Crab Orchard Veterinary Services, Inc.
Feb 11 2016
The Origins of 10 Nicknames of Dog Breeds
Home » News » The Origins Of 10 Nicknames Of Dog Breeds
If you’ve ever owned one of the following dog breeds, you’ve probably heard the nickname they are associated with. But you might not know why they have that nickname, and if you don’t own one of these particular breeds, you may not have been aware that these breed nicknames even existed!
- Weimaraner – The Grey GhostThe clear part of this nickname comes the distinctive grey color of Weimaraners. What’s less obvious, however, is where the “ghost” arises from. Weimaraners were originally bred as hunting dogs for German noblemen. Their quiet and stealthy style of hunting, as well as their haunting grey eyes, earned them the ghost monicker.
- Boxer – The Peter Pan of DogsAs every Boxer owner can confirm, Boxers stay youthful and exuberant long after they’ve grown out of puppyhood. This young personality is what prompted the Boxer to be nicknamed after the eternally young Peter Pan.
- Airedale Terrier – King of TerriersTerriers range vastly in size, from tiny Yorkshire Terriers to the more substantial Bedlington Terrier. However, the largest of all the terriers is the Airedale terrier, making them the “King of Terriers.”
- Dalmatian – The Plum Pudding Dog, The Firehouse DogThe plum pudding nickname arises from the Dalmation’s spotted coat, while the Firehouse Dog is the perfect nickname for a dog frequently found working alongside firefighters.
- Papillon – The Butterfly DogWith their large wing-like ears, it’s no surprise that the Papillon is also called the Butterfly Dog, and it becomes even less surprising when you learn what papillon means in French – butterfly!
- Afghan Hound – Noah’s Dog or Noah’s Ark Dog, The King of DogsThis ancient dog is one of the oldest known breeds still in existence. While their actual age is uncertain, the Afghan is thought to have been mentioned and depicted in art as far back as 4000 years ago. In legend, the Afghan Hound was the dog rescued from the great flood on Noah’s Ark. Afghans are also referred to as the King of Dogs due to their elegant manner and majestic coats.
- Bullmastiff – The Gamekeeper’s Night DogThese tough guard dogs, a cross between bulldogs and mastiffs, were originally bred to protect gamekeepers against roving gangs of game poachers.
- Great Danes – The Apollo of DogsThe origins of this nickname are somewhat unclear. Some believe that the Great Dane originally appeared on Roman coins, resulting in the nickname of a Roman god. More commonly though, it is assumed that the Great Dane is called the Apollo of Dogs because it resembles the god Apollo with its sleek and athletic build.
Some other popular nicknames for dog breeds include the Diehard, the Starter, the Royal Dog of Egypt, and the Dutch Barge Dog. Can you guess which breeds these nicknames belong to?
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