Cross Breeds

Why Are Boxer Dogs Jaw The Way They Are?

I have 2 boxers Mother n Son (2.5 yrs. - 4 month). I just wanna know why they front teeth are so small and also why they bottom jaw is more forward then the top. Do they jaws have an advantage that other dogs don't have?

Public Comments

1. Why do humans have 2 ears? Only God knows.
2. Underbites are simply a result of overbreeding.
3. An undershot jaw is NOT, as someone claimed, the "result of overbreeding". It is an element of the Boxer Breed Standard, and gave the dog an advantage when hanging onto large, struggling game animals - the Boxer was bred to be a large game hunting dog, and this dentition (combined with the width of the jaw), gave it maximum gripping power. This is also the reason for the Bulldog's undershot jaw. All dogs have small front teeth...but I suspect that the size of the teeth in the Boxer's case has much to do with the construction of the jaw. This is especially true of the top row of teeth, which must fit comfortably above/inside the bottom row of teeth.
4. Way back in the "creation" of the boxer breed they used bull dogs in the mix. So the boxer is a fairly close "relative" of the bulldog. They both have the under bite. (bottom jaw more forward than the top) Not sure about why the front teeth are small. It may just be a part of the breed.
5. A couple of hundred years of SELECTIVE BREEDING & CULLING!!!!! That develops & refines EVERY purebred animal...& plant. Puts nose back so breathing isn't compromised when holding a grip. Loki? Thanks for using the correct ,"underSHOT". ;-) Keep educating,whether they like it or not.