Over Bite

[Shelbies heart]

My friend has an 8 month old yorkie, she is beautiful and very healthy. she is small, about 2.8 pounds and very short. The doctor told her she has a pretty bad over bite but not to worry because she eats normally and will probably never have problems. Does any of your yorkies have an over bite?

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

I was also wondering about the functional significance of the overbite of the underbite. I was looking at a puppy with an underbite.

Does anyone here know?

[Connie]

Mine doesn't have an overbite, but my sisters yorkie, who is no longer with us, had an overbite, but it was very minimal and because of that overbite, he couldn't be a show dog...otherwise he was fine...could eat and all without any problems. She then got another yorkie puppy and when she took him to the vet, he had such a drastic overbite that the vet couldn't believe the little guy could even eat. The vet told my sister that when this puppy got his adult teeth that the bottom teeth would probably have to be ground down so that they didn't cut into the roof of his mouth. Poor little guy couldn't even close his mouth. My sister returned that puppy...though it broke our hearts. Anyway, underbite or overbite...from what I've learned, if it is minimal, won't affect the puppy much but just that they aren't considered to be show quality. Anyone shopping for a puppy, be sure to check that out...amazing how many dogs have either an over or under bite.

[YorkieRose]

I wouldn't reject a pup due to a small, incorrect bite. A bad one is another story..they will need more dental care and lose teeth early..plus a severe under or overbite can be seen without opening the mouth and that bothers some pet owners. Teeth are exposed like a bull dog etc..the breeder should drastically reduce the price..best wishes

[aimee]

Tia has a very slight underbite. That was part of the reason for the price we got her for. I've had her checked over by the vet and he assured me that it is so slight that it shouldn't cause any problems. Just, like any dog, to pay close attention to teeth and gum care by brushing.

[Luvmypupster]

Mia has an underbite. It's very slight and nobody has ever noticed or commented on it. I know it's there because thats the reason the breeder let me have her. She took her to a show so that her friends could figure out if she would outgrow it or if it would lesson as she got her adult teeth in and they thought it wouldn't so she was offered to me as a pet. I do think it's looks better than what she thought it would look. It does not impact her eating...it's very minimal.

[Shelbies heart]

My puppy should be born next week, and I am going to pick her out if there is more then one about a week after she is born. Is there any way at all to tell that early how bad there bite will be?

[PIXIE]

I had a bad experience with the first yorkie I bought. I took him to the vet and found out that he had a severe overbite which was already puncturring holes from his other teeth. He seemed fine to me and would of never guessed it. I even went to an ortho for pups and he really didn't know what to do! I returned the pup to the "so called" breeder ( not so easy to return!) well after a few words and the California Lemon Law on my side I got my money back. I learned alot of things to watch out for from this awful awful experience both with the puppies and especially breeders. This didn't stop me from getting another one, from a reputable breeder.

[whispersmom2]

Shelbie's heart, do you think it is a wise idea to make a choice at that age? Remember, it is a 15 year commitment-good, bad, or indifferent. If you would like, I can send you a pic of one of my Biewer females at a few days of age and how she looks now. I have trouble posting pics on the forum but would be happy to e-mail one to you. That way you can tell how different they look as wee blobs a few days old and later as they mature.

[Missy's Mommy]

When I got Max he had an underbite, I paid about 1/4 of what she was asking for his brothers with a normal bite. My vet checked him and warned me about all the problems he may face, I felt bad and was at 1st but luckily his bite is corrected! Once his baby teeth started falling out and he grew a little bigger his bite is corrected and looks really good

[Osso]

My obidience puppy trainer had braces on his dog. He took the dog to the Vet School of Minnesota and the cost was only like $400. Maybe a college where you guys live can help your furbabies.

[Babbie]

What causes over bite? Is it genetical or anything? Mojo has a scissor bite but my rescued chihuahua mix also had a slight overbite. He is almost 3 yrs and had no problem so far.

[bkessler]

Mocha has a slight underbite.. When I got her, the breeder asked if i was planning on showing her and if show, she would lose a point due to it.. She looks great though and i don't mind it.. It gives her personality.. The vet said she is fine

[YorkieRose]

A slight underbite CAN correct when the adult teeth come through,..but an overbite will not correct...infact they tend to get a bit worse with adult teeth since the upper jaw will grow a bit more then the bottom jaw. Underbite is when the lower jaw sticks out further then the top, like a bull dog. Overbite is when the top sticks out more...but it is more pronnouced then an acceptable scissor bite. Infact an overbite can get worse when the adult teeth come in.
Bites are a recessive genetic trait..so that means both parents must carried the gene..also means both parents can have a perfect bite and produce a pup with a bad bite since it is recessive.
Teeth do not have to be level to be correct..a scissor bite is okay too.

[Shelbies heart]

Whispersmom2, It probably isn't a good idea to choose so young, but I already have a deposit on a puppy from the litter because I liked the parents and have seen one of their puppies. She is a very nice person and I think if there is something wrong she will make it rite but you never can tell. I am a little concerned after hearing all the overbite stories. It really isn't anything I thought of before. I am so scared that I will get one and something will be wrong! I have been waiting for so long for a puppy , I tell my friends I am pregnant with a puppy and I know they think I am crazy!! but it feels almost like I am getting ready for a new baby. I don't mind if the dog isn't perfect, I realize it won't be a show dog but I don't want it to have health problems either. I wish I could tell by looking at its little head if its jaws looked fine or not. Have you ever been able to tell that early?