Hello Helmut, I believe the name "dog" in reference to a shell is an Old English expression meaning commonplace or ordinary. In the case of Strombus canarium of course, the scientific name specifically refers to dog (canarium = canine), hence the common name "dog conch". However, there are other species where the common name "dog" is used, even though the scientific name doesn't mean dog, such as Nucella lapillus (dogwinkle) and Glycymeris glycymeris (dog cockle). The scientific name vulgaris (or vulgare) - "vulgar" is similar in meaning - commonplace, ordinary, nothing special. Paul M.