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Dogs are prized for their talents and intelligence but aren't always given credit for their independence. Instead, tales of canine devotion and attachment are legendary; the old Lassie and Rin-Tin-Tin television series featured at least one heroic act of devotion per show. So we often hear people described as having "doglike devotion" or "doglike loyalty". But canine itself, unlike doglike, usually refers to four-legged creatures. Canine is not only an adjective but also a noun. Dogs and their relatives in the Canidae family—the wolves, jackals, foxes, and coyotes—are often called canines. And so are those two slightly pointed teeth a bit to the right and left of your front teeth.
Examples of canine in a Sentence
Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Unlike the two male and two female canines that lay above it, this skeleton belonged to a feline, the researchers said.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
Some pet owners argue against vaccinating dogs – over concerns that vaccines shorten the canines' lifespans or beliefs that vaccines can cause autism in dogs.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
The Sheriff’s Office was pleased that the dog was located and hopes for a full recovery for the injured canine.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
The driver told police officers that the dog attacked him, resulting in him firing a single gunshot that struck and killed the canine.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
One dog-only San Francisco cafe serves canines a $75 tasting menu; more and more restaurants (for people) also now offer dog menus.
—Sam Apple, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Despite the script’s prevalent lack of subtlety, telling us details and developments instead of showing through meaningful actions, there’s resonance in Michael’s nuanced turn from selfish to selfless via his newfound canine companionship.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024
It's been a long journey for the dog McGee first encountered when the canine was young.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2024
Think twice: Mystery dog illness in L.A. spurs warnings by officials
Nov. 22, 2023
The professor noted that there was an outbreak of canine schistosomiasis in Moab, Utah, in 2018.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Now if only Hollywood can put him in a canine buddy movie with Messi from Anatomy of a Fall.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024
Studies have shown what many dog lovers likely already know — that canine companionship and dog walking can reduce stress, benefit health, lower medical costs and decrease depression and anxiety.
—Kelly Conaboy, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2024
Of course, purebreds are only part of the canine population in the U.S., where animal shelters faced an influx of all sorts of dogs last year.
—CBS News, 20 Mar. 2024
According to the press release, the flatworm can cause canine schistosomiasis, which affects dogs' liver and intestines.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024
It’s filled with canine art and ornaments, some of them for sale.
—Richard Guzman, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2024
Gromit, Wallace and Gromit franchise (1989–present) Sidekick to: Wallace
Loyal doesn't even begin to describe the depth of Gromit's canine devotion.
—Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Canine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canine. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
canine
1 of 2 adjective
canine
2 of 2 nounAdjective
from Latin caninus "having to do with dogs," from canis "dog"
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