Morphometric Analysis of Age Related Changes in Body Conformation and Skull Dimensions in German Shepherd Females

Present study was conducted in 24 female German Shepherd divided in 4 groups with 6 animals in each age group. First group of animals had 1 month age, second group had 3 months of age, third group had 1 year of age and fourth group had 3 years of age. Body confirmation parameters like height, body length, heart girth, neck girth, length of back and rear heights was measured with help of measuring tape. External skull morphometrical parameters like skull length, skull width, cranial length, cranial width, facial length, length of jaw, prosthion, nasion and bregma were measured. Height was increased three times from 1 month to 1 year female German Shepherd, whereas height was twice in 3 years of age in comparison to 3 months of age. The approximate ratio of heart girth was in the ratio of 4.0:7.0:12.0:13.0 in one month of age, three months of age, one year of age and three years of age respectively. Skull length was increased three times from 1 month to 3 years of age whereas jaw length increased approximately six times from one month to three years of age. The ratio between cranial length and width was increased from 1 month to 1 years of age. Nasion length was 3 times more in 1 years of age and 4 times more in 3 years of age in comparison to 1 month of age. Height, body length and heart girth increased linearly from one month puppy to adult bitch.