Interesting Dog Fact

I get asked about this a lot on my Basset Hounds...The occiput in dog terms is the bump or protuberance clearly seen at the back of the skull in some breeds like the English Setter and Bloodhound. However, in other breeds it is barely perceptible. Myths in dog folklore believed that size of the occiputal protuberance was somehow a measure of the dog's sense of smell. So to this day it is prominent in most Scent Hounds. However, technically the occipital bone extends right down the back of the head to where it articulates with the neck. So when breed standards refer to the length of a dog's skull, they rarely include the occiput in this measurement. The Occiput has many nerve endings and stimulates calming effects to do with the flight or fight system. It used in canine therapeutic massage to calm the dogs.