General Terminology
Back crossing: A form of inbreeding in which a dog is mated to its parent.
Breed club: An organization comprised of dog fanciers dedicated to the promotion and improvement of a particular breed of dog.
Breed Standard: The set of breed descriptions originally laid down by the various parent breed clubs and accepted officially by international bodies.
DNA: A unique genetic makeup. DNA testing is done to prove the actual parentage and/or identity of an animal.
DNA Test: A test to determine identity and/or verify parentage.
Dog Fancy: Term describing the group of people interested in and active in the promotion of purebred dogs.
Fancier: A person especially interested and usually active in some phase of the sport of purebred dogs.
Gene pool: The collective genetic information contained within a population of sexually reproducing organisms.
Genetics: The science of heredity.
Inbreeding: The mating of two closely related dogs of the same breed.
Inherited: To receive (a characteristic) from one's parents by genetic transmission.
Line Breeding: The practice of mating a dog to a member of an earlier generation of the dog's bloodline.
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.
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.
Outcrossing: The mating of unrelated individuals of the same breed.
Parti-Color: Two or more definite, well-broken colors, one of which must be white. For example, black parti-color would be black and white. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Pet Quality: a puppy/dog that has one or more faults that make successful showing in the conformation ring unlikely. Has nothing to do with the dog's quality as a pet and companion.
Piebald: Covered with patches of two colors, especially black and white. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Recessive Gene: A gene that is phenotypically expressed in the homozygous state but has its expression masked in the presence of a dominant gene.
Show Quality: A pedigreed dog meeting the official breed standard and thus able to compete in dog shows.
Stud Book: A listing of dogs that have sired or whelped a litter for the first time that has been registered. With this information, a person can use Stud Book volumes to trace a dog's lineage and to produce pedigrees.
Symmetry: Pleasing balance between all parts of the dog.
Ticked: Small, isolated areas (smaller than spots) of black or colored hairs on a white background. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Topknot: A tuft of longer hair on top of the head.
Toy Group: Group of dogs bred to be companions or lap dogs.
Tricolor: Three colors in the coat: white, black, and tan. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the definitive color description.
Breeding Terminology
Afterbirth: The placenta and fetal membranes expelled from the uterus following the birth of each newborn puppy.
Alter: To castrate or spay (an animal, such as a cat or a dog).
Artificial Insemination: The introduction of semen into the female reproductive tract by artificial means.
Bite: The relative position of the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are closed. Bite positions include scissors, level, undershot, or overshot, depending on the breed.
Breech Birth: A birth of a puppy whose hind end comes out first rather than the head.
Brucellosis: A chronic disease caused by the bacterium Brucella canis and characterized by prolonged disorders of the genital tract, including infertility.
Eclampsia: Coma and convulsions during or immediately after pregnancy, characterized by edema, hypertension, and proteinuria.
Genes: A hereditary unit consisting of a sequence of DNA that occupies a specific location on a chromosome and determines a particular characteristic in an organism. Genes undergo mutation when their DNA sequence changes.
Gestation Period: The time between mating and birth (it averages 63 days).
Health Terminology
Auto-immune disease: A disease resulting from an immune reaction produced by an individual's white blood cells or antibodies acting on the body's own tissues or extracellular proteins.
Carrier: A dog who, though not showing any indication of being affected, carries a genetic defect or disease-causing organism that can be passed to other animals.
Chronic Disease: A disease lasting indefinitely.
Cleft Palate: A birth defect in which the two halves of the mouth do not fuse together properly.
Congenital: Present at birth; may have genetic or environmental causes.
Genetically Linked Defects: Problems with health or temperament that are passed to offspring by their ancestors.
Immune Response: The body's reaction to infection.
Luxating Patella: A problem that causes the kneecap to slip when the joint is moved. Transmitted genetically and can lead to lameness.
This page is designed to help you better understand some of the terminology used in our site to help you understand the Biewer ala' Pom Pon or the information that surrounds the breed. We hope that you will find this educational and resourceful.
Complete blood count (CBC)
This is the most common blood test performed on pets and people. A CBC gives information on hydration status, anemia, infection, the blood's clotting ability, and the ability of the immune system to respond. This test is essential for pets with fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, pale gums, or loss of appetite. If your pet needs surgery, a CBC can detect bleeding disorders or other unseen abnormalities.
HCT (hematocrit) measures the percentage of red blood cells to detect anemia and dehydration.
Hb and MCHC (hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) are the oxygen-carrying pigments of red blood cells.
WBC (white blood cell count) measures the body's immune cells. Increases or decreases indicate certain diseases or infections.
PLT (platelet count) measures cells that form blood clots.
RETICS (reticulocytes) are immature red blood cells. High levels indicate regenerative anemia.
Blood chemistries
These common blood serum tests evaluate organ function, electrolyte status, hormone levels, and more. They are important in evaluating older pets, pets with vomiting and diarrhea or toxin exposure, pets receiving long-term medications, and health before anesthesia.
ALB (albumin) is a serum protein that helps evaluate hydration, hemorrhage, and intestinal, liver, and kidney disease.
ALKP (alkaline phosphatase) elevations may indicate liver damage, Cushing's disease, and active bone growth in young pets. This test is especially significant in cats.
ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is a sensitive indicator of active liver damage but doesn't indicate the cause.
AMYL (amylase) elevations show pancreatitis or kidney disease.
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) indicates kidney function. An increased blood level is called azotemia and can be caused by kidney, liver, and heart disease, urethral obstruction, shock, and dehydration.
Ca (calcium) deviations can indicate a variety of diseases. Tumors, hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, and low albumin are just a few of the conditions that alter serum calcium.
CHOL (cholesterol) is used to supplement diagnosis of hypothyroidism, liver disease, Cushing's disease, and diabetes mellitus.
Cl (chloride) is an electrolyte often lost with vomiting and Addison's disease. Elevations often indicate dehydration.
Cortisol is a hormone that is measured in tests for Cushing's disease (the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test) and Addison's disease (ACTH stimulation test).
CREA (creatinine) reveals kidney function. This test helps distinguish between kidney and non-kidney causes of elevated BUN.
GGT (gamma glutamyl transferase) is an enzyme that indicates liver disease or corticosteroid excess.
GLOB (globulin) is a blood protein that often increases with chronic inflammation and certain disease states.
GLU (glucose) is a blood sugar. Elevated levels may indicate diabetes mellitus. Low levels can cause collapse, seizures, or coma.
K (potassium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive urination. Increased levels may indicate kidney failure, Addison's disease, dehydration, and urethral obstruction. High levels can lead to cardiac arrest.
LIP (lipase) is an enzyme that may indicate pancreatitis.
Na (sodium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney and Addison's disease. This test helps indicate hydration status.
PHOS (phosphorus) elevations are often associated wit kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and bleeding disorders.
TBIL (total bilirubin) elevations may indicate liver or hemolytic disease. This test helps identify bile duct problems an certain types of anemia.
TP (total protein) indicates hydration status and provides additional information about the liver, kidneys, and infectious diseases
T4 (thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone. Decreased level often signal hypothyroidism in dogs, while high levels indicate hyperthyroidism in cats.
Understanding your Labs
