Our Boy's Overbite

[mrs tornsocks]

Hi everyone

Wondering if anyone with experience of mouths had some input on our labrador pup's overbite. We have done a bit of research and understand that whether it improve naturally as it grows is very much up in the air. We are hoping intervention won't be required but already he has some small indentations alongside his upper canines where his bottom teeth aren't sitting in the right spot. We have another vet appt this week so will see what he says. - at 10 weeks the overbite was around 10mm.

The breeder has been notified.

They're not the greatest angles (ever tried taking a photo of a bouncy pup's mouth ?) but hopefully it will give some indication

[Tiggy]

Sorry I can't help with the overbite but that first photo is a crack up .

[Tilly]

Was the breeder aware or let you know about the overbite prior to selling you the pup?

I would have thought 10cm overbite would have been rather noticable to the breeder so they should have already known...

Sorry I can offer any advice - but good luck with everything

[mrs tornsocks]

Was the breeder aware or let you know about the overbite prior to selling you the pup?

I would have thought 10cm overbite would have been rather noticable to the breeder so they should have already known...

Sorry I can offer any advice - but good luck with everything

Long story - neither she nor her vet saw the overbite at 8 weeks when he left home. It was first noticed a week later by our pup school instructor. (we're novice owners so unfortunately didn't know to look for this, I checked his ears, eyes, general feel over etc. when we picked him up).

A week later (10 wks old) our vet obviously picked it up too - I find it unusual that it goes from not being there to 10mm two weeks later.

Anyway, we have a certain level of support from the breeder should he require any corrective intervention / surgery.

Thanks.

[mrs tornsocks]

Sorry I can't help with the overbite but that first photo is a crack up .

Yeh, that was the easiest actually ;) . We were trying to convince him that he was having the BEST time ever rolling around playing biteys.

The last one he was asleep and too tired to bother when I lifted up his lip. ;)

[oakway]

Firstly, the bottom jaw will the last part to keep growing in any dog.

Did you purchase this dog as a pet or show dog?.

Their are thousands of dogs in the world with incorrect bits and live happy healthy lives.

They also live to old age. This condition is not only found in dogs but but other animals to.

Unless the dog is required for the show ring or was purchased for breeding, I would not worry about it. Most owners of dogs with bad mouths never know their dog has one.

[mrs tornsocks]

Firstly, the bottom jaw will the last part to keep growing in any dog.

Did you purchase this dog as a pet or show dog?.

Their are thousands of dogs in the world with incorrect bits and live happy healthy lives.

They also live to old age. This condition is not only found in dogs but but other animals to.

Unless the dog is required for the show ring or was purchased for breeding, I would not worry about it. Most owners of dogs with bad mouths never know their dog has one.

Hi oakway, he's a pet, was purchased on a limited register but with an understanding that should we want to breed one day, the breeder agreed to put him on main register (although that was highly unlikely to be our desire - to breed).

I am fine with it unless he is in any kind of pain or discomfort obviously and as you say, hoping the bottom jaw will catch up a bit in time.

[oakway]

I hope it does catch up for you.

I had one similar and let it go as a pet, only to see the dog later on with a perfect bite ;) it does and can happen that it will turn out perfectly normal. Good luck.

[shellbyville]

Your puppies overbite looks just like one of my puppies from a litter. I have to say that the overbite in my puppy was pretty obvious at 6 weeks and very obvious at 8 weeks. She was the most beautiful looking girl in the litter, and up until we found out about the overbite was 2nd pick, but because of the overbite she went to a lovely pet home, the new owner new about the overbite and the puppy has had no problems. The lower jaw is the slowest bone to grow, so it may improve some with time.

[mrs tornsocks]

Your puppies overbite looks just like one of my puppies from a litter. I have to say that the overbite in my puppy was pretty obvious at 6 weeks and very obvious at 8 weeks. She was the most beautiful looking girl in the litter, and up until we found out about the overbite was 2nd pick, but because of the overbite she went to a lovely pet home, the new owner new about the overbite and the puppy has had no problems. The lower jaw is the slowest bone to grow, so it may improve some with time.

Yes we have fingers crossed shellbyville. I can't fathom that a vet and breeder 'did not notice' at 8 weeks yet a pup school trainer and our own vet picked it up straight away - at 10mm - at 9 and 10 weeks respectively. You live and learn I guess.

I'm thinking we should steer clear of tug o war, which he loves and lets go immediately he's told so it's very controlled. I do have one shot the breeder sent us as he was growing - it's of him playing tug of war with his dam at about 6 weeks, do you think this may have contributed in any way ?

I hope your little babies are going well, I saw your posts over in breeders' thread.

[Nekhbet]

tug of war has nothing to do with it at all its not a mechanical injury its a difference if growth rate between the bottom and top jaws.

the only reason I dont play tug with young pups is that it can rock or pull out a baby tooth, and their gums can be tender anyway.

play until he's uncomfortable then wait for his adult teeth to come through and you can play again.