Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

8 week old puppy underbite

49 replies

Xang7654 · 16/07/2023 08:20

So, does anyone have any advice on if this is a common problem and how likely is it to cause future problems, and if you need to declare this for pet insurance purposes? We already feel invested in this puppy and (perhaps naively) feel like we love it already. We were extremely excited to bring the puppy home but now are considering if we should pull out. Should we proceed with the purchase? We can’t help feeling in the back of our mind that we are setting ourselves up for some huge vet bills in the future when we know this could be a potential issue. On the other hand the dog will be a well loved family pet and not a show dog, so are we just over thinking this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Xang7654 · 16/07/2023 08:20

We’re in the process of getting a miniature golden doodle. At the 8 week vet check an underbite in the puppy’s jaw has been discovered. As first time puppy owners this has come as a shock, as we’re not sure what effect this will have on the puppy growing up. Consensus online seems to be its only an aesthetic problem if the puppy can eat and drink ok (breeder has reported no problems with this)

Breeder is adamant that it won’t affect the puppy in any way but they would say that? No other health problems were detected.

But now we’re scared it could be a big problem with eating and drinking and also pet insurance. The puppy will be our first family pet and whilst we were maybe considering breeding in the future, I understand this is now not possible, which we are fine with.

So, does anyone have any advice on if this is a common problem and how likely is it to cause future problems, and if you need to declare this for pet insurance purposes? We already feel invested in this puppy and (perhaps naively) feel like we love it already. We were extremely excited to bring the puppy home but now are considering if we should pull out. Should we proceed with the purchase? We can’t help feeling in the back of our mind that we are setting ourselves up for some huge vet bills in the future when we know this could be a potential issue. On the other hand the dog will be a well loved family pet and not a show dog, so are we just over thinking this?

Any advice is very much appreciated.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 16/07/2023 08:24

What did the vet say? How did you find this breeder? Could it be a dodgy breeder and this is a defect as a result of crappy breeding? Anything doodle is a puppy farmers cash cow.

Original poster
Xang7654 · 16/07/2023 08:26

Vet said he wasn’t concerned. We’ve asked our potential new vet for an opinion (sent video of the puppy) before we decide whether to proceed. The breeder was found online and seems reputable with many good reviews. No health problems reported in the parents, so this has come as a shock. Is it that common in this breed?

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 16/07/2023 08:31

Finding a breeder online isn’t a great way to go. Not sure how you gauge reputable. There will be good reviews from people who love their pups. It doesn’t guarantee no inbreeding or having too many litters from each bitch.
I don’t know what a mini golden doodle is. Normally a golden retriever cross poodle? So a mini poodle? Look at the health issues for each pedigree involved. Have the breeders tested for these in the parent dogs prior to breeding?

Original poster
Xang7654 · 16/07/2023 08:31

Should probably clarify that “vet said he wasnt concerned” was what the breeder has told us. We haven’t actually spoken to the vet they carried out the check first hand.

OP posts:
Original poster
Xang7654 · 16/07/2023 08:34

Ok thank you. Breeder has tested both parents, no issues.

Dog is a cross of golden doodle and miniature poodle.

OP posts:
Thunderisntnicebythebeach · 16/07/2023 08:35

Until you have actually spoken to a vet I would take breeder with a pinch of salt...

oakleaffy · 16/07/2023 08:36

Terrible breeding.

Back yard or puppy farm ( or amateur) breeding

Dogs should have a scissor bite not a malocclusion.

How else will the poor dog eat, and bet these greeders want big money off you for a dog with congenital issue.

Sprig1 · 16/07/2023 08:37

Why would you? Plenty of defect free puppies out there. At the very least take it to your vet (in person not video) for their opinion.

IngGenius · 16/07/2023 08:38

You need to take the puppy yourself or go with the breeder to a vet. However most underbites are caused by poor breeding so the red flag would be waving for me.

Personally I would not take the puppy unless I had personal reassurance from an independent medic.

If I knew the breeder well and had seen other puppies from previous litters and knew all the other health tests had been done I would be less worried.

You are right to be concerned. The issues can vary hugely depending on the underbite.

Dental work is rarely covered by insurance and dogs with underbites can require more dental work which could cost a load.

Walk away

Wolfiefan · 16/07/2023 08:39

Miniature poodle should have DNA tests prior to breeding.
Goldens should have eye hip and elbow screening.
I doubt they’ve done all that.

oakleaffy · 16/07/2023 08:39

Xang7654 · 16/07/2023 08:31

Should probably clarify that “vet said he wasnt concerned” was what the breeder has told us. We haven’t actually spoken to the vet they carried out the check first hand.

The greeder will lie through their teeth to get your money.

As PP s have said Golden doodles are cash cows.

Once they have your money, it’s “ Bye, Felicia”

Avoid.

Original poster
Xang7654 · 16/07/2023 08:42

Can’t an underbite or overbite occur at any point while puppy is still growing? So one the first vet check it could be fine but then develop later so you would have purchased the puppy anyway. We don’t live close to the breeder so we aren’t in a position to take puppy to the vet. It is a licensed breeder though with a 4 star rating.

OP posts:
DogUnderFoot · 16/07/2023 08:43

I'd pull out but if you don't want to do that, you need to make sure your puppy contract allows for you to take the puppy to your own vet and return it, if they flag any issues. That is a standard clause in a decent puppy contract and normally you get x days to do it.

It's obviously emotionally much harder that way, but not as hard as a lifetime of regret.

Newpeep · 16/07/2023 08:45

My puppy had a 'bad' bite when she was small. Mum had no problems and dad is a Ch show dog so no bad bites allowed! It wasn't evident on the first vet check and then became so on the second. It corrected by 16 weeks which is quite common according to our vet.

Not always a sign of bad breeding and can correct itself but like everything else it's in context. She now has a perfect scissor bite. If you want to go ahead and all the health tests (hips, eyes, elbows as a minimum) check out then pay to have your pup taken to your own vet for an opinion.

Original poster
Xang7654 · 16/07/2023 08:48

It’s in the puppy contract to have the puppy taken to our vet within 7 days of collection but if our vet states it’s worse than what their vet has said we will only get 50% of the money back. Also that would be incredibly hard to return puppy after collection.

OP posts:
SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 16/07/2023 08:48

DogUnderFoot · 16/07/2023 08:43

I'd pull out but if you don't want to do that, you need to make sure your puppy contract allows for you to take the puppy to your own vet and return it, if they flag any issues. That is a standard clause in a decent puppy contract and normally you get x days to do it.

It's obviously emotionally much harder that way, but not as hard as a lifetime of regret.

Agree with this. What does your contract say?

Newpeep · 16/07/2023 08:50

Have both parents had hip, eye and elbow testig/scoring?

Wolfiefan · 16/07/2023 08:51

Licensed means very very little. And return the pup and get half money back? Seems like it’s al about the cash.
I would be looking to see how many dogs they have. How many litters from each one? Are those specific health tests done? But I suspect a truly dodgy breeder here.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 16/07/2023 08:53

Xang7654 · 16/07/2023 08:48

It’s in the puppy contract to have the puppy taken to our vet within 7 days of collection but if our vet states it’s worse than what their vet has said we will only get 50% of the money back. Also that would be incredibly hard to return puppy after collection.

Only half your money back? This is getting worse.

oakleaffy · 16/07/2023 08:55

DogUnderFoot · 16/07/2023 08:43

I'd pull out but if you don't want to do that, you need to make sure your puppy contract allows for you to take the puppy to your own vet and return it, if they flag any issues. That is a standard clause in a decent puppy contract and normally you get x days to do it.

It's obviously emotionally much harder that way, but not as hard as a lifetime of regret.

Exactly- A watertight contact.
Any decent breeder will give a contract with a money back guarantee.

Our dog came with a year’s guarantee for money back ( on a sliding scale) and we were advised to take pup to own vets for check over and vaccines/ wormers &c.

However this person only has a litter every three years or less, so is very invested in her puppies.

Definitely not cash cows.

oakleaffy · 16/07/2023 08:58

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 16/07/2023 08:53

Only half your money back? This is getting worse.

Show quote history

@Xang7654 That’s terrible!
Any reputable breeder would give you FULL money back for at least two weeks.

I’d buy elsewhere.

If you wanted a purebred, I’d suggest a breed club- they know who is good, and can advise.

Online is generally a no no.

Word of mouth is better.

The person I bought my puppy from is now a friend.

oakleaffy · 16/07/2023 09:11

Wolfiefan · 16/07/2023 08:51

Licensed means very very little. And return the pup and get half money back? Seems like it’s al about the cash.
I would be looking to see how many dogs they have. How many litters from each one? Are those specific health tests done? But I suspect a truly dodgy breeder here.

Could be a front for a puppy farm.

At least with pedigree dogs one knows there are limitations to how much they can be bred from.

With crossbreeds, the poor mothers can be bred back to back.

The first thing our vet said when seeing our pup was “ I can tell she’s not from a puppy farm”
because of her way of being.

Those early weeks as a puppy are so important
being handled by kind humans, exposed to household noises and sights and sounds.

A lot of breeders in it for money keep pups in sheds or outdoor kennels.

It pays to wait for a puppy from the right person.

Its also a good sign if breeder gives the potential owner a grilling over phone and then in person.

It means they care about where there pup is going.

DogUnderFoot · 16/07/2023 09:17

Xang7654 · 16/07/2023 08:48

It’s in the puppy contract to have the puppy taken to our vet within 7 days of collection but if our vet states it’s worse than what their vet has said we will only get 50% of the money back. Also that would be incredibly hard to return puppy after collection.

Woah!

That's a massive issue. A puppy should be able to be returned, under health reasons, for a full refund with x days of purchase.

For sure, I'd pull out now and write off the deposit.

That's a really poor contract.

OrlandointheWilderness · 16/07/2023 10:13

@oakleaffy the OP doesn't want a purebred - she's buying a mini golden doodle. In the good old days that would've been a mongrel (and absolutely nothing wrong with that at all).
Have the parents had elbow/hip scores etc OP? Did you visit before buying pup?
This situation is not sounding wonderful. Take pup to a vet, see what they say and if they say it is worse than thought you'll have to lose 50%.
Can I ask how much pup is?