While the exact cause of the disease remains unknown, a strong association between
the brachycephalic skull shape and CM was reported [2], [6]--[8].
Not exact matches
For example, the
skull shape of some breeds, including the dolichocephalic Scottish Terrier or the
brachycephalic Japanese Chin, appear to be caused by other genes.
The Boxer is
brachycephalic (has a broad, short
skull); the size,
shape, and proportion of the head is the breed's hallmark.
This week, surgery expert Aidan McAlinden explains some technical terms related to the
shape of the
skull and what this means for
brachycephalic dog breeds.
Brachycephalic breeds (English bulldogs, Boston terriers, boxers, etc.) have an increased risk for difficult deliveries due to the size and
shape of the fetal
skulls.
Cats that have been bred with extremely short, flat faces (called
brachycephalic) undergo substantial and significant changes to the
shape of the whole
skull and the associated structures.
Brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BOAS), caused by
skull shape, results in breathing difficulties.
Cat that have been bred with extremely short, flat faces (called
brachycephalic — click here for more information) undergo substantial and significant changes to the
shape of the whole
skull and the associated structures.
Dogs with short muzzles and a flat and wide
skull shape are called
brachycephalic breeds.
Despite these serious medical issues, dogs that exhibit
brachycephalic head type have been favored for hundreds of years due to the similarity of their
skull shape to that of human infants [8].
Comparison of photographs (Photos Mary Bloom, courtesy of AKC) and
skulls from a German Shepherd Dog with a wild - type
skull shape (non-
brachycephalic) and a
brachycephalic Boxer.
Cat that have been bred with extremely short, flat faces (called
brachycephalic) undergo substantial and significant changes to the
shape of the whole
skull and the associated structures.