[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

canis \ca"nis\ ka^"ni^s, n.; pl. canes -n=ez. l., a
   dog. zool.
   a genus of carnivorous mammals, of the family canidae,
   including the dogs and wolves.
   1913 webster

   canis major l., larger dog, a constellation to the
      southeast of orion, containing sirius or the dog star.

   canis minor l., smaller dog, a constellation to the east
      of orion, containing procyon, a star of the first
      magnitude.
      1913 webster
see also:
canes canidae canis major canis minor 

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

canis
     n : type genus of the canidae: domestic and wild dogs; wolves;
         jackals syn: genus canis
see also:
genus canis 

Canis >> C Words
Canis, definition of term: Canis
canis_pag1.html

Canis Major >> C Words
Canis Major, definition of term: Canis Major
canis+major_pag1.html

Canis Familiari >> C Words
Canis Familiari, definition of term: Canis Familiari
canis+familiari_pag1.html

Pulex Canis >> P Words
Pulex Canis, definition of term: Pulex Canis
pulex+canis_pag1.html