There are canines with tiny heads, such as Yorkies. Dogs like Saint Bernards have enormous heads. While some dogs have practically square heads, others have rounded ones; some heads end in long, tapering noses, while others have flat faces.
However, every dog has a bump on their head. It is present in all dogs, albeit some canines show it off more than others. And people have been aware of it for a while. So much so that a small amount of legend has grown up around it. Even Pluto from the Disney animated series has a noticeable hump on his head.
Commonly Called a “Knowledge Bump”
It should not be surprising that it was originally believed to be a sign of a dog’s intellect since it is frequently referred to as a “knowledge bump,” a “knowledge knot,” or a “wisdom bump.”
Different dog breeds have bumps that are more noticeable than others. Hounds have a highly noticeable hump, particularly Bloodhounds. Since the bulge was so noticeable and Bloodhounds have such great senses of scent, several people thought there might be a connection between the two. Other breeds with a particularly obvious bump are English Setters, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers.
Officially Called an “Occiput”
The word for this bony outgrowth is “occiput.” It is a naturally occurring component of a dog’s anatomy and serves a few purposes. The dog’s brain and the bones of his skull are mostly protected by it. A dog’s cranium would frequently be targeted by predators, therefore the more protection it provided, the better the dog’s chances of surviving. It also helps the dog’s head move more freely in regard to the spine.
Additionally, the hump has a number of nerve endings. This region of a dog’s head is thought to merit additional attention by some who do therapeutic canine massage and acupuncture.
Which canine breed has a lump on its head?
Although every dog has an occiput, some breeds are more likely to have it than others. Hounds, especially bloodhounds and various sports breeds like golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, cocker spaniels, and English setters, frequently exhibit it.
Did you realize? The occiput was originally thought to be a sign of a dog with a keener sense of smell because it is frequently prominent in hounds.
What does a dog’s occiput look like?
In the context of dogs, the occiput is the prominent bump or protuberance at the rear of the skull that may be seen in various breeds, including the English Setter and Bloodhound. Other breeds, however, hardly notice it at all. According to canine legend, the size of the occipital protuberance served as a proxy for the dog’s sense of smell. It is still noticeable in the majority of Scent Hounds today.
Technically, the occipital bone extends all the way down the back of the head to the neck, where it articulates. So the occiput is rarely taken into account when breed standards discuss the length of a dog’s head.
Numerous nerve terminals in the occiput produce soothing effects related to the flight or fight system. It is applied to soothe dogs during therapeutic massage for dogs.
What breeds are occiput-possessed?
Boxers and Labrador Retriever puppies experience a range of changes as they mature. That may occasionally entail having a noticeable occipital protuberance that has the appearance of an uncomfortable cone on top of their head.
Most of the time, this is a condition that gets better with age. You can, however, request that your veterinarian examine your puppy if you are worried.
Even in extremely young puppies that are only a few weeks old, the big occiput can occasionally be seen. When your puppy is a few months old and growing, the tip may occasionally appear larger.
By the time they are 7–10 months old, your puppy’s head will probably have evened out and begun to seem more typical in any scenario.
While puppies of the Labrador Retriever and Boxer breeds are two of the most well-known for occasionally having a cone-shaped head as puppies, other dog breeds can also be impacted.
The following breeds are also susceptible to puppy head bumps:
- French Setters
- Retrievers’ Goldens
- Bloodhounds
- Pointers
- Spaniels
Many dogs with long noses, like Collies, Doberman Pinschers, and German Shepherd Dogs, have occiputs that are easy to spot.
Why does my pitbull’s head have a bump?
skeletal mass in the skull The occipital bone may be the cause of a noticeable bump on the top of a dog’s head. This is a piece of the head’s skeleton. There is no cause for alarm unless it is excessively huge. Some pit bulls have a more pronounced occipital bone than others.
Why does my golden retriever’s head have a bump?
Why Does a Dog’s Head Have a Bump? Dog owners may be curious about certain dogs’ noticeable bumps on their heads compared to other dogs. The lump in question is a typical bone feature of canines’ anatomy that they have their entire lives.
Therefore, we’re not discussing any odd lumps or bumps that dogs might develop on their heads. Please consult your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and treatment if your dog develops any new suspicious lumps or bumps on his head.
Why do dogs’ tails tangle?
When your adorable new male puppy rolls over to stroke his tummy, you discover two round, swelling pimples at the base of his penis.
Although your puppy appears to be very content and isn’t troubled at all by the bumps, you start to worry that something is wrong. His testicles, are those? Does he have a sickness? Are those growths?
Your cheerful dog leaps off and grabs one of his favorite chew toys, seemingly unfazed by this new issue, now bored and perplexed that you keep staring at his belly. As soon as you pick up the phone to call your veterinarian, you realize that the weird new pimples have completely disappeared when they begin asking you to describe them. I swear they were there near his penis and they were REALLY huge, you remark, “but I can’t locate them anymore. Fortunately, your veterinarian assures you not to worry because these bumps—known as the bulbus glandis—are a typical component of your boy dog’s anatomy.
When male (neutered and intact) dogs get excited, such when they are happy to see you and roll over for a belly rub, the bulbus glandis will frequently enlarge and become highly obvious.
So why do dogs have a bulbus glandis?
The bulbus glandis, unlike what its name suggests, is not a gland at all. Instead, it serves a purpose during mating by completing the “coital tie,” which keeps the male and female dogs partly bound together until mating is complete. Fortunately, your pup is not uncomfortable when the bulbus glandis expands, and no treatment is necessary. However, it is always advisable to consult your veterinarian if you notice any unusual swelling on your dog.
