watchpuppy

English

Etymology

watch +‎ puppy, by analogy with watchdog.

Noun

watchpuppy (plural watchpuppies)

1. (informal, humorous) A young, small, or insignificant watchdog.
   • 1988, The New Law Journal, volume 137, page 622:

     The latter power, incidentally, will no doubt be welcome over at the Bank of England which has nurtured the infant City watchpuppy with a very sizable unsecured overdraft and will be looking forward to the first tranche of repayment.

   • 1999, Pamela Kaye Tracy, It Only Takes a Spark, Heartsong Presents, →ISBN, page 155:

     Brute lay in the boy's lap, a sleeping watchpuppy.

   • 2004, Broadcasting & Cable, volume 132, numbers 45-46, page 38:

     Consumer watchpuppies by the basketful start yapping, led by legislators seeing a no-lose position to trumpet at election time.