went to vets - he says underbite is not a boxer trait

[ladyluck_t]

From what I understand all "bully" breeds were bred to have an undershot bite, this was for a specific purpose (i.e. the reason the bull breeds were invented! ) it was so that the dog would bite, hold on, and still be able to breathe kinda important if you want the dog to do it more than once

 

[SandyHG55654]

Just a thought... vets also tellus to feed our dogs science diet and Eukanuba. They will also give just about anyone the go ahead to breed their dogs. Just some food for thought

This to me says it all! Honestly vet's should be according to breed so people can get the right info now and again! My dog has a terribly long nose, (BYB) and a whole lot of un-breed standard as I like to say (of course he's gorgeous to me, but i'm realistic) But even he has an underbite! Don't worry about the vet's opinion about this. He's just uneducated about boxers. I would however bring something that has the standard and leave it with him!

 

[Alisha Mobley]

it was so that the dog would bite, hold on, and still be able to breathe

It is my understanding that the tip up of nose (nose sets higher than root of muzzle) is for breathing. The underbite (along with being *wide*) is only for gripping. There's an article somewhere that describes what the different details of a Boxer head were bred for...I'll see if I can find it.

Edit: Not the article I was thinking of but this one will work...http://www.worldwideboxer.com/PAGE3.html

 

[ladyluck_t]

It is my understanding that the tip up of nose (nose sets higher than root of muzzle) is for breathing. The underbite (along with being *wide*) is only for gripping. There's an article somewhere that describes what the different details of a Boxer head were bred for...I'll see if I can find it.

It is quite possible, I think my "wires" get crossed ALOT :D but the point I was making is still the same, the undershot jaw was specifically designed when the bully breeds were developed. Which is why it is in the breed standards. Anyhow, some vets just need to go back to school! or better yet, there should be a mandatory 2yr service for every vet to work in a shelter or rescue. That way they see the results of bad breeding, bad food, bad everything......might open some of those eyes!

 

[Rocky's Ma]

If your vet thinks Boxers shouldn't have an underbite, then I would say, GET THEE TO ANOTHER VET! That's almost unbelievable that a vet would say that.

 

[ladyluck_t]

Thanks Alisha! I bookmarked that page....very interesting reading! Guess, I am not going to get any work done today either! but as a "reward" I get to learn more about boxers :D

And I strongly agree with Rocky's Ma ------- GET ANOTHER VET!

 

[kassa]

I have to agree about finding another vet. On the surface, it's a minor breed-specific point. However, it's something that most people with a moderate interest in dog anatomy already know. And a vet who has any kind of experience with bull breeds over the years should have noticed it, even if he didn't learn it in school.

It's just peculiar -- that even if he hadn't realized that boxers were undershot, that he'd take such a strong (wrong) stand on it. Makes me wonder how quick he is to "guess" other things wrong.

 

[Xander's Mom]

OMG! Xander is NOT a boxer then! He has a BAD underbite I love it tho. I too think that is the best trait. Along w/ the flappy cheeks

 

[boxrloveer]

vets aren't up to date on dog food

My vet came out and told me she wasn't really up to date with food, when I told her that I wouldn't be feeding Zeus Science Diet. i also mentioned this site to her and she did say it's a boxer trait to have a underbite, because Zeus has one too.

 

[kactus]

think it might have been on bw i read it...but i remember a story of a vet who operated & rewired a boxers jaw to correct the undershot. how horriffic is that?