Ur 𒌨 in Sumerian means “dog”, but it can also mean “carnivorous animal”.

Because "ur" forms the base of many other animal names, I find it enjoyable to translate it as "dog".
1/

[Image: Susa II. Late Uruk period (3300-2100 BCE)]

urbarra 𒌨𒁇𒊏 “wolf” (“outside dog”)

(Fun fact: The Egyptian "jackal" is actually not a jackal; it& #39;s an ancient wolf.)
2/

[Image: KV 14 tomb of Tausert and Setnakht, Egypt]

urmah 𒌨𒈤 or urgula 𒌨𒄖𒆷 “lion” (both meaning “great dog”)

What& #39;s a great dog? A cat. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😂" title="Gesicht mit Freudentränen" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit Freudentränen">
3/

[Image: Tell Harmal, Old Babylonian]

urdib 𒌨𒁳 or urnim 𒌨𒉏 “lion cub” ( “early dog”)
ura 𒌨𒀀 “otter” (“water dog”)
urki 𒌨𒆠 “badger” (“earth dog”)
uridim 𒌨𒅂 “wild dog, rabid dog” (“wild dog”)
urbigu 𒌨𒁉𒅥 “jackal” (“eating-everything dog”)
urbigu 𒌨𒁉𒅥𒄷 “vulture” (“jackal bird”)
4/

ursaga “pampered dog”

This Sumerian letter reads:
"To Ea-bani tell:
One Erra-gašir,
citizen of Nippur,
a pampered dog
he shall give him."
5/

[CDLI no.P134662]

Many languages use a familiar animal name as the base to create other animal names. Germanic animal names often used this convention, including Waschbär – wash bear (raccoon), Fledermaus – flutter mouse (bat), and Eichkätzchen – oak kitten (squirrel).
6/ https://twitter.com/cfthisfootnote/status/1223818230063456256">https://twitter.com/cfthisfoo...

And before you laugh at the German animal names, know that English is no exception. :)
7/ https://twitter.com/cfthisfootnote/status/1223818232827502592">https://twitter.com/cfthisfoo...