© Copyright 2009, PREOLIATOR Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
Let’s start with a bit of a taboo subject that has breeders and exhibitors around the country claming up, and refusing to speak. One fact, that I can’t believe, is that around one third of all Stafford’s whelped will not ever be able to enter the show ring, because of bad teeth. The amount of times I’ve met proud Staffordshire owners who intend on entering the show ring, and I’ve had to tell them, “Look he’s a fantastic looking boy,...but,...in the show ring teeth are very important”...
I think it’s pretty safe to say there are two main problems imbedded in the breed. Canines and Bites. As all breeds tend to go through trends, “short muzzles” were fantastic years ago until our second standard pushed a focus on muzzle length being simply 1/3 of the length of the head. Clean scissor bites are something we’ve all had to work very hard to achieve. Although all experienced breeders know Staffordshire heads never stop moving. Hence, mandibles (therefor teeth) move with the rest of the skull. A Staffordshire’s skull grows and strengthens until around 5-7 when it will then start to fade as muscle too slowly moves. This is always dependant on lines and condition of the dog, however I’ve seen only a few dogs past 8-10 years old that are not flush or undershot.
Canines however are a touchy subject. Our standard reads only of a scissor bite, and nothing of canines. Even a few specialty judges will tell you straight, “The standard reads nothing of inverted canines”.
So what are “Inverted Canines”? Basically, through crowding of the teeth the canines grow up without enough space and are jabbing the dog in the roof of it’s mouth. The Advanced Animal Dentistry link below is fantastic for pictures and further reading.
Breeding. In my experience, you’ll only get the Sire or Dames teeth, with a chance of a throw back. I’ve seen whole litters throw back generations, and I’ve seen whole litters with show quality teeth. With that in mind absolute importance must be given to find a Sire or Dame with exceptional teeth.
Show Ring. We have gone to great lengths to breed strong head pieces, never compromising on teeth. It’s disappointing to see filed canines wining in the ring, understanding that until they are frowned upon, inverted canines will always be a problem within the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Learn More about Teeth
The Learn More page was designed to teach new exhibitors and breeders more about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
It still amazes me how very little I knew when we embarked down our first litter. Learning more about this wonderful breed, however, is something we should all strive to do...
You might now understand why she is nicknamed “Sabre Tooth”. One judge has even accidentally said “Wholly #### ”
Correct Bite, and Canines