Over/Undershot jaw.

Can anyone tell me the problems a dog can encounter through having a under/overshot jaw .

An overshot jaw is one in which the upper jaw is longer than the lower, causing the teeth to overlap and not touch. When permanent teeth erupt in the lower jaw of an overshot bite, they may damage the soft tissue in the roof of the mouth. Some lower teeth may have to be pulled to prevent this damage.

An undershot jaw is one in which the bottom jaw is longer than the upper jaw. Although this is generally a problem, a few breeds such as Boxer, Boston Terrier, and Bulldog have naturally undershot jaws.

In most breeds, overshot and undershot jaws are forbidden in the show ring. Breeders try to avoid breeding dogs with jaw problems so the puppies inherit good tooth formation and jaw growth. Puppies with these jaw problems are sold as pets.

In the wild, a wolf or coyote with an overshot or undershot jaw would not be as successful in killing prey or in eating. Although dogs don't have to hunt their prey, a dog with a severely overshot or undershot jaw could also experience some eating problems and may have difficulty playing fetch or catch a Frisbee.

hope that helps

Just to enlarge on Lels post, unless severely overshot or undershot, dog can have a normal life.

My Snorri-dog has an overshot top jaw (about 1/2 inch). He has no effective ability to lick his front teeth. Despite intensive work with a toothbrush every day, he lost most of them.

Other than this, he has learned to eat "sideways", takes longer over drinking (can't scoop so much at one time), but otherwise no problem, as he's a pet and not a "wild hunter". Fortunately, his excessive love of playing is not affected!

Vet did advise not to try breeding from him, but then it turned out he was epileptic, too, so it was a definite no-no (not that we were considering it, anyway).

The jaw problem does keep him out of the local shows, though .

Snorri

Good post by Lel.

If its your Patterdale you are speaking of, it stands a fair chance he is undershot, not over shot. Unless it is severe, in either case he should be ok.
Dawn.

I have seen many cavaliers with incorrect bites it dosen't really effect them ( of course can't be shown )....... I have also seen one or two with parrot mouths and that is a whole different problem

An undershot jaw is required in Boxers. It is a far more effective gripping mechanism than a scissors bite.