What is a female dog called?

A female dog is called a bitch - even as a puppy. This term distinguishes female dogs from male dogs, the latter of which are called dogs, studs or sires. When a female dog is pregnant with a litter of puppies she is called a dam.

In dams, pregnancy lasts for approximately 63 days and it is during the gestation period that a bitch is referred to as a dam. Once the dam whelps, or gives birth, to a litter of puppies, the term bitch applies again.

Male dogs are referred to as studs or sires after they have fathered a litter of puppies.