noun
puppy; pup
Colloquial and slightly affectionate or dismissive term for a puppy or small dog. The suffix ころ adds a sense of smallness or cuteness.
近所の犬ころが庭で遊んでいる。
The neighborhood puppy is playing in the yard.
あの犬ころ、すごく人懐っこいね。
That little pup is really friendly, isn't it?
Standard neutral word for puppy. 犬ころ is more colloquial and carries a nuance of endearment or slight condescension.
Compound of 犬 (inu, 'dog') and the diminutive suffix ころ (koro), which conveys smallness or cuteness. The suffix is also seen in words like 子猫ころ (konekokoro, 'kitten').