Craniofacial angle in dolicho-, meso- and brachycephalic dogs: radiological determination and application.

Observations on craniofacial axes and angles were made on fifty dogs belonging to five breeds, by means of radiological techniques (lateral radiographs) and biostatistical methods. The craniofacial angles were found to be 25-26 degrees (greyhound), 19-20 degrees (pointer), 20-21 degrees (German shepherd), 13-14 degrees (boxer) and 9-10 degrees (Pekinese). Shortening of the head in brachycephalic dogs implies a more perpendicular development of the cranium relative to the facial axis. The possible application of these data in the determination of morphological types in many fields is discussed.