How Many Teeth do Chihuahuas Have? Chihuahuas may be small dogs, but they have sharp teeth which make them look more dangerous than they should.
An adult Chihuahua has a complete set of teeth that is composed of 42 teeth. Today in this article, we will explain briefly about the Chihuahua’s teeth.
How Many Teeth do Chihuahuas Have?
What Is Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed among all dogs. From their fiery personality, adorable small size, and hunting eyes these Mexican dogs are popular all over the world. They are good apartment dogs because of their small-size they don’t need a big space for living. Their height reaches a maximum of 8 inches when standing on their fours and their weight is between 6 to 8 pounds.
They are not the best dogs to keep around small childs, because they are fragile dogs. They are also considered one of the most aggressive dog breeds in the world. Their aggressive personality is bigger than their size.
History Of Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are an ancient dog breed that originated in Mexico. They get their name from the region of Mexico, Chihuahua. It is estimated by the researchers that the first dog in the world was like a Chihuahua. In 1904, this was officially recognized by the American kennel Club as a breed.
What Kind Of Teeth Do Chihuahua Have
Chihuahua have a complete set of mammalian teeth: incisors, canines, molars, and premolars. The Chihuahua’s teeth may look random in appearance, and may appear as though they are all battling with each other for space. Chihuahua’s teeth are short but pointing, making them look like they are always ready to bite. You have seen their teeth grinding against each other to show its anger.
How Many Teeth Do Chihuahua Have
Chihuahuas have exactly as many teeth as many other dog breeds. An adult Chihuahua has a complete set of teeth that is composed of 42 teeth. The standard dental formula for dogs is as follows;
- Incisors 3/3
- Canines 1/1
- Premolars 4/4
- Molars 3/3
Wherein the number represented by top/bottom, apply on all four sides of the jaws: up, down, right and left.
Chihuahuas have not more teeth than usual but as just more than their tiny Chihuahua jaw can handle. If you are even playing with a Chihuahua, you can see that their teeth appear to be vying for space in the mouth.
Chihuahua Teeth Chart
You can see in the given chart which show how the different types of teeth are arranged and placed in the mouth.
In the above chart you can see how their teeth are divided up between the different tooth types.
Incisors: 12 teeth in total
The incisors tend to be the smallest teeth in the Chihuahua’s mouth and are present at the front of their jaws. They are primarily used for scraping. By using these teeth, the Chihuahua can tear meat away from the bone or to remove gunk from their hair. Chihuahuas have 6 incisors on the top and 6 on the bottom of the jaw.
Canines: 4 teeth in total
These are the long pointing teeth that you can see in the above chart. They have a fang like appearance and are present behind the incisors. The canines are used for tearing meat apart. Chihuahua have 2 canine teeth at the top and 2 at the bottom of the haws.
Premolars: 16 teeth in total
Premolars are sharp edge teeth that are present behind the canines and are used for shredding meat and food. Chihuahuas have 8 premolars at the top and 8 at the bottom of the jaws.
Molars: 10 teeth in total
Molars are placed at the right back of the Chihuahua’s mouth, and are used to break down harder and tougher food like kibble. They are flat on the top, so they can grind up most food types. Chihuahua have 4 molars at the top and 6 at the bottom of the jaws.
Do Chihuahua Loose Teeth
Just like humans and other dog breeds, Chihuahua do also have baby teeth that they lose eventually. These teeth are called deciduous teeth. Their teeth are eventually replaced by permanent ones, usually at 8 months of age.
When the Chihuahua puppy is born, they have no teeth like humans, their teeth start to appear around 5 to 6 weeks. There are 28 such Chihuahua baby teeth and they gradually fall off around 6 to 8 months of age, and get replaced with the 42 adult teeth. The adult teeth stay on for a lifetime.
Dental Issues In Chihuahua
Overcrowding of teeth is most common in small breeds like Chihuahua, which means that the natural tooth cleaning procedure is more difficult. Chihuahuas do not regrow their adult teeth, so pet owners must be careful about their Chihuahua’s dental death. They are prone to teeth problems due to their small size, thus they commonly do not have a complete set of 42 teeth, often resulting in missing teeth.
Keeping your Chihuahuas white teeth clean and healthy is just as important as taking care of the rest of your dog. Here are few common dental issues to be aware of;
- Jaw Fracture
- Periodontal Disease
- Cysts formed from unerupted teeth
- Missing teeth
- Malocclusion
- Tooth decay and other major issues
How Do I Know If My Chihuahua Have Bad Teeth
All dogs can be in danger of dental problems but the small dogs are more susceptible than larger dogs due to the structure of their mouth. The periodontal disease affects the tooth supporting tissues and can lead to tooth loss. Dental disease can also put your dog at risk of developing heart disease. There are certain obvious signs that may suggest your dog requires medical attention. Some of these are given below:
- Bad breath
- Bleeding or inflamed gums
- Bloody or “ropey” saliva
- Blood on toys
- Discolored teeth (brown or yellow)
- Irritability
- Favoring one side of the mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Loose or missing teeth
CONCLUSION
Chihuahuas are the world’s most popular dog breed and are known for their small size and big personality. They first originated in Mexico. They are loyal, intelligent, friendly, confident and charming dogs. Chihuahuas have exactly as many teeth as many other dog breeds. An adult Chihuahua has a complete set of teeth that is composed of 42 teeth.
Your Chihuahua faces many tooth problems, as a responsible owner it is necessary to keep their Chihuahua’s teeth clean and healthy. Chihuahuas are one of the dog breeds with the longest lifespan, so healthy and strong teeth can also play an important role in their lifespan.
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