the breed.

Foreleg- Front leg from elbow to foot.

Forequarters- Front part of dog excluding head and neck.

Foxy Expression-Sharp expression; pointed foreface and upright ears as in head shape of a fox (e.g. Schipperke).

Frill- Long, soft or silky hair hanging down from throat and chest (e.g Japanese Chin).

Fringes- Longer hair on ears (e.g. Papillon).

Front- Forepart of the body as viewed head on.

Frontal -Bone Skull bone above the eyes.

Frosting -White or grey hairs intermingled with base colour round muzzle (e.g. Belgian Shepherd Dog, Griffon Bruxellois).

Furnishings- Longer hair on head, legs and tail of certain breeds.

Furrow- Slight indentation on the median line from stop to occiput (e.g. Bulldog, Hungarian Vizsla).

Gait- The pattern of footsteps at various rates of speed, each pattern distinguished by a particular rhythm and footfall.

Amble- A relaxed, easy gait in which the legs on either side move in unison or in some breeds almost, but  not quite, as a pair. Often seen as the transition movement between the walk and faster gaits (e.g. Bouvier des Flandres).

Extended Trot- Trotting gait in which the limbs reach far forward. Flying (Suspended) Trot A fast trotting gait in which all four feet are off the ground for a brief moment during each stride. Because of the long reach, the oncoming hind feet step beyond the imprint left by the front.

Gallop- Fastest of the dog gaits, has a four beat rhythm and often an extra period of suspension during which the body is propelled through the air with all four feet off the ground.

Hackney Action- High stepping front action with exaggerated flexion of the pasterns (e.g. Miniature Pinscher).

Pacing -Movement where fore and hindlegs on the same side move in parallel. Some breeds typically pace at slow speeds (e.g. Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Spaniel (English Springer)). Many breeds pace slowly as an energy conserving measure.

Rolling Gait- Distinctive roll from side to side when moving (e.g. Pekingese, Spaniel (Clumber), Spaniel (Sussex)). Trot A rhythmic two-beat diagonal gait in which the feet at diagonally opposite ends of the body strike the ground together; i.e. right hind with left front and left hind with right front. Correctly, the hind feet fall immediately behind the front feet.

Walk- Gaiting pattern in which three legs are in support of the body at all times, each foot lifting from the ground one at a time in regular sequence.

Gay Tail -The tail carried very high or over dog’s back. Often indicates that the tail carriage is higher than approved in the breed standard. Some standards do ask for tails to be carried gaily (e.g. Fox Terrier (Smooth))

Guard Hairs -Longer, smoother, stiffer hairs which grow through the undercoat (e.g. Alaskan Malamute). Haloes Dark pigmentation round or over eyes (e.g. Maltese).

Hard Expression- Harsh, staring expression.

Harlequin- Pure white background with irregular patches (black preferred but blue permitted) having the appearance of being torn (e.g. Great Dane).

Haw- Third eyelid at the inner corner of the eye; more obvious in certain breeds (e.g. Spaniel (Clumber)).

Heart Room- Deep and capacious chest.

Height- Vertical measurement from the withers to the ground; referred to usually as shoulder height.

Hind Leg- Leg from pelvis to foot.

Hindquarters- Rear part of dog from loin. Hocks well let down Hocks set low.

Hound-Marked- Colouration composed of white, black and tan, but sometimes lemon and/or blue. The ground colour, usually white, may be marked with coloured patches on the head, back, legs and tail. The extent and the exact location of such markings, however, differ in breeds and individuals.

Iris- Flat, circular, coloured membrane within the eye. The inner boundary forms pupil, which adjusts to control amount of light entering eye.

Isabella- Fawn colouration (e.g. Dobermann, Bergamasco).

Jaws- The bones forming the framework of the mouth.

Jowls- Flesh of lips and jaws. Keel Rounded outline of the lower chest, resembling the keel of a boat (e.g. Bloodhound, Dachshund).

Knee Joint -Stifle joint.

Knuckling Over- Faulty structure of carpal (wrist) joint allowing it to protrude when dog is standing (e.g. listed as a fault in the Basset Hound).

Landseer- Black and white colouring (e.g. Newfoundland).

Layback-Angle of the shoulder blade, when viewed from the side.

Leather- See ear (e.g. Foxhound, Poodle, Spaniel (Cocker)).

Leggy- Too long in the leg for correct balance. Leonine Looking like a lion (e.g. Chow Chow).

Linty- Soft texture of coat (e.g. Bedlington Terrier) or undercoat (e.g. Dandie Dinmont Terrier).

Lion Clip- Style of coat presentation (e.g. Lowchen (Little Lion Dog), Poodle).

Lippy -Pendulous lip or lips that do not fit tightly.

Liver- Light to dark shades of brown, always with a liver nose (e.g. Retriever (Curly Coated), sometimes with a purplish bloom (e.g. Spaniel (Irish Water)). Also known as chocolate (e.g. Retriever (Labrador)).

Loaded Shoulders- Excess weight in shoulder area.

Loin- Region of the body on either side of vertebral column between the last ribs and hindquarters.

Low -Set 1. Tail set below level of topline. 2. Ears set below line of correct placement for the breed.

Lozenge Mark- Term used for marking on skull of Blenheim King Charles Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, sometimes known as “Blenheim spot.” Mane Long, profuse hair on top and sides of neck and chest (e.g. Leonberger, Schipperke, Tibetan Spaniel.)

Mantle- Dark-shaded portion of the coat on shoulders, back and sides (e.g. Alaskan Malamute).

Markings- Arrangement of coat colour, normally a lighter or darker colour as a contrast to the ground colour. Mask Dark shading on the foreface (e.g. Boxer).

Median Line -Line or furrow in the centre of head (e.g. Mastiff, Spaniel (American Cocker)).

Melon Pips- Tan spots above eyes in black, tan and white Basenji.

Merle- Dark colour giving marbled effect within lighter coloured main coat.

Mismarked- Incorrectly marked dog. Monorchid A dog which has only one testicle.

Mouth- See bite.

Movement- See gait.

Moving Close- When front or hind limbs move close to each other.

Multum in Parvo -“Much in little”

Muzzle- The head in front of the eyes; foreface.

Nape of the Neck -Top of the neck adjacent to the base of the skull.

Neck well set on-Good neckline, merging gradually with strong withers, forming a pleasing transition into topline.

Oblique Shoulders- Shoulders well laid back (e.g. English Setter).

Occipital Protuberance- A prominently raised occiput characteristic of some breeds (e.g. Irish Setter).

Occiput- Upper, back point of skull.

Otter Tail- Very thick towards base, gradually tapering towards rounded tip, medium length, free from feathering, but clothed thickly all round with short, dense coat giving a rounded appearance. (e.g. Retriever (Labrador)).

Out at Elbow- Elbows loose or turning out from the body.

Out at Shoulder- Shoulders loosely attached to the body, causing them to jut out, increasing width of front.

Overreaching- Fault in the trot often caused by more angulation and drive from behind than in front, so the rear feet are forced to step to one side of the forefeet to avoid interference or clipping.

Overshot- See bite.

Paddling- The front feet during movement thrown out sideways in a loose, uncontrolled manner.

Pads- Tough, thickened skin on the underside of the feet.

Pantaloons- Longer, thick hair on rear of thighs (e.g. Pyrenean Mountain Dog). Particolour Variegated in patches of two or more colours (e.g Spaniel (American Cocker)).

Pastern- The part of the foreleg between the wrist and the foot.

Patella -The knee-cap - a small bone at lower end of femur which forms a part of the stifle-joint.

Pelvis- Girdle of bones fused together.Each half being composed of the ilium, ischium and pubis; the whole attached to the spine at the sacrum. On the lower sides are the hip-joints.

Pencilled-Type of coat lying in pencils caused by harder hair coming through softer undercoat (e.g. Dandie Dinmont Terrier).

Pencilling- Black lines on the toes (e.g. English Toy Terrier, Gordon Setter).

Pepper and Salt- Mixture of light and dark hair (e.g. Schnauzer)

Pied -Unequally proportioned patches of white and another colour.

Hare -Pied more tan than black and white giving a coat resembling the colour of a hare.

Lemon- Pied mainly lemon or cream hairs mixed with white or black.

Badger- Pied unequally proportioned patches of black and white, tan and white, mixed together (e.g. Otterhound).

Pigeon-Chest- Chest with a short protruding breastbone.

Pigmentation- Natural colouring of skin and other tissues.

Pin Bones- Upper bony protuberances of pelvis.

Pinning- Forefeet pointing in when moving.

Pinto -Distinct, dark markings on light background (e.g. Akita).

Plaiting- Walking or trotting crossing the front legs.

Plume- Long fringe of hair hanging from the tail (e.g. Papillon).

Point of Buttock- Rearmost projection of the upper thigh at the point of the ischium.

Point of Shoulder- The front of the joint where upper arm and shoulder blade meet.

Points -Colour on face, ears, legs and tail; usually white, black or tan (e.g. Cairn Terrier).

Pounding- Gaiting fault resultant of dog’s stride being shorter in front than in the rear; forefeet strike the ground hard before the rear stride is expended.

Profile -Side view of the whole dog or of the head.

Proud- Held high, usually head or tail (e.g. Poodle).

Punishing -Strong (e.g. Kerry Blue Terrier).

Quality- Excellence of type and bearing giving close adherence to the Breed Standard, the indefinable attribute denoting refinement and nobility. Also, the absence of coarseness giving strength to a dog and refinement to a bitch without weakness.

Quarters- The upper portion of the hindquarters - the pelvic and thigh regions.

Queen Anne Front (Chippendale Front)- Forelegs bowed and out at elbows, pasterns close and feet turned out.

Racy- Giving an impression of speed, without loss of substance .

Rangy -Dog of long, thin build, often lacking maturity.

Reach -Distance covered in a forward stride.

Refined- Elegant.

Ribbed Up- Ribs extended well back.

Ridge- Streak of hair growing in reverse direction to main coat (e.g. Rhodesian Ridgeback).

Ring-Tail- Long tail, all or part of which curves in a circular fashion (e.g. Afghan Hound).

Roach Back- Convex curvature of the back toward the loin (e.g. Bulldog).

Roan- Fine mixture of coloured hairs alternating with white hairs (e.g. Italian Spinone).

Ruby- Eye Iris of dark red colour (e.g. Chihuahua).

Ruff- Dense, harsh hair around neck which frames face (e.g. Keeshond, Norwich Terrier).

Sable -Commonly used description of coat colour. Definition varies with breed.Black-tipped hairs overlaid on a background of gold, silver, grey, fawn or tan basic coat (e.g. German Shepherd Dog), or each hair shaded with three or more colours (e.g. Pomeranian).

Sabre Tail -Tail carried in a slightly curved fashion either upwards (e.g. Basset Hound) or downwards (e.g. German Shepherd Dog).

Saddle- 1. Variation in colour over back (e.g. German Shepherd Dog). 2. Area of shorter coat over back (e.g. Afghan Hound).

Scimitar Tail -As sabre tail (e.g. Bloodhound, Gordon Setter).

Screw Tail- A naturally short tail twisted in more or less spiral formation.

Second Thigh- The part of the hind leg from stifle to hock.

Sedge Gold- Red gold colour (e.g. Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)).

Self Colour -Whole colour except for lighter shadings.

Set On -1. Placement of tail on body. 2. Position of ears on skull.

Sesame- Even overlay of black guard hairs usually on red coat (e.g. Japanese Shiba Inu).

Shawl- Longer hair around neck and shoulders (e.g. Tibetan Spaniel).

Shelly- Weakly formed, shallow and narrow in body; lacking substance.

Short Coupled- Short distance between last rib and the beginning of the hindquarters.

Shoulder Height- Height of dog’s body as measured from withers to ground.

Shoulder Joint- Joint between the shoulder blade (scapula) and the upper arm (humerus).

Sickle- Hocked Inability to extend the hock joint on the backward drive of the hind leg.Exaggerated narrow angle of hock when standing.

Sickle Tail- Carried out and up in a semicircle over the back (e.g. Basset Fauve de Bretagne).

Single Tracking- All footprints falling on a single line of travel. Many breeds single track at fast paces.

Skull -Bones of the head. Breed Standards refer to that part from stop to occiput.

Skully- Thick and coarse through skull.

Slab-Sided -Flat ribs with too little spring from spinal column. “Herring gutted”.

Sloping Shoulder -The shoulder blade set obliquely or “laid back”.

Snatching Hocks -A gaiting fault indicated by a quick outward snatching of the hock as it passes the supporting leg and twists the rear pastern far in beneath the body. The action causes noticeable rocking in hindquarters.

Snipy Muzzle- Pointed, weak muzzle.

Snow Nose- Nose showing loss of pigment resulting in a pink streak on nose in winter (e.g. Siberian Husky).

Socks- 1. Hair on the feet to pasterns (e.g. Chinese Crested Dog). 2. White colour on feet (e.g. Old English Sheepdog).

Sooty- Black hairs intermingling with tan or base colour (listed as undesirable in Elkhound standard).

Soundness- A term particularly applied to movement. The normal state of mental and physical well being.

Spectacles- Light shadings around the eyes and dark marking from outer corner of eye to ear (e.g. Keeshond).

Spitz -Group of breeds that have wedge shaped heads with prick ears, usually straight and rather harsh outer coats with dense undercoats, moderate turn of stifle and tails usually carried over back.

Splayfoot -Flatfooted with toes spreading.

Spring of Rib -Degree of curvature of rib cage.

Steel Blue- Body Colour of Yorkshire Terrier.

Stern- Tail of a sporting dog or hound.

Stifle- The joint of the hind leg between the thigh and second thigh equivalent to the knee.

Stilted- Characteristic gait of Chow Chow due to minimum hind angulation.

Stop- The step up from muzzle to skull; indentation between the eyes where the nasal-bone and skull meet.

Straight- Shoulders Insufficient lay back of shoulder; upright shoulder.

Straight Stifle- Lack of angulation; straight behind.

Substance- Correct bone, muscularity and condition.

Swayback- Concave curvature of the back line between the withers and the hip bones.

Symmetry -Overall balance (e.g. Retriever (Golden)).

Tail Set -The position of the tail on the croup.

Temperament -Mixture of natural qualities and traits that produce character.

Texture of Coat -Quality or feel of coat.

Thick Set- Broad and solidly built.

Thigh- Hindquarter from hip to stifle.

Throatiness -Excess of loose skin in the throat region.

Thumb Marks- 1. Distinctive black spot in black and tan coloured breeds on pastern (e.g. English Toy Terrier). 2. Distinctive mark on forehead (e.g. Pug).

Ticked- Small areas of black flecks, or coloured hairs on a white background.

Tied at the Elbows- Elbows set too close under body, thus restricting movement.

Topkno-t Long, silky, fluffy or woolly hair on top of head (e.g. Australian Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Poodle).

Topline- Outline from just behind withers to croup.

Trace- Black line extending from occiput to twist (tail) on a Pug.

Tricolour- Coat of three distinct colours.

Tuck Up- Upward curve of underline of body (e.g. Hungarian Vizsla).

Turn Up- Upturned under jaw (e.g. Griffon Bruxellois). Twist Tail (e.g. Pug).

Type- Characteristic qualities distinguishing a breed.

Undercoat- Dense, soft coat concealed by longer top-coat.

Underline- The shape found under dog from brisket to flank

Upper Arm -The foreleg between the shoulder and elbow joints.

Upright Shoulder Minimum layback of shoulder.

Varminty- Game and spirited, usually applied to Terriers.

Veiled Coat -Fine, wispy long hair (e.g. Chinese Crested Dog). Weaving Movement Feet crossing over, plaiting when moving.

Wedginess- Lacking chiselling.

Weedy -Light-bone structure, lacking substance.

Well Laid Shoulders- Optimum shoulder angulation.

Well Sprung Ribs -Ribs springing out from spinal column giving correct shape.

Wheaten- Pale yellow or fawn colour.

Wheel Back- Back line excessively roached.

Whip Tail- Relatively long, thin, pointed tail, carried stiffly out in line with back (e.g. Greyhound).

Withers- Highest point of body immediately behind neck; this is the top of the shoulder blades, the point from which height is measured.

Wrinkle- Crease, furrow or ridge of skin (e.g. Basenji).

Wry Mouth -Lower jaw does not line up with upper jaw, i.e twisted to one side.

MEASUREMENT – HEIGHT & LENGTH

Certified measures must be provided for every class where competition is subject to a height limit specified in the definition of the class and for use by the judge of any breed at a Show if required.

Many Breed Standards comment on the proportions of the dog especially height compared to (body) length (e.g. Dobermann, Akita, Italian Spinone, Rottweiler, Swedish Vallhund).

Not all standards clarify where measurements are taken from, especially concerning length. Height is always measured at the withers. Length is usually measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock, but sometimes from withers to set on of tail, and exceptionally from tip of nose to tip of tail (e.g. Skye Terrier).