Should I Buy A Puppy With An Overbite?

You are probably at the pet store and immediately fall in love with a puppy with an overbite, and now you are wondering if you can buy it. The alignment of a canine’s jaw can vary from dog to dog, and having an overbite can be pretty uncomfortable.

Some dog breeds typically have an overbite, but it is a condition for others. An overbite is usually not a very serious condition, and it should be managed, or else the dog may have problems chewing or eating.

Do not overthink buying a puppy with an overbite; this condition is prevalent among puppies and adult dogs. If you are confused about whether to get a puppy with an overbite, you are in the right place.

This article answers all the questions about puppies with overbites and the signs, causes, and treatment.

Understanding Overbites: Causes, And Treatment

An overbite in dogs or puppies is an oral condition referred to as mandibular brachygnathism or malocclusion, overjet, overshot jaw, or parrot mouth. It is the misalignment of the teeth because the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw.

This condition is usually hereditary, genetic, or even a natural feature of some dog breeds. As time goes on without proper management, the condition can worsen, causing the pup to find it hard to eat or chew on things.

Causes Of Overbite In Puppies

Overbite in puppies is a hereditary or genetic problem, so the condition is usually passed down from pup parents to their puppies. Sometimes the puppy’s parent may not have or show any signs of an overbite, but the condition is already in the lineage.

Also, certain dog breeds have overbites because it is a natural features. Their heads’ shape, form, and size cause them to have shorter lower jaws.

In some cases, a perfectly healthy dog with well-aligned teeth or normal bite can be prone to having an overbite if they are fond of chewing excessively.

Treatment For Overbites In Puppies

Some overbites can be a minor problem, and in some cases, the puppy may outgrow the condition, but it is best to manage this oral problem from the early stage, or else it will become worse and advance to be a permanent problem.

It is easier to eliminate this condition with puppies at the early age of 8-12 weeks. Usually, the lower incisor and the canine teeth are removed to relieve tooth pain to palate contact. This can also help the jaw align properly as the puppy grows.

Extra follow-up will be required if the jaws do not align despite this treatment. Depending on the vets’ recommendation,

• The lower permanent incisor will be removed.
• Bracers and spacers will be used to help correct the misalignment.
• Teeth shortening procedure.

Overbite Problems

Overbite can become very uncomfortable for dogs as it progresses. Dogs find it difficult to pick up smaller bites of food with their mouths due to the gap between the lower and upper jaw. You will have to place the food bowl in a more convenient position to make it easy for the dog to eat.

Another better way to make eating easier for dogs with overbites is hand-feeding them.

However, picking up the food is not the only problem dogs with overbite face, it also a lot harder to chew up the food once it is in their mouth. They may experience some pain from the irritation caused by the lower canine striking the palate repeatedly.

Overbite becomes worse as the dog ages and gets more painful and uncomfortable. Issues like periodontal disease can surface due to overbites. The periodontal disease consists of symptoms like excessive drooling, loose teeth, irritated gums, mouth odor, and bleeding gums.

It is best to begin tackling overbite early, as it can take a toll on the puppy’s oral health and general well-being.

Should I Buy A Puppy With An Overbite?

Yes, you can buy or adopt puppies with overbites. They also deserve a loving home, and the great thing is puppies can easily treat and correct overbites. In some cases, puppies do outgrow overbites.

However, you have to set up an appointment with a vet to ensure the extent of the overbite and make certain it is not severe. From 6 to 9 weeks, the vet would have to get rid of the lower teeth to make it possible for the lower jaw to grow correctly.

At 10 – 16 weeks of age, braces and spacers becomes the most prominent solution. Fortunately, the puppy won’t have to wear these orthodontic accessories for long.

Treating an overbite becomes more difficult at eight months, and dogs within this age range will have to wear braces for longer. In most cases, the tooth or teeth must be permanently removed.

Dog Breeds With Natural Overbite

An overbite may sometimes seem odd but it is very typical for dog breeds.

Primarily because of the shape and the form of their heads, an overbite is commonly a feature of these breeds. That being said if your puppy has an overbite and falls under this category of dog breed, you have nothing to worry about.

• Shelties
• Greyhounds
• German Shepherds
• King Charles Spaniels
• Russian Wolfhounds
• Dachshunds
• Basset Hounds
• Doberman Pinschers
• Border Collies

In Closing

Overbite is usually not a severe condition in puppies, as it can be easily corrected at the early stage. A puppy with an overbite also deserves a loving home.

However, if you find out that the overbite is more of a hereditary problem, it is best to get the dog spayed to prevent it from passing on the condition.