I wrote this glossary to provide online access to definitions of formal terms commonly used in both the Australian Shepherd and general canine fancy.
There are many aspects one might want in a definition: clarity, usefulness, standardization, accuracy, brevity, completeness, and precision. I have attempted to provide all of these in an easy to use format.

Click on the letter of the alphabet you wish to view definitions for:  A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
All text and illustration copyright © Shelly Hollen No part of this website may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the express written consent of the copyright owner.
Calcaneus: The uppermost extension of the large fibular tarsal bone in the hock joint.. 
Camel Back:
 		A back which is arched like the hump of a camel
Canine Teeth:
 The four long, pointed teeth the separate the incisors from the molars. Used to hold and tear prey.
Cape:
 The long, coarse, profuse hair that envelopes the shoulder region. An extension of the collar hair..
Carpal Joint:
 Carpus or wrist joint between the forearm and pastern on the front leg.
Cat Foot: A rounded, compact foot with arched toes. 
Character:
 		The temperament and behavioral traits considered typical to a certain breed.
Cheeky:
Bulging, fleshy, extremely muscled  or coarse cheeks
Chest:
 		Brisket or thorax; the section of the body enclosed by the rib cage between the neck all the way to the abdomen.
Chin:
 The lower part of the jaw.
China Eye:
 A solid blue eye.
Chiseled:
 Clean cut lines and contours of the head and foreface
Clean Cut:
 Used to describe a head or body free from lumps, bumps, bulges or folds. Trim, tight features
Cleft Palate:
 A birth defect that causes in which interior roof of the mouth to fails to close, leaving a gap or open hole.
Cloddy: Thick, heavyset and clumsy in appearance or gait
Close Coupled:
 Also referred to as 'short coupled'. The distance between the last rib and the hindquarters is relatively short. A short loin.
Coarse:
 In reference to structure, a dog who is large, heavy, lacking refinement and elegance. In reference to coat; a rough or harsh texture.
Coat: The hair of a dog
Cobby: Short bodied
Coccidiosis: A one celled protozoan parasite that can infect the intestinal tract and cause diarrhea. Transmitted by ingestion.
Collar:
 The color or markings around the neck, usually white
Condition:
 The state of fitness apparent in the external appearance of the dog
Conformation:
 A term used to describe the physical aspects and overall appearance of a dog.
Congenital:
 A defect present at birth.
Coupled or Coupling
 The distance between the last rib and the hindquarters. Short coupled dogs have strength of back and loin, but lack flexibility. Long coupled dogs have flexibility but can have a structural support weakness in the lumbar section.
Cow Hocks:
 A defect in conformation in which the hock joints of the rear legs are close together and the feet are splayed outward and wide.
Cow Lick
 An area of hair that grows against the grain of the rest of the coat. Named such because it appears like a cow has been licking the coat.
Croup
 The area of the back from the hip joints to where the tail joins the body. Includes the first tail vertebrae. The muscles and angle of the croup region determine how the tail will be carried from the body.
Crossbred
 A dog whose parents are different purebred dog breeds.
Cryptorchid
 A dog in which one or both testicles are present in the body, but one or both have failed to descend into the scrotal sac. If one testicle has failed to descend the dog is a unilateral cryptorchid. If both testicles fail to descend, the dog is a bilateral cryptorchid.



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