Illustrative Context

I’d like to own a dog.

Target Sense

• The most generic term for a domesticated dog (canis familiaris). Must not be the name of any particular breed(s) of dog.
• Avoid terms limited to particular types of dog, bred for particular purposes, e.g. English hound as a hunting or racing dog.
• Avoid words specific to dogs of particular ages or sexes, e.g. puppy, bitch, etc..
• The default register term: avoid slang terms (e.g. mut) and technical, biological terms (canine).
• The most neutral term: avoid loaded, judgement terms that bear specific connotations, such as affection (e.g. doggie, pooch), pejoration (mut) or danger (mastiff, cur).