V through Z of the Pit Bull Index

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

V

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Vaccinate - To inoculate with a virus to protect against its disease ;Immunization against communicable diseases.

Vaccine A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen, such as a bacterium or virus, or of a portion of the pathogen's structure that upon administration stimulates antibody production or cellular immunity against the pathogen but is incapable of causing severe infection.

Variety? A division of a breed approved by the AKC. There are nine breeds that are divided into varieties: Cockers, Beagles, Collies, Dachshunds, Bull Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Chihuahuas, English Toy Spaniels, and Poodles.

Varminty? A keen, very bright or piercing expression.

Vascular? Of, characterized by, or containing vessels that carry or circulate fluids, such as blood, lymph, or sap, through the body of an animal or plant.

Vasectomize? - To render sterile by an operation other than castration

Veil? The portion of the dog's forelock hanging straight down over the eyes or partially covering them.

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? - Dark red blood that flows steadily or may ooze from the wound. Apply direct pressure and tourniquet at once

Vent? The anal opening.

Vertebral Column? The bones of the central axis of the dog posterior to the skull, including cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal vertebrae.

Veterans Class? Class for dogs older than a minimum age requirement. Each club establishes its own age requirements for this class

Virus? Any of various simple submicroscopic parasites of plants, animals, and bacteria that often cause disease and that consist essentially of a core of RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein coat. Unable to replicate without a host cell, viruses are typically not considered living organisms.

Vitamin? A protein essential to growth and health

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

W

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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.

Walleye? - A blue eye also known as a pearl eye ; An eye with a whitish iris; a blue eye, fisheye, pearl eye.

Warrigal? A wolflike yellowish-brown wild dog of Australia.

WB-Winners Bitch? (see definition above in terminology section)

__((WD Abbreviation for Winner's Dog title

WD-Winners Dog? (see definition above in terminology section)

Wean? The process of making a pup eat solid food instead of its mother's milk.

Webbed Toes? Toes connected by a skin membrane; important for water-retrieving dogs, providing help in swimming.

Weedy? - A dog too light of bone ; An insufficient amount of bone; light boned.

Weimaraner? A large breed of hunting dog that originated in Germany, having a smooth grayish coat.

Well Let Down? Having short hocks; refers to short metatarsals.

Welsh Corgi? Either of two breeds of dog that originated in Wales, having a long body, short legs, and a foxlike head.

West Highland White Terrier? A small white terrier with upright ears and tail, developed in Scotland from Cairn, Scottish, and Skye terriers.

Westminster KC? A very prestigious all-breed /all-champions limited entry benched show held in New York City's Madison Square Garden each February, The Westminster Kennel Club show is legendary. The WKC show is the 2nd oldest sporting event in the United States, younger only than the Kentucky Derby. A major social event as well, "The Garden" is an event every dog lover should attend at least once. Normally nationally televised over two nights. Also see "Garden" above.

Wet Neck? Loose or superfluous skin; with dewlap.

WH? Abbreviation for Wolf Hybrid

Wheaten? Pale yellow or fawn color. The color of wheat. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Wheel Back? A marked arch of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.

Whelp Date? The date of birth of a litter.

Whelp? To give birth to a litter of puppies. A pregnant bitch is considered to be "in whelp." When she is giving birth, she is said to be "whelping."

Whip Tail? Carried out stiffly straight and pointed. Carried out stiffly straight.

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

Whiskers? Vibrissae or sensory organs (hairs) on the sides of the muzzle.

White? The color of dog that lacks pigmentation.

Whitehead? - A pure snow colored head with a different colored body Withers - A first dorsal vertebra; the highest part of the body just behind the neck; the shoulders

Whitelies? Body color white with red or dark markings. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Wicket? Device used to measure the height of a dog at the withers.

Wild Boar? Usually used to describe Dachshunds, this color is dull gray hairs intermingled with black hairs. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Wind? To catch the scent of game.

Winging? A gaiting fault where one or both front feet twist outward as the limbs swing forward.

Winners? An award given at dog shows to the best dog (Winners Dog) and best bitch (Winners Bitch) competing in regular classes.

Winners Bitch? An award given at dog shows to the best female competing in regular classes.

Winners Class? A regular class divided by sex, with each division open to dogs of the same sex that have won first prizes in either the puppy, Twelve-to-Eighteen? month, Novice, Bred-by-Exhibitor?, American-Bred? or Open classes.

Winners Dog?An award given at dog shows to the best male competing in regular classes

Winter Nose? See Snow nose

Wirehair? A coat of hard, crisp, wiry texture.

Withers? The point at which the shoulder blades (scapulae) meet. This critical structural point and its adjoining muscles and ligaments regulate how effectively a dog is able to cover ground with the rest of its front assembly. the tightness or looseness of the shoulders can make the difference between a sloppy thrown front and a clean tracking one. The angulation that the shoulders make create the transition between the neck and spine, and contribute to how easily a dog can reach ahead of itself and how it carries it's head. The withers is also the point at which actual HEIGHT of a dog is measured with a tool called a wicket. The height of the dog needs to be determined for Obedience, agility and flyball competition as it will determine the jumping height of the dog. Highest point of a dog's shoulders.

Wolf Sable? Used to describe Pomeranians. Silver or gray with black tips (no tan, white, or cream anywhere). Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.

Working Group? Group of dogs used to pull carts, guard property, and for search and rescue.

Wrinkle? - Loose folding skin on forehead, foreface, or skull

Wry Mouth? - When the dentation and jaws don't meet exact; an overshot, undershot, grinder bite combined ; Asymmetrical alignment of upper and lower jaws; cross bite.

X

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Xiphoid Process? Cartilage process of the sternum.

Y

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Yard? - A lot used to keep a yardful of dogs

Yellow? - Lemon; of the color of gold

Yorkshire Terrier? A breed of toy terrier developed in Yorkshire and having a long, silky, bluish-gray coat.

Z

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Zoonosis? A disease of animals, such as rabies or psittacosis, that can be transmitted to humans.

Zygomatic Arch? A bony ridge extending posteriorly (and laterally) from beneath the eye orbit.

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


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