Canine terminology
![Coat colors range from pure white to solid black and many other variations. Above is a white American Eskimo dog and a black Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael).](/Images/godic/202501/02/American_Eskimo_Dog5322.jpg")
![](/Images/godic/202501/02/Belgian_Groenendael_6005322.jpg")
![The Dalmatian's coat is one of the more widely recognized markings.](/Images/godic/202501/02/Dalmatian_b_015322.jpg")
![The German Wirehaired Pointer's coat demonstrates a rough texture.](/Images/godic/202501/02/GermanWirehrPtr1_wb5322.jpg")
Canine terminology in this article refers only to dog terminology, specialized terms describing the characteristics of various external parts of the domestic dog, as well as terms for structure, movement, and temperament. This terminology is not typically used for any of the wild species or subspecies of wild wolves, foxes, coyotes, dholes, jackals or the basal caninae. Dog terminology is often specific to each breed or type of dog. Breed standards use this terminology in the description of the ideal external appearance of each breed, although similar characteristics may be described with different terms in different breeds.