I show a breed that needs full dentition. I have a bitch that lost a tooth in a accident. I have been given mixed information on showing her. Some say as long as I have a letter from the vet saying she had full dentition it is fine, others are saying you can show but you have to be last even with letter as it's KC rules ( I can't find anything saying that). Any help would be great as she is the first with an issue.

From the FAQs Exhibitor's Show Regulations:-

8. Question: My dog requires/has had surgery.  Do I need to request 'Permission to Show' and if so how do I go about it?

Answer: Write to the KC requesting the 'Permission to Show'.  In addition you will need to include a report from the Vet in question confirming the surgery undertaken. This will then be placed before the relevant Sub-Committee for consideration at the next available meeting and you will be informed of the outcome shortly thereafter.


If you have KC permission to show the missing tooth, should be ignored by the judge as you have proof that it was previously there.

Thanks. I know about that she hasn't had any surgery  .

Just to be sure and so you don't have an embarassing moment in the ring, I'd contact the KC so you know exactly what you can and can't do.  I had a permission to show letter when I had mine spayed, not that for the most part, they went back into the ring other than a Club Shows in Veteran in any case.   I would have thought if the bite is normal for the breed, regardless of or other than the missing tooth, your dog will be OK but again, confirm this with the KC.

I was never asked to show a letter btw.

Is this a single inscisor? I would apply to the Kennel Club for permission to show following the loss of a tooth due to trauma. They may request that your vet completes a form to certify that the tooth was originally present. I am currently showing a bitch who had to have a carnassial tooth removed following a slab fracture. I carry her KC permission letter in my show bag, but nobody has ever asked to see it - and I usually forget to mention it when she is being judged. It has had no effect on her winning.

Thanks it's a p2 lower just want to do it right. I'm sure it had not been a lower no one would notice.

Thanks I will call tomorrow. I'm sure some judges would be ok but knowing my luck something would be said.

The same applies for knocked out teeth. As long as a vet will verify the tooth was there originally the KC will accept the teeth were all present before the tooth was lost. A friend's GSD lost a pre molar in an accident, they got veterinary confirmation that they had been a wound where the tooth had been & the dog continued to do well in the ring(was made up after losing the tooth)under judges who checked all teeth, mind you I know of an Alsatian type that got made up despite NEVER having any pre molars & had other teeth missing too.

I'd have thought, if the breed standard calls for full dentition (many don't), a missing tooth would be considered a fault like any other, and any placing would depend on how seriously the individual judge considers it, and the excellent qualities of the rest of the dog as a whole.

You don't need to ask for permission, some judges will knock it, others may not. A dog of equal quality with a full mouth of teeth will probably beat it.

Lots of dogs in the ring with missing or damaged teeth. I don't think its something to get a vet letter about as there is no point at which you could appropriately produce it - before you go in? Then the judge would be looking for it and may not have noticed, in the ring? - not appropriate) Plus it would have your and dogs name on which is against the rules.

I would just enter some and see how you go :)

If the bitch had a full set of teeth prior to the accident thenshe will be penalised for a missing tooth not a lost tooth.

The advice my friend was given by a senior KC manager was as I outlined. They discreetly showed the RING STEWARD the letter before judging & the ring steward advised the judge & their dog was never penalised for the lost tooth even under continental judges(Won a CC under one).

Haha - I had a hound who when he went into quarantine at just over 12 months of age (before Pet Passport) had a pretty close bite.  By the time he came out although his JAW looked fine, his bottom row of teeth (front) were slightly angled inwards which means he didn't have a proper scissor bite, essential for his breed in the UK, but not so much where he was born.   For the heck of it and because otherwise he was a very nice dog, I showed him a couple of times in the UK to see what happened. The first time the judge obviously picked up on this.   The second time not so much and she gave him his class, Open Dog (both were at Open shows) and asked me how much winning he'd done before..... like a fool I said not much because I didn't show him (bite).   She visibly blanched and come BOB judging, totally ignored him.   Her husband was doing the Group and clearly she knew she couldn't put him through.  I chuckled all the way home!   And never bothered showing him in the UK again.  

Message - the judge you have may well not even notice there is a missing tooth!

I have a dog with damaged teeth. My vet was happy to write a quick letter saying he had full dentition, the way I saw it I had it if I ever needed it. Just left it in my van. You don’t need KC permission to show. I would just get the letter because why not.

Border collie coat . hello please can anyone help me with my border collie’s coat advice please on what drying and shining coat should i buy ? also what shampoo and conditioner and brushes are the best to help with her coat. she’s had puppies last February and her coat just starting to grow back. but has gone wavy . she has a very good Diet which includes olive oil daily and sardines in oil twice a week. i bath her once a month and use spray conditioner on her coat most days when grooming her.  kind regards

You should start a new post asking about your BC’s coat. This is a post about dentition and showing.