Comments on: Capitalization of dog breeds

By: Vonda Novelly

Vonda Novelly — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:33:52 +0000

Sylacat ~ thank you for prompt response. Vonda

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By: Vonda Novelly

Vonda Novelly — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:32:20 +0000

When using the name of a dog, i.e.; "My poodle, Alphonso..." is only the given name capitalized but not the breed ("poodle"). Please advise. Thanks!

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By: scyllacat

scyllacat — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:56:08 +0000

#1 is right--except I'm not sure if I should capitalize ""French fries" now. Great. Only capitalize the proper name words: "German," "Labrador," "English," "Newfoundland," and "Dalmatian." Dog breed ITSELF is not a proper name, so "bulldog" and "English bulldog," "poodle" and "French poodle." Okay?

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By: Jenn

Jenn — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:00:14 +0000

Thanks, Chas. I am working on copy for a club that holds shows and competitions for the bulldog breed. I think I will use the "bulldog" version of the word. It seems awkward to have the word capitalized throughout the document. Thanks again.

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By: Chas S. Clifton

Chas S. Clifton — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:25:59 +0000

When it comes to dog breeds, etc., I only capitalize the name when it functions as a name: Chesapeake Bay retriever, Labrador retriever, but not when the name has become a sort of generic descriptor: french fries. So "English bulldog" but just "bulldog" when it is alone. I think that the Chicago Manual of Style and the AP style book both prefer the lowercase then.

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