In this article you will know the answer to the query “7 Dog Breeds With Overbites“.
When you look at a dog that seems to be bearing its teeth at you did you realize that it is not at all aggressive?
He is who he is because of that crooked smile. An overbite dog will have this problem. Even though these dogs look odd overbite is common in many types of dogs more or less visible.
There are many pet owners who wonder whether they can do something about this ‘problem’. You will learn everything you need to know about overbites what causes them and what you can do about it in this article. Additionally we will discuss various breeds that are prone to an overbite.
What is an overbite?
Dogs may have misaligned teeth for various reasons but an overbite is the most common.
A long maxilla is referred to as an overbite. When the dog closes his mouth his upper teeth will be in front of his lower ones rather than being at the same level. Overshot jaws overjets and parrot mouths are common names for this condition and a professional might confuse you by calling it a Class 2 malocclusion.
How is it caused?
Genes play a role in an overbite; its an inherited condition. Despite the fact that the parents have perfectly aligned teeth their offspring might still have an overbite as this condition can very well skip a generation or two.
Dachshunds Border Collies and German Shepherds are more likely to have overbites than breeds with a long narrow snout. Continue reading for more information breeds with brachycephalic heads such as Bulldogs Pugs and Boston Terriers often have an underbite when the lower jaw is longer than the upper one and the lower teeth protrude out..
Breeds with brachycephalic heads such as Bulldogs Pugs and Boston Terriers have an underbite which means the lower jaw is longer than the upper one and the lower teeth protrude.
What are some of the consequences of an overbite?
The consequences of an overbite on a dog can be severe.
A major problem is that the lower teeth might press into the dogs palate resulting in quite a painful eating. A large lower tooth can cause this when it becomes impacted. If the lower teeth rub against the palate it can result in oral irritation blistering and even bleeding.
The appearance of gum disease may also be attributed to overbites although there may be other reasons. Gum disease causes teeth to become weak and lose their stability causing them to fall out.
The teeth can grind against each other if they are misaligned causing excessive wear and tear on some of the teeth.
As it may be more difficult to grab food with a long jaw an overbite (or an underbite) can cause eating problems. Nonetheless a dog born this way will probably develop his own eating technique to overcome these difficulties.
How can it be treated?
First and foremost you must determine whether the dog needs treatment for the overbite.
Experts almost universally agree that animals should not have their teeth extracted their mouths operated on or their braces fitted for aesthetic reasons. The choice to wear braces for years is entirely up to the individual.
However if you notice your pup has a slight overbite it is recommended that you consult a vet as soon as possible ideally when the dog is 6 to 9 weeks old. A dogs dental expert might recommend removing some of the dogs baby teeth in order to promote the growth of the lower jaw.
There is a possibility that this treatment method might not work for a dog especially since it is a genetic condition. In many cases however a dogs overbite problem will resolve naturally as it matures.
If the problems persist the specialist may recommend removing some of the dogs adult teeth as well. Once permanent teeth appear he will reexamine the mouth of the dog.
Another treatment option is the amputation of the crown of the offending tooth which is as horrible as it sounds since it means cutting the upper part of the tooth above the gum line.
The most recent option that experts recommend to correct the overbite is braces or other orthodontic implements. Depending on the severity of the injury the dog may have to wear braces for a few months or even years.
As you may well imagine these dental procedures are not cheap so the poor animal will be subjected to a lot of suffering as will you.
The cost of extractions varies between $150 and $1500 per tooth. A crown amputation is a more complex procedure so the price per tooth ranges from $1500 to $3000. You can expect the cost of braces to be around $4000 plus the regular visits to the doggie dentist.
7 dog breeds with an overbite
Border Collies
They’re affectionate and intelligent as well as easy to train so they’re among the most popular pets around the world.
Additionally they are medium-sized dogs that can grow up to 22 inches so they can easily fit into an apartment even though they do prefer big yards where they can burn off all their energy.
Due to their long narrow snouts border collies are prone to an overbite. Although this does not stop a collie from eating an adult collie requires 1.5 to 2 cups of dry food every day.
Two or three times each week is recommended for brushing your dogs teeth in order to prevent gum disease.
Shelties
Shetland Sheepdogs popularly known as Shelties belong to the herding dog group and are known for their remarkable intelligence.
One experiment conducted in the 1990s ranked it sixth out of 138 breeds. The adult size of a Sheltie is only 13 – 16 inches at maturity.
It is easy to recognize them by their long coats which come in regular colors like sable black white and tan or in the spectacular (and genetically modified) blue merle.
The dogs make excellent pets and they’re eager to please but they have a tendency to bark a lot. Its important to train them at an early age to control their barking.
Dachshunds
During their time as badger dogs Dachshunds were bred to have long snouts so they could poke their noses in underground dens and scare away the badgers.
Their long snouts might be used to raid the trash or table in search of food now that they are pets. Without teaching them not to steal food they tend to overeat and to pile on the pounds.
Standard Dachshunds grow up to 9 inches tall while the miniature version barely reaches 6 inches. Both versions are equally energetic and will require at least two (long) walks per day.
German Shepherds
German Shepherds are often chosen by people because such a large dog is an impressive bodyguard while at the same time they are extremely affectionate animals.
Even though German Shepherds can grow to a height of nearly two feet they are quite gentle with children.
If his owners are away for a long period of time this dog may use that long snout of his to chew anything in his sight overbite or not.
You should give your German Shepherd a large bone to chew if you want to keep your shoes safe.
Besides keeping him occupied for a while chewing will keep his teeth clean preventing bad breath and gum disease.
Russian wolfhounds
Borzoi or Russian wolfhounds are hunting dogs that were bred for hunting. The fact that they have long lean feet makes them excellent hunting dogs.
Typically an adult male weighs between 75 and 100 pounds and muscle makes up the majority of that weight. In spite of popular belief Russian wolfhounds cannot kill wolves and have never been used to doing so.
Other dogs may find them aggressive.
Russian wolfhounds can be trained to like children if they grow up with them but training is a bit difficult as they are a bit stubborn.
Greyhounds
Greyhounds’ snouts are not the only portion of their bodies that have a long narrow shape. The lean narrow body of a greyhound is extremely aerodynamic which partly explains its speed.
They can run up to 70 km/h so if you do not want them to have any trouble while walking you will need good obedience training.
Greyhounds have a lot of affection for their owners but are not very patient with small children.
Whippets
Hunting dogs whippets are medium-sized.
Their aerodynamic bodies are similar to greyhounds but they are not quite as fast. Whippets were actually created by crossing greyhounds and terriers.
Despite adapting well to apartment life they also require plenty of exercises.
Always walk a whippet on a leash. If you have a garden make sure the fence is high enough so he can not escape looking for food.
Do not be surprised if your whippet sticks its elegant long snout into a rabbit burrow if you live in a rural area thats what his ancestors were bred to do.
Conclusion
If the lower jaw is significantly shorter than the upper one an overbite does not pose much of a problem for a dog. Dogs with long snouts are more prone to overbites due to their genetics. There is no problem with an overbite in most dogs and its normal for a lot of breeds.
An overbite can be treated in a variety of ways but they’re generally painful and stressful for the dog and quite costly for the owner.
Veterinarian dental experts strongly discourage trying to fix a dogs overbite for purely cosmetic reasons.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
