Morphometric standards of the heads of living brachycephalic dogs

摘要

The main aim of the research is to evaluate the applicability of craniometric methods to living animals as well as to define the range of values derived from measuring the heads of brachycephalic types of dogs and their calculated indices. Investigations were conducted on 78 dogs, both male and female, of different age, that belonged to six different breeds: Pekingese, Small Brabant, Griffon Bruxellois, French Bulldog, Pug and English Bulldog (tab.1). A zoometric divider was used to carry out the measurements. On the basis of methods used in craniometry proper, points were established on the heads of the living dogs. Among the craniometric measures were: skull length (AP); cranial length (NA); viscerocranial length (NP) and maximum zygomatic width (ZyZy). The following indices: skull index, length-length index-2, facial index and length-width index-2 were calculated on the basis of the obtained data. The skull index was treated as a basis for evaluating the morphotype while the other indices served as additional tools. The results confirm that the measurements carried out on living animals are adequate to their equivalents in craniometry. The skull index for brachycephalic dogs was calculated and was found to be between 80-100.