How to Say "Dog" in Spanish - How To Say Guide

perro

/ˈpero/masculine

The Spanish word for dog is perro. Wiktionary also lists can and tuso.

Meaning: animal (noun)

Ways to say it

perro is the masculine form, while can is a formal masculine term. The word tuso is also used to mean dog.

can is a formal term. In Guatemala, the word Chucho is an informal way to say dog, popularly used for mixed-breed or stray dogs.

In Guatemala, Chucho is a popular informal term for a dog. In some parts of Guatemala, perrito is used to refer to a small dog.

The feminine form of perro is perra. The form perro is masculine.

/ˈpero/

The word perro likely began as an insult or a pejorative term for a 'cur' before it became the standard word for dog in Spanish.
In Spanish, calling someone a perro can be a slang insult implying that the person is unfaithful or a flirt.
The word perro may have originated not from a noun, but from a specific phonetic call used to summon or command dogs during hunting.

Vi a un perro.
I saw a dog.
This sentence shows how to use perro to indicate seeing an animal.
Tatoeba #1667390 by marcelostockle, translation #378503 by CK
El perro es mío.
The dog is mine.
This sentence demonstrates using perro to show possession.
Tatoeba #508664 by Shishir, translation #493294 by CM
Ese es mi perro.
This is my dog.
This sentence illustrates using perro to identify one's own pet.
Tatoeba #1551463 by Shishir, translation #67056 by CK
1304 more sentences on Tatoeba

Mateo and Sofía are walking in a park.

Sources

Wiktionary, “dog” translations and entries perro, can, tuso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries can, perro, tuso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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