In some countries , `` hot dog '' is the name of a completely different sausage dish ; for example , in New Zealand it is used to mean corn dog , and hot dogs are called `` American hot dogs '' instead . The name is applied to something that would not be described as a hot dog in the United States . For example , in New Zealand , it refers to a battered sausage , often on a stick , and the version in a bun is called an `` American hot dog '' .