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from the jaw altogether. This is the indication of the depletion
of the phenotype of skull. In these instances, dogs that show
this deformation should never be graded higher than a "Satisfactory".
One gets instances where teeth for example on the bottom jaw
have disappeared. Judging these type of dogs one must penalize
them severely as well. This is the indication of the depletion
and alteration of the bottom jaw. Dogs like this again should
not be graded higher than "Satisfactory" as these
instances are serious genetic faults. Our
Standard, requires 42 teeth in the Saint Bernards mouth. 20
on the upper jaw and 22 on the bottom jaw meet requirements,
with the excusable missing teeth are the P1 (Pre-molar 1).
When evaluating the teeth of the Saint Bernard and there is
no gap where the P1 can come out then the dog should never
be graded more than "Very Good". The reason for
this is that the dog is now showing the early stages of the
depletion of the bottom jaw and muzzle (i.e.. the mouth is
becoming too small or too short).
When
observing the bottom jaw of an open mouthed Saint Bernard
the six incisors should represent a square shape (i.e. they
should all be in a straight or near straight line) and any
form of roundness in these teeth indicate the snippiness of
the muzzle. The teeth should be of medium size to large. Small
teeth should be indicated in a critique of the dog and the
breeder should be informed of it. Although the Saint Bernard
does not use its jaw for man work, etc., it is important on
the bitches to have very strong and correct tooth placement
when it comes to the Pre-Molar 4 on both the upper and bottom
jaws. The Pm4 (Pre-Molar 4) is used by the bitch to sever
(cut cleanly) the umbilical cord of its pups at birth. The
incisors are used top tear open the Placenta while the bitch
is licking the pup to resuscitate it. Therefore one can see
that if a Saint Bernard has small teeth the natural instinctive
traits are being disturbed.
The
Saint Bernard Standard does describe the word "Reverse
Scissor Bite". This is when the bottom jaw teeth are
slightly overlapping the top teeth, the exact opposite of
a scissor bite. This is still accepted but it must not change
the formation image of the muzzle (i.e. It must not look like
a Boxer's jaw). A Saint Bernard with this type of "Boxer
Jaw" should never be graded an "Excellent".
Atypical feature of the Molloso type breeds one must understand
that the bottom jaw through its entire life does not stop
growing. one could have a dog at two years of age with a perfect
scissor bite and the same dog at six years of age could have
a level to a reverse scissor bite. This is why the standard
has left the tolerance factor for the Saint Bernard.
when
Judging the FCI Saint Bernard the judges must count the dog's
teeth and make note on the critique for future evaluation
into future generations that might deviate from the phenotype
of the Saint Bernard.
Below
are diagrams:
of
the jaw of dogs in general naming and placing all the teeth
in the respected positions.
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