Answers

1. flyball – [A] team sport for dogs. Flyball is a relay race that involves dogs jumping hurdles and catching balls.

2. mottled – [B] marked with blotches of colour. Mocha stood out at the animal shelter because of her striking mottled brown and white coat.

3. barbet – [A] French breed with woolly fur. Its non-moulting coat means the barbet is tolerated by some people who are allergic to other breeds.

4. brachycephalic – [C] with a broad, short head. Sadly, pugs’ brachycephalic features can cause them to have breathing difficulties.

5. slaver – [B] saliva that runs from the mouth. If your dog is producing more slaver than it usually does, it may be a sign that it is anxious or nauseous.

6. play bow – [C] playful canine body position. With hindquarters up and chest to the ground, the young dog’s play bow showed she wanted to be friends.

7. dewclaw – [A] inner toe that doesn’t reach the ground. Canines’ dewclaws are the vestigial remains of a time when their distant ancestors climbed trees.

8. worry – [C] gnaw at and shake with the teeth. Maia’s puppy was liked to worry her chew toy for hours.

9. litter – [A] Puppies born to a mother at one time. There are three male and two females in the litter.

10. guard hair – [A] outer fur. The job of guard hair is to protect the soft insulating coat below.

11. overmark – [B] cover another animal’s scent. The Dalmatian considered the backyard his territory and would overmark any unfamiliar urine he detected there.

12. cynophobia – [C] fear of dogs. In a bid to overcome his cynophobia, Leon decided to meet his sister’s gentle-tempered mutt.

13. whelp – [B] young dog. Bluey, a whelp of Colin’s old cattle dog, is already showing his father’s talents.

14. Argos – [A] dog in Greek mythology. Argos was the first to recognise Odysseus when he returned home after 20 years away.

15. frolic – [C] run around happily. Carmen let Lucky frolic off-leash whenever possible.