Cephalic Index
Brachycephalic? An explanation of the Cephalic Ratio and the Craniofacial Ratio
Brachycephalic, Mesocephalic, and dolichocephalic are classifications within the cephalic index. The cephalic index is simply the classification of the cephalic ratio. The cephalic ratio is the measure of the length of the cranium as compared to the width of the cranium. The cephalic ratio is not the same as the craniofacial ratio, which is defined as the measurements of the cranium as compared to the measurements of the face / muzzle. The cephalic ratio is very often confused with the craniofacial ratio, causing many breeds to be placed into classifications of the cephalic index in which they do not belong.
The Cephalic Ratio
-Brachycephalic literally means 'short head' and does not mean 'short face' as many have erroneously come to believe. A 'brachycephalic' dog indicates a short headed or short skulled dog, not a short muzzled dog. It is used also to describe any round headed breeds or dome shaped heads such as the Chihuahua. The term 'Brachycephalic' is applied when the length of the skull is less than the width, not when the skull is shorter than the muzzle, as this concerns the craniofacial ratio and not the cephalic ratio, or when the skull is round or dome shaped. Many of the Beissers are true representatives of the brachycephalic type, to include the Boxer, English Bulldog, some Bullmastiffs and American Bulldogs, some modern show type Alanos and other various bull breeds due only to the round or dome shape of the skull, and having nothing to do with the length of the skull in relation to the length of the muzzle. Other Brachycephalic breeds include the Chihuahua, Pug, Shi Tzu, and others.
-Mesocephalic means 'square head' or equal, indicating that the length of the skull is equal to the width of the skull, or 'square'. Again, it refers to the skull, not the face or muzzle. Mesocephalic breeds include the American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, modern show type Alano, Neapolitan Mastiff, Presa Canario, Bullmastiff, various Bandog breeds, and others.
-Dolicocephalic means 'long head' and indicates a length that is greater than the width of the skull. This is the typical head type of the mastiff proper aka Alaunt aka Canis Alani. Dolicocephalic breeds include the Aboriginal Dog of the Caucuses, rustic Alano, Old White English, Wolfhound and other mastiff proper types.
The Craniofacial Ratio
The Craniofacial ratio, (cranio - skull; relating to the bones of the skull and face), is a fairly self explanatory term that is defined as the measurements of the cranium in relation to or as compared to the measurements of the face / muzzle. It has nothing to do with the classification of the cephalic ratio, which is strictly related to the skull. There is no classification of the craniofacial ratio in canines, thus the cephalic ratio classification are used in place of such. Though quite inaccurate, these classification are the only terms there are to describe the various craniofacial ratios in dogs. Until a classification for the craniofacial ratio is established, if ever, those that do not understand the difference between the two ratios are unfortunately subjected to a misinformed 'understanding' of head type classification. For instance, the Boxer is not classified as brachycephalic because of its short muzzle; rather it is because of its short or round head. Perhaps the best way to classify the overall head type of a specimen is to include both descriptions; one of the cephalic ratio as well as 'truncated' if relevant: ie photo at the top of the page at left of a 'dolicocephalic truncated' dog.
The Cephalic Index, cephalic ratio and the craniofacial ratio are not limited to the bull and mastiff breeds and are used to describe all canines as well as all other living beings, including humans.
Truncated?
Truncated is a very over-used, misapplied and erroneously used term much like the term 'brachycephalic'. Latin: truncatum; trunco: to maim or mutilate.. Truncated literally means abruptly 'cut off', blunt, or cut square. Through this original Latin definition, the term has come to indicate 'short', thus the term being incorrectly applied to short muzzled breeds. Per literal and historic definition, 'truncated' does not indicate 'short', but has evolved, or rather devolved, into another meaning, which by it's Latin parent, is an incorrect description and use of the term. Going by literal translation, 'truncated' defines only those breeds with abruptly cut off, blunt or square ended muzzles such as the English Mastiff, Old White English, rustic Alano and various other bull and mastiff breeds. Again, this term is not reserved for the bull and mastiff breeds and applies to all canines.
Brachycephalic, Mesocephalic, and dolichocephalic are classifications within the cephalic index. The cephalic index is simply the classification of the cephalic ratio. The cephalic ratio is the measure of the length of the cranium as compared to the width of the cranium. The cephalic ratio is not the same as the craniofacial ratio, which is defined as the measurements of the cranium as compared to the measurements of the face / muzzle. The cephalic ratio is very often confused with the craniofacial ratio, causing many breeds to be placed into classifications of the cephalic index in which they do not belong.
The Cephalic Ratio
-Brachycephalic literally means 'short head' and does not mean 'short face' as many have erroneously come to believe. A 'brachycephalic' dog indicates a short headed or short skulled dog, not a short muzzled dog. It is used also to describe any round headed breeds or dome shaped heads such as the Chihuahua. The term 'Brachycephalic' is applied when the length of the skull is less than the width, not when the skull is shorter than the muzzle, as this concerns the craniofacial ratio and not the cephalic ratio, or when the skull is round or dome shaped. Many of the Beissers are true representatives of the brachycephalic type, to include the Boxer, English Bulldog, some Bullmastiffs and American Bulldogs, some modern show type Alanos and other various bull breeds due only to the round or dome shape of the skull, and having nothing to do with the length of the skull in relation to the length of the muzzle. Other Brachycephalic breeds include the Chihuahua, Pug, Shi Tzu, and others.
-Mesocephalic means 'square head' or equal, indicating that the length of the skull is equal to the width of the skull, or 'square'. Again, it refers to the skull, not the face or muzzle. Mesocephalic breeds include the American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, modern show type Alano, Neapolitan Mastiff, Presa Canario, Bullmastiff, various Bandog breeds, and others.
-Dolicocephalic means 'long head' and indicates a length that is greater than the width of the skull. This is the typical head type of the mastiff proper aka Alaunt aka Canis Alani. Dolicocephalic breeds include the Aboriginal Dog of the Caucuses, rustic Alano, Old White English, Wolfhound and other mastiff proper types.
The Craniofacial Ratio
The Craniofacial ratio, (cranio - skull; relating to the bones of the skull and face), is a fairly self explanatory term that is defined as the measurements of the cranium in relation to or as compared to the measurements of the face / muzzle. It has nothing to do with the classification of the cephalic ratio, which is strictly related to the skull. There is no classification of the craniofacial ratio in canines, thus the cephalic ratio classification are used in place of such. Though quite inaccurate, these classification are the only terms there are to describe the various craniofacial ratios in dogs. Until a classification for the craniofacial ratio is established, if ever, those that do not understand the difference between the two ratios are unfortunately subjected to a misinformed 'understanding' of head type classification. For instance, the Boxer is not classified as brachycephalic because of its short muzzle; rather it is because of its short or round head. Perhaps the best way to classify the overall head type of a specimen is to include both descriptions; one of the cephalic ratio as well as 'truncated' if relevant: ie photo at the top of the page at left of a 'dolicocephalic truncated' dog.
The Cephalic Index, cephalic ratio and the craniofacial ratio are not limited to the bull and mastiff breeds and are used to describe all canines as well as all other living beings, including humans.
Truncated?
Truncated is a very over-used, misapplied and erroneously used term much like the term 'brachycephalic'. Latin: truncatum; trunco: to maim or mutilate.. Truncated literally means abruptly 'cut off', blunt, or cut square. Through this original Latin definition, the term has come to indicate 'short', thus the term being incorrectly applied to short muzzled breeds. Per literal and historic definition, 'truncated' does not indicate 'short', but has evolved, or rather devolved, into another meaning, which by it's Latin parent, is an incorrect description and use of the term. Going by literal translation, 'truncated' defines only those breeds with abruptly cut off, blunt or square ended muzzles such as the English Mastiff, Old White English, rustic Alano and various other bull and mastiff breeds. Again, this term is not reserved for the bull and mastiff breeds and applies to all canines.