Page 46 - ShowSight Presents The Rottweiler

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
The 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 specific head proportion and to maintain the width of
the muzzle and under jaw. This includes 42 teeth, 20 upper and 22 lower. It is fine to ask the handler to show the bite. It is preferred to allow the handler to show the bite. The examination first 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. The 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 specific 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’. This would be first the inci- sors, next the premolars, then the molars and lastly the M3’s.
This may seem complex, but it is a fairly quick and easy process when you know specific 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.”
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2014 • 245