Overshot Jaw?....

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Puppy is 3 months old. He's a Jrt x Westie:o
Is this something that could right itself or do I need to get him checked out?
It doesn't seem to bother him...he's eating well and chewing toys, fingers, trouser legs and fellow dogs with vigour :)

Pipteethjaw001.jpg
 
If he has got his adult teeth through then it definitely won't right itself - it isn't something that should cause any problems though, lots of dogs are over shot :) And (dare I say it) some breeds are specifically bred to be over/under shot!
 
Thankyou Picklenash....no adult teeth yet :)
I was just concerned that his fangs may jab into the roof of his mouth. I guess it's something I need to watch? Perhaps I'll show my vet the piccy.
 
It won't change now I'm afraid, I have one with an overshot jaw and my Vet said it will cause her no problems at all. But do mention it when you are next in the Vet.
 
I think the lower jaw will continue to grow a bit more than the upper jaw so the "over shot" will not be so bad in maturity.

Don't worry about it, unless you want to show!
 
The lower jaw tends to continue to grow forward while the upper jaw tends not. I say tends because you are dealing with a crossbreed, so the genetics between the two breeds leave several question marks. Luckily, both breeds tend to have a scissors or level bite. Having said that, the Westie has a shorter jaw than the JRT. If the pup had an undershot bite at his tender age, he would most likely remain very undershot as an adult. Just keep an eye on the occlusion, mainly to ascertain the position of his lower canines in relation to his upper palate.
 
As a previous poster has said in some breeds the lower jaw grows more slowly and catches up with the upper jaw. This us certainly the case in flatcoats but I am not sure about terriers. It is always a good idea to monitor teeth as the adult ones come through as retained milk teeth may b an issue. Do b aware that as milk teeth fall out and adult teeth come through the jaw can become very sore and nice things to chew are necessary. I am sure your pup will be fine
 
I was out and about with a vet friend today and asked her about our 6 month old lab who has an undershot jaw, she said to keep an eye on the adult canines when they come in - if they come in straight there should be no problems at all, if they come in wonky she should be looked at.
 
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