Could anyone give me some sound advice on the following? 

I've been wanting to breed from my dog for some time, however she has a slight mouth problem, not over or undershot, but one of her canines in the mandible (lower jaw) is hidden when her mouth is closed, thus not causing a scissors effect.  The other three canines seem to be correct when closed on inspection. It doesn't appear that the tooth has been damaged in anyway, but rather the jaw has not grown correctly. 

I'm aware that the breeders are still using the dam and the stud, but don't know if any of her litter suffered a similar problem, not that I have asked, or am likely to get an honest answer??

I recently had my dog hip scored and was delighted with the results.

Now my problem is quite simple:  Is this hereditary?  Should I breed from her?

Any constructive feed back would be most welcomed.

I think you have to weigh up the pros and cons.

Is this bitch a line you really want and need something from for working or showing.

Is she an outstanding example of the breed in all other areas etc.

I am pleased to hear you are at least thinking about the implications :-))

Could you ask the breeder?  see if there was any others the same. Hopefully they would be honest with you considering you are thinking about breeding her.

I once had a puppy with only 5 teeth between the canines when the second teeth came in. There was a couple other things I didn't like about her so she was never bred from. Teeth in my breed must be bang on.

Do you have a breed specialist you know of that you could talk to about it?

Good luck

I did buy her for showing and is a good example of the breed, in movement, conformation, etc, everyone adores her at ring craft, but for this one problem. 

I could ask the breeder, but I would expect a non committal reply, in that as they are still using both parents, then this would put them in a rather precarious position, because if they say yes, others in the litter have this problem, then my obvious question would be, which dog is causing this and why are you still using them??  So there reply may be one of caution.

I can talk to a breed specialist, however, I'm wishing to be very careful in not incriminating anyone, as we all get to know what others are doing, in the show world, hence my anonymity.

I will be taking further advice from a veterinary consultant, before making my final decision, but wanted to lean on the vast experienced pool of information from which this forum can offer like yourself.

Many thanks.

I think I would probably let a dental specialist see her and get an honest opinion. Especially as you are a bit apprehensive about asking anyone in the breed.

Rearing a litter is a lot of work but you don't tend to mind if you know or pray there is something fantastic in it BUT if there is a possiblity of it showing up again then the work for me wouldn't be worth it. By the time you pay a decent stud fee and travel , whelping costs etc you may be best to write off this bitch for breeding and buy another show one in.

Everyone is different I would rather have one cracker than 10 pet quality.

Not sure if I am helping or not :-)

Maybe the others will be able to help.

This happened in Flatcoats some years back - a batch of pups, not all the same breeding, had something similar in the development of the jaw.   

We don't really know for sure what causes it, but Kennel Cough at some stage in the development has been put forward .   Kennel Cough is caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, which has been proved to cause a similar deformity in pigs - 'atrophic rhinitis'.   It seems to affect the growth plates of the jaw unevenly.

Personally, unless she is absolutely outstanding and the breed would suffer a loss without her particular genes, I wouldn't breed from her.   It could be hereditary in as much as she may an increased susceptibility to whatever caused the deformity in the first place.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Many years ago, I had a persian stud cat, which came from a famous line, with several Champions.   However, one of those Champions had a "snaggle tooth" - he was made up to champion despite this :(

My boy didn't have a snaggle tooth, although one of his litter brothers did - and in about 1 in 4 litters, there would be a little snaggle-tooth boy (always a boy!)   They just looked so cute (but mean) as kittens!

Margot

My daughter was once given a puppy bitch to show by a top UK judge, who was at the time, top breeder in the breed.  As the pup grew, her mouth and bite wasn't right.  Her comments were "Take her to a dental Vet.  If the teeth have come through wrongly due to trauma etc, then that's OK.  If she has a deformity in the jaw (bone), and the specialist will be able to tell, then we'll not show or breed from her because once you have a structural problem like that in your line, then it's a big problem to get it sorted!"  We did that and was told that it was an inherited problem.  The beautiful bitch was not shown again or bred from.

Could anyone recommend a good dental vet, traveling a distance wouldn't be a problem, the outcome is more important, as I wouldn't want to breed from her unless I had an expert opinion first.  Having said that the more I read, the less likely I feel she should be breed from, but an expert would be the answer.  At least I know I would have done the right thing???

What area are you in?

I know of a Dental Vet, I'll see if I can find the details if that's any help.

Dawn R.

Edit, I have got the details,and I have sent you a private message.

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The one that we were sent to was Castle Veterinary Group in Reading Berkshire.

Think there's another good one near Stockport in Cheshire, but can't remember his name

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Do you by any chance have their number please.  You have all been such a great help and in such a short time, many thanks to you all.

There's a number in the PM I sent you, have you seen it yet?

Dawn R.

I know of one in Yorkshire if that is closer?