overshot jaw dog made in china

The Chongqing Dog is a medium sized dog with a deep red/mahogany (orange) color and a black muzzle. It has a thin, short, harsh coat that is about 3cm in length. The muscular body has a square build with great strength. Its ears are erect. The jaw should be set square. The teeth should meet in a scissor bite or be slightly undershot. Undershot bites more than 5 mm are undesirable. The teeth should not be visible when the mouth is closed in a natural position. The tongue can be blue, dark blue or with spots (blue points). The muzzle should be as broad and powerful as possible. The dark mask is confined to the muzzle and must be in sharp contrast to the colour of the head. The skull is flat between ears and square on top. There are natural wrinkles on top of the head. The stop is well defined. The forehead forms a distinct stop at the bridge of nose. Slightly loose with fine wrinkles without excess on the skull. The muzzle is strong, square and noticeably shorter than the skull. Broad from root to tip of the nose, not snipy, with moderately obvious folds. The line of the muzzle forms a very obtuse angle upwards. The cheeks are prominent, due to the strong development of the muscle. The length of the skull and the length of the muzzle are approximately 2: 1. The height to the elbow is about half the height at the withers. The female can be slightly longer than the males. Males should be muscular and well defined, whereas females tend to be more streamlined with an air of femininity.

“I’d had Dogue de Bordeauxs for many years. I love the breed, but their sheer size sometimes caused problems with their care” she said. “They can be clumsy, knocking into people without meaning to, which on occasions caused a problem for my daughter, who has Downs Syndrome. Plus, as with most giant breeds they have rather short life spans – and each time one died, there was so much heartbreak.”

“They are very cat-like: they’re sure-footed, keep themselves immaculately clean, and can move their ears separately. Absolutely unique,” Alison says. “Their lifespan is exceptionally long, too: there are records of some dogs living to be 20 years old.”

Alison, who decided to import her first Chuandong Hounds from China in 2016 – the first of the breed to come to the UK – says that the process was nothing short of a nightmare. After choosing the pups, and after months and months of paperwork, her dogs finally arrived in 2017.

Alison, who has a background in obedience training, says that they are “as clever as a collie, if not a bit more”. They have plenty of energy, but are far from impossible to tire out: they love to play and interact with people. Medium-sized, they are less likely to knock over people by accident than larger dogs.

“Of course, the move from rural China to the UK was a bit of a culture shock for them! My male, Dynasty, took it in all in his stride. But the females remain a bit more aloof with strangers – they make very good house dogs and will alert you if anyone is around,  they are brilliant family dogs. My daughter has been doing some handling with them, and it’s been working out wonderfully. They adore children.”

Despite dating back some 2,000 years – sculptures of similar dogs were found in ancient tombs which dated back to the time of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), suggesting they were held in high esteem – this breed remained entirely unknown in the West until the Eighties.

For the longest time, there wasn’t even a single breed name: communities in the Chongqing region, in the mountain area of southwest China, each had their own name for these dogs. Chuandong dog, East Sichuan Hunting dog, Bamboo Ratter, Mountain dog, Hechuan dog, Pak Tin Par dog, and Linshui dog were some of the names used to describe these hunting dogs.

It wasn’t until the year 2000 that the name ‘Chongqing dog’ was introduced for the breed, as many of their owners moved from the mountains to Chongqing City, taking their dogs with them. However, the move to the city caused a change in the breed, which had remained essentially unchanged since at least the time of the Han Dynasty.

“As people moved to the city with their dogs, they were crossed with other breeds. The dogs living in Chongqing City began developing different traits from the original breed, such as a shorter muzzle and a stockier build; within a few generations they were very different to the ancient hunting hound.”

In August 2018 the decision was made to split the breed, which had been recognised by the CKU (China Kennel Union) just one year earlier. Mr Franki Leung, head of the CKU Native Breed Conservation Club and members of the breed club, divided it to create two established breeds: the city type, retained the name of ‘Chongqing Dog’, and the traditional hound Alison owns, was named ‘Chuandong Hound’.

Breed standards for both were produced only recently, in January 2019; in July 2018, the CKU had opened up registrations to owners abroad. Alison says that, as far as she is aware, she is currently the only person outside China currently focusing on the Chuandong Hound. There are about 100 such dogs registered in China, plus her own first generation and second generation dogs here in the UK.

“The process of registering them with the CKU was almost as complicated as that of getting the dogs into the UK,” she laughs. “They needed pictures of the dogs, and blood samples to build a database for the breed. They are very careful about these things, and for good reason. There aren’t many of these dogs in China: the breed has been on the brink of extinction before and is still rarer than the giant Panda.

“I am just as careful breeding them, health testing my adults to make sure the puppies are inherently healthy,” she says. “So far, all dogs are well. A couple of pups developed cherry eye and they have a slightly undershot bite, which I will be working on in the coming generations, as I bring in more dogs to enlarge the gene pool – even if I dread the whole process of importing!”

Alison is now aiming to see this ancient and rare breed recognised by our UK Kennel Club. A ’New breed’ application was received on 22nd February 2019. If successful, she will be able to take her dogs to the next ‘Discover Dogs’ London, followed by Crufts 2020 to introduce this still unknown breed to UK dog enthusiast.

“Chuandong Hounds are very affectionate dogs. I have found homes for ten of the puppies I bred so far, and one of the owners told me he’s the son he never had. They’re impossible not to love – and very much part of the family.”

Here is a visual look into what an “undershot” and “overshot” jaw looks like. In recent years, I’ve noticed more and more dogs with this issue. Can a dog live productive life with a malocclusion: (imperfect positioning of the teeth when a jaws closed) Yes but with some issues along the way.

Let’s begin with a puppy will have 28 “puppy teeth” by the time it reaches six months old (this number can vary from breed to breed) By adulthood, most breeds will have a total of 42 teeth. As defined above a malocclusion or simply a misalignment of a dog’s teeth occurs when their bite does not fit accordingly beginning as puppy’s teeth come in and worsening as their adult teeth follow.

the upper jaw is longer than the lower one, an overshot or overbite. When a dogs mouth is closed, a gap between the upper and lower incisors (teeth) will be present. In most cases, puppies are born with a slight over/under bite and with time the problem can correct itself if the gap is not too large. What should be noted is if a dog’s bite remains over/undershot by 8-10 months old, that’s how it will remain for the remainder of its life. In overbite’s the structure may worsen as the permanent teeth come in as they are larger and can damage the soft parts of the mouth. Teeth extractions are sometimes necessary.

Structural dentition of a puppies jaw should be checked very early on to help eliminate this issue. Unfortunately most dog owners won’t notice until is late in the game. More so is the issues of backyard and/or inexplicable breeders breeding dogs with undershot/overshot jaws and potentially passing along this trait to future generations.

With an overbite, the upper jaw is longer than the lower one. When the mouth is closed, a gap between the upper and lower incisors occurs. Puppies born with an overbite will sometimes have the problem correct itself if the gap is not too large. However, a dog"s bite will usually set at ten months old. At this time improvement will not happen on its own. Your pet"s overbite may worsen as the permanent teeth come in because they are larger and can damage the soft parts of the mouth. Teeth extractions are sometimes necessary.

Problems that can arise from malocclusion are; difficulty chewing, picking up food and other objects, dogs with overshot jaws tend to pick up larger chunks of food since they can"t chew nor pick up smaller morsels which can lead to choking and future intestinal issues. These dogs are also prone to tartar and plaque build up which if left untreated can lead to other significant health issues such as heart problems. Other issues are listed below:

What"s important to note is that most malocclusions do not require treatment, it"s simply how a dog will live its full life as. This is important since most breeders breeding for financial gains don"t think about. What can be done is to brush the teeth regularly to prevent abnormal build-up of tartar and plaque. A veterinarian in cases that can be solved will sometimes recommend a dental specialist if a client want to correct the teeth misalignment. Recently I"ve heard o specialist putting "braces” on puppies to realign the teeth.

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Underbites may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to dogs, however, there are several breeds sporting this toothy grin. Find out which dogs have underbites and why dogs have underbites in the first place.

Like humans, an underbite in a dog refers to the lower teeth projecting beyond the upper teeth. Veterinarians will refer to this issue as malocclusion. While an underbite can happen in various breeds, it’s commonly seen in brachycephalic breeds.

Besides short-skull breeds, underbites are also common in small dogs. Dogs that belong to the toy breed classification also typically suffer from other dental issues such as overcrowding or protruding teeth.

Shih Tzus are a beloved companion animal commonly found in homes worldwide. These friendly little creatures have a long history of being lap dogs for noble women in China.

Perhaps the dog most commonly associated with an underbite is the English Bulldog. This breed’s predisposal for malocclusion completes the Bulldog’s look. It’s fair to assume if you are purchasing a bulldog, you will have to deal with an underbite.

This is why it’s important to only purchase your English Bulldog from a responsible, ethical, and reputable breeder. A Bulldog with an excessive underbite will not only require expensive dental visits but may experience discomfort while eating.

These lap dogs were bred as companions to royal figures in the Chinese city of Peking. Today, these toy-sized dogs are loved by many. They are regarded as friendly, intelligent, and full of personality.

Pekingese dogs are distinguished by their “lion mane” coat. It’s also not uncommon for these small dogs to present an underbite. Like other brachycephalic breeds, they are prone to having underbites.

It’s not hard to spot a Pug! Their black masked, squished face and fawn shorthair coat set them apart from other dogs. There’s nothing like those little curled tails wagging to greet you!

Like other dogs on this list, Pugs are considered a short skull or brachycephalic breed. With this comes your typical dental problems, including an underbite.

This attribute sets it apart from other short-skulled breeds that often prefer a more sedentary lifestyle. These dogs weigh no more than 25 pounds yet love to run, hike, or explore the park. This feature makes them ideal for city dwellers with an active lifestyle.

While most of the breeds on this list are small dogs, larger breeds such as Boxers also suffer from underbites. Boxers can weigh up to 80 lbs and belong to the working group classification. These dogs are known to be highly intelligent and easily trainable.

According to the AKC breed standard, Boxers have an undershot jaw. The lower jaw should jut forward from the upper and curve upward. These large, athletic, and wrinkly beasts are great companions for individuals and families alike.

These tiny dogs come from Mexico. They are known for having a huge personality trapped in a tiny body! While they may not have a squished face like other breeds on this list, they are a small breed and only reach about 6 lbs on average.

These fluffy little dogs share the homes of millions of people around the world. These dogs originated in Poland and were bred to pull carts, guard livestock, and do other physical jobs. However, they were eventually bred to be smaller to be companion animals.

These long-haired, white, small dogs are very popular. You will typically find Maltese dogs living in urban areas. Their small size has made them ideal city dogs.

The first Spaniel to make it on our list, King Charles Spaniels, are a very popular family dog. They rank consistently in the top 20 most popular breeds in the U.S. While most commonly sporting a red and white coat, you can also find King Charles Spaniels to be black and tan and tri-colored.

While known for being friendly and intelligent, King Charles Spaniels are prone to various health issues. The most common health issues are ear infections and dental problems. While these little dogs make fantastic pets, don’t be surprised to find yourself in the veterinarian’s office!

Like the English Bulldog, French Bulldogs are short-skulled dogs with squished faces. What sets them apart from other bulldogs? They have pointed, bat-like ears that stick up.

They are sometimes mistaken for a Boston Terrier. While French Bulldogs have been rising in popularity over the past decade, it’s important to understand these dogs commonly exhibit various health problems.

It’s not uncommon for French Bulldogs to have severe underbites. It’s essential to only purchase puppies from reputable breeders that understand genetics.

Severe underbites can result in tooth wear, jaw pain, difficulty eating, or damage to the gums or palette. If your puppy begins to exhibit signs of an underbite, it’s recommended to take them to a veterinarian to see if treatmentis necessary.

Usually, treatment is not necessary. However, there are treatment options if you suspect your dog is experiencing discomfort or pain related to their underbite. Typically, these include extractions, physical therapies, and root canal treatments.

Your local vet is a good place to start! If your dog’s underbite is severe, they will be able to connect you with specialists in your area. Veterinary dentists are specialists that receive extra training to treat oral and dental issues in your pet.

For most dogs, it is simply the result of genetics. This is especially true if you have a short-skull or small breed. In rarer cases, malocclusion may be the result of trauma. This trauma may have occurred in the womb or early in a dog’s life.

Sometimes, a young dog’s underbite may correct itself. However, it’s most likely that if your puppy is exhibiting an underbite, it will have it throughout its life. This is especially true if you have a brachycephalic or small breed.

If you have a pup with an underbite or are looking at possibly getting one, it’s essential to understand the risk associated with dogs with underbites. While underbites are typically not a problem for most dogs, consult your veterinarian if you’re worried about your dog’s teeth or bite.

The mouth (usually called the dog"s bite) is the terminology used to ascertain how the teeth in the upper and lower jaws meet when the mouth is closed. This depends on two factors - the length of the actual jaws relative to one another, and the position of the teeth themselves. Dog Show Judges usually assess the bite by just looking at the front of the mouth which may or may not consist of straight teeth. So it is also important to also look down the sides of the mouth to ascertain the complete bite.

A normal scissors bite is where the incisor teeth in the upper jaw are in contact with but slightly overlap those in bottom jaw. This also produces a "scissor" appearance in the way the pre-molars and molars meet down the side of the mouth.

Some people interpret a normal scissor bite to be functionally the same as a level bite. Certainly, in both cases the jaws are the same length. However, a level or pincer bite is one where the incisor teeth meet exactly, surface to surface. A level bite differs from the normal scissors bite (pictured) in that the upper incisors do not slightly overlap those incisors in the bottom jaw.

If a dog has a level bite when it is young, the teeth will probably wear down to the gum as the dog ages, effectively having only stumps of teeth left as an old dog. This can cause problems. The reason why a normal scissor bite is preferable to a level bite is shown by the accompanying picture. Here is a 12-year-old Airedale who had a perfect scissor bite when she was young. But the teeth have now worn down to a useful level bite. But she still has a significant set of teeth remaining, despite her age.

Some Breed Standards like the Airedale Terrier call for a vice-like bite or a mouths closing like a vice. This refers to the mechanism of the jaws and the way they grip rather than whether the teeth are in a level or scissors arrangement. This is the opposite of the soft mouth required by a Gundog which is required to retrieve.

In an undershot mouth, the lower jaw is perceptibly longer than the upper jaw. Where the upper jaw is also turned upwards so the chin is visible, the jaw has more gripping power as in the case of the Bulldog, Boxer and Dogue de Bordeaux. An undershot mouth is also typical of brachycephalic toy breeds like the Pug, Pekingese and King Charles Spaniel.

A Reverse Scissors Bite is an undershot mouth where there is no gap between the teeth of the upper and lower jaws. However, the top surface of the teeth in the upper jaw must actually touch the under surface of the teeth in the lower jaw for it to be called a "Reverse Scissors Bite", typical in the Lhasa Apso and the Tibetan Terrier.

Overshot is the opposite of undershot. Here the top jaw is physically longer than the lower jaw. This can affect the mouth"s function as an overshot mouth usually indicates a weakness in the lower jaw.

A weak lower jaw can also manifest itself in not just the position of the incisors to one another, but also by a reduction in the width of the lower jaw itself and consequently often the number of teeth contained in the lower jaw.

In the accompanying photo illustrates a weak lower jaw with a reduced number of incisors. There are only 4 incisors in the lower jaw instead of the 6. I have also seen a dog with only 3 incisors in the lower jaw. 5 incisors instead of 6 is also common. This weakness was evident in this particular dog"s baby teeth.

A wry mouth is also a bad bite problem. When the right hand side of the mouth is longer than the left, or vice versa, it causes the jaws to be completely out of alignment with one other. Sometimes the mouth cannot close properly. This is the worst possible constructional mouth fault as it can cause the dog not only discomfort, but also eating difficulties.

Teething occurs during a very fast stage of the puppy"s overall development. As the puppy"s head grows, the skull including the upper jaw sometimes develops quicker than the lower jaw. This can give the impression that the baby puppy is overshot, which as an adult it is not.

Additionally, a baby puppy can have a beautiful scissor bite as a baby, but if the bottom jaw keeps growing after the skull has reached maturity, the adult could finish up being slightly undershot.

Malocclusion is the term used when the teeth themselves are crooked and hence not in their correct position. Usually this is purely a tooth alignment fault rather than an overshot or undershot jaw fault which is dependent on the length of the jaws relative to one another.

Pictured is the most common malocclusion where the two central incisor teeth in the lower jaw have grown in front of, rather than behind the teeth in the upper jaw. A malocclusion like the one illustrated can be caused by the two teeth in the lower jaw being physically smaller than the other incisors. In this case, this type of malocclusion might be inherited.

But it is more likely that this type of malocclusion is caused by the baby teeth in the bottom jaw coming out too soon, often because the puppy is playing tug-of-war games at the crucial time when teething is beginning. This can pull the newly developed teeth in the lower jaw outwards into the space vacated by the baby teeth. Then these teeth continue to grow in front of the teeth in the upper jaw, instead of behind them. This condition can be exacerbated by the baby teeth in the upper jaw being retained so the new teeth wedge themselves behind those in the lower jaw as illustrated above.

As a dog that originally lived with Chinese aristocracy and eventually spent their days at the Imperial Palace, the Japanese chin is considered by many to be royalty.

The Japanese chin is a very old toy breed that, despite his name, is thought to have originated in China centuries ago. It is commonly believed that the Chinese so admired these dogs that the Chinese Emperor gave a pair to the Emperor of Japan. Once in Japan, the chin was kept in the hands of nobility and used as gifts to very special people.

During World War I, the importation of Japanese chins into America was halted. But, this did not destroy the breed in the United States. American breeders simply maintained and improved the breed with the stock they already had. Over time, the popularity of the chin waned and their numbers diminished. Thankfully, there were breeders throughout the world that kept the breed alive. The dog had been known as the Japanese spaniel. In 1977, the name of the breed was officially changed to the Japanese chin

The Japanese chin is a dainty and aristocratic toy breed with a distinctive oriental expression. They have a large head and a small, undershot jaw. Their eyes are almond shaped and set far apart, giving an expressive appearance. The Japanese chin has ears shaped like an upside down V covered with long, silky hair. The coat is silky, soft and straight. The coat comes in black and white, lemon and white, or red and white. The tail is heavily feathered and carried over the back. This regal little dog stands 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder and the weight is 4 to 11 pounds.

The Japanese chin is a sensitive, intelligent dog who lives only to please his master. The breed is affectionate and responsive with those they know and love, but are reserved with strangers and new situations. Chins are devoted to their families and have a deep bark for his size, which makes him an acceptable watchdog.

Due to their flat faces, the Japanese chin is prone to breathing difficulties in hot and cold weather. It is important to keep these dogs indoors during excessive temperatures.

Highly recognizable and beloved, brachycephalic breeds make up some of the most popular dogs in the United States, and include charismatic pups like the French Bulldog, Bulldog, and Boxer.

Brachycephalic breeds of dogs can be identified by their shortened snouts or faces that appear flat and, as a result, have narrow nostrils and smaller airways. The term Brachycephalic originates from the Greek words “short” and “head.” The breeds’ wrinkled muzzles and smooshy faces have made them increasingly popular in recent years. But if you’re thinking of adding one to your family, there are certain things you need to take into account.

Because of the unique shape of their faces and airways, brachycephalic dogs sometimes need help with regulating their temperatures during hot and humid weather. Brachycephalic breeds have uniquely structured heads and can struggle to pant enough to cool off, which means they can easily overheat. Access to cool water, fans, and/or air conditioning in hot climates is very important. In addition, some brachycephalic breeds are predisposed to certain skin, eye, or oral health conditions related to the shape of their skull, and the folds or rolls of skin.

Because of these concerns, it is extremely important to seek out a responsible breeder when looking for a flat-faced puppy. Responsible breeders do health testing and breed healthy, happy brachycephalic dogs with little to no issues.

Brachycephalic breeds can be more prone to medical emergencies while flying on planes than other types of dogs. Not only are they more sensitive to humidity and warm temperatures, but they also can struggle to breathe when stressed or during altitude changes. Some airlines have begun putting bans or limits on brachycephalic breeds for their safety and protection. If you are planning to travel with your brachycephalic dog, talk with your veterinarian and your airline in advance of your trip.

There are special considerations to keep in mind when it comes to exercise for brachycephalic breeds. Some flatter-faced dogs do struggle to self-regulate their temperatures during and after exercise. Talk with your dog’s breeder and vet about what activities are a good fit.

You want to be especially cautious to not overexert these dogs, especially in warm or humid weather, but exercise is still important to make sure they remain fit and healthy. Many brachycephalic breeds excel in dog sports and are successful and happy competing in fast-paced activities such as Agility and Fast CAT.

Sometimes called “monkey dogs,” Affenpinschers are confident, curious, and often seem almost humanlike. These small dogs resemble Star Wars Ewoks and Wookies. Affenpinschers have a reputation for being both loyal and entertaining.

This is one of the most easily identified breeds. The Bulldog’s rolling gait, wrinkled head, pushed-in nose, flat face, and undershot jaw make them an endearing companion.

Weighing in at 5-15 pounds, the Brussels Griffon is a tiny but fun dog. Known for its big personality that’s also very humanlike, this breed is alert, social, energetic, and very trainable.

One of the largest breeds, the Bullmastiff is a strong guardian that is highly protective of their home and family. Bullmastiffs were developed by crossing Bulldogs and Mastiffs. This intelligent and alert dog is very trainable and loyal.

Originating in ancient China, the Chow Chow is a distinctive breed known for its blue-black tongue and lion-like mane and coat. Chow Chows are clean and fastidious dogs that are aloof with strangers and loyal and devoted to their families.

This giant breed was first developed in France and has the proportionately largest head of all dog breeds. Known as sensitive and yet stubborn, the Dogue de Bordeaux is loyal and protective and excels with training.

One of the most popular breeds, the charismatic French Bulldog has a distinctive appearance. With large, bat-shaped ears and a sweet temperament, the French Bulldog is alert, affectionate, playful, and adaptable. These dogs do well living in cities, which has only increased their popularity.

As the name implies, this breed originated in Japan. With a silky coat and big eyes, the Japanese Chin is known for its perpetual “look of astonishment” and is an affectionate lapdog. This is a dog who loves spending time with their people and is known to be quiet, graceful, and easy to live with.

Charming and confident, this is a confident, small dog that bonds closely with family. Originally developed to live in palaces, the Pekingese is a regal dog with a lion-like mane. Pekingese are excellent watchdogs and known for being very opinionated.

A highly recognizable breed, the Pug was originally bred to be a companion to the Chinese emperors. Pugs are extremely expressive and are known to amuse their families with their mischievous antics. These little dogs are very playful and active by nature, and bond closely with their people.

Lively and affectionate, the Shih Tzu was also bred to live within royal palaces. A loyal companion, the breed is ideal for small homes or apartments. Friendly dogs that do well with children, Shih Tzus are ideal lapdogs and known for their loyalty and sweet expressions.

faces that are associated with the formation of particular varieties and breeds (e.g., Herre and Röhrs 1990; Van Grouw 2018). Well-known examples include Bulldogs, Pugs, and

breeds to be on the small side of the domestic dog body size spectrum (Marchant et al. 2017; Fig. 1G, regression of body size [neurocranium centroid] as the independent

medium-sized and giant breeds, such as the Boxer and Dogue de Bordeaux (Nussbaumer 1982; Marchant et al. 2017). Besides these genetic factors, there is also likely to be

parts of the history of many domestic forms (e.g., dogs [Parker et al. 2017] and chicken [Núñez-León et al. 2019]), this will be notoriously difficult to achieve.

along with a shortening of all limbs, is also known from humans (achondroplasia; Parrot 1878; Horton, Hall and Hecht 2007) and has been compared to “bulldog-type”

associated with morbidity, e.g., in cats and dogs (see earlier; e.g., Waters 2017; Bessant et al. 2018). Human intervention and medical care are often required for

This story in the UK"s Daily Mail in February of this year saw me returning to the website link time and time again, after being both captivated and astonished with how a two-legged dog (with an undershot jaw) had survived on the streets of China for so many years.

A two-legged stray dog has given birth to a litter of puppies in China - and all of their legs are in full working order. The stray, which was named Si Bao by an owner who later abandoned her, gave birth to four healthy puppies near Kouguan railway station in Datong, Shanxi Province in the north of the country.

Carrot, our wonderful staff member in Guangzhou, immediately began making enquiries, contacting the staff at the station and gaining their permission for us to adopt Si Bao and her pups. Coincidentally, as we discovered, caring people from across the world were also following up the story and offering these two street dogs a home. In particular, Rebecca from Canada, Sissel from Norway, and Karene from the USA were all working together in a network of help which, in a combined effort of all, saw Si Bao and her sickly pups finally being taken in to the loving care of Dr Xue and his team at the Datong Meilian Zhonghe Veterinary Hospital.

Since then, they"ve had multiple staff and volunteers in our vet department caring for them, as they"ve finished off their quarantine, preventing any disease threat to our bears and other resident dogs and cats. And as you can see from the photo below, taken by Saladin Zhu, there is no shortage of help!

Dogs as well as people here in China can have both a Chinese and Western name. So Si Bao was also given an English name of Lelly by none other than UK actress, Lesley Nicol, who plays cook Mrs Patmore in Downton Abbey. Lesley"s nickname as a child had been Lelly, and she thought that the name would suit Si Bao too.

Vet nurse Vicki and I have long commented that Xiao Hua looks like Muppet, one of the two dogs we share. And, now she"s maturing, she also reminds me of my beautiful dog of 14 years, Eddie, who died earlier this month and was featured on the blog recently too.

As our sanctuary has quite a few resident dogs and cats, Lelly and Muddie"s next adventure will be leaving Chengdu in a few weeks, to live permanently with my other four legged family in Hong Kong............and perhaps fill a little of the gap on the floor that Eddie left behind.

Pugs are one of three types of short-nosed dogs that are known to have been bred by the Chinese: the Lion dog, the Pekingese, and the Lo-sze, which was the ancient Pug. Some think that the famous "Foo Dogs" of China are representations of the ancient Pug. Evidence of Pug-like dogs has been found in ancient Tibet and Japan.

Pugs quickly became favorites of royal households throughout Europe, and even played a role in the history of many of these families. In Holland, the Pug became the official dog of the House of Orange after a Pug reportedly saved the life of William, Prince of Orange, by giving him a warning that the Spaniards were approaching in 1572. When William of Orange (later called William III) went to England in 1688 with his wife, Mary II, to take the throne from James II, they brought their Pugs with them.

As the Pug"s popularity spread throughout Europe, it was often known by different names in different countries. In France, it was called Carlin; in Spain Dogullo; in Germany Mops; and in Italy, Caganlino.

In the early 1800s, Pugs were standardized as a breed with two lines becoming dominant in England. One line was called the Morrison line and, reportedly, was founded upon the royal dogs of Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. The other line was developed by Lord and Lady Willoughby d"Eresby, and was founded on dogs imported from Russia or Hungary.

Meanwhile, in China, Pugs continued to be bred by the royal families. When the British overran the Chinese Imperial Palace in 1860, they discovered several Pugs, and brought some of the little dogs back to England with them.

Two Pugs named Lamb and Moss were brought to England. These two "pure" Chinese lines were bred and produced Click. He was an outstanding dog and was bred many times to dogs of both the Willoughby and Morrison lines. Click is credited with making Pugs a better breed overall and shaping the modern Pug as we know it today.

Pugs were introduced to the United States after the Civil War, and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. At first, Pugs were very popular, but by the turn of the century, interest in the breed waned. A few dedicated breeders kept breeding and, after some years, the breed regained popularity. Founded in 1931, the Pug Dog Club of America was also recognized by the AKC that year.

Prognathism, also called Habsburg jaw or Habsburgs" jawHouse of Habsburg,mandible or maxilla to the skeletal base where either of the jaws protrudes beyond a predetermined imaginary line in the coronal plane of the skull.general dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and orthodontics, this is assessed clinically or radiographically (cephalometrics). The word prognathism derives from Greek πρό (pro, meaning "forward") and γνάθος (gnáthos, "jaw"). One or more types of prognathism can result in the common condition of malocclusion, in which an individual"s top teeth and lower teeth do not align properly.

Mandibular prognathism, where teeth have almost reached their final, straight position by dental braces. This makes the prognathism more obvious, and it will take an operation, moving the jaw backwards, to give the ultimate result.

Prognathism should not be confused with micrognathism, although combinations of both are found. It affects the middle third of the face, causing it to jut out, thereby increasing the facial area, similar to the phenotype of archaic hominids and other apes. Mandibular prognathism is a protrusion of the mandible, affecting the lower third of the face. Alveolar prognathism is a protrusion of that portion of the maxilla where the teeth are located, in the dental lining of the upper jaw.

Prognathism can also be used to describe ways that the maxillary and mandibular dental arches relate to one another, including malocclusion (where the upper and lower teeth do not align). When there is maxillary or alveolar prognathism which causes an alignment of the maxillary incisors significantly anterior to the lower teeth, the condition is called an overjet. When the reverse is the case, and the lower jaw extends forward beyond the upper, the condition is referred to as retrognathia (reverse overjet).

Pathologic mandibular prognathism is a potentially disfiguring genetic disorder where the lower jaw outgrows the upper, resulting in an extended chin and a crossbite. In both humans and animals, it can be the result of inbreeding.shih tzus and boxers, it can lead to problems such as underbite.

Although more common than appreciated, the best known historical example is Habsburg jaw, or Habsburg or Austrian lip, due to its prevalence in members of the House of Habsburg, which can be traced in their portraits.geneticists and pedigree analysis; most instances are considered polygenic,

Allegedly introduced into the family by a member of the Piast dynasty, it is clearly visible on family tomb sculptures in St. John"s Cathedral, Warsaw. A high propensity for politically motivated intermarriage among Habsburgs meant the dynasty was virtually unparalleled in the degree of its inbreeding. Charles II of Spain, who lived 1661 to 1700, is said to have had the most pronounced case of the Habsburg jaw on record,consanguineous marriages in the dynasty preceding his birth.

Peacock, Zachary S.; Klein, Katherine P.; Mulliken, John B.; Kaban, Leonard B. (September 2014). "The Habsburg Jaw-re-examined". American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part A. 164A (9): 2263–2269. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.36639. PMID 24942320. S2CID 35651759.

Zamudio Martínez, Gabriela; Zamudio Martínez, Adriana (2020). "A Royal Family Heritage: The Habsburg Jaw". Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine. 22 (2): 120–121. doi:10.1089/fpsam.2019.29017.mar. PMID 32083497. S2CID 211232475.

Vilas, Román; Ceballos, Francisco C.; Al-Soufi, Laila; González-García, Raúl; Moreno, Carlos; Moreno, Manuel; Villanueva, Laura; Ruiz, Luis; Mateos, Jesús; González, David; Ruiz, Jennifer; Cinza, Aitor; Monje, Florencio; Álvarez, Gonzalo (17 November 2019). "Is the "Habsburg jaw" related to inbreeding?". Annals of Human Biology. 46 (7–8): 553–561. doi:10.1080/03014460.2019.1687752. PMID 31786955. S2CID 208536371.

With a name to make you chuckle—it"s actually pronounced "sheed-zoo" or "sheet-su"—the shih tzu is a perennially popular dog breed, especially for those seeking a pet with good looks. Their long, beautiful coats and adorable faces turn heads everywhere they go, and shih tzus delight in the attention. But they aren"t just easy on the eyes; these pups will tug at your heartstrings, too. Shih tzus are very loyal and dish out lots of affection for their owners. They have literally perfected the role of lap dog for more than a thousand years.

Their name translates to "little lion"—a nod to their ancient Chinese heritage, but a misnomer for the gentle pooch—and they also have a whole host of other nicknames:  "under-the-table dog," "Fu dog," "shock dog," "sleeve dog," "Tibetan poodle," and the "chrysanthemum-faced dog" thanks to their unique facial fur, which has the appearance of flower petals.

Shih tzus do have unique smiles, thanks to their undershot bite. A shih tzu"s lower jaw is just wider than the upper jaw, so their upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth when their mouth is closed. And the hair on their faces grows in every direction, including up from their snout, and must be groomed often so it doesn"t hang in front of their eyes.

Because of their royal heritage—Chinese royalty kept these dogs as companions—a shih tzu carries itself with great pride. Some say they are even a bit arrogant in their gait: Head held high and tail curved over the back.

Shih tzus coexist peacefully with cats and other dogs. And because they were bred to spend the day within the walls of a palace, shih tzus are ideal for apartment dwellers or other homes without a lot of outdoor space. As long as they can be near their owner, shih tzus are happy anywhere.

One frustrating quirk to keep an eye on is the shih tzus propensity to eat their own (or other animals") feces. Don"t let it become a habit. Watch your pup closely while on walks or at the dog park, and clean up her poop right away.

Left: Shih tzus love companionship, be it with their humans or other animals. They coexist well with cats and other dogs, making ideal furry siblings. | Credit: Alex / Adobe Stock

While it"s tempting to tote your pup with you all the time, it will impact your shih tzu"s behavior. "Because of their small size, they tend to get carried around and not be trained as much so it"s hard to know whether they are very biddable." Nichols says. She and other experts recommend crate training, which can be especially helpful when you travel with you shih tzu. Remember to be consistent, patient, and use positive reinforcement when training any dog.

A shih tzu may not lose her baby teeth before her permanent teeth come in, which may require a trip to the vet for extraction. Because the breed has an undershot jaw, they can also have missing or misaligned teeth. With a shih tzu puppy, you may deal with a lot of snuffles, snorts, and loud snoring as she teethes. As she gets older, she may suffer from reverse sneezing—a wheezing sound made when she"s overly excited—gulp her food too quickly, or encounter an allergen.

Digging into the history of the shih tzu is like taking a mini lesson in east Asian history. According to the Shih Tzu Club, this breed dates back at least 1,000 years, with records of "under the table" dogs appearing in China all the way back to 8,000 B.C. It"s believed they were originally bred in Tibet—some say by Tibetan monks—and the tiny dogs were sent to the Chinese emperors as gifts. It"s believed the Chinese then bred them with Pekingese and pugs or Lhasa apsos to create the shih tzu we know today.

Other legends abound when it comes to shih tzus" royal heritage. It"s reported that in the 13th century Marco Polo discovered that Mongolian Emperor Kublai Khan kept small "lion" dogs, believed to be shih tzus, with trained hunting lions to keep them calm. (It"s worth noting that Pekingese is also called "lion dog" in Chinese.) There are records of the Chinese royal family keeping shih tzu-like dogs during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) as well.

Folklore says Buddha traveled with a little dog believed to be a shih tzu. One day while they were traveling, robbers approached Buddha and the little dog transformed into a ferocious lion, caring off the robbers and saving Buddha"s life. The lion turned back into the little dog, which Buddha picked up and kissed. Many shih tzus have a white spot on their heads that"s said to mark the spot of Buddha"s kiss.

When shih tzus were facing extinction, seven males and seven females were used to rebuild the breed. Today, every shih tzu can be traced to those 14 dogs.

Undershot is a class III malocclusion that is also referred to as mandibular prognathism, maxillary brachygnathism, mandibular mesioclusion, or an underbite. This malocclusion is characterized by a shorter upper jaw and a longer lower jaw, resulting in lower teeth that are in front of the upper teeth. While this condition is normal for some breeds, such as Bulldogs, in many breeds it is unusual. An undershot jaw occurs when the lower jaw grows faster than normal and becomes longer than the upper jaw, and is usually evident around 8 weeks of age in puppies. This misalignment can cause soft tissue trauma, such as to the lips. When the incisors meet instead of fitting next to each other, it is called a level bite. When the malocclusion causes the lower incisors to be placed in front of the upper incisors, it is called a reverse scissors bite.

The cause of overshot and undershot jaws in dogs relate to the increased or decreased rate of growth of the upper and lower jaws in relation to one another. This can occur due to a: Genetic disorder Trauma; Systemic infection ;Nutritional disorder; Endocrine disorder; Abnormal setting of puppy teeth; Early or late loss of puppy teeth.

After a quick physical exam, your vet may have to sedate your dog in order to perform a thorough oral exam. This will assess your dog’s skull type and teeth location in relation to the teeth on the opposite jaw. Often, the placement of the upper and lower incisors in relation to one another can determine what type of malocclusion your dog has. Your vet will note any areas of trauma due to teeth striking those areas, and any cysts, tumors, abscesses, or remaining puppy teeth that may be present. A dental X-ray can also help to assess the health of the jaws and teeth. These diagnostic methods will lead to a diagnosis of an overshot or undershot jaw in your dog.

Treatment of a jaw misalignment will depend on the severity of the condition. If your dog has a misalignment, but can still bite and chew food without problems, no treatment may be needed. If the misalignment is caught early in a puppy’s life, it may only be temporary and may correct itself over time. However, there are times when intervention may be needed. If your puppy’s teeth are stopping the normal growth of his jaws, then surgery to remove those puppy teeth may be performed. This may allow the jaws to continue to grow, but will not make them grow. For older dogs who are experiencing pain and trauma due to misaligned jaws and teeth, oral surgery is generally performed to extract teeth that are causing trauma, to move teeth so that they fit, or to create space for a misaligned tooth to occupy. Other therapies include crown reductions or braces.

If your dog is genetically programmed to have an overshot or undershot jaw, intervention can help, but will not slow or stop the abnormal growth of either jaw. Prevent jaw misalignments in puppies by not breeding dogs who have overshot or undershot jaws.