Rottweiler Breed Magazine - Showsight

keeping a hand on the dog (perhaps on the head or shoulders) run the other hand down the dog and check testicles on the males. Always look over the top of the dog, to make sure there is good substance and spring of rib. Examining the Bite Th e standard has disqualifying faults for more than one missing tooth, and for overshot, undershot or wry bites. Level bites and one missing tooth are serious faults. It is important for this breed to have proper dentition, as it is thought this helps maintain the breed speci fi c head proportion and to maintain the width of

the muzzle and under jaw. Th is includes 42 teeth, 20 upper and 22 lower. It is fi ne to ask the handler to show the bite. It is preferred to allow the handler to show the bite. Th e examination fi rst involves checking the front (incisors) to see if the bite is a scissors bite. Check to make sure there are six incisors, on the top and bot- tom. Next the handler lifts the side lips on each side to show the premolars and molars. Last, the handler will open the mouth, so the judge can see the small M3 molars in the very back, on the bottom. Th e most common missing teeth are the P1 (right behind the canines), the M3 (smallest tooth in the very back on the

bottom jaw) or an incisor. Other missing teeth will usually show an obvious ‘gap’ in the dog’s mouth. If you are unsure of what you have seen, please ask the han- dler to show you that speci fi c area again, rather than try to poke or feel for your- self. If you will look at the tooth chart, you will see that you can look at the teeth by ‘groups’. Th is would be fi rst the inci- sors, next the premolars, then the molars and lastly the M3’s. Th is may seem complex, but it is a fairly quick and easy process when you know speci fi c tooth placement by their groups, and those that are most commonly found absent.

“iT is impoRTanT foR This bReed To have pRopeR denTiTion, as it is thought this helps maintain the breed specific head proportion and to maintain the width of the muzzle and under jaw.”

S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A UGUST 2014 • 245

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