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matapam
pamuphoff
23 August 2016 @ 09:11 pm
Grammar Question  
 . . . a pair of german shepherds, a great dane and a boxer.

Yeah, I know, capitalize countries. But these are dog breeds. It's not German shepards, a great Dane and a boxer.

But if it's . . .  German Shephards, a Great Dane . . . shouldn't Boxer also be capitalized? Is there some rule about "only caplitalize dog breeds when there's a country name in there?"

I'm digging through the Exiles google doc before updating, and, OK, I know I can't complain about _other_ people missing things, when I obviously missed them all more than once. But the capitolize dog and horse breeds thing has stymied me more than once.
 
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4 comments —
( 4 comments — Leave a comment )
Zan Lynxzlynx on August 24th, 2016 04:21 am (UTC)
In my opinion it is a terrier, but it is a Jack Russell Terrier. If it has a proper name in it, it gets capitalized.

But it isn't like I know anything, it's just my opinion.
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Bretbretw on August 24th, 2016 05:36 am (UTC)
I dunno, I see the grammar sites give "English mastiff" as an example, which I don't personally like (one word capitalized, one not).

I think that this sort of thing is so obscure that you can do what ever you want, just be consistent.
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mbarkermbarker on August 24th, 2016 07:11 am (UTC)
trying a few online dictionaries, it looks as if a Boxer is a member of a Chinese secret society, while a boxer is just a dog. Or someone who hits other people, but given the other dogs, I doubt anyone will think you mean a guy in a boxing ring.
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Michawl DolbearMichawl Dolbear on August 24th, 2016 02:34 pm (UTC)
Having looked up _Words Into Type_ 3rd ed

If the name is derived from a Proper Name then it too is or can be capped if it is still a proper name.

Their example is "Afghan hound" but "panama hat"

Looking at 'great dane' I think this means 'Great Dane', ie the whole of the name for which part was derived from a proper name.

If Boxer was derived from the proper name of a Chinese secret society then it would be capped but it's older and there is no agreement on derivation.

Better to establish your own rule and cap all the breed names.

Little Egret in Walton-on-Thames

I edit to suggest that Jack Russell terrier matches Afghan hound as does English mastiff but you might prefer English Mastiff because you can say "that's a Jack Russell" but not "that's a English"

Edited at 2016-08-24 02:41 pm (UTC)
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