Why is a female dog called a "bitch?"

Answer by  Linguista (53)

Originally the word "bitch" was used as a name for female dogs. The same meaning is used in Russian and Latvian languages. Later it became an abusive meaning for a woman-whore. When a female dog is in its mating season it searches for the male partners to get as much as possible. This question should be reversed.

Answer by  cklight (327)

A generalization, a female dog will be called a "bitch" from a language perspective, old Norse and old English terminology used a similar word to call dogs and wolves. But also, when a female dog will give birth or has given birth, she may be nasty to deal with.