dog town

plural dog towns · alternative dogtown

1. A community of prairie dogs.

   This ferret feeds on prairie dogs and lives in their abandoned burrows; although it will feed on other small prey, it never thrives away from the dogtowns.

   2004, Nora Bowers, Rick Bowers, Kenn Kaufmann, Mammals of North America, page 118

2. colloquialentertainmentA town at which a play is performed for a less important audience to gauge the likelihood of general success.

   He's rehearsing his first-born for a dog-town opening next week.

   1917, W. J. Thorold, Arthur Hornblow, Perriton Maxwell, Theatre Magazine, volume 25, page 42

   1 more example

   And speaking of Mr. Sloan, I note that he believes Chicago is taking New Haven's place as a dog-town.

   1923, The Drama, volumes 14-15, page 91