shock-dog

A shock-dog with curly fur chases a ball in the park.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of dog with a shaggy or rough coat: "shock-dog" is an informal term for a dog, typically a small breed, with a thick, unkempt, or shaggy coat that resembles a "shock" of hair or wool.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old terrier looked like a shock-dog with its tangled fur. (A dog with a messy, shaggy coat.)
  • She adopted a shock-dog from the shelter, a little mixed breed with a wild mane. (A dog of any breed known for its rough, unkempt hair.)

Advanced Usage

• "to look like a shock-dog": to describe someone or something as being extremely dishevelled or untidy in appearance.
  • After the storm, his hair was all over the place, and he looked like a shock-dog. (His appearance was messy and unkempt, like a shaggy dog.)

Variants and Related Words

• Shock (n): a thick, bushy mass of hair or wool.
  • The sheep had a shock of wool on its back. (A thick, unruly tuft.)
• Shock-headed (adj): having a shock of hair; shaggy-haired.
  • The shock-headed boy ran through the field. (A boy with messy, thick hair.)

Synonyms

• Shaggy dog: a dog with long, rough, or unkempt hair.
  • The shaggy dog needed a good brushing. (A dog with a rough coat.)
• Mutt: a mixed-breed dog, often with a scruffy appearance.
  • The mutt had a shock of hair that made it look like a shock-dog. (A mongrel with a messy coat.)

Related Idioms

• "Shock of hair": a thick, unruly mass of hair, similar to a shock-dog's coat.
  • He has a shock of red hair that stands out in a crowd. (A prominent, messy head of hair.)

Note

• Usage Context: The term "shock-dog" is rare and somewhat archaic, often used in British English or historical texts to describe a dog with a particularly rough, wiry, or unkempt coat, such as a terrier or a sheepdog. It is not a standard breed name but a descriptive term.