Can an Overbite be developed??? - Page 2

I have seen this before. Just watch it and not to worry unless it continues to get worse.

Like Jane Steffenhaggan says "you have dogs back 50 years ago to thank for lots of things......"

The overbite may very well be a temporary issue, and it may not. The muzzles of GSD puppies, especially male puppies, do not grow at the same rate as does the lower jaw. Today the puppy looks fine. Two (2) or three (3) weeks from now a slight overbite is indicated, and in a few more weeks it corrects itself. This is very normal! I wish you the best, and hope that the scissor bite and the mating of the incisors is correct by the time the puppy is one (1) year old. Bob-O

Uvar is correct. The jaws grow at different rates sometimes and overbite can develop. The bite should be finished when the adult teeth are completely in (6 months). If the overbite is still there after that, then it is a genetic problem and hereditary. Or if the puppy is born with one - of course severe overbites will not be corrected. When your dogs' adult teeth come in, the lower canines will "hook" in front of the upper canines, and as they grow, they will pull the lower jaw up into place and the bite will be corrected. If your puppy had a correct bite before, it will again, most likely. molly

Judging from photos and the dogs I've seen from the past and the current crop of GSD's, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see more problems with bites in the future. The heads on males are becoming heavier, the muzzles shorter and stubbier, the stops more pronounced. In fact, the overall body type appears to be more overdone and with shorter legs and and more massive bodies, an almost bullish sort of look. I've seen this happen in other breeds. Not saying it's right or wrong, just making an observation and stating my experience in another breed with a similar body type. For every action there is a reaction. I think the lower jaw of a dog is the last bone to grow.

Listen to Uvar! It sometimes takes until 12 months or more for the lower jaw to catch up. Much depends on how large the head is and what the genetic make up is for full maturity. As long as the head is still getting larger the jaw is still growing too. Some males are known not to mature until after 2 years old! An overbite that is the size of a wooden match stick or less is acceptable by breed standards. Although if it is a large overbite at 12 months I would not expect it to correct it's self. Your's sounds like a small gap and it should correct it's self. Debby

Hey Guys! Email me for pictures I took today, if you want to see, okay? blueskyekennels@msn.com

NO.