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Purchasing an English Bulldog can be a stressful process, due to their health problems there is a lot of research that you need to do into your potential puppy to ensure it is going to live a happy and healthy life.
When researching potential problems that an English Bulldog might have, you may think, why do English Bulldogs have an underbite?
An English Bulldog may have an underbite due to their short, squashed faces caused by being a brachycephalic dog breed. Their squashed face will often result in their lower jaw being longer than their top jaw, which causes an underbite.
Not all English Bulldogs will suffer from an underbite, but the majority do, however some cases are very mild and others are more severe.
English Bulldog underbite problems
There are several problems that your English Bulldog may suffer from if they have an underbite, and these range depending on the severity of your dogs underbite.
If your English Bulldog has a very mild underbite which is barely noticeable, then it is likely that they won't suffer from any issues at all, and they will live their life unhindered by their underbite.
If your English Bulldog has a severe underbite, then the biggest problem that they will have is an inability to eat/chew food properly, which can make eating extremely uncomfortable for your bulldog and leaving to it potentially chocking on food it has been unable to chew.
Can you fix an English Bulldogs underbite?
Unless your English Bulldogs underbite is causing it problems, such as an inability to chew, there there is no need to consider fixing its underbite.
If the underbite is severe and is causing your English Bulldog problems, then the first thing you should do is seek professional advice from your vet to see if they believe that an underbite correction is required.
If the vet agrees that the English Bulldog does need its underbite correcting, then there a few different treatment options. The different treatment options are:
Removing the teeth that are causing the problems
Surgery to try and correct your bulldogs jaw
The use of an orthodontic appliance
English Bulldog underbite treatments are expensive and invasive, so they should only be carried out if they are completely necessary. The treatments will often require your bulldog being referred to an animal orthodontist or dental specialist.
How you can help your English Bulldog if it has an underbite?
If your English Bulldog has an underbite, keep a close on it eating to ensure that it doesn't suffer with any difficulties chewing its food. Also ensure that its teeth aren't causing your bulldog any problems.
If your English Bulldog has a severe underbite, it may end up suffering from infections. Keep an eye on your dog and ensure if you notice any signs on infection that you contact a vet immediately.
Avoid buying your English Bulldog chew toys if they have a severe underbite, excessive chewing can lead to further complications. Soft Dog food should also be avoided, it will lead to to your bulldog biting into its own mouth.
Dog breeds that are common to having underbites
It is possible for any breed of dog to have an underbite, however the following dog breeds are more susceptible:
Boston terrier
Pekingese
French bulldog
English bulldog
King Charles Spaniel
Pug
Lhasa Apso
Shih Tzu
How to tell if a puppy has an underbite
You may be able to tell if your puppy has an underbite simply by looking at it, if you notice that it's bottom jaw is slightly longer, or that it has misaligned, then it is likely that your puppy has an underbite - and this may become more severe as your dog ages.
Underbites can also be passed on genetically by your puppies mother and father. Ensure you do further research and checks into your puppies parents before you purchase your dog to ensure you avoid any health issues that can be passed on genetically.
Conclusion
English Bulldogs are a dog breed that do commonly suffer from underbites - this is due to them being a brachycephalic dog breed.
Underbites on English Bulldogs will not always result in potential problems, however some bulldogs will suffer from severe underbites which can be extremely troublesome and may result in treatment - which can be very expensive.