German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America

lee · Newbie Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 1

I have a 7 mo old GWP bitch who has developed uneven lower incisors. Is this a standard "defect" for the breed or would this be considered a genetic defect so that the puppy should not be bred? My vet has confirmed that this is not "typical" for a 7 mo old puppy generally.
Thanks.

lee of north FL

Roundtuitfarms · Posted: 01/12/04, 9:53 am Post subject: teeth

Lee, try doing a search on the problem on this board--overbite/underbite, teeth, etc. The subject has been covered in depth and by reading what others have said, you can apply it to your dog's situation. Otherwise, you'll have to be more specific and laborius in your description of the circumstances for folks to understand exactly what your dogs problem is.

Good luck

dualgwp · Posted: 01/12/04, 6:11 pm Post subject:

A GWP should have what is called a "scissors bite". That means the top teeth should fit over the bottom teeth. There shouldn't be a big gap between the top and bottom and the canines should fit on the outside of the gum.

Sometimes, you will have a "reverse scissors" where the bottom teeth fit over the top teeth.

Or the top teeth will be over the bottom but there will be a noticeable gap between them. A good scissors bite will be close with narey a gap.

Many GWP's also have what is sometimes called a "butt bite" or " even bite" where the top and bottom teeth meet evenly..... not correct, but sometimes accepted.

Bites are tricky and can adjust up until the dog is fully grown. But, if a dog has a bad bite as a youngster, this has to be rememered and figured into any future breeding plans whether it corrects itself or not.

I personally will not breed a dog with a bad bite, too many good dogs around without this fault....but others do. It's genetic, and will be passed on to the next generation, or the one following that.

Does this all make sense?