Seeking breeder advice: lower jaw growth patterns in puppies

ollie_leyna · 10-25-2011, 08:41 PM

Hi All,

I've been looking for overbite advice in the health issues forum (see "5 mo old ollie's overbite..."), and someone suggested I post on here for feedback.

My pup has a class II malocclusion according to the specialist I saw today (a 1/2" gap), but the same specialist wants to jump straight to a surgical fix (a grind and cap job for the lower canines). He told me that the growth spurt is over for puppies by 20 weeks, and that his jaw will stay the way it is.

I was hoping you guys might have a more informed answer. Neither parent had overbite issues, and neither do any of the other pups. The breeder didn't seem to have much knowledge about overbites though. :-/

Do you guys have any overbite success stories? Or does anyone have a different opinion about lower jaw growth? I would like to wait and give his lower jaw a chance to catch up so that we can maybe just move the lower canines rather than grind them. However, if that's unlikely, then I'd hate to wait and have him in pain over his teeth.

Thanks for reading guys!

LisaT · 10-25-2011, 08:45 PM

Here is her post in health: 5 m old Ollie's overbite--I need advice!! (canine into upper palate)

**lhczth** · 10-26-2011, 02:58 PM

I have seen this type of overbite correct itself by 8-9 months and I have seen it never correct itself (get better, but still a problem). I, personally, would not be jumping into having surgery on a 5 month old puppy. GSD are far from being done growing at that age. I would give it another month before making a decision that involves something so drastic.

**Andaka** · 10-26-2011, 04:49 PM

I'm with Lisa. The upper jaw grows first, then the lower jaw often grows to catch up (or at least close).

ollie_leyna · 10-26-2011, 08:58 PM

Here's the new batch of photos

Liesje · 10-26-2011, 09:31 PM

My question is this....it's either going to correct over time or not, so what is the risk of waiting another month or two? If it doesn't correct, you can still do the surgery right? Or is it only something that can be done now? Which would seem odd since the dog is so young, those teeth aren't even all the way in yet.

That's what Pan looked like and his bite had perfected by 12 months, got the SV dental notation to prove it. He was never reluctant to eat, chew, or play tug so I waited it out but it was hard because I've already had a dog with an overbite that never corrected even though everyone told me to wait (though his is not bad enough to do anything about, just maybe 1/4" off so cosmetic).

onyx'girl · 10-26-2011, 09:36 PM

Wonder if dogs get TMJ as we do if our 'bite' is a bit off? My jaw clicks now, I never had braces and have straight teeth but should have hand some work done on my lower teeth as I do have an overbite.

robinhuerta · 10-26-2011, 09:41 PM

I agree with Lisa and the others......wait.
Waiting for a couple of months at least, will not cause any more problems than he already displays.....he has plenty of time to have surgery if it doesn't correct or gets worse.

carmspack · 10-26-2011, 10:03 PM

would you consider 1/8th of an inch an overbite.

what are the genetics ? dominant?

interesting that this is a topic. Was speaking with a friend earlier in the morning . She asked me to see if there are lines which are known for slight overbite .

sharkey19 · 10-26-2011, 10:10 PM

Are the lower canines going into the palate at the top of the mouth? I think it is generally recommended that something be done at that point because of the possibility for the pain it may cause (which may be why the specialist didn't recommend to wait and see).

Also, did you get the puppy from a breeder in NY? I read somewhere that there is a "puppy lemon law", and it would require the breeder to be responsible for paying to correct these defects if you choose to do so. Might be worth looking into?

10-25-2011, 08:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
ollie_leyna Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 96	Seeking breeder advice: lower jaw growth patterns in puppies Hi All, I've been looking for overbite advice in the health issues forum (see "5 mo old ollie's overbite..."), and someone suggested I post on here for feedback. My pup has a class II malocclusion according to the specialist I saw today (a 1/2" gap), but the same specialist wants to jump straight to a surgical fix (a grind and cap job for the lower canines). He told me that the growth spurt is over for puppies by 20 weeks, and that his jaw will stay the way it is. I was hoping you guys might have a more informed answer. Neither parent had overbite issues, and neither do any of the other pups. The breeder didn't seem to have much knowledge about overbites though. :-/ Do you guys have any overbite success stories? Or does anyone have a different opinion about lower jaw growth? I would like to wait and give his lower jaw a chance to catch up so that we can maybe just move the lower canines rather than grind them. However, if that's unlikely, then I'd hate to wait and have him in pain over his teeth. Thanks for reading guys!

10-25-2011, 08:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
LisaT Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northern CA Posts: 17,002	Here is her post in health: 5 m old Ollie's overbite--I need advice!! (canine into upper palate) __________________ K9 Tick Disease Information http://www.rabieschallengefund.org

10-26-2011, 02:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
lhczth Administrator & LOTR Addict Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 11,695	I have seen this type of overbite correct itself by 8-9 months and I have seen it never correct itself (get better, but still a problem). I, personally, would not be jumping into having surgery on a 5 month old puppy. GSD are far from being done growing at that age. I would give it another month before making a decision that involves something so drastic. __________________ Lisa Clark Zu Treuen Händen Working German Shepherd Dogs *South Michigan SchH and Police Club*

10-26-2011, 04:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andaka "I like Daffy" Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Douglas, IL ( near St. Louis) Posts: 2,435	I'm with Lisa. The upper jaw grows first, then the lower jaw often grows to catch up (or at least close). __________________ Daphne and the Gang at Andaka Where Beauty and Brains Come Together http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/germ...&results_in=10 Home of Ch Natty; Ch Doll; Jag RA (ch ptd); Sara RN (ch ptd); Bella (the new one); and Fisher (Mr. Evil) At the Bridge: Ch Kahla CD; Ch Keno UD HSAs OA; Ch Kizzy HSAs RE; Ch Tag CD RAE2; Ch Pharra; Bee PT; Ch Red the Dachshund

10-26-2011, 09:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Liesje Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 12,962	My question is this....it's either going to correct over time or not, so what is the risk of waiting another month or two? If it doesn't correct, you can still do the surgery right? Or is it only something that can be done now? Which would seem odd since the dog is so young, those teeth aren't even all the way in yet. That's what Pan looked like and his bite had perfected by 12 months, got the SV dental notation to prove it. He was never reluctant to eat, chew, or play tug so I waited it out but it was hard because I've already had a dog with an overbite that never corrected even though everyone told me to wait (though his is not bad enough to do anything about, just maybe 1/4" off so cosmetic). __________________ UCH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop FO OB1 CL1R CL1F RA TT HIT TDI CGC VPC's Coca-Cola HIT CGC SG UCH Alta-Tollhaus Bono SchH1 AD T1 FO PA CL1R UNJ UCA HIT TT CGC OFA SG Pantalaimon vom Geistwasser BH AD HIT CGC

10-26-2011, 08:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
ollie_leyna Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 96	Here's the new batch of photos

10-26-2011, 09:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,605	Wonder if dogs get TMJ as we do if our 'bite' is a bit off? My jaw clicks now, I never had braces and have straight teeth but should have hand some work done on my lower teeth as I do have an overbite.

10-26-2011, 09:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
robinhuerta Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,224	I agree with Lisa and the others......wait. Waiting for a couple of months at least, will not cause any more problems than he already displays.....he has plenty of time to have surgery if it doesn't correct or gets worse. __________________ Huerta Hof German Shepherds www.teamhuertahof.com ....where breeding is still considered an art....

10-26-2011, 10:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
carmspack Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ontario - Posts: 3,324	would you consider 1/8th of an inch an overbite. what are the genetics ? dominant? interesting that this is a topic. Was speaking with a friend earlier in the morning . She asked me to see if there are lines which are known for slight overbite .

10-26-2011, 10:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
sharkey19 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Guelph Posts: 321	Are the lower canines going into the palate at the top of the mouth? I think it is generally recommended that something be done at that point because of the possibility for the pain it may cause (which may be why the specialist didn't recommend to wait and see). Also, did you get the puppy from a breeder in NY? I read somewhere that there is a "puppy lemon law", and it would require the breeder to be responsible for paying to correct these defects if you choose to do so. Might be worth looking into?

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