In the lingo of the American West, by what name is a motherless calf known?

In the rugged vocabulary of the American West, a young, motherless calf is known as a "dogie." This distinctive term became a common part of cowboy lingo, referring specifically to those calves left orphaned on the open range. These vulnerable animals, without a mother to provide milk and protection, faced significant hardships and often appeared scrawny and weak.

The origin of the word "dogie" is debated, but a widely accepted theory suggests it emerged in the 1880s following severe winters that led to many orphaned calves. Unable to digest coarse range grass due to being weaned too early, these calves often developed bloated bellies, which cowboys likened to "dough-guts." This descriptive phrase was then shortened and altered to "dogie." Other proposed origins include a playful variation of "doggie" for small calves, or even derivations from Spanish words like "adobe" or "dogal," meaning lariat.

The plight of these calves was considerable; they struggled to keep up with the herd and were more susceptible to illness and starvation. Consequently, caring for dogies became an act of compassion and responsibility for ranchers and cowhands, who would often hand-rear them. The term "dogie" was further popularized through traditional Western songs, such as "Git Along, Little Dogies," which often conveyed the sentiment of these small, wandering creatures.