Dog breeding terms explained in plain language
Breeders speak a language of their own, and it can make a simple conversation hard to follow. This VerifiedStuds glossary explains the words you are most likely to hear, in alphabetical order, with links to the full guide where one exists.
AI (artificial insemination): placing semen in the female without a natural mating. In addition, it can use fresh, chilled or frozen semen. See the dog artificial insemination guide.
Bitch: the correct term for a female dog. However, breeders use it without any insult.
Brucellosis: a bacterial disease spread by mating. Therefore, both dogs need a test first. See brucellosis in dogs.
Carrier: a dog with one copy of a recessive disease gene. It stays healthy. However, it can pass the gene on.
CHIC: the Canine Health Information Center, run with OFA. A CHIC number shows that a dog has completed its breed's listed tests. See what is a CHIC number.
Chilled semen: fresh semen mixed with an extender, cooled and shipped overnight.
Clear: a dog with no copies of a tested disease gene.
COI (coefficient of inbreeding): a measure of how related a puppy's parents are. See coefficient of inbreeding explained.
Dam: the mother of a litter.
Dystocia: a difficult birth that needs veterinary help.
Estrus: the fertile stage of the heat cycle, when the female accepts a male. See the dog heat cycle guide.
F1, F1b, multigen: generation labels for crosses such as doodles. First, an F1 is a first cross. An F1b is an F1 bred back to one parent breed. Finally, multigen means both parents are crosses.
Frozen semen: semen stored in liquid nitrogen. It keeps for decades. However, it needs exact timing.
Full registration: registration that allows a dog's puppies to be registered.
Heat (season): the weeks when a female bleeds, becomes fertile and can be bred.
Limited registration: registration under which a dog's offspring cannot be registered. See full vs limited AKC registration.
Line breeding: mating related dogs to concentrate one ancestor. In other words, it is a mild form of inbreeding.
Litter registration: the paperwork that records a litter with a registry. See how to register a litter with AKC.
Maiden: a female who has not yet had a litter.
OFA: the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, which grades hips and elbows and keeps a public health database. See OFA hip and elbow grades.
Outcross: a mating between dogs with no close shared ancestors.
Ovulation: the release of eggs, which sets the timing of a breeding.
PennHIP: a hip x-ray method that measures joint looseness. See OFA vs PennHIP.
Pick of the litter: a puppy taken by the stud's owner in place of a fee. See pick of the litter explained.
Progesterone: the hormone vets measure to find ovulation. See progesterone testing for dogs.
Proven: describes a stud or dam that has already produced a litter.
Pyometra: a serious womb infection in unspayed females.
Relaxin: a pregnancy hormone that vets test for. See dog pregnancy tests.
Return service: a free repeat breeding if the female does not conceive. See the stud fee guide.
Sire: the father of a litter.
Slip mating: a mating without a tie. See how dogs mate.
Stud: a male dog offered for breeding.
Stud fee: the payment to the stud's owner for a breeding.
TCI (transcervical insemination): an AI method where a vet guides a catheter through the cervix with a scope. Therefore, vets often choose it for frozen semen.
Tie: the stage of mating when the dogs are locked together, usually for 10 to 30 minutes.
Whelp: to give birth. In addition, a whelp is a newborn puppy. See our whelping guide.
Whelping box: a low-sided box where the dam gives birth and raises her puppies.
Knowing the vocabulary makes it easier to ask good questions. For example, you might ask whether a stud is proven, whether he is clear or a carrier for your breed's diseases, and whether the fee includes a return service. Our list of questions to ask a stud dog owner puts them in order.
New to all of this? Then start with dog breeding for beginners. When you are ready, find a health-tested stud. Stud owners can list their stud free.
What is a stud dog?
A stud is a male dog whose owner offers him for breeding, usually for a fee.
What do sire and dam mean?
The sire is the father of a litter, and the dam is the mother.
What does proven mean in dog breeding?
It means the dog has already produced at least one litter.
What is a tie in dog breeding?
It is the part of mating when the male and female are locked together, normally for 10 to 30 minutes.
What does F1b mean?
It describes a first-generation cross bred back to one of its parent breeds, most often a Poodle.
Sources: American Kennel Club, guide to responsible dog breeding, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, CHIC program, VCA Animal Hospitals, estrus and mating in dogs.
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