DICTIONARY_DAWNREST

DICTIONARY

            DAWNREST SPORTING DOG DICTIONARY
          More than 550 of over 600 Definitions ~ revised from the 1989, 1993, 1996 copyrighted Dawnrest limited editions

Ace---A pit dog of exceptional ability and skill, with more wins than a grand champion, over the best

Acral Pruritic Dermatitis---An easily accessed sore on foot or leg, caused by constant licking until hair rubs off, skin gets red and shiny, itching and swelling begins; boredom sore; lick granulomas; lick sore

A.D.B.A.---American Dog Breeders Association; The American Pit Bull Terrier Registry since 1909. The largest registry of American Pit Bull Terriers. The American Pit Bull Terrier is the first breed recognized and registered by the A.D.B.A.

Adenovirus---An infection causing respiratory disease which in severe cases may include pneumonia and broncopneumonia

Afterbirth---The placenta and involved membranes expelled from the uterus after delivery

Alaunt---A large Irish fighting dog, now extinct in a pure form. Part of the American Pit Bull
Terriers heritage

Albendazole---A brood-spectrum wormer for internal parasites, anthelmintic

American Pit Bull Terrier---The American game bred fighting dog, registered in many registries, bred from the original Bulldog and diverging original Bulldog variations, used for baiting, fighting, and hunting in England, Ireland, Scotland and Spain, and for similar purposes since ancient times. The American Pit Bull Terrier being the most effective domesticated fighting dog known to man. The most versatile and obedient canine in the history of man and dogs. The greatest, separate and distinct breed of dog

American Staffordshire Terrier---A separate show portion of the American Pit Bull Terrier, known as the A.K.C. registered Staffordshire Terrier beginning 1936. American was later affixed to distinguish the difference between the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The American Staffordshire Terrier has been bred along different lines than the American Pit Bull Terrier for purposes similar to all show breeds. They have obtained outstanding show conformation. The A.K.C. show dogs are now being infused into the American Pit Bull Terriers through single registrations and some American Pit Bull Terriers are being bred similar to show conformation breeds

Amoxicillin---A powerful antibiotic used to prevent bacteria from multiplying

Ampicillin---A powerful antibiotic used to prevent bacteria from multiplying

Analgesia---The loss of ability to feel pain with the loss of the power to move a part of the body or consciousness

Anal Gland---A gland located two inches inside the rectum on males and females for alimentary canal elimination caused by body and tail movement which improves coat, health, and guards against infection

Anaphylactic Shock---Shock caused from allergic reaction, injection or trauma; anaphylaxis

Anesthetic---Producing insensibility to pain or sensation

Anestrous---The female does not come into heat or breeding season

Anestrus---The duration of reproductive rest, three to six months

A.P.B.A.---American Pit Bull Association

A.P.B.T.---American Pit Bull Terrier

Applehead---A round topskull, a domed skull

Arsenic---An irritant poison used by farms and gardeners, licking it causes abdominal pain, gastro-enteritis, hemorrhaging, vomiting, death

Arthritis---Inflammation of the joints, can be associated with rheumatism, causes lameness, stiffness, pain

Artificial Insemination---To artificially introduce semen into a females genitalia without copulation

A.S.T.---American Staffordshire Terrier

Atavism---The appearance of ancestral traits not found in more immediate generations of ancestors; reversion; throw back

At Stud---A male dog being offered publicly for breeding services; open to stud; stud service

Axle-Tree---The iron rod on which a wheel turns or similar, for attaching a chain setup to ground; axle

Babesia---A protozoal organism that infects red blood cells, producing anemia, similar to malaria; babesiosis

Badger Baiting---The old English sport of baiting badgers with dogs

Balantitis---Inflammation at the end of the penis, covered by the prepuce or sheath, due to bacteria or injury

Barren---To be unproductive or unable to produce live gametes or offspring, not bearing, not fertile, not fertilized, not potent, not pregnant. impotent; infertile; infertility; sterile; sterility

Bat Ear---An erect carried ear, rounding at top, revealing the burr of the ear

Battle Cross---To outcross a pure line in hopes of improving bravery, heroism, and vigor

Bear Baiting---The old English sport of baiting or attacking bears with dogs

Beauty Spot---The roundish colored hair on a blaze of another color; beauty mark

Beefy---An over-development particularly of the hindquarters

Bellymate---A full brother or sister from the same breeding or litter

B.I.S.---Best in show

Bitch---The female dog

Black---The darkest coat color, often appearing with lighter hue or tint; gloss black; jet black

Black and Tan---A black coat with tan markings above eyes, on chest, feet, legs, muzzle, often with preferred white on chest and feet

Black Country---A place near Birmingham, England where pit fighting was big in the early 1800's. They bred only for gameness by process of elimination, culling

Black Nose---The common black leather colored nose exhibited on American Pit Bull Terriers of all coat colors

Bladebone---The scapula or shoulder bone

Blaze---A white mark or stripe between the eyes or on the muzzle, crown, furrow, etc.

Bloat---A gassy swelling of the abdomen, often caused by water soaked forage

Blocky---A square head

Bloodline---A line of descent; record of ancestry; pedigree

Blood Vessel---A tube for the circulation of blood

Blood Stopper---A powder for the checking and stopping of minor bleeding

Bloom---A dog in top condition is in full bloom; glossiness of coat

Blue Paul---A grizzle colored Scottish fighting dog of the middle 1800's originally known as a Blue Poll, often of other colors, now extinct in a pure form. Part of the American Pit Bull Terriers heritage.

Boar Baiting---The sport of baiting or attacking boars with dogs

Bordetella---A bacteria affecting the upper respiratory, bronchi; bordetella brontiseptica

Bossy---An over-development of the shoulders

Boston Bull Dog---A small plucky dog from northeast New England, down from American Pit Bull Terriers and Bull breed crosses, used for farming, hunting and protection, rare in a pure form; Old Boston Bull

Bow-legged---To have crooked legs, each bent outward like a bow

Breaking Stick---A round or wedge shaped stick used for the parting of fighting dogs; parting stick

Breech---A newborn delivered hips, rear legs, tail first

Brindle---A mixture of dark streaks with lighter colors such as brown, buckskin, fawn, and red; brindled

Brisket---The part of the body between the chest and neck, the front part of the chest

Broken Color---A color broken by white or another color

Brood Bitch---A female used for breeding; matron

Bronchitis---Acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchi lining, caused by bacteria or distemper, causing violent cough and refusing food

Brown---A chocolate, cocoa or coffee color; the combination of black, red and yellow makes brown

Brucellosis---A highly contagious and infectious disease associated with abortion in bitches in the last quarter of gestation, sterility, and stillbirths. A testicle trouble in male dogs. It can be diagnosed through blood tests, infected dogs should be isolated

Buckskin---A light bay color; a pale yellowish fawn or wheaten

Bulbous Urethra---A hard round swelling of the bulbous gland around the base of the Os penis during erection and intercourse, locking dog and bitch together during coitis due to a spasm as the vaginal muscle contracts

Bull Baiting---The sport of baiting or attacking bulls with dogs

Bull Club---A cudgel once used to beat a bull until it expired

Bulldog---The original Bulldog, an old time dog of strong muscular build, used in the sport of baiting bulls, remarkabe for its courage; a nickname for the American Pit Bull Terrier; The brachycephalic type show dog with physical setbacks that descended from the original Bulldog

Bull Fight---The sport of baiting a bull in public view

Bull Running---The old English sport of chasing bulls with men, women, and Bulldogs

Bull Snap---A strong device for properly attaching a dog to a chain setup or lead

Bull Terrier---A show dog of three varieties, once used in rat pits etc., of Bulldog and Terrier; the offspring of a Bulldog and Terrier

Burr---The inside part of the ear visible to the eye

Butterfly Nose---A parti-pigment colored nose

Button Ear---An ear which folds to cover the opening of the ear by doubling upon itself

Caesarian Section---A choice of midline or through the flank, the uterus is exposed, incision made in body to carefully remove each pup through the opening, incisions are then closed with sutures; caesar; caesarian

Canine---An animal of the family Canidae which include and/or are similar to coyote, dingo, fox, hyena, jackal, wolf, and dogs; a large conical shaped tooth inside the mouth front between the first bicuspids and the incisors; fang; K-9

Canines---Animals of the family Canidae which include and/or are similar to coyote, dingo, fox, hyena, jackal, wolf, and dogs; the large conical shaped teeth inside the mouth front between the first bicuspids and the incisors; fangs

Corona Virus---An infection resulting in enteric disease characterized by sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea, similar to a mild case of parvovirus

Carpet Mill---A sided rectangular designed treadle for treading a dog in place to condition and exercise with emphasis on lungs; slat mill; straight mill; treadmill

Castrate---The surgical removal of the testicles on a male dog; castration

Catch Dog---A dog used for catching large wild game

Catch Weight---A heavyweight dog

Cat Foot---The round, tight, high arched feet with well developed knuckles, resembling a cat

Catmill---A heavy post affixed or cemented in ground with a swivel device allowing an attached crossbar to turn in a 360 degree circle parallel to ground, with a harnessed dog on one end and caged bait on opposite end for conditioning and exercising; flying ginny; horse-mill

Cerebral Hemorrhage---A rupture of one or more blood vessels in the brain causing loss of limbs or paralysis; stroke

Chain Fighter---A dog who constantly bites and wrestles with the chain setup, ruining enamel

Chain Setup---The accessories for properly attaching a dog kept on a chain, including axle-tree, bull snap, chain, dee rings, eye-bolt, links, rings, swivels, can include bedding, feeding, housing, and yard space

Chain Weight---The unconditioned weight of a dog kept on a chain or in its natural housing

Champion---Recognized on paper as winning a specified amount of contract matches or shows; CH.

Character---The general appearance or expression that is typical of the breed or dog; trait

Cheeky---A fat, protruding or thick cheeks

Cherry Eye---The inner tear gland surface of the third eyelid enlarges outward, exposing a red cherry-like growth at the nasal corner of the eye, due to infection

Chest---The part of the chest which extends between the forelegs from the brisket to the belly, not the brisket

Chops---The jowls or pendulous lips; flews

Chorea---A damaged nervous system causing uncontrollable twitching of various muscles, fits, and paralysis

Chromosomes---Any of the bodies in the nucleus of a cell that contain chromatin and genes that carry heredity before cell division takes place; they occur in pairs, one derived from the mother, the other from the father

Cleft Palate---A serious defective gap of structures forming the roof of the mouth

Cloddy---Thick set; plodding

Cobby---Short-bodied; compact; well ribbed

Coccidiosis---An intestinal of parasitic nature and origin; coccidia

Collar---A band, chain or garment fit and worn around the neck or a white marking around neck

Collar Bone---The bone from the shoulders to the breast-bone; the clavicle

Colloids---Plasma protein albumin and synthetic complex carbohydrate solutions. A one to one blood loss replacement, to expand blood volume and pull tissue into the blood stream

Colostrum---A secretion of the mammary gland of the bitch following birth that acts as a purgative for the young and contains antibodies

Conditioned Weight---The most effective performance weight of a pit dog; match weight; pit weight

Conditioner---A person who conditions and shapes a pit dog for a pit contest

Conjunctivitis---Inflammation of the lining membrane covering the eyelids inner sides and surface of the eyeball up to the cornea, causing a discharge, caused by allergens, foreign bodies, misdirected hairs, wind, funal and parasitic infection; other types include follicular conjunctivitis and ophthalmia neonatorium

Constipation---A condition in which the feces is hard packed, bowel elimination is difficult and infrequent

Coprophagy---To feed on dung or feces; coprophagous

Corky---Active and alert; lively and spirited

Coryza---Inflammation of nasal mucous membrane, nostrils are discharging, reddened, sneezing, swollen; nasal catarrh; rhinitis

Couplet---A device for a brace of dogs

Couplings---The body between the withers and the hip bones, being long or short coupling

Courage---The attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult or painful, instead of quitting or withdrawing from it; the quality of being brave or fearless; heart; spirit; valor

Courtesy Scratch---To face the dogs in the pit and release the loser or winner to see if he will attempt to cross the pit and fight, thereby testing gameness

Cow Hocked---The hocks turn inward or toward each other, resembling a cow

Crate---A portable kennel cage for containing or transporting dogs during short periods; crating

Crest---The arched portion of the back of the neck

Crop---To trim the ear leather and cause ears to stand erect; cropping

Crossbred---The breeding together of two dogs with no dogs in common in their bloodline, not controlling desired characteristics while obtaining new characteristics; open pedigree; outbreeding; outcross

Crown---The topskull; the highest part of the head

Cryptorchid---A male dog with neither testicle visible

Crystalloids---A solution used for replacing electrolytes lost through bleeding, dehydration, etc.; lactated ringers; ringers lactate

Cull---The process of eliminating undesirable characteristics

Culotte---The long hair on the back of the thighs

Cur---Any breed of dog except a game pit dog; an inferior dog

Cur out---To quit or withdraw from a lack of gameness

Cushing's Syndrome---A growth or tumour of the adrenal glands due to a disfunctional pituitary gland at the brains base, causing abnormal estrus, excessive drinking, excessive urination, hair loss

Cushion---Fullness of upper lips

Cutter---A term for the canine teeth taken from many years of use with gamecocks, neither dogs or gamecocks have a cutting action. After the permanent canines cut through the gums they are frequently examined for bite and condition

Cystitis---A disease of the urinary tract which is characterized by infection and inflammation in the bladder

Dead Game---A lifelessness from a courageous, dexterous, obstinate, spontaneous mode of action

Deafness--The dog can not hear but can live happily in familiar environment, common in albino or white dogs

Dee Ring---A strong device attached to a collar for attaching a bull snap, link, padlock, or ring

Defacate---To pass stool

Defang---To remove a canine tooth that has penetrated a dogs own lip and is stuck there

Defanger---A tool used to remove a canine tooth that has penetrated a dogs own lip and is stuck there

Dehydration---An excess fluid loss of minerals known as electrolytes, fluid therapy may be needed

Demodectic Mange---A skin condition caused by parasitic mites living in hair follicles which cause patches of hair loss; demodex; follicular mange; red mange

Dermatitis---Inflammation of the skin

Dew Claw---The claw on the inside of the ankle just above and behind the foot; meat claw

Dewlap---The loose pendulous skin under the throat

Diet---A selected assortment of foods designed for a specific purpose

Distemper---A high mortality viral disease, highly contagious, which spreads through secretions of nose, eyes, or direct oral contact, similar to the germ that causes measles in people

Dog---An animal of the family Canidae; Canine; an animal related or similar to the coyote, dingo, fox, hyena, jackal and wolf; a mean and contemptible fellow; a device for gripping or holding

Dogged---To follow or hunt like a dog; dogging

Dog Pit---An area of specific dimensions for the betting, holding, testing, and viewing of fighting dogs

Dog Skin---A leather made from the hide of a dog

Dog Trot---A gentle trot

Dogue De Bordeaux---A purebred of Bulldog and Mastiff resembling the character of the original Bullmastiff; Bordeaux Mastiff

Drag Fight---The dogs spend long intervals out of hold during a contest

Drain---A means of providing a discharge of fluids from a wound

Drop---The step up from the nose to the skull between the eyes; stop

Drop Ear---An ear which hangs down while laying flat, covering the burr of the ear; miscarried ear

Dudley Nose---A flesh colored pigmentation of the nose

Ear Mange---Otodectic Mange; ear mites suck lymph fluids through the walls of the ear canal causing infection. A brownish smelly ooze is present deep down in the canal

E.B.A.---Endangered Breed Association; an organization of the American Dog Breeders Association for the support of American Pit Bull Terriers and other breeds being discriminated against

Eclampsia---A deficiency in the mother's capacity to supply enough calcium for the development of bones and teeth, causing paddling, spasms, stiffening, trembling, exhaustion, heart failure; milk fever

Eczema---An inflammatory skin disease caused by sensitivity, allergy, diet, fleas, lice

Edema---A tissue swelling due to escape of watery fluid from the blood vessels

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

Elbows Out---A elbows turn out or away from the body, not held close to the sides

Entrolyte---An oral formula which provides vital nourishment by replacing electrolytes and fluid

Epinephrine---A product of the adrenal gland capable of raising blood pressure

Epulis---A tumour growth, constantly bleeding, often in the gum at the base of a tooth

Estrus---The female has a pale colored discharge and accepts males; standing heat; breeding season

Eye-Bolt---A device affixed to a permanent area such as a building, for attaching a chain setup

Ewe Neck---A curvature of the top of the neck

Facial Paralysis---The jaw muscles are paralysed more or less, mouth twisted, tongue hangs to side, due to damaging the trigeminal nerve at the base of the ear and down side of face

Fallow---A reddish-buckskin; extremely pale yellowish-brown; fawn; isabella; wheaten; fawn was originally known in England, Ireland and Scotland as fallow

False Pregnancy---The bitch was never bred and exhibits all signs of pregnancy, nesting, udder fills, etc.

Family---A formation of the same breed that are interrelated and exhibit uniformity of type which may distinguish them from other members of the same breed, other families, or other strains and includes the sire, dam, offspring and ancestors of one yard; inherited quality; stock

Fancy---A fancied, not ordinary coat color characterized by variety

Fangs---The large conical shaped teeth in the front of the mouth between the first bicuspids and the incisors; canines; tusk

Fanged---The fang has penetrated a dogs own lip and is stuck there

Fangs---The four large teeth in the front of the mouth known as canines

Farmed Out---The placing and agreements of a dog at a different location or yard

Fawn---A reddish-buckskin color; extremely pale yellowish-brown; fallow; isabella; wheaten; the fawn color was originally known in England, Ireland and Scotland as fallow

Febendazole---A brood-spectrum wormer for internal parasites, anthelmintic

Feces---A waste material passed by the rectum; dung

Fecund---To be productive or able to produce live gametes or offspring, bearing, pregnant. fecundity; fertile; fertility; potent

Femur---The large heavy bone of the thigh

Fertile---To be productive or able to produce live gametes or offspring, bearing, pregnant. fecund; fecundity; fertility; potent

Fibrositis---Inflammation of the muscle fibers

Fiddle Front---The forelegs out at elbows, pasterns close, feet turned out

Flank---The side of the body between the last rib and the hip

Flare---A blaze that widens

Flat Sided---The ribs not properly rounded as they meet the breast bone

Flea---A common parasite found on the skin that lives by feeding on blood, causing itching and scratching

Flews---The jowls or pendulous lips; chops

Flirt Pole---A long lighter weight pole used to exercise, condition, and shape a dog by attaching hydes, knots, overalls or tire tubes, etc., to a rope and manually operating horizontally in a circular motion, up and down; a manually operated cable or rope running along a 90 degree post or 45 degree angled post with attached hydes, knots, overalls or tire tubes, etc., hanging from one end, pulled up and down from opposite end for conditioning and exercising

Fly Ear---An erect carried ear, outward, revealing the burr of the ear

Flying Ginny---A heavy post affixed or cemented in ground with a swivel device allowing an attached crossbar to turn in a 360 degree circle parallel to ground, with a harnessed dog on one end and caged bait on opposite end, for conditioning and exercising; catmill; horse-mill

Follicular Mange---A skin condition caused by parasitic mites living in hair follicles which cause patches of hair loss; demodectic mange; demodex; red mange

Forearm---The bone of the foreleg between the elbow and pastern

Foreface---The nose and jaws in front of the eyes; muzzle

Foreign Body---A profuse slobbering due to a subject lodged in the roof of mouth or between teeth

Fracture---A break in a bone, orthopaedic

Front---The forepart of the body as viewed from the front

Frostbite---Dead tissue as a result of extreme cold

Furrow---An indentation or median line down the center of the skull to the top skull

Game---Courageous, dexterous, obstinate, spontaneous; bravery and heroism from a noble and self sacrificing devotion; a contest lasting until a result is obtained; animals and birds for hunting or shooting; a sportsmanlike way; a breed of cock used for cockfighting

Gamedog---A proven game, deep game or dead game fighting dog

Gameness---A very hard to obtain, courageous, dexterous, obstinate, spontaneous grade of game. Once obtained it is very hard to hold onto. Once lost it is impossible to obtain again, except through sheer luck occasionally or many years of breeding, conditioning and culling

Gamester---A person who makes a business of gambling

Gaze---A fixed, earnest look; a long, intent look; a dog who gazes or stares

G.I.S.---Gamest in show

Game Test---To test the degree of gameness by consecutively rolling and scratching a dog, uphill or to a fresh dog, after tiring, until the degree of gameness is known

Gastro-enteritis---Inflammation of the stomach and intestines

G.D.R.---Game Dog Breeders Registry

Gene---A determiner in a chromosome having an important part in the transmission and development of inherited characteristics

Genetics---The mechanisms of heredity, sex determination, variation and the transmission of inherited characteristics among similar or related organisms

Genotype---An individuals hereditary makeup as distinguished from the actualization of the genes

Gestation---The duration of normal pregnancy in the dog, about 63 days; gestation period

Gland---An organ composed of secreting cells

Glasgow Smut---A small Scottish fighting dog of various colors, now extinct in a pure form. Part of the American Pit Bull Terriers heritage

Glossy---A smooth shiny appearance of the coat; glossiness

Gonad---A reproductive organ; an ovary or testicle

Goose Rump---Too steep or sloping a croup

Grand Champion---Recognized on paper as winning a specified amount of contract matchs, more than a champion; GR.CH.

Grinder Bite---The dentation and jaws meet exact; level bite; pincer bite

Grizzle---A bluish-gray color, often exhibiting a grizzle leather colored nose; iron-gray; slate-gray

Gum---The flesh covering the jaws, inside the mouth, surrounding the base of the teeth; yawn

Gummed---To bite and chew with no teeth in gums; gumming

Hair-Lip---A malformed separation between the two halves of the upper lip

Hamshackle---To firmly fasten the head to either of the forelegs

Ham-String---A tendon in back of the knee

Handle---To manage a pit dog in a pit contest; the tail, looks similar to a pump handle and has a hand grip after the root, in line with the croup, once held to start and stop a contest

Handler---A person who manages a pit dog in a pit contest

Hangers---The large upper teeth known as canines; fangs

Hard Mouth---A dog that bites hard leaving marks on the opponent; hard mouthed

Hard Pad---A virus that attacks the skin of feet and nose. A form of distemper

Hare Foot---A narrow foot

Harness---A means for working a dog that usually attaches around the brisket, chest and neck areas

Heartworm---Adult worms live in the right side of the heart, heart valves, lungs, arteries, and veins. It can be diagnosed through a blood test. Life threatening, prevention is recommended

Heat---The breeding season; estrus cycle

Heat Cycle---The changes and duration of breeding seasons, often six to twenty days every six to eight months; estrus cycle

Heatstroke---A dazed condition, rapid breathing, temperature, vomiting, and collapse caused by exposure to excessive heat

Height---The vertical measurement from the shoulders or withers to the ground

Hemotoma---A contained area of fluid beneath the skin, hemorrhage

Hemorrhage---A profuse bleeding from blood vessel, mouth, mucous membrane or tongue

Hepatitis---A sometimes fatal viral disease characterized by hepatic and generalized endotheliall lesions

Heredity---The transmission of characteristics of the progenitor

Hernia---A protrusion through a tear in the wall of all or part of an organ; a protrusion of part of the intestine through the abdominal muscles; hernias; rupture

Hock---The tarsus bones or lower joint of the third leg; heel

Hooked Up---An agreement or contract for dogs to match into each other

Hookworm---A small thin worm that fastens to the wall of the small intestines and draws blood from the intestinal wall

Honest Bulldog---A game American Pit Bull Terrier

Honey cyst---A cyst under the tongue or jaw, formed by a salivary duct blockage; ranula

Hormonal Baldness---The coat falls out around rear and tail after whelping due to a hormone deficiency

Horse-Mill---A heavy post affixed or cemented in ground with a swivel device allowing an attached crossbar to turn in a 360 degree circle parallel to ground, with a harnessed dog on one end and caged bait on opposite end for conditioning and exercising; catmill; flying ginny

Hot Spots---The quarter shaped spots of infection on a dogs skin characterized by a crusty, raw appearance

Hucklebones---The top of the hip bones

Humerus---The bone of the upper arm

Hybrid---The offspring produced by crossbreeding two different pure lines, families or strains of the same or different breeds; hybridism; hybridity

Hybridize---To produce hybrid, double hybrid or breed only hybrid, possibly to mix or improve inherited characteristics deliberately; hybridization; hybridizer

Hybrid Vigor---The extraordinary quality caused by hybridizing in which inherited characteristics such as energy, force, health, intensity, power, resistance, strength and vitality are greater than the originator or progenitor; heterosis; heterotic

Hydrophobia---A viral disease that affects the nervous system and damages the brain; rabies

Hypothermia---A below or less than normal body temperature, subnormal

Hypothyroidism---A loss of hair, baldness, fatness or laziness caused by a deficiency of thyroxine

Hypovolemia---A severe loss of body fluid, body fluids must be replaced immediately

Hysteria---The dog goes crazy, racing blindly and howling before convulsion, once common in England, Ireland, and Scotland

Immunity---The amount of protection against disease or infection; the process of rendering a dog immune

Impotent---To be unproductive or unable to produce live gametes or offspring, not bearing, not fertile, not fertilized, not pregnant. barren; infertile; infertility; sterile; sterility

Inbreeding---The continual mating of the same or closely related animals

Incisors---The teeth between the canines in the front of the mouth used for dividing and separating

Infertile---To be unproductive or unable to produce live gametes or offspring, not bearing, not fertile, not fertilized, not potent, not pregnant. barren; impotent; infertility; sterile; sterility

Intramuscular---Injected or located within the substance of a muscle

Intravenous---Injection into a vein or veins

Intravenous Fluid---A solution for treating dehydration, injury, shock, etc., such as saline or lactated ringers

Ivermectin---A brood-spectrum wormer for the treatment of internal and external parasites

Jackchain---An endless chain formed like a figure 8 for moving logs, furnished with projecting dogs

Jowls---The flews or pendulous lips; chops

Judge---An experienced person appointed to decide or pass judgement at a pit contest. He must understand the rules agreed upon

Keep---The housing, method, and place of managing and conditioning a dog, and the dog; part of a collar

Kennel---A dog house or shelter; a place where dogs are bred

Kennel Cough---A highly contagious disease of the large lung passages and windpipe causing harsh spastic coughing and depression; tracheobronchitis

Kennel Lameness---A lameness often due to a deficiency in the diet

Kink Tail---An abruptly bent tail, appearing broken

Knock-Kneed---To have both knees bent inward

Labour---The stages envolved to bring forth young from a bitch and lasting up to two days

Lactated Ringers---A solution used for replacing electrolytes lost through bleeding, dehydration, etc.; crystalloids; ringers lactate

Lactation---The period of milk secretion

Laryngitis---Inflammation of the voice box, larnyx, at the back of the throat, which controls air supplies

Layback---A receding nose and undershot jaw

Leather---The flap of the ear

Leptospirosis---A dangerous and bothersome viral infection because it affects many organs before lodging itself in the kidneys

Levasole---A brood-spectrum wormer for the treatment of internal and external parasites

Level Bite---The dentation and jaws meet exact; grinder bite; pincer bite

Lick Sore---An easily accessed sore on foot or leg, caused by constant licking until hair rubs off, skin gets red and shiny, itching and swelling begins; acral pruritic dermatitis; boredom sore; lick granulomas

Line-breeding---The mating of related animals less closely related than inbreeding

Lippy---The lips that do not meet exact and overhang

Litter---The entire amount of offspring delivered or whelped at one time, the bellymates

Loaded Shoulders---The shoulders out of alignment due to overweight or over-development

Loin---A part of the body between the last ribs and the hindquarters

Lumber---An excess of fat on a dog

Lungs---The organs of respiration

Luxuating Patella---A dislocation or luxation of the knee-cap or patella situated in the stifle, a ligament can be damaged, causing hind leg lameness and pain

Mammary Tumour---A circumscribed or diffuse growth appearing in the udder, lymphatic glands, etc.

Mandible---The lower jaw bone

Markings---A characteristic arrangement of coat color such as the lightest color

Marrow---A soft substance filling the space within bones

Mask---A shading of the foreface

Mastiff---A powerful dog originally used for fighting, hunting and protection. The old time mastiffs may be part of the American Pit Bull Terriers heritage; master of thief

Mastitis---Inflammation of the mammary gland

Match---A contest; a game; to place in competition against each other

Match Weight---The most effective performance weight of a pit dog at a pit contest; conditioned weight; pit weight

Maternal Immunity---The amount of protection against infection passed on from the mother to her offspring

Matron---A female used for breeding; brood bitch

Meat Claw---The claw on the inside of the ankle just above and behind the foot; dew claw

Mebendazole---A brood-spectrum wormer for internal parasites, anthelmintic

Menstruation---The periodic discharge of bloody fluid from the uterus of female mammals in connection with preparation for ovulation

Merle---A marbled like appearance, color

Metestrus---The female will no longer stand for the male

Metritis---Inflammation of the uterus

Milk Fever---A deficiency in the mother's capacity to supply enough calcium for the development of bones and teeth, causing paddling, spasms, stiffening, trembling, exhaustion, heart failure; eclampsia

Miscarried Ear---An ear which hangs down while laying flat, covering the burr of the ear; drop ear

Molars---The rear teeth used for actual chewing

Monorchid---A male dog with only one testicle visible

Muscular---The strong muscles that make movement possible

Muscular Cramp---Inflammation of muscles, collapsing, pain and spasms when exercised not in condition

Muscular Rheumatism---Inflammation of muscles, hard to stand, stiffness from inadequate exercise

Muzzle---The nose and jaws in front of the eyes; foreface; a tight restraint placed over both jaws

N.A.P.B.T.A.---National American Pit Bull Terrier Association; an organization of the United Kennel Club (U.K.C.) since 1981 for the support of American Pit Bull Terrier show conformation dogs

Nape---The back of the neck

Nasal Catarrh---Inflammation of nasal mucous membrane, nostrils are discharging, reddened, sneezing, swollen; coryza; rhinitis

Natural Ears---Uncropped ears

Naval String---The cordlike structure connecting the naval of the fetus to the placenta, for supplying nourishment to and waste removal from the fetus; umbilical cord; umbilicus

Neomycin---An antibiotic for oral treatment of the eyes and skin

Neonate---The beginning and early stages of babyhood or newborn, less than a month old; neonatal

Nephritis---Inflammation of the kidneys, a serious condition caused by bacteria

Nose Bleed---The usual cause is injury to the nasal tissue, there can be many causes. Ice packs usually help,
coagulants may be necessary

Nucleus---The consolidated body within the cell containing the chromosomes

Offspring---A descendant or descendants; progeny; whelp

Old Family---Any of the late 1800's strains of various imported English, Irish, or Scottish pit dogs, named for the practice of close line-breeding or inbreeding for gameness

Old Family Reds---A formation of the Old Family that once was pure of other lines and exhibited red, white, or red and white colors with pigmentation and claw color matching

Old Family Red Nose---A formation of the Old Family Reds that once was pure of other lines and exhibited a copper leather colored nose, known as a red nose. Some dog men called them pinkeys in an inferior way

Open Pedigree---The breeding together of two dogs with no dogs in common in their bloodline, not controlling desired characteristics while obtaining new characteristics; crossbred; outbreeding; outcross

Open To Match---A dog of specific weight being offered to match into equal weight; open weight

Open To Stud---A male dog being offered publicly for breeding services; stud service; at stud

Open Weight---A dog of specific weight being offered to match into equal weight; open to match

Orchitis---Inflammation of the testicles, often due to bacteria or injury

Ostitis---Inflammation of the bone caused by infection or injury

O.T.C.---A contest directly off the chain, not conditioned, until a result is obtained; off the chain match

Otodectic mange---A condition of the mucous membrane causing scratching, flapping ears and shaking head, due to parasitic mites; otodex

Out At Shoulder---The shoulder blades set on outside

Outbreeding---The breeding together of two dogs with no dogs in common in their bloodline, not controlling desired characteristics while obtaining new characteristics; crossbred; open pedigree; outcross

Outcross---The breeding together of two dogs with no dogs in common in their bloodline, not controlling desired characteristics while obtaining new characteristics; crossbred; open pedigree; outbreeding

Overshot---The upper incisor teeth overlap the lower teeth of the lower jaw; over-bite

Pads---The underside or soles of the feet

Pallor---A paleness; pale pink or white gums and mouth

Parainfluenza---A common viral upper respiratory disease

Parasite---An organism that thrives upon another living thing without making any compensatory effort

Parti-Colored---Variegated with patches of two or more colors

Parting Stick---A round or wedge shaped stick used for the parting of fighting dogs; breaking stick

Parvovirus---This infection results in enteric disease characterized by sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea, often hemorrhagic leukopenia frequently accompanies clinical signs

Pastern---The bones that form the joint between the radius and the metacarpals

Pearl Eye---A light blue eye; walleye

Pedigree---A line of descent; record of ancestry; bloodline

Penicillin---A powerful antibiotic made from a common green fungus mold, used to prevent bacteria from multiplying, as in infected wounds

Periostitis---Inflammation of the membrane covering all bones, periosteum, caused by infection or injury

Peripheral Neuritis---Inflammation of nerve endings causing dog to bite at a rounded area often on foot or leg

Pharyngitis---Inflammation of the cavity at rear of mouth, often refuses food or water, and salivates

Phenotype---The individuals appearance or performance and the observable outcome of interaction between the environment and its genotype

Pheromones---The chemical substance in females discharged and excreted from the vulva to attract males

Pick-Up---To grab a dog by the nape of the neck while pulling up as you wrap your arm underneath the dog

Pied---Large patches of two or more colors, one being white; parti-colored; piebald

Pig Jaw---An exaggeration of an overshot jaw

Pile---Soft hair in the undercoat

Pincer Bite---The dentation and jaws meet exact; grinder bite; level bite

Pit---An area of specific dimensions for the betting, holding, testing, and viewing of fighting dogs or various contests

Pit Bull---The American Pit Bull Terrier; a nickname to distinguish the original Bulldog from the brachycephalic type English Bulldog

Pit Rules---The guides or principles laid down to control and govern fighting dogs

Pit Weight---The most effective performance weight of a pit dog at a pit contest; conditioned weight; match weight

Placenta---An organ through which the fetus is nourished and waste products are removed

Plodding---Thick set; cloddy

Plucky---To have courage or pluck

Pneumonia---A lack of air caused by bacteria, weak heart or trauma; inflammatory, mechanical or traumatic

P.O.R.---Recognized producer on paper of a specific amount of champions, points, titles; producer of record

Potent---To be productive or able to produce live gametes or offspring. fecund; fecundity; fertile; fertility

Prepotent---A strong tendency to pass on characteristics to offspring; prepotency

Prick Ear---An erect carried ear, pointed at top

Proestrus---The beginning stages of a heat cycle

Progenitive---The ability and process to produce offspring; reproductive

Progenitor---A sire or ancestor in front or direct line to the offspring; originator

Progeny---The decendants, lineage, family or strain; offspring collectively

Prolapse---The cervix and vagina fold back on themselves protruding out, can include the bladder and uterus

Prospect---To look at a pit dogs future with potential expectations

Protector---The iron collar once placed on a bear used for baiting with dogs; a collar designed to protect the neck area

Pulmonary Edema---A collection of watery fluid in the lungs

Pulse---A rhythmically propelled force through arteries by the beat of the heart

Purebred---To belong to a recognized breed kept pure for numerous generations

Pyometra---An abscessed and pus-filled uterus infection; closed pyometra; open pyometra; pyometritis

Pyosis---The formation of pus, a yellow or yellowish-white creamy matter, chiefly dead tissue

Quick---The sensative flesh under the claws or toenails; fresh, invigorating, ready

Quick Link---A device for joining chain, links, ring, swivel, etc, together or fast repair of them

Rabies---A viral disease that affects the nervous system and damages the brain; hydrophobia

Racy---Long, with a slight build

Radial Paralysis---The elbow is dropped, dog drags toe fronts, paralysis, as a result of injuring the radical nerve in the front shoulder

Ranula---A cyst under the tongue or jaw, formed by a salivary duct blockage; honey cyst

Rash---A skin eruption caused by a local irritation or toxic substance

Rat Tail---A thick rooted tail covered with soft curls and a hairless tip with a trimmed appearance

Ratter---A person who manages ratting, the baiting, catching or pitting of rats with dogs

Ratting---The old sport and of baiting, catching or pitting rats with dogs

Recessive---A dominant character or gene buried when it develops from one parent, associated in the zygote

Red---Almost any shade darker than buckskin and lighter than brown appearing with hue or tint resembling redness or the color red; fiery

Red and Tan---A red coat with tan markings above eyes, on chest, feet, legs, muzzle, often with preferred white on chest and feet

Red Nose---A copper leather colored nose exhibited by dogs related to Old Family red nose dogs

Red Smut---A small red or red brindle Scottish fighting dog, some were fallow colored, now extinct in a pure form. Part of the American Pit Bull Terriers heritage

Register of Merit---A recognized producer on paper of a specific amount of champions, points, titles; R.O.M.

Reproductive---The ability and process to produce offspring; progenitive

Reversion---The appearance of ancestral traits not found in more immediate generations of ancestors; throw back; atavism

Rhinitis---Inflammation of nasal mucous membrane, nostrils are discharging, reddened, sneezing, swollen; coryza; nasal catarrh

Ribs---A forming cage of the chest

Ring---A strong circular device used to join an axle-tree, chain, collar, eye-bolt, link or swivel together

Ringworm---A rounded patch of fungi or fungus that affects hair and skin, causing biting and scratching

Ringers Lactate---A solution used for replacing electrolytes lost through bleeding, dehydration, etc.; lactated ringers; crystalloids

Roach Back---The arched curvature of the back between the withers and hip bones; wheel back

Roll---To prove or test gameness in a contest until a result is obtained

Roller Buckle---A device for easily installing or removing a collar

R.O.M.---A recognized producer on paper of a specific amount of champions, points, titles; register of merit

Rose Ear---A preferred ear which folds over and back or out, revealing the burr of the ear

Round Eyes---The shape of the eye opening

Rounding---To cut or trim the leather ear flap around the end or tip

Round Mill---A flat round table that turns under the dog as he treads in place for conditioning and exercising; table mill; turntable

Roundworm---A white spaghetti like worm, one to seven inches long, living in the intestine; toxocara canis

Ruff---The longer hair growth around the neck

Runt---The smallest or unusually smaller than the bellymates

Saddle---A marking over the back, like a saddle on a horse

Sarcoptic Mange---A disease caused by a microscopic spider-like creature called a mite that causes intense itching and small red bites

S.B.T.---Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Scale---A device used for weighing pit dogs

Scapula---The shoulder blade

Scissor Bite---The upper incisors overlap the lower incisors snug

Scratch---A dogs willingness to cross the pit and take hold of his opponent according to the rules of the match agreed upon

Scratch Line---A measured line drawn across opposite corners of the pit from which the dog must not cross until the referee says to let go

Screw Tail---A short tail twisted in a spiral formation like a screw

Scrotum---The pouch on males which contains the testicles

Seal---The darkest coat color, black, appearing with red hue or tint

Second Thigh---The leg bone between the hock and the stifle joint

Selective Breeding---To control desired characteristics, to improve and purify a strain

Semen---A fluid produced by the male generative organs containing countless spermatozoa allowing impregnation

Semi-Pricked Ear---An erect carried ear, with the tip folding forward

Septum---The line which extends vertically between the nostrils

Shelly---To be too narrow and light in body

Shock---Bodily prostration; exhaustion of vital powers, fluid therapy is needed

Short Coupled---To be short in back and loins

Sickle Tail---A tail carried out and up in a semi-circle, like a sickle

Sinusitis---Inflammation of a sinus gland inhibiting breathing, causes discharge of blood or pus, many causes

Slat Mill---A sided rectangular designed treadle for treading a dog in place to condition and exercise with emphasis on lungs; carpet mill; straight mill; treadmill

Snipey---A weak, long and narrow muzzle

Snow-Nose---The black pigment of the nose lightens in winter and darkens in summer, caused by contact with snow and ice during less sunlight, and lack of proper diet to maintain warmth

Snowshoe Foot---To be slightly webbed between the toes

Spaying---A female whose ovaries have been surgically removed from the abdomen; spay; spayed

Spermatozoon---A single sperm or male gamete; spermatozoa

Splashed---An irregularly patched color on white

Splay Foot---A flat, open-toed, spread foot

Spot Weight---To be lighter than the opponent

Spread---The width between the front legs

Spring Of Ribs---A roundness of the ribs

Spring Pole---A cable or rope hanging from a tree limb, 90 degree post or 45 degree angled post with a heavy spring attached, a springy 45 degree sapling pole, either having hydes, knots, overalls, tire tube, or anything a dog can safely jump up and take hold of, attached to an extending cable or rope for conditioning and exercising

Sprint---A short run at top speed; spurt

Staffordshire Bull Terrier---The English show version of the American Pit Bull Terrier, possessing much related ancestry and similar character with little resemblance. A.K.C. registered since 1974, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is smaller and bred along different lines than the American Staffordshire Terrier, with the ears not cropped

Stakeholder---A person appointed to hold the forfeit and wagers for a pit contest

Standing Heat---The female has a pale colored discharge and accepts males, often four to ten days; natural service; estrus

Stance---A manner of standing

Started---A young pit dog in the first stages of rolling, testing and training; to bump together and test preparedness

Sterile---To be unproductive or unable to produce live gametes or offspring, not bearing, not fertile, not fertilized, not potent, not pregnant. barren; impotent; infertile; infertility; sterility

Stern---The tail; the handle

Sternum---The breast bone

Stifle---The joint of the hind leg between the thigh and the second thigh; the ham

Stilted---The up and down gait of a straight hocked dog

Stimulant---To use agents or drugs to temporarily increase the action of any organ of the body

Stop---The step up from the nose to the skull between the eyes; drop

Straight Mill---A sided rectangular designed treadle for treading a dog in place to condition and exercise with emphasis on lungs; carpet mill; slat mill; treadmill

Strain---A family formation of the same breed with long lineage and superior qualities that is interrelated and exhibits uniformity of type which may distinguish them from other members of the same breed, other families, or other strains and includes the sire, dam, offspring and ancestors; inherited quality; stock

Stroke---A rupture of one or more blood vessels in the brain causing loss of power in limbs, staggering or paralysis; cerebral hemorrhage

Strychnine---A powerful poison used by gamekeepers etc., causing uncontrollable shaking, shivering, convulsions, death, remaining in the bones of vermin for many years and dangerous to dogs

Stud Service---A male dog being offered publicly for breeding services; at stud; open to stud

Style---The manner and mode of action, appearance, bodily action, expression, and performance

Subcutaneous---Injected, introduced, located or used beneath the skin; subcutaneously

Substance---To be good boned, good weight, well muscled

Sulfadimethoxine---A sulfonamide for the treatment of susceptible bacteria and coccidiosis; albon

Suture---The surgical sewing of tissues

Swayback---The concave curvature of the back between the withers and hip bones

Swivel---A coupling device attached between a chain, links or ring, allowing free turning and preventing knots; a chain link made in two parts, one fitting like a collar below a bolt head on the other, to turn freely

Table Mill---A flat round table that turns under the dog as he treads in place for conditioning and exercising; round mill; turntable

Tapeworm---A long, flat, parasitic, segmented worm that lives in the small intestine, parts of which are passed in the stool

Teat---An organ in females through which milk is drawn for nursing pups; nipple; tit

Telegony---The questionable influence of a preceding sire on progeny produced by a succeeding sire from the same mother

Tendon---A narrowed end of a muscle usually attached to a bone

Testis---A testicle, one of two male reproductive glands situated in the scrotum which produce spermatozoa

Testicles---The two male reproductive glands situated in the scrotum which produce spermatozoa

Testrone Forte---A natural herb used for conditioning and breeding male dogs

Tetracycline---A powerful antibiotic used to prevent bacteria from multiplying

Thigh---The hind quarter from the hip joint to the stifle

Threadworm---A small roundworm that lives in the intestine and is able to infect dogs and man

Throatiness---An excessive loose skin under the throat

Throw Back---The appearance of ancestral traits not found in more immediate generations of ancestors; atavism; reversion

Ticked---The small isolated areas of black or colored hairs on a coat of a lighter color

Ticks---A parasite of several varieties, all being able to transmit disease

Timber---The bone, especially of the legs

Timekeeper---A person who keeps and marks the time of a pit contest

Tincture Of Iodine---An antiseptic solution, of iodine in alcohol

Tonsilitis---Inflammation of tonsils caused by bacteria, may cough, salivate, slobber, hard to swallow

Tourniquet---A device for checking or stopping bleeding; a two inch wide bandage twisted tight with a stick; a pad pressed down with a twist

Toxoplasmosis---A single-celled parasite which produces encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, causing abnormal behavior, convulsions, paralysis, death, and rarely defective eyesight or blindness in humans

Trachea---The length of windpipe which passes air from the larnyx to the bronchi

Tracheitis---Inflammation to the tracheal lining caused by bacteria or injury, persistent cough for no reason

Tracheobronchitis---A highly contagious disease of the large lung passages and windpipe causing harsh spastic coughing and depression; kennel cough

Trait---The general appearance or expression that is typical of the breed or dog; character

Treadmill---A sided rectangular designed treadle for treading a dog in place to condition and exercise with emphasis on lungs; carpet mill; slat mill; straight mill

Tulip Ear---An erect carried ear, with tip drooping slightly

Turn---A pit dog turns his head and shoulders away from his opponent. Official turns are described different in various sets of rules

Turntable---A flat round table that turns under the dog as he treads in place for conditioning and exercising; round mill; table mill

Turn-Up---An uptilted jaw

Tusk---An old term for the large conical shaped teeth in the front of the mouth between the first bicuspids and the incisors on Pit Bull Dogs; canines; fangs

U.K.C.---United Kennel Club; an American Pit Bull Terrier registry since 1898. The American Pit Bull Terrier was the first breed recognized and registered by the U.K.C.

Umbilical Cord---The cordlike structure connecting the naval of the fetus to the placenta, for supplying nourishment to and waste removal from the fetus; naval string; umbilicus

Undershot---The lower incisor teeth overlap the upper teeth of the upper jaw; Bulldog bite; under-bite

Unit Character---A character inherited independently of other characters, on the presence of a single gene

Uphill---To compete or go against a heavier weight dog

Upper-Arm---The humerus bone of the foreleg between the shoulder blade and forearm

Uterus---A female organ for developing, holding, and protecting fetuses; womb

Vaccinate---To inoculate with a virus to protect against its disease

Vaginitis---Inflammation of the lining of the vagina, often caused by bacterium, penetration, whelping

Vasectomize---To render a male sterile from the operation of cutting both spermatic cords; vasectomy

Vein---A thin walled tube for carrying blood from tissue to heart

Venipuncture---The procedure of puncturing a vein for drawing blood, administering medicine or intravenous feeding

Venoclysis---The tubing and valve commonly referred to as an IV set

Venous Bleeding---The dark red blood that flows steadily or may ooze from the wound, apply direct pressure and tourniquet at once

Vestibule---A small hallway used to enter a larger space, the dogs bedding, for eliminating harsh weather

Vitamin---A protein essential to growth and health

Vulva---The exterior opening or external parts of the female genitalia

Vulvitis---Inflammation of the vulva, often caused by coitus or injury

Walleye---A light blue eye; pearl eye

Warfarin---An anticoagulant poison used for baiting and killing rats, can cause illness or death in dogs

Wean---To adjust gradually to food by giving up suckling the mother's milk; weaned; originally known in England, Ireland and Scotland as, the baby or little one

Weanling---A pup or animal that has recently been weaned

Weedy---A dog too light of bone

Wheel Back---The arched curvature of the back between the withers and hip bones; roach back

Whelp---To bring forth young from a bitch; labour; a pup or pups; offspring

Whip Tail---A stiff, straight, pointed tail

Whipworm---A whip like parasite that lives in the first part of the large intestine, cecum

White---A pure snow coat color or the pure snow color of chest, neck, tail, toes, etc., markings

Whitehead---A pure snow colored head with a different colored coat

Withers---The first dorsal vertebra; the highest part of the body just behind the neck; the shoulders

Womb---A female organ for developing, holding, and protecting fetuses; uterus

Wrinkle---The loose folding skin on forehead, foreface, or crown

Wry Mouth---The dentation and jaws don't meet exact; an overshot, undershot, and grinder bite combined

X---A descriptive between the name of a dogs sire and dam; a number times winner or loser; by; times

Yard---A lot or land used to keep an area for dogs

Yellow---A rare yellow color with pigmentation and claw color matching; of the color of gold: lemon

Zygote---The cell formed from a union of an ovum and a spermatozoon; two gametes, including the organism that develops from that cell; a fertilized ovum before cleavage