Big or small, blonde or brown, spotted or plain, hairy or even bald, our pets come in all shapes, colours, and sizes. Many dogs and cats have been bred to look a certain way, either for aesthetic reasons or to perform specific tasks more effectively. The skulls of our pets are no exception. Through selective breeding, three main skull types have developed: the mesocephalic skull, the brachycephalic skull, and the dolichocephalic skull.
To give your pet the care they need and to monitor their health, it’s important to have a basic understanding of their physical build. In this article, we’ll look at the key differences between these three skull types and what they might mean for your pet.
Mesocephalic
Of all skull shapes, we speak of mesocephalic when the skull is in proportion. It has an intermediate length and width. Mesocephalic is also called square-skulled and basically means a normal skull shape. Examples of dog breeds with a mesocephalic skull include Beagles, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Corgis. For cats, examples include the Domestic Shorthair and the Egyptian Mau. There are no known additional health risks or issues associated with mesocephalic skulls.
Brachycephalic
Dogs and cats that have a face with a pushed-in appearance, often referred to as flat-faced or snub-nosed, have a brachycephalic skull. We speak of brachycephaly when the skull is shorter than what is typical for the species. The word brachycephalic comes from Latin and, when translated, means short (brachy) head (cephalus).
There are a few theories about why brachycephalic dogs were first bred. One suggests it was to create strong jaws for fighting and hunting. Another is that they were bred this way because their features resemble those of human infants, which many people find appealing.
Examples of dog breeds with a brachycephalic skull include the Pug, Bull Mastiff, French Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Chihuahua. For cats, examples include the Persian, Exotic Shorthair, and Himalayan. Dogs and cats with significantly shortened skulls can suffer from brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome, which often causes breathing difficulties and increases the risk of hyperthermia, as they are unable to cool themselves effectively.
Other issues that may arise in pets with a brachycephalic skull include frequent corneal infections, an impaired ability to fully close the eyelids, tear deficiency, entropion (where the eyelids curl inwards and irritate the cornea), corneal ulcerations, pigmentary keratitis, problems with the lacrimal (tear) glands, and underbites. When teeth are not properly aligned due to an underbite, it can lead to dental disease, difficulty chewing, and chronic pain in the mouth.
Besides the general health problems that can occur in breeds with a brachycephalic skull, there are also genetic issues more common in certain breeds linked to this skull type. One example is syringomyelia, a very painful neurological condition. This condition is often seen in toy breeds with a brachycephalic skull, such as the Chihuahua and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
If you have a pet with a brachycephalic skull, always keep a close eye on their health and be especially mindful when exercising them to prevent heatstroke. If you plan to let your brachycephalic pet travel by airplane, remember that airlines often have strict rules about when (time of year) and how they can travel (crate size). These rules are in addition to the laws and regulations set by countries for pet imports and exports. Some airlines will not fly snub-nosed pets at all.
Dolichocephalic
Dolichocephaly is when the skull is longer than what is typical for the species. Examples of cats with a dolichocephalic skull include the Siamese and Abyssinian. In dogs, this skull type can be seen in breeds such as the Collie, Dachshund, Saluki, Greyhound, and Whippet. Many dogs with a dolichocephalic skull were originally bred for hunting. For example, sight hounds have long snouts that help them scan the horizon more effectively. A long snout also provides advantages when sniffing and tracking scents.
While there are fewer health issues associated with a dolichocephalic skull compared to a brachycephalic one, there are still some problems to be aware of. Because the dolichocephalic skull is narrow, eye formation problems may occur. The longer nose can also make these pets more vulnerable to fungal infections in the nasal area, and overbites tend to be more common in breeds with a dolichocephalic skull. When teeth are not properly aligned due to an overbite, this can lead to gum injuries, abnormal or excessive wear of the teeth, tooth damage, and even puncturing of the hard palate. If the misalignment is severe, it can interfere with normal eating and drinking.
Conclusion
Whether your dog has a mesocephalic, brachycephalic, or dolichocephalic skull, we hope this article has helped you understand the differences between the three main skull types and what they may mean for your pet’s health, daily care, and even travel. We understand that caring for and travelling with a snub-nosed pet can be especially stressful, and we are always happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about their care or flying with your flat-faced family member.
If you would like to know more about our pet sitting, dog walking, pet relocation and dog training services, feel free to reach out. We will be happy to help.