Glossary

Dolichocephalic

Having a long, narrow skull and a long muzzle, as in the Greyhound, Collie, Borzoi and Saluki.

Also called: long-headed dog, long-nosed dog, long-skulled, dolichocephalic breeds

Dolichocephalic means long-headed. A dolichocephalic dog has a narrow skull and a long, tapering muzzle, as seen in the Greyhound, the Borzoi, the Saluki, the Collie and the Afghan Hound. Breeds with a skull of medium proportions, such as the Beagle and the Labrador Retriever, are called mesocephalic.

Judges and breed standards use these words to describe head shape. The shape matters in daily life as well. A narrow head can slip out of a flat collar, which is why many sighthound owners use a martingale collar or a harness. Long-nosed dogs generally have far fewer airway problems than the flat-faced type.

It is a description of skull shape only. It says nothing about a dog's speed, temperament or health, and not all long-headed breeds are sighthounds. Its counterpart is brachycephalic.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Brachycephalic Having a short, broad skull and flattened muzzle, as in the Pug, Bulldog and French Bulldog, which can narrow the airway and affect breathing and cooling. Hound Group The AKC group of breeds developed to hunt by scent or by sight, from the Beagle and Bloodhound to the Greyhound and Whippet. Martingale collar A two-loop collar that tightens a limited amount when a dog pulls, so it cannot slip over a narrow head but does not choke when sized correctly. Breed standard The written description of an ideal dog of a breed, covering size, proportions, coat, colour, movement and temperament, used to judge dogs and guide breeding.