Filing teeth down?

[SouthernThistle]

Is it common practice for an organization (say LE or other) to file a K-9's teeth "down to nubs" prior to placing it in a retirement home?

Two people on a Georgia forum of which I am a member say that they have retired K-9s whose "teeth were filed down to nubs."

[Elaine]

Absolutely not. Although, an older K9 might have WORN down or broken off teeth from bite work.

[SunCzarina]

Or from RMBs. I know someone who has a 10 or 11 year old working line male who likes to chew on rocks. His teeth are painful to look at.

[SouthernThistle]

Hm. I didn't think so either. I know a few years back that a neighbor of ours went through a rigorous qualification and adoption program for a retired K-9, and that dog's teeth were NOT filed (and had a bite as strong as a crocodile!)

[samralf]

Have you ever heard of the TV show Breed All About It? It's on Animal Planet. In case you haven't heard of it, it's a show that goes into detail about each breed. During the GSD episode they had a sheep farmer from Germany that said he filed his dogs' canine teeth so they don't rip the sheep when they bite them. Just the point not "down to the nub".

[SouthernThistle]

samralf, I rarely watch television so I don't watch "Breed All About It," but the dogs in question are definitely retired Police K-9s, and their teeth are definitely "down to the nub."

Funny enough, a very hard-hitting, high drive retired Police K-9 the one person has...is this person's first German Shepherd because he "always wanted one." THIS should be fun.

[Ruthie]

I would assume that it is natural. I looked into it because Bison's are wearing down. Vet says it isn't a concern. It is very common.

Here is a photo. B-dog is almost 4, so I imagine a dog that is retirement age would be more worn than his.


(Edit to add photo.)

[ladylaw203]

They were probably not filed down,just worn down. I have a mal with nubs and will eventually have to cap them

[MaggieRoseLee]

All 4 of Bretta's canines have the tips missing and no file has ever gone near her. She's only 5 and did it to herself!

[SouthernThistle]

I figured it was natural wear, but .... you can't argue, right?

Initially this person said that he was getting a "SAR dog" and wanted to know where he needed to go to do searches. Well when a K-9 officer informed him of certifications and such, that topic was ended.

The person came on yesterday with the subject, "My German Sheperd has issues." (Yes, I spelled it that way because they did). Apparently he had left the 6 y/o GSD in his house when he went outside shooting, and the dog went ballistic. It tore apart his house, etc. So he brought the dog outside (*brilliant*). He said when he shot down at the target...the dog chased after the bullet and lunged at the target. When he had a friend hold him next to him when he shot, the dog was trying to bite at the gun and had to be told, "release" a time or two when he latched onto the gun (*nice*). The guy said the dog "really likes to work" and when he gets into the truck knows it's "time to work." He went onto explain other events before I asked, "wait...is this the "SAR" dog?"

He said, "yeah. I got the dog from a guy who said his dad owned the dog and trained it in Russian. The dad passed away, and the son's insurance company wouldn't let him keep the dog so he gave it to me because I've always wanted a German Shepherd. I went to the local Police Dept. who told me the dog was probably a SAR dog due to him liking everyone/being friendly to people because 'if it was a true police K-9, then the dog would be aggressive to everyone and everything.'"

Oh boy.