Bedlington Terrier

We all know that dogs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. But what about the actual shape of a dog’s head? It can reveal a lot more about the specific breed? You can even trace the origins of your mixed breed pet by examining the unique shape of his or her cranium.

When describing a dog’s head, proper canine terminology includes terms such as "apple head," "brick shaped," and "otter head." In addition to the 14 different shapes, there are three divisions in skull formation and 5 skull shapes that all contribute to the breed of a dog.

Now you can get a head’s up on your dog’s cranium by reading the following guide:

APPLE HEAD: In an apple shaped head, the roof of the skull resembles an inverted hemisphere or "apple." The head is rounded in all directions according to breed. Chihuahuas are a good example of this sharp skull shape.

BALANCED HEAD: Dogs with this type of head have a "balanced" bone structure. The skull and face are equal in length. Think Gorden Setters, and you’ll get a good mental picture of what a balanced head looks like.

BRICK-SHAPED HEAD: The Wire Fox Terrier is a great example of a brick-shaped head dog. The brick shape has a skull and muzzle approximately equal in width, giving the face a square or "boxy" look. Many dogs with brick shaped heads are groomed to accentuate their handsome features.

CLEAN HEAD: Having a "clean head" doesn’t necessarily mean a dog has just been bathed. These breeds, which include the likes of Belgian Shepherd Dogs, are described as clean heads because the head is free from wrinkles and lumps caused by bone or muscle. Another term used in association with clean head is "dry head" or "gaunt" head.

CONE HEAD: Triangular in outline, both from the side and from above, a cone-shaped head is the common in breeds such as Dachshunds.

EGG HEAD: The word "egg" pretty much describes the shape of adorable faces such as the Bull Terrier. With this breed, the head tapers in towards the nose, giving the head an egg or oval shape.

FOX-LIKE HEAD: Spitz breeds, such as the Samoyed and Pomeranian, are recognized by their fox faces. These breeds have elongated heads that are triangular in shape with a fine face, giving them sharp, fox -like features.

OTTER HEAD: No dog wants to be compared to an otter, but dogs that have the head that takes the namesake of this cute critter include breeds such as the Border Terrier.

PEAR SHAPE HEAD: Due it’s uniquely contoured head shape, the Bedlington Terrier is described as having a pear-shaped head. These breeds are also groomed to high-light their delicate features.

LONG HEAD: The Borzoi is an example of a breed with a long or tapering head. Typically these breeds have a long, narrow head which tapers. This term also applies to those breeds in which the stop is only slight.

RAM’S HEAD: When viewed in profile, the Ram’s Head covers the combination of the contours of skull and face, which appear convex. Common breeds with a ram’s head include the Bull and Bedlington Terrier.

SHORT HEAD: Otherwise know as a round head, a breed that fit this description includes the French Bulldog. These dogs have an overall shape of a foreshortened head combined with a broad, square skull that produces the short head look.

SQUARED OFF HEAD: Just because your dog may have a square head, doesn’t mean that he is a square. In fact, the Pointer is the most common breed with a squared off head. The squared-off refers to the muzzle or lip shape of a head, which is not V shaped or rounded.