i have an akita, about a year old.
it has devoloped just a really hard bump on his head. its sort of noticeable. dont think its getting much bigger. its just a hard bump almost like its apart of his skull. did he hit his head?

my 1yr old male akita has a lump on his head, the same as u describe, too... did you ever find out what it is.... i assume its normal, however it doesn't mention it in any descriptions of the akita breed, nor could i find any info on the 'net.

[Lara's mom]

I have a shorty JRT, 1 1/2 years old. She has a tiny hard bump on her skull...Her Dr. says it isn't anything to worry about. It feels like it is bone as opposed to tumor tissue.

[jnc_mcguire]

It is called a smart bump. The bigger the bump the smarter the dog. All of my wolfkids have one.It isn't nothing to worry about i always called them the smart bump.

[Lara's mom]

Perhaps, that's why Lara has a really tiny one. Trying to teach her anything is a "season in hell." I know she isn't stupid. However, she is SO stubborn and bullheaded that every training session leaves me with the beginnings of a headache!

[jnc_mcguire]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

Perhaps, that's why Lara has a really tiny one. Trying to teach her anything is a "season in hell." I know she isn't stupid. However, she is SO stubborn and bullheaded that every training session leaves me with the beginnings of a headache!

JRT are hard headed any why. My daughter use to raisen them. The males you would really have to stay on to them alot. But the females was more easier to learn things.

Just like a male right!!!

[Lara's mom]

Indeed, although my Lara is as stubborn as the day is long!!!

You really should have your vet check it. I probably wouldn't make a special trip, unless you notice any changes. But any lump or bump should be checked, to rule out anything that could be serious. Point it out the next time you take your dog to the vet.

Now, I do NOT suspect this is any type of tumor, but I feel I should point out that there are such things as boney tumors that feel hard, and are rigid. Bone cancer, for one, causes this type of bump.

That "smart bump" everyone one likes to talk about is simply the occiput; a normal part of the skull. It is more prominent on dogs with long, narrow skulls, and doesn't have a thing to do with the dog's intelligence.

[jnc_mcguire]

The vet was the one that told me that is was nothing to worry about. some dogs are bigger then others. and she also told me that the bigger the smarter. So from that day on i have always called it the smart bump.

what other people's vets say about their dogs shouldn't have an impact on what you do with yours. Don't just dismiss it and assume your dog will be fine, he/she may have an underlying health problem. Better to be safe than sorry

I've never heard anything about smart bumps and it doesn't seem like a very scientifically viable theory to me to be honest but that's just my opinion. I can't see how a bump on the head would relate to a dog's intelligence.

Originally Posted by jnc_mcguire

The vet was the one that told me that is was nothing to worry about. some dogs are bigger then others. and she also told me that the bigger the smarter. So from that day on i have always called it the smart bump.

I know the occiput has been called the smart bump for more years than I can count. I think it's one of those old misconceptions that have been around since dogs became "man's best friend."

I know the smartest dog I have ever owned (and I've owned a LOT of dogs) does not have a prominent occiput at all. According to what your vet told you, he should be dumber than a box of rocks. But in reality, if this dog had opposable thumbs, he'd probably rule the world!

Of course your vet was right to tell you, after examining your dog's head, that it's nothing to worry about. A prominent occiput is just part of your dog's normal skull development. But the key point is, your vet examined the dog first, before pronouncing the bump harmless.

I don't think any of us here are vets, but if anyone is, they'd never pronounce a bump harmless if they didn't examine it first.

[DoggieVogue]

Originally Posted by vetgroomer

That "smart bump" everyone one likes to talk about is simply the occiput; a normal part of the skull. It is more prominent on dogs with long, narrow skulls, and doesn't have a thing to do with the dog's intelligence.

Very true. My dad always called them "smart bumps" too, and I never knew he didn't make that up. How funny.

[kms1167]

lol, we have always referred to them as "knowledge bumps"

Is the "bump" hard like part of the skull? If so, then you shouldn't worry about it. If it's soft like some sort of growth, then a vet should definitely check it asap!

[cocoabean]

Originally Posted by jnc_mcguire

JRT are hard headed any why. My daughter use to raisen them. The males you would really have to stay on to them alot. But the females was more easier to learn things.

Just like a male right!!!

What the heck did you just type? It does not make ANY sense. This is why grammar should be taught in school. In your profile, you spelled children wrong. In this paragraph, you're not even making any sense. Please, rewrite so people ca nactually understand what you've written. Thanks.

[reeskujo]

This an a thread back from 09..These posters are no longer here..Anyone wanting to discuss this particular topic needs to start a new thread.

[cigwyllt]

This thread is two and a half years old. Most of the people who have posted are no longer members here. Please check the dates of threads before replying.

Also please note that this is an international forum. For many members English is not their first language. If you do not understand what has been typed by all means request clarification but please do not be so aggressive when you do so.