| Question |
Answer |
| Anthropomorphism |
Giving nonhuman things, human characteristics. |
| Behavior |
Any activity that is or can be made voluntary through conditioning. |
| Biological evolution |
The process of change and diversification of living things over time. |
| Brisket |
The sternum (breastbone), in some breeds it's the entire thorax. |
| Canine hip dysplasia |
An abnormality of the ball and socket joint of the hip. |
| Carpus (the carpal joint) |
The bones in the wrist. |
| Chest |
The part of the body or the trunk that's enclosed by the ribs. |
| Companion Dog (CD) |
The Novice title that is awarded through the AKC. You earn this by achieving three qualifying scores in three different trials by three different judges. |
| Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) |
The Open title, awarded through the AKC, earned after you complete the CD. |
| Croup |
The region of the pelvic girdle, formed by the sacrum and surrounding tissue. |
| Cynologist |
A person who studies dogs. |
| Domestication |
The ability of animals to live in an environment controlled by humans. |
| Dominance |
Referring to the relative position of an individual in a social hierarchy. |
| Ecology |
The interrelationship of organisms and their environment. |
| Elbow |
The joint in the front lg where the upper arm meets the forearm. |
| Ethology |
The study of whole patterns of animal behavior in natural environments, stressing the analysis of adaptation and the evolution of the patterns. |
| Flews |
The pendulous lateral part of the upper lip, particularly at the inner corners. |
| Forearm |
The portion of the forelimb between the upper arm and the carpus, including the radius and the ulna. |
| Genetic drift |
Refers to evolutionary variation due to accidents of chance. |
| Hip |
The joint where the femur (thigh bone) fits into the pelvic girdle. |
| Hock |
The collection of bones of the hind leg forming the joint between the second thigh and the metatarsus; equivalent to a humans ankle. |
| Lips |
The fleshy portions of the upper and lower jaws covering the teeth. |
| Loin |
The area of the body behind the ribs and before the hip. |
| Morphology |
The form and structure of an organism or any of its parts. |
| Mutation |
A basic, significant, and relatively permanent change in the genetic makeup of an organism. |
| Muzzle |
The head in front of the eyes, including nasal bones, nostrils, and jaws. |
| National Association of Dob Obedience Instructors (NADOI) |
An organization for qualified obedience instructors, as well as an educational resource. |
| Natural selection |
A natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to the surrounding environment. |
| Obedience Trial Champion (OTC) |
The highest title in obedience competition. |
| Occiput |
The dorsal, posterior point of the skull. |
| Pastern |
The metacarpal boners of the front leg between the carpus and the foot and the metatarsal bones and the hind leg between the hock and the foot. |
| Positive reinforcement |
Strengthening a behavior by presenting a desirable consequence. |
| Schutzhund |
A comprehensive test initially developed to evaluate the German Shepherd Dog for breeding and working purposes. Now a popular sport, Schutzhund trials test a working dog's abilities in tracking, obedience, and protection work. |
| Shoulder |
The joint in the forequarters formed where the shoulder blade and arm meet. |
| Stifle |
The joint of the hind leg between the thigh and the second thigh; the equivalent of the human knee. |
| Symbiosis |
The ability of organisms to live together in a mutually beneficial environment. |
| Tail set |
How the tail base sets on the rump. |
| Taxonomy |
The classification of organisms into different categories on the basis of their individual physical, genetic, and biochemical relationships to one another. |
| Thigh |
A dog's outline from just behind the withers to the tail set. |
| Topline |
A dog's outline from just behind the withers to the tail set. |
| Tuck up |
A noticeably shallow loin depth; equivalent to being small |
| Utility Dog (UD) |
Awarded through the AKC, earned after completing the CD and CDX titles. |
| Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) |
Awarded through the AKC after completing the UD title. |
| Withers |
The area along the spine between the uppermost portion of the shoulder blades. |
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