Missing tooth... Breeding?

emm0r

emm0r

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 April 2010
Messages
320
Visit site
Ok so to start, I have no intention of breeding from my girlie, as amazing as she is I don't feel like I need to contribute to the amount of puppies that can't find homes.

My rotti bitch has her P2 missing, she was born without it. From the limited research I have done, this would seem to be genetic.... Does breeding from a dog with 1 tooth missing mean the puppies are likely to have the same issue? What causes it? If a dog was a particularly good representation of the breed should you discount breeding from them if there is a lot to gain from their other qualities? Could it just be she is unlucky and it's one of those things?

I don't plan to have puppies from my bitch I am just interested.

Thank you for reading
 
I know missing teeth might not seem like a huge issue for some people but I and others take the view that one tooth in one gen, could be two teeth in the next, and then where are you?
In a working dog - a police, service or sports dog - having the full compliment of teeth is kind of important. One would not make a difference, but down the line, you don't want more missing teeth.

In my experience, yes it is genetic and it is frowned upon in my breed to breed from dogs with missing teeth, for the reasons stated above. I would actually know names of dogs implicated in missing teeth, the same as dogs implicated in hip dysplasia, epilepsy, etc.
 
A lot of judges from abroad especially Germany will actually count teeth so yes it matters a lot. I have heard that in some breeds missing teeth can be linked with other genetic problems. I'm sorry I can't remember which breeds and which teeth. If a dog has list teeth and is shown it is advisable to get a vets letter so judges know its not genetic
 
I know someone with a dog which broke a tooth doing Schutzhund/IPO, when he went for his show grading/breed survey his owner had to submit an x-ray to prove the tooth had once been present/accompanying letter from vet and he got both.

It can get an otherwise perfect dog placed right down the line in my own breed and most people with dogs with missing teeth don't bother to show/sell on as pets.
 
I had a bitch with 2 missing teeth back in the 70s. It was a far more common problem in GSDs then and not so heavily penalised by "English" type judges. However those that favoured the correct international type would penalise quite heavily. My bitch did a fair amount of winning, but unfortunately was of the type the international judges preferred, I knew I could never have shown her under visiting German judges as they would have placed her way down the line. It was very frustrating as she had a litter sister was not as good in type and movement (not just my opinion, judges commented on it) but had a full mouth, she became a champion. My girl also had shocking hips (score in the 90s:eek:), which of course ruled her out from breeding, had she had good hips then back then I may well have bred from her but certainly wouldn't now from any dog with dentition problems.
 
Thanks,

My bitch was put right down the line at a show for this. I get that it is a problem and why it is. But should any dog with a tooth missing be discounted from a breeding programme if they have something excellent to add to the breed?
 
Because, IMO, there are lots of excellent dogs with full sets of teeth and you run the risk with passing it down to the next generation and the one after that, as with any fault (floppy ears, coat or colour faults etc).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top