healthspan

When evaluating canine longevity, anatomical conformation plays a defining role in overall mortality and quality of life. Among the structural parameters veterinary epidemiologists study, skull shape — classified by the cephalic index into flat-faced (brachycephalic), medium-proportioned (mesocephalic), and long-muzzled (dolichocephalic) — is one of the strongest predictors of health outcomes. Understanding the brachycephalic vs dolichocephalic…