What does puppying mean?
“Puppying” is an uncommon term for the mating of dogs and, as a verb, for the act of a dog mating. It is most likely to appear in specialist discussions of animal breeding, veterinary care, or canine reproduction, though it may also occur in deliberately humorous or euphemistic writing. Although the word contains “puppy,” it does not specifically mean mating that produces a litter or involve only young dogs; it refers to the mating process itself. The expression is unsuitable as a general substitute for “breeding” because it has a narrow, sometimes amusingly awkward meaning. Its sound can also prompt joking comparisons between dogs and human sexual behavior, so neutral usage is limited largely to factual contexts.
The mating of dogs or the process by which dogs mate.
"The kennel records each puppying and the resulting litter."
Chiefly a specialist term used in canine breeding and veterinary contexts.
To mate, used of dogs.
"The two dogs were allowed to puppying only after the veterinarian had confirmed that they were healthy."
Used intransitively of dogs. Nonliteral use may sound humorous or coarse.
Despite sounding like a word for being young, “puppying” actually refers to dogs mating.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of puppying
The word is formed from “puppy” plus the present-participle ending “-ing,” while the verb was developed by adding the same ending to the verb “puppy.” Related forms include “pup” and the noun “puppyhood.” The precise date and earliest attestation of “puppying” are not securely established, so the word should be understood as a later English derivation rather than an Old English term.
Related word forms
How puppying is actually used
This is a specialized, uncommon term rather than general vocabulary. It is chiefly used in animal-breeding contexts; humorous or figurative use may allude to sexual activity and can therefore sound coarse.