Types of Cats and Dogs: English Vocabulary List

any breed of dog that is used to herd the sheep

"That sheepdog has been herding since sunrise."

"The farmer relied on his experienced sheepdog to gather all the animals before nightfall."

a dog that is trained to fetch the birds that are shot in hunting

"Gun dogs learn to retrieve birds without damaging them."

"The Labrador retriever was originally bred as a gun dog to retrieve waterfowl for hunters."

a dog that is trained to assist with police work, such as detecting drugs or threats

"The police dog found the missing child within an hour."

"The German shepherd is commonly used as a police dog for patrol detection and suspect apprehension."

a gun dog that finds birds or other preys which are shot during hunting and fetches them intact

"The retriever fetched prey."

"The golden retriever has a soft mouth that can carry eggs without breaking them making it an excellent hunting companion."

a dog that is professionally trained to lead the blind

"A guide dog helps its owner cross busy streets safely."

"The guide dog is trained to ignore distractions and keep its blind owner safe from obstacles and traffic."

a small pet dog that can be held in the lap

"The tiny lapdog sleeps on the couch all afternoon."

"The tiny lapdog was bred solely for companionship and would not survive independently in the wild."

a working dog specifically bred and trained for pulling sleds in snowy or icy conditions, known for their endurance, strength, and ability to withstand cold temperatures

"Sled dogs can run for miles without getting tired."

"The Siberian husky is a sled dog with incredible endurance capable of pulling a loaded sled for many hours."

a dog that is used to keep watch on a place

"The watchdog barks loudly whenever someone approaches the gate."

"The watchdog barks at strangers but has no training to attack or restrain intruders unlike a guard dog."

a cat that catches mice and rats

"That old mouser caught three mice last night."

"The barn cat was an excellent mouser keeping the grain stores free from rodents without any training."

a familiar term used to refer to domestic cats in a playful or endearing manner

"Come here pussycat I have some milk for you."

"The soft pussycat purred contentedly on its owner's lap while being gently stroked behind the ears."

a domesticated feline that lives indoors with their owners as a companion pet

"My house cat sleeps for most of the afternoon."

"The house cat retains many wild instincts including stalking pouncing and scratching to mark territory."