Top 11 Dog Breeds that are Prone to Dental Disease

Pugs are famous for their squishy faces and very tiny muzzles. While their little faces are adorable, having such a small jaw and mouth can sometimes cause tooth issues. Pugs’ little mouths tend be overcrowded, which can cause gingivitis, inflammation in the pugs’ tooth structure, plaque build-up, and bad breath.

Tiny Chihuahuas have to fit a lot of teeth in a little mouth, and this can cause issues with overcrowding. Plus, sometimes Chihuahuas will retain their baby teeth, which can lead to even more overcrowding and plaque issues. Chihuahuas also have very delicate jaws, and if their dental diseases aren’t treated, their jaw can begin to disintegrate. 

Shelties are known for their long, skinny snouts. Because their snouts are so slender, Shelties are prone to getting both over and under-bites. Some Shelties’ incisor teeth may rotate outwards, which causes gum pain. Some Shelties may also get a condition called Lance Canines, which is when their canine teeth grow in sideways.

Greyhounds have a high risk of getting periodontal disease. This disease causes their teeth’s roots to be exposed, which can lead to infection, loose teeth, yellow crust along the gumline, and decreased appetite because of difficulty chewing. To keep a Greyhounds’ teeth healthy, vets recommend brushing their teeth daily and regular professional cleanings.

Yorkies often keep their baby teeth well into adulthood. Their adult teeth will sometimes grow in behind their baby teeth, causing overcrowding and discomfort. Because of overcrowding, it can also be difficult to clean Yorkies’ teeth. Vets recommend getting the Yorkie’s baby teeth extracted if their adult teeth are starting to grow in.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are another toy breed that’s prone to dental disease because of their small jaws and short snouts. These pups have a high rate of both gingivitis and tartar buildup. Because of that, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels often experience bad breath, tooth decay, and early tooth loss.

Labrador Retreivers often have issues with tooth fractures. This is typically caused by chewing too hard on toys or tennis balls. Vets will typically perform a root canal on the fractured tooth to save it, and they may place a metal crown on the tooth to protect it from further damage.

Little Dachshunds have tiny jaws, and they also have very narrow and thin snouts. This can lead to them getting periodontal pockets, which are spaces created by tooth loss that are highly susceptible to bacteria. Because of this, Dachshunds have a high rate of gingivitis, bad breath, and periodontal disease.

Collies are another breed who are prone to overbites because of their long, thin snouts. Vets will often try to correct Collies’ overbites when they’re puppies. They’ll sometimes extract the puppies’ baby incisors and canines, which allows more space for their adult teeth to grow in. This prevents discomfort later in life.

Boxers are prone to a specific type of dental disease: gingival hyperplasia. This disease causes the dog’s gums to thicken, which can lead to discomfort and pain over time. To prevent this disease, vets will do a deep cleaning of the dog’s gums to remove any plaque bacteria. In later stages of the disease, vets may have to do surgery on the Boxer’s gums.

Hairless breeds like Chinese Crested dogs tend to have shallow roots in their teeth. Their teeth also tend to be thin and fragile. Due to this, Chinese Crested sometimes start having dental issues when they are still young. To keep the pups’ teeth healthy, they’ll need to get their teeth checked often by a vet.