Boney Head Becoming More Pronounced...Normal?

Is it the top of his head, toward the back?  I was *told* (I make no assumptions as to the truth of this) that it's called a 'knowledge knot' and that it comes from inbreeding of the parents.  My BIL's dog had it and it was very pronounced as a puppy but doesn't seem like it's there now.  Co-Co did not have it has a puppy but now does.  I've been known to refer to it has her 'cone head' b/c it makes me think of that.  I'm probably the only one who really notices it though.

It's so hard with some breeds to notice when they actually have lost weight but that's what it would make me think -- particularly the eyes. 

Yeah, it is on the top of his head, towards the back. It's become noticeable enough that my dad kept calling him "Bonehead" when we took the boys back home for Christmas....poor guy!!  

I was wondering if it was a weight related issue, because I know that there are fatty deposits on the top/ sides of a dog's head, but truthfully, I can't see where he's lost any significant amount of weight. He's smooth coated, too, so I can get a pretty good look at his body.

Guess I'll just keep an eye on it for any more changes!! Thanks!  

Is he chewing normally? Loss of muscle tone around the head could mean he's using his jaw muscles less and that could be an infected tooth or gums that are sore...maybe time for a dental check up? Of course if he's still chewing the heck out of stuff and his teeth look fine...lol...

 Ahhh, good thought! I will make him an appointment this week, for a check-up if nothing else. Hopefully, it's nothing serious!! Thanks!!

 Wow! Thanks for the speciofics! I really appreciate it, as I was unable to find much info on the internet about it, surprisingly.

Sheesh...I hope it's nothing serious like that. Nonetheless, he has an appointment on Saturday for it, so I guess I'll find out then. Keep him in your thoughts in the meantime that it's nothing serious!! Thanks!  

tamoo

officially as the External Occipital Protuberance - it's the back end of the Sagittal crest, which is the sort of "seam" that holds the two halves of the head together. I don't think it's due to inbreeding per se - but it is certainly related to breed. I find that hounds generally have pretty well pronounced "idiot bumps."

Take a look at how different the skulls of different breeds look.  http://www.skullsunlimited.com/domestic_dog_skull.html

tamoo

The bump on his head is known officially as the External Occipital Protuberance - it's the back end of the Sagittal crest, which is the sort of "seam" that holds the two halves of the head together. I don't think it's due to inbreeding per se - but it is certainly related to breed. I find that hounds generally have pretty well pronounced "idiot bumps."

 Additionally: the jaw muscles wrap around that "idiot bump" and provide extra OOMPH for hard chewing. It's why they can bite harder than we can.

 
Our ancestors had "idiot bumps" too, for the same reason.
 

I have heard of dogs who were eventually diagnosed with masticatory myositis having the symptoms you describe (the bone on the top of the head becoming more prominent and changes in the way the eyes look).

tamoo

I find that hounds generally have pretty well pronounced "idiot bumps."

Hey now, I've always called them "smart bumps." Rupert has one, and he's no idiot.  

janobonano

tamoo

I find that hounds generally have pretty well pronounced "idiot bumps."

 

Hey now, I've always called them "smart bumps." Rupert has one, and he's no idiot.  

  I must confess, I did get a kick out of the nickname 'Idiot Bump', true or not!!

Well, I haven't noticed Loki having any difficulty chewing or opening his jaw, but now I'm all worried that it's something a lot more serious than I originally anticipated. Hopefully not, but I'll find out this weekend.

Thanks again for all the info! I definitely appreciate it!

Steve, that was a really interesting site! It looks as the the Border Collie in general has a pretty good lump back there naturally. We're not positive that Loki is full BC or not, but still. Maybe it's his ancestry shining through!