A-Z reference

Pet glossary.

Plain-English definitions of the breed, health and New Zealand-specific terms that appear across the site. Linked from breed pages so you can hop in and out without losing context.

Health

BVA hip / elbow score: A standardised x-ray scoring of hip or elbow joint conformation, used by reputable breeders to screen breeding stock for dysplasia. Lower numbers are better; average scores below 10 per joint indicate lower risk to offspring. Dogs NZ uses the BVA scheme.
CEA (Collie eye anomaly): An inherited eye condition affecting Border Collies and related breeds. DNA-testable, so reputable breeders test both parents and avoid carrier-to-carrier pairings.
EIC (Exercise-induced collapse): A genetic neuromuscular condition where affected dogs collapse after sustained intense exercise. DNA-testable via the DNM1 gene; particularly relevant for working, gundog and dog-sport homes.
GDV (Bloat / gastric dilatation-volvulus): The stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off blood supply. Life-threatening within hours. More common in tall, deep-chested breeds. Slow feeders and avoiding vigorous exercise within an hour of meals reduce risk.
HCM (Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy): A heart-muscle disease that thickens the left ventricle. The most common heart condition in pedigree cats; DNA-testable in some breeds (e.g. MyBPC3 in Maine Coons, R820W in Ragdolls).
Hip dysplasia: A genetic malformation of the hip joint where the surfaces grind instead of gliding, leading to chronic pain, lameness and arthritis. Larger breeds are most affected. Screening parents via BVA / Dogs NZ scores reduces offspring risk.
MDR1 drug sensitivity: A gene mutation common in herding breeds (Border Collie, Australian Shepherd) that affects how dogs metabolise certain drugs (e.g. ivermectin). DNA-testable; affected dogs need adjusted veterinary protocols.
PKD (Polycystic kidney disease): An inherited condition where cysts develop on the kidneys, slowly impairing kidney function. Documented in several pedigree cat breeds; DNA-testable via the PKD1 gene.
POMC gene variant: A gene variant present in roughly a quarter of Labradors that reduces satiety signalling and increases food motivation. The single biggest driver of Labrador obesity. Manage with measured portions and limited treats.
PRA (Progressive retinal atrophy): An inherited eye disease that gradually destroys the retina, leading to night blindness then full blindness. DNA-testable; reputable breeders test both parents and avoid carrier-to-carrier pairings.

Behaviour

Affection score: A 1 to 5 trait rating measuring how much a breed seeks physical closeness with its household. 5 means "velcro" dog/cat that follows you room-to-room; 1 means independent and reserved.
Drive: A working-dog term for the breed's motivation to perform a task: prey drive (chasing), retrieve drive, herding drive. High-drive breeds need a job or they invent one.
Trainability: A 1 to 5 rating of how readily a breed responds to training. High trainability often combines biddability (eagerness to please) with food / play motivation.

Training

Heading dog: A New Zealand working sheepdog type that uses silent stalking with eye contact ("eye") to move sheep. Closely related to the Border Collie. Pairs with the Huntaway in NZ farming practice.
Reinforcement-based training: Reward-based dog training that rewards desired behaviour rather than punishing unwanted behaviour. Backed by evidence in animal behaviour science and now standard practice in NZ trainer accreditation.

Breed standards

Breed standard: The official written description of a breed used in conformation showing. Covers physical structure, coat, movement, temperament. Maintained by the parent kennel club (Dogs NZ in New Zealand).
NZCF (New Zealand Cat Fancy): New Zealand Cat Fancy, one of NZ's major pedigree cat registries. Maintains breed standards and registers cattery prefixes.
NZKC (New Zealand Kennel Club / Dogs NZ): Dogs New Zealand, the national kennel club. Recognises 221 dog breeds, runs the registration system, breed standards, conformation shows, and obedience and agility competitions.

New Zealand

DIA National Dog Database: The Department of Internal Affairs national register of all council-registered dogs in New Zealand. Updated annually; the source of truth for breed popularity statistics by district.
Lifestyle block: A New Zealand term for a small rural property (typically 1 to 20 hectares) that's not a working farm but provides space for animals. The natural fit for working breeds in semi-rural living.
Microchipping: Implanting a small RFID chip that links to an owner record. Compulsory in NZ for dogs over 3 months old (with some farm-dog exemptions). 79.3% of NZ dogs were chipped in 2025.
SPCA NZ: New Zealand's primary animal welfare charity, runs adoption centres across the country. SPCA-adopted pets are desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and parasite-treated as part of the adoption fee.