Choosing a puppy

[Cav Fan]

We are looking at puppies and have narrowed our decision to 2 sweet little girls. One has a slight overshot bite, but we like her personality just a little more than the other one. I know we would be happy with either girl but something about the one just tugged at my heart a little more. I understand that sometimes teeth are pulled to make the bite fit better and that there are some dental procedures that can possibly move the jaw out more. It sounds like it is not a huge problem to deal with but I just thought I would see if anyone out there has dealt with this.

[Karlin]

I am sure some of the breeders and very experienced cavalier owners will add to this: but my understanding from reading posts on this before by breeders themselves, is that it is very difficult to tell how a bite will turn out when the pup is very small. If the undershot or overshot bite is by a moderate amount, they often correct themselves. Also if you are not showing the dog and it is not in discomfort, it doesn;t need to have teeth pulled! I have read stories of bites righting themselves when the dogs is months old; also of good bites turning undershot or overshot. So I would get the pup that most appeals.

[Bruce H]

Karlin is right, sometimes the bite of a puppy will correct itself. You just can't count on it. If the puppy is not going to be shown, then the bite is not an issue. I would ignore the bite and select the dog that strikes you as right.

Personally, I wouldn't do anything about the bite. There is always a possibility of creating more problems than you try to solve. Also, if you try to fix the bite after the adult teeth are in, I believe it would be considered altering the dog, making it not showable.

Our boy has a slight underbite and we are showing him. Other than his underbite, he is gorgeous. He currently has 3 majors and 12 points. Based on comments by judges, he would be a champion by now, were it not for his bite. I think we will eventually finish him, we just have to get the right judges who think structure is more important than bite. So you can show and win with a bad bite.

[Harry & Heidi's mom]

Hi,

My boy, Harry has an overshot jaw and it doesn't affect him at all, infact he gets called Harry the Hoover as he'll eat anything!!!!!

good luck with your new arrival icon_banana

[Cav Fan]

Thanks for the advise & comments! We decided to go with our hearts & chose the cutie with the overbite. We will just wait & see, I found out that the Vet we are going to has a dental specialist so I won't worry about it at all. We will bring her home in a few weeks ~ I can hardly wait!

[Harry & Heidi's mom]

icon_banana yeahy so happy for you,

just remember lots of photo's!

I can honestly say having an overshot jaw is nothing to worry about aslong as your pup is eating well, it certanily doesn't bother Harry at all!!

Good Luck