M Through O of the Pit Bull Index

Index
Index A-C
Index D-F
Index G-I
Index J-L
Index M-O
Index P-R
Index S-U
Index V-Z

M

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Mad Dog? A rabid dog.

Mahogany? Used to describe several breeds, this color is a medium-saturated, dull, reddish brown. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Major win? A win that consists of 3, 4, or 5 points in Conformation events and some performance events.

Making a Wheel? Term given to the circling of the tail over the back.

Mandible? - The lower jaw bone

Mane? Long, thick hair on top and sides of neck.

Mantle? Dark-shaded portion of the coat on shoulders, back, and sides.

Manubrium? The first sternabra of the chest.

Marcel Effect? Regular continuous waves (specified in the American Water Spaniel standard).

Marking? An instinctual behavior in which male dogs urinate in certain locations to establish their territory.

Markings? Contrasting color or pattern in a dog's coat.

Marrow? - A soft substance filling the space within bones

Mask? Dark shading on the foreface.

Master Hunter? (MH) A suffix title conferred on dogs that have qualified the required number of times in Master tests at hunting tests for spaniels, retrievers, and pointing breeds.

Mastiff? An ancient breed of large strong dogs, probably originating in Asia and having a short, often fawn-colored coat.

Mastitis? - Inflammation of the mammary gland

Mastitis? Inflammation of the breast or udder.

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

Match Show? An informal show at which no championship points are awarded.

Mate? To breed a dog and bitch.

Maternal Immunity? A form of temporary immunity passed from a mother to her offspring while in the uterus and after birth in the colostrum and milk.

Measles? An acute, contagious viral disease, usually occurring in childhood and characterized by eruption of red spots on the skin, fever, and catarrhal symptoms. Also called rubeola.

Measure Out? Measured height at withers was determined to be outside the limits for that breed as set forth in the breed standard.

Medial? Toward the mid line of the dog.

Median Line? See Furrow

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

Merle? A marking pattern, used in conjunction with another color, to describe Shetland Sheepdogs, Collies, Great Danes, and Australian Shepherds. The color is characterized by a marbling effect of dark patches against a lighter background of the same color. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Metatarsus? Rear pastern.; The corresponding part of the hind foot in quadrupeds or of the foot in birds.

Metritis? - Inflammation of the uterus

Microchip? A rice-sized device encoded with a unique and unalterable number. The chip is implanted just under the skin in the scruff of the neck and is read by a scanner.

Milk Teeth? The first, temporary teeth. Also called baby teeth.

Miniature Pinscher? A breed of small dogs resembling the Doberman pinscher but typically reaching a height of only 25-30 centimeters (10-12 inches).

Miscellaneous Class? Competitive class of dogs who don't formally fit into regular show classification.

Miscellaneous Class? Transitory class for breeds attempting to advance to full recognition by a breed association.

Mismark? (1) coat or color. (2) A dog that has coat coloration or markings not conforming to that which is acceptable for the breed.

Mites? Any of various small or minute arachnids of the order Acarina that are often parasitic on animals and plants, infest stored food products, and in some species transmit disease.

Modified-Live Virus? A virus which has been modified to no longer produce a disease but still retain the ability to induce a protective immune response so that it can be used as a vaccine.

Molars? - Rear teeth used for actual chewing

Molars? The posterior teeth of the dental arcade, with two on each side in the upper jaw and three on each side in the lower jaw in an adult with correct dentition.

Molera? Incomplete, imperfect, or abnormal ossification of the skull.

Mongrel? See Crossbred

Monorchid? A dog that has one testicle retained or hidden in its abdominal cavity. See Cryptorchid

Mottled? Pattern of dark roundish blotches on a lighter background. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

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

Moving Close? When the hocks turn in and pasterns drop straight to the ground and move parallel to one another, the dog is moving close in the rear.

Moving Straight? Term descriptive of balanced gaiting in which angle of inclination begins at the shoulder, or hip joint, and limbs remain relatively straight from these points to the pads of the feet, even as legs flex or extend in reaching or thrusting.

Muscular? - Pertaining to strong muscles that make movement possible

Music? The baying of the hounds.

Mustard? Usually used to describe Dandie Dinmont Terriers, this color is like the color of the spice; i.e., a dull, highly saturated, brown-yellow. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Mutation? A change of the DNA sequence within a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not found in the parental type.

Mute? To run mute, to be silent on the trail; i.e., to trail without baying or barking.

Muzzle? - The nose and jaws in front of the eyes; foreface

Muzzle Band? White marking around the muzzle.

Muzzle? (1)The forward, projecting part of the head of certain animals, such as dogs, including the mouth, nose, and jaws; the snout; (2)A leather or wire restraining appliance that, when fitted over an animal's snout, prevents biting and eating.; The head in front of the eyes - nasal bone, nostrils, and jaws. Foreface.

Myiasis? Infestation of tissue by fly larvae.

N

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NAPBTA? - National American Pit Bull Terrier Association; an organization of the United Kennel Club since 1981 for the support of American Pit Bull Terrier show dogs

Nape? The junction of the base of the skull and the top of the neck.

__((National Specialty A dog show held by the Irish Setter Club of America, once a year open only to Irish Setters..

Natural Breed? A breed of dog which occurred naturally without the interference of much selective breeding. This is usually a result of geographical and environmental conditions.

Natural Ears? - Uncropped ears

Natural Mutation? A genetic accident which permanently alters certain genetic characteristics.

Natural Selection? The process in nature by which, according to Darwin's theory of evolution, only the organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics in increasing numbers to succeeding generations while those less adapted tend to be eliminated.

Nausea? A feeling of sickness in the stomach characterized by an urge to vomit.

Neapolitan Mastiff? A large, powerful breed of dog characterized by it's massive head and wrinkled face.

Neck Well Set-On? Good neckline, merging gradually with withers, forming a pleasing transition into topline.

Nesting Behavior? Behavior of a pregnant female who prepares a place to give birth and nurture young.

Neuter? To castrate or spay.

Newfoundland? A breed of large, strong dog developed in Newfoundland and having a thick, usually black coat

Nick? A breeding that produces desirable puppies.

Nictitating Membrane? A transparent inner eyelid in birds, reptiles, and some mammals that closes to protect and moisten the eye. Also called third eyelid.

Nite Hunt? Performance competition for coonhounds.

Non-Sporting Group? Group of dogs that may share attributes, but don't fit into the mold of other groups.

Norwegian Elkhound? A Scandinavian breed of hunting dog, having a compact body, heavy grayish coat, and a tail that curls over the back.

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

Nose? (1) Organ of olfaction. (2) The ability to detect by means of scent.

Note? There are some definitions that refer to pit fighting, an act that is illegal in all 50 states, and something the webmaster does not condone, but must be shown as to educate people so there are no misunderstandings, or misinforment.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever? A breed of dog somewhat similar in appearance to a small Golden Retriever and originating in Canada. Bred originally to toll or lure ducks in the manner of a fox.

NQ? Not Qualified to complete exercise in ring.

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

O

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Obedience Trial? An event in which a dog and handler display their competence in executing specific skills such as sit, down, heel, and stay.

Obedience Trial Champion? (OTCH) A prefix used with the name of a dog that has been recorded an Obedience Trial Champion by the AKC as the result of having won the number of points and First Place wins specified in the current Obedience Regulations

Obedience Trial? An event held under AKC rules at which a leg toward an Obedience degree can be earned.

Obesity? The condition of being obese; increased body weight caused by excessive accumulation of fat.

Oblique Shoulders? Shoulders well laid back.

Obliquely Placed Eyes? eyes with outer corners higher than their inner ones.

Occipital Protuberance? A prominently raised occiput characteristic of some sporting and hound breeds.

Occiput? Dorsal, posterior point of the skull.

Occiput? Upper, back point of the skull.

Odd-Eyed? eyes of different color, such as one brown eye and one blue eye.

OES? Abbreviation for Old English Sheepdog

Oestrus? - Breeding season; heat

OFA? Orthopedic Foundation for Animals — hip certification

((Offspring ))- A descendant or descendants

Offspring Report?. The Offspring Report includes the names and titles of all offspring of a particular dog, along with the names of the owners of the offspring, and the city and state where they are located.

Old English Sheepdog? An English breed of sturdy dog having a docked tail and a thick, shaggy, bluish-gray and white coat with fur that hangs over the eyes.

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? A family of Pit Dogs that was imported from Ireland in the latter half of the last century. Examples of strains that were founded upon the Old Family were the Corcoran, Colby, Feeley, Lightner, and Shipley bloodlines.

Omnivore? A person or animal that feeds on both animal and vegetable substances

On-Dog Identification? A system of tagging, tattooing, or microchipping used to uniquely identify a dog.

Open Class? A dog show in which all dogs of all breeds, including Champions, imported dogs, and mixed breeds.

Open Class?A class at dog shows in which all dogs of a breed may compete.

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

Ophthalmic? Of or relating to the eye; ocular.

Orange Belton? See Belton. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals? (OFA) Organization, established in 1966, that developed and maintains a registry of hip dysplasia in dogs. Dogs with OFA numbers are rated and certified free of canine hip dysplasia. This rating applies for the life of the dog. In order to have OFA on AKC records, a dog must have permanent ID.

OTCh? (Obedience Trial Champion) Title earned by a dog that has won the number of points and first place wins specified in the current Obedience regulations.

Otter Tail? Thick at the root, round, and tapering, with the hair parted or divided at the underside.

Out At The Elbows? Elbows turning out from the body as opposed to being held close.

Out At The Shoulders? With shoulder blades loosely attached to the body, leaving the shoulders jutting out in relief and increasing the breadth of the front.

Outcrossing. The mating of totally unrelated animals within a given breed. Outcrossing is used by a breeder who wants to make a correction or improvement in some aspect of his stock. For example, a breeder may have exceptional dogs in every respect but one. He looks for a stud dog who excels in that one aspect and who is unrelated to his dogs. From that mating, the breeder would select only the offspring with the desired trait and breed those back into the family line.

Oval Chest? chest deeper than wide.

Oval Eye? As seen in Poodles, an eye with an egg shape.

Ovaries? The usually paired female or hermaphroditic reproductive organ that produces ova and, in vertebrates, estrogen and progesterone.

Overage Dam? A dam over 12 years of age on the date of mating.

Overage Sire? A sire over 12 years of age on the date of mating.

Overhang? A heavy or pronounced brow.

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

Overshot? - The upper incisor teeth overlap the lower teeth of the lower jaw; over-bite ;The incisors of the upper jaw projecting beyond the incisors of the lower jaw, thus resulting in a space between the respective inner and outer surfaces.

Ovulate? To produce ova; discharge eggs from the ovary.

Owner?. The term "owner" means the person whose name is printed on the front of the UKC registration certificate, and who is named as the registered owner in the UKC computer database. An owner must be a person and not a kennel, company, club, or partnership of more than two individuals. The name of the registered owner does not appear on the pedigree. Information about UKC-registered dogs will not be given to any person other than a registered owner, except under special circumstances.


Index
Index A-C
Index D-F
Index G-I
Index J-L
Index M-O
Index P-R
Index S-U
Index V-Z