Morningstar is right. Males are called "dogs." When breeding, they are called "studs" while the female, still, is called a "bitch." When they have a litter, the male is referred to as the "Sire," while the female is the "Dam."
Yes, I feel it is "Dam" discriminatory.
If I had my druthers, solely based upon Harry's personality (and because I have to keep this clean on the main board), they would be called "pee stains."
The term "bitch" comes from the 1150 word bicche, which was developed from the Old English word bicce. It also may have been derived from the Old Icelandic work bikkja for "female dog." The Oxford English Dictionary dates the term meaning "female dog" to around 1000 A.D
Do you know what I have always wondered? Why is it that when we feel the need to degrade women, we use the term, "Bitch." I happen to have had many really cool female dogs in my life and soon to have another. Personally, I would take it as a compliment :) I was just wondering. Great answer! And Happy Spring to you!! :)
Art Lover 