What are the species- and breed-specific reference intervals for vertebral heart scale?

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Breed-specific vertebral heart size (VHS) and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) reference intervals differ substantially from the generic canine reference of 9.7 ± 0.5 vertebrae (v), and applying generic values to these breeds risks both over- and under-diagnosis of cardiomegaly. In dogs, the following breed-specific intervals are established. For sighthounds as a group, the overall VHS reference interval is 9.0–11.2v and VLAS is 1.7–2.6v, with breed-level breakdowns as follows: Rhodesian Ridgebacks 9.3–11.5v VHS and 1.8–2.4v VLAS; Borzois 8.8–10.9v VHS and 1.7–2.3v VLAS; Afghan Hounds 9.0–11.5v VHS and 1.8–2.5v VLAS; Salukis 9.4–11.8v VHS and 1.6–2.6v VLAS; and Basenjis 9.0–11.6v VHS and 1.7–2.5v VLAS.1 Small breed dogs with elevated upper VHS limits require particular attention to avoid missing cardiomegaly. Boston Terriers have the widest VHS range of any breed in the sources, at 9.7–13.0v VHS and 1.6–2.7v VLAS. Pugs measure 9.7–12.0v VHS and 1.7–2.7v VLAS. Pomeranians measure 9.5–12.0v VHS and 1.7–2.6v VLAS. Yorkshire Terriers measure 9.0–11.4v VHS and 1.7–2.4v VLAS.2 Three additional small breeds have breed-specific intervals that exceed the generic upper limit. Jack Russell Terriers: 9.7–11.8v VHS and 1.8–2.6v VLAS. Miniature Pinschers: 9.6–12.2v VHS and 1.7–2.4v VLAS. Brussels Griffons: 9.3–11.9v VHS and 1.7–2.4v VLAS.3 Four herding and sporting breeds cluster near the generic range but have validated breed-specific intervals. Shetland Sheepdogs: 9.2–11.5v VHS and 1.7–2.4v VLAS. Cairn Terriers: 9.3–11.2v VHS and 1.6–2.4v VLAS. Italian Greyhounds: 9.1–11.5v VHS and 1.6–2.3v VLAS. English Springer Spaniels: 9.1–11.5v VHS and 1.7–2.4v VLAS.4 Four additional breeds have recently validated intervals. Miniature Australian Shepherds: 9.4–11.5v VHS and 1.7–2.5v VLAS. American Eskimo Dogs: 9.5–11.5v VHS and 1.7–2.4v VLAS. Tibetan Terriers: 9.2–11.4v VHS and 1.7–2.3v VLAS. Border Terriers: 9.3–11.6v VHS and 1.7–2.3v VLAS.5 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS), a breed