rodent, not a canine
Prairie Dog
A prairie dog is not a dog. Prairie dogs are burrowing rodents in the squirrel family, and their name comes from their bark-like alarm calls.
Why now
PRAIRIE appeared in NYT Connections #1179 on September 2, 2026.
The connection
Why here
The category was **___ DOGS (THAT AREN’T DOGS)**.
Puzzle group: **CORN · PRAIRIE · SALTY · TOP**
Each word forms a familiar phrase with “dog,” but none refers to an actual canine. A prairie dog is the trickiest example because it is a real animal—just not a dog.
More context
Context
Prairie Dog vs. Sausage Dog
A sausage dog really is a dog: it is an informal name for a dachshund. A prairie dog is a rodent.
See Salty Dog for another phrase from the same non-dog group.
Keep exploring
Related Things
Evidence
Sources
- How prairie dogs became one of America’s most controversial animals — Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Supports that prairie dogs are burrowing rodents whose name comes from their bark-like alarm calls.
- NYT Connections hints and answers for September 2, 2026 — Forbes
Supports Connections