

As these muscles are attacked by the body, they become swollen, painful, and can waste away. In MMM, the dog’s body thinks that the muscles in the jaw are foreign, and doesn’t recognize it as its own. This condition, also known as MMM, is an autoimmune disorder. One of those conditions is called masticatory muscle myositis. There are several conditions that cause the occiput to appear more pronounced, especially those that cause a degradation of the muscles that attach to the occiput. Because your dog deserves it! Go to the HoundGames store now! Have you seen our innovative dog products yet? Make sure you check out our Amazon store before you go. The changes that occur around the occiput in an adolescent puppy should not be drastic. If you notice any large changes in the occiput, or you find any additional bumps on the dog’s head, it’s definitely cause for concern. While a large, pointy, occiput in young puppies is not necessarily a cause for concern, there are some health concerns that can be associated with a pronounced occiput. Occiputs are also easy to see in many dogs with long noses, such as Collies, Doberman Pinschers, and German Shepherd Dogs. Other breeds prone to a puppy head bump can include: While Labrador Retriever and Boxer puppies are two of the breeds most commonly known for sometimes having a cone shaped head as puppies, other dogs can be affected as well. In either case, you’ll likely see your puppy’s head even out and appears more normal by the time they are 7-10 months old.

Other times, the point appears larger as your puppy is a few months old and growing. Sometimes, you’ll notice the large occiput even in a very young puppy, only a few weeks old. However, if you are concerned, you can absolutely have your veterinarian take a look at your puppy. In the majority of cases, this is something that goes away with age. Sometimes, that includes having a large occipital protuberance that looks like an awkward cone shape on the top of their head. It's definitely eye-opening!Īs puppies, Labrador Retrievers and Boxers go through a variety of changes as they grow. Our new post is a must-read for all dog owners: Is Pet Insurance Worth It? 5 Shocking Stats You Should Know.

Two of the breeds that most commonly have a pronounced occiput are: There are breeds more prone to pointy heads or cone shaped heads.

These muscles help extend and rotate their head. There is also some evidence that the occipital region of a dog’s head is more pronounced in male dogs than in female dogs, particularly the protuberance and crest that are noticeable visually.īesides protecting your dog’s head, the crest of the occiput provides a region for a variety of muscles in your dog’s head to easily attach. Because of this, it’s a common spot to focus on in canine massage. Not only is the occiput responsible for protecting your dog’s head, but it contains a lot of nerve endings associated with the fight or flight system as well. This bone actually connects to your dog’s neck, as it runs down the back of your puppy’s head.Įven though this part of your dog is called the occiput, it is colloquially called a variety of names. The purpose of the occiput is to protect your puppy’s skull. In the majority of cases, a pronounced occiput is perfectly normal in a growing puppy. This part of the skull is present in all dogs, although it isn’t as noticeable in all breeds. The bump on the back of a puppy’s head that causes them to look like a pointy head puppy is officially known as the occiput. Are you interested in reading our post, Petco vs PetSmart: Which is Better 2022 What Causes a Pointy Head Puppy?
