The keyword term "September 11th rescue dogs" functions as a noun phrase. In this construction, the word "dogs" serves as the head noun, which is the core subject being identified. The preceding words act as modifiers that specify and describe this noun.
A detailed analysis of the phrase reveals a hierarchy of modification. "Rescue" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifying the type of dog. Together, "rescue dogs" forms a compound noun or a noun phrase. The term "September 11th" is a proper noun phrase that also functions adjectivally, modifying the unit "rescue dogs." This modifier pinpoints the specific historical event and context to which these animals belong, creating a highly specific and descriptive proper noun phrase.
Understanding this grammatical structure is vital for article construction. As a noun phrase, it can act as the subject of a sentence (e.g., "The September 11th rescue dogs demonstrated incredible bravery."), the direct object (e.g., "The nation honored the September 11th rescue dogs."), or the object of a preposition (e.g., "This story is about the September 11th rescue dogs."). This classification establishes the animals as the central topic, allowing the article to be built around them as a distinct and identifiable entity.