Common questions

What dog breeds have an occiput?

What dog breeds have an occiput?

Two of the breeds that most commonly have a pronounced occiput are: Labrador Retrievers. Boxers.

What skull type does a boxer have?

Boxers are brachycephalic (they have broad, short skulls), have a square muzzle, mandibular prognathism (an underbite), very strong jaws, and a powerful bite ideal for hanging on to large prey.

What is the occiput on a dog?

The occiput in dog terms is the bump or protuberance clearly seen at the back of the skull in some breeds like the English Setter and Bloodhound. However, in other breeds it is barely perceptible.

Why does my dog have a cone head?

Why do dogs wear cones? Dog cones are designed to stop your dog from licking or scratching a wound, surgical incision or any other irritation. These dog cones extend a little past their nose and offer important protection while the wound heals.

Why do boxer puppies have pointed heads?

An eggheaded or coneheaded appearance in a Boxer pup is not a defect and will flatten out as your dog matures. Some believe pointed heads in Boxer puppies indicate intelligence, deeming them “smart bumps” — although this is more in the realm of myth than scientific fact.

Where is the occipital bone on a dog?

Technically, the occipital bone goes down the back of the dog’s head and articulates with the neck.

What is a Mesaticephalic skull?

A mesaticephalic skull is of intermediate length and width. Mesaticephalic skulls are not markedly brachycephalic or dolichocephalic. When dealing with animals, especially dogs, the more appropriate and commonly used term is not “mesocephalic”, but rather “mesaticephalic”, which is a ratio of head to nasal cavity.

What is occiput?

: the back part of the head or skull.

Why do boxers not have tails?

Boxers belong to the Working Group of dogs, and historically their naturally floppy ears were cropped (cut and made to stand upright) and their long tails docked short in order to enhance their performance as working dogs. Today, cropping and docking serve no functional purpose.

What is puppy hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus in dogs is where there is an excess of cerebrospinal fluid that has leaked inside the dog’s skull. This causes brain swelling and is often referred to as water on the brain. Increased pressure in the skull will press on the brain tissues and can lead to permanent brain damage or cause death.

What kind of dog has an occipital bone?

The occipital bone is present in every dog breed, however, some breeds are known to have more prominent occiputs. A very pronounced head bump is mostly seen in sporting dog breeds, especially the Bloodhound, Labrador, Golden Retriever, Basset Hound, and English Setter.

What does the word occiput mean in dogs?

The word occiput literally means the back part of the skull or head, and it’s present in most mammals, including humans and our favourite companions, dogs.

Can a dog’s occiput get bigger as an adult?

However, a change in size or appearance can be a cause for concern. A dog’s occiput is supposed to remain fairly the same size and look just about the same for most of their lives, although it can temporarily appear bigger as the dog grows from a puppy to an adult.

What kind of dog has an occiput bump?

While all dogs have an occiput, it’s more prominent in certain breeds compared to others. We often see it in hounds, particularly the bloodhound and several sporting breeds such as golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, cocker spaniels and English setters. Did you know?

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Ruth Doyle