Cynology

Cynology (pronounced /saɪˈnɔlədʒi/) in English is a term sometimes used self-referentially by dog trainers^[1][2] and hobbyists who informally study the dog,^[3] or, more often, in a humorous, mocking, or pedantic manner to refer to the study of dogs.^[4] It is not a field of science, although the use of the Classical construction (linking of two Greek or Latin based words) in English is used to imply that it is science or scientific. There is no recognized scientific discipline with this name in English. The word does not appear in standard English dictionaries. There are no standards that apply to calling oneself a cynologist (compare to cosmetologist, another word that is a Classical construct referring to a non-science, that does have standards for use of the term.)

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[edit] Etymology

Cynology is a classical compound word (from Greek κύων, kyōn, genitive κυνός, kynos, "dog"; and -λογία, -logia) referring to the study of dogs. The word is not found in major English dictionaries and it is not a recognized scientific discipline in some countries. The word appears to have entered the English language from the French language (cynophilie, dog hobbyist; cynologique, of dog studies, probably back-formed from the title of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, a dog registry and show-giving body, not a scientific organization, in the French-speaking country of Belgium). Similar words are found in other languages as well, such as the Russian кинология, from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱwon-, which is the source of hound.

κυν is also the source of the English word cynic, and is indirectly related to canine and hound.

[edit] Usage in English

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The suffix 'ology' in English words refers to an academic discipline or field of scientific study. English Classical compound words of this type are also used humorously, or to confer an impression of scientific rigor on a non-scientific occupation or profession.

Usage in English of the word cynology is found in the names of dog training academies, with cynologist sometimes being used as a title by some dog trainers or handlers. People who informally study the dog may refer to themselves as 'cynologists' to confer an impression of scientific work. There is no recognized scientific discipline with this name in English.

[edit] The study of dogs

Scientific studies of dogs are carried out by geneticists, behaviourists, and other scientists, and veterinarians. The word 'cynology' is not used to refer to a field of scientific study.

Informally, dogs are studied by those with no relevant scientific training, such as breeders, trainers, police dog handlers, animal communicators and others, through folklore, anecdote, and personal experience. Many useful books and videotapes for the public have been produced through informal study of the dog, although the term "cynology" is seldom used.

Those who refer to themselves as cynologists may informally study such things as dog breeding, breed development, dog behavior and training, and the history of dogs.

[edit] Usage in other languages

Cynologist may have other connotations or use in languages other than English, but is generally found to refer to dog trainers and handlers.

• A similar word is used to refer to dog handlers and dog trainers in Russia.^[5][6]
• A veterinary clinic in Armenia offers a 'cynologist' to assist with dog training.^[7]
• A magazine in the Baltic states described as 'dedicated to the development of cynology in the Baltic countries' covers dog training, dog shows, and veterinary advice (a hobbyist magazine, not a scientific journal.)^[8]

[edit] Notes and reference