People often laugh when they see my Lagotto Romagnolo on walks because she loves to flash her pearly whites and “grin” at them. Although the Lagotto breed standard does not mention smiling at other dogs and people, it does set what her proper bite, also called ‘canine dentition,’ should look like.
Each dog has a breed standard which includes canine dentition. It’s one of the things that conformation judges look at when judging dogs in dog shows. You may have seen judges look closely at their teeth, but what exactly are they looking for? It depends on the breed.
For Lagotti, it should be “well-developed teeth meet, ideally, in a scissor or level bite. A reverse scissor bite is acceptable. Full dentition is preferred. Disqualification – Overshot or undershot bites (where the incisors do not touch those of the opposing jaw.)” So what does this all mean, and why does it matter?
The Basics on Dog’s Bites
Like humans, dogs have two sets of teeth during their lives. Puppies have 28 teeth, usually coming out at 3 to 5 weeks. When those teeth fall out between 2 and 7 months of age, the permanent adult teeth replace them. Puppy owners are usually relieved when those needle-like baby teeth are gone.
All dogs have 42 permanent teeth: 12 incisors, four canines, 16 premolars, and 10 molars. A dog’s bite is the relative position of the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are closed. Bite positions include level, undershot, overshot, or scissors, depending on the breed.
“A dog’s bite is primarily determined by genetics,” explains Tim Thomas, AKC Vice President of Conformation. “As with all other physical characteristics, the bite is determined by the genotype of the sire and dam and the combination of dominate or recessive traits that manifest in the offspring they produce. Environmental factors during development can also affect a dog’s bite.”
The bite is extremely important, especially depending on the breed’s purpose. Thomas points out that an incorrect or misaligned bite can impact the dog’s ability to do the job it was bred to perform.
Breed-Specific Dentition Requirements
Despite the overall similarity in the number and types of teeth of all dogs, there is tremendous variety in breed standards when it comes to bite. Here are a few examples of variations in breed standards:
- The Otterhound is bred to grapple with a sharp-toothed, razor-clawed otter that can weigh in at 20 pounds, so the breed standard requires that “jaws are powerful and capable of a crushing grip”
- The Cane Corso was developed as a bodyguard. Bite should be “slightly undershot (no more than ¼ inch) and level preferred. Incisors are in a straight line. No more than two missing teeth.”
- The Doberman Pinscher standard has very precise requirements: “Disqualifying Fault – Overshot more than 3/16 of an inch. Undershot more than 1/8 of an inch. Four or more missing teeth.”
- TheLabrador Retriever should have a scissors bite to allow it to retrieve and carry a bird without puncturing it. “The teeth should be strong and regular with a scissors bite. Undershot, overshot, or misaligned teeth are serious faults.”
- The Australian Cattle Dog’s standard specifically refers to the breed’s job: “As the dog is required to move difficult cattle by heeling or biting, teeth which are sound and strong are very important.”
How Bites Are Evaluated
The conformation show ring can include dogs who are seasoned competitors, alongside puppies and nervous or excited dogs. The thought of opening their mouths to inspect their teeth can give one pause. Thomas says the safest method for examining a dog’s bite is to ask the handler to display the proper oral exam for that breed, since the dog is most familiar with the person who is showing them. “Judges are taught a specific procedure that relies on the judge knowing about the oral cavity for the canine,” he adds.
For dog owners interested in showing their dog, it’s essential to be familiar with the bite requirements specified in the breed standard. “First and foremost, understand the standard for the breed and recognize that a puppy’s bite may change as it matures and goes through stages,” he explains. “Mentoring under reputable breeders will help educate them about what to expect.”
Terms of the Trade
There are some common descriptors of canine dentition that you’ll see pop up throughout breed standards. Some terms, like different kinds of bites, or bite characteristics, include the below.
Scissors Bite
When the outer side of the lower incisors touches the inner side of the upper incisors.
Reverse Scissors
The outer side of the upper incisors touch the inner side of the lower incisors. A reverse scissors bite is a form of an undershot mouth. However, in a reverse scissors there is no gap between the teeth of the upper and lower jaws, where the classic definition of undershot there is a gap.
Level Bite
The incisors of the top and bottom teeth meet exactly.
Overshot
The incisors of the upper jaw project beyond the incisors of the lower jaw, thus resulting in a space between the respective inner and outer surfaces.
Undershot
The front teeth (incisors) of the lower jaw overlap or project beyond the front teeth of the upper jaw when the moth is closed.
Wry Mouth
Asymmetrical alignment of the upper and lower jaws. This is also called a “cross bite.”