Introduction
Domestic dogs have been man’s best friends for thousands of years. We have discovered a lot about them, and they have learned a lot from us, too. But there is always more to explore because our four-legged canine friends are full of wonders.
Today, we’d like to answer a hot question “What is a male dog called?”. Yes, People ask that question a lot. It seems to some of you that the answer is obvious because you’ve only ever called your dogs a “dog”. But in this post, we will go into technical details of what a dog, especially male dog, is really called.
The Names for Male and Female Dogs
Male dogs that are not a part of any breeding processes or programs, or have not been the fathers of any young can be called simply “dogs”. There should be no surprise here. It is common for animals to be called just one shared name without obvious distinction. This is where dogs differ from cats. Male cats have their own term (tomcats) whereas the females are generally called cats.
You may have heard the word “cur”. It is true that this word was used to refer to male dogs in general. But the usage dwindled because the word carried an offensive sense to men. People felt inappropriate to use the word because it sounded like they were cursing. So, today, you should not use “cur” to refer to your male dog because people will think you’re offensive.
This is the same case for the word “bitch”. Everyone knows the technical term for a female dog is “bitch”. But throughout the sociolinguistic development of the word, a negative sense has been attached to it. Now whenever someone says “bitch”, people tend to think of that as a curse, not a pet. Due to the stigma involved, people just don’t call female dogs by this name anymore.
What Is a Male Dog Called? (Technically)
We thought we would get a little bit technical here because after all, that’s what you’re searching for, isn’t it?
We shall start by pointing out that a puppy is called a litter in the professional breeding community. A male dog that is the father of a litter is called a sire. But if a male dog has not been the father of any litter, it is called a stud dog. When you read the pedigree of a dog, you won’t just see the word “dog” because they use professional terms such as “sire” or “stud dog”.
Female dogs who have been mothers of litters are called a “dam”. If a female has not given birth to any litter, she is simply called a bitch or a female dog.
So you’ve known the technical terms. But are they suitable for everyday conversation outside the breeding community when you introduce your dog?
How to Use Technical Terms Right
People generally only use the terms “sire”, “dam” and “litter” when they are talking about a dog’s pedigree. It means that these terms are only appropriate when used in relation with other terms in a pedigree.
For example, when you introduce your dog to other people, you should not say “My male dog is a sire” even though he is indeed the father of a puppy. The reason is that you are not talking about his pedigree. You are simply introducing him. You are not mentioning his relations to the female and his children.
When the conversation moves on to the part where you talk about his pedigree, then you can use the technical terms. You can say “My dog is the sire of 5 litters. The dam is not here. She is breastfeeding her litters”.
So, it is only appropriate to use technical terms to refer to a dog when the conversation is about its pedigree, and its family relations are being made clear.
The Words for Male Dogs in the UK and Australia
It is no surprise that different English-speaking areas have different names for male dogs. Language is varied depending on environments and cultures. It’s quite interesting to know different terms for male dogs in case you travel to these areas.
People in the UK can call a male dog a “rude”. “Mongrel” is the word used for a male dog in the countryside areas of Australia. Not many people in the cities of Australia refer to their male dogs by the term mongrels, but if you travel to rural areas, you may hear this term.
The Meaning of Your Male Dog’s Name
So, you’ve learned the technical terms for a male dog and the different names used in different English-speaking regions. Now we’d like to give you a fun bonus. Below are the common meanings of popular male dog names. Maybe you’ll find your dog’s name here!
Charlie
The name Charlie is thought to have originated from German. Its meaning is strength and masculinity. Dogs named Charlie have a friendly, warm and loyal heart. They are playful. They like fetching and chewing.
Max
This name’s origin is thought to be in Latin. Dogs with the name Max love to be in the company of people. They love to be petted. Another important point about Max dogs is that they’re very independent. They can refrain themselves from getting overly aggressive.
Buddy
The origin of this name seems to be in American English. Most dogs named Buddy belong to the mixed breed kind, raised by thousands of dog lovers who adopt them from shelters or the streets. They tend to be loyal and cute. Buddy means a messenger man.
Jack
There are a lot of Jacks in this world who are purebreds. But there are also those who are a mixed breed. Despite the naughty name, people say that their Jack dogs are quite quiet.
Oliver
Ollie is the common contracted form of the name “Oliver”. The origin of the name is from French. The term “Oliver” gives people some sense of independence and peace. However, Oliver dogs are not always calm. When they see something interesting, they tend to get really excited.
Sammy
The origin of the name is thought to be in Hebrew. The meaning of the name Sammy is a listener. Dogs under the name Sammy are very sensitive. They make a great pet for quiet or introverted owners. But they can be playful and entertaining as well.
Lucky
This is a special name. You can guess the meaning. It is happiness and fortune. The name is commonly used for dogs who have undergone ordeals in life. People bringing their new dogs home from animal shelters often consider this name for their new family member. Perhaps the name is used to show that good things are starting to happen to the unfortunate dog, and the dog itself will bring fortune to the family who gives it a home.
Conclusion
By now we hope you have found the answer to your question. Next time someone asks you “What is a male dog called?”, you should be able to explain to them like an expert!
If you have any confusions, feel free to contact us. Thank you!
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