Has your pup ever looked at you with the cutest crooked-tooth grin? Or breathed in your face with roadkill-level dog breath? Taking care of your dog’s teeth can be a struggle. Our dog’s teeth are oftentimes signs of not so obvious diseases like cancer, diabetes and other infections. But some breeds are known for bad breath and other dental health issues.
That’s why we created BARK Bright, the first all-in-one dental cleaning system for dogs! Proven to reduce plaque buildup, freshen breath, and prevent periodontal disease, Bright will win pups over with the (real!) chicken flavor of the dental sticks and triple enzyme-powered toothpaste guaranteed to get them even more kisses.
Here are some breeds that tend to have more dental issues than most.
1. Pug
Those squishy faces may be cute but they usually have some of the worst teeth. Pugs are more prone to periodontal disease, which is when the tooth’s structure gets inflamed, which can lead to serious bad breath and pain for your Pug.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkie breath. Sound familiar? Yorkie’s are prone to tooth decay, tartar and plaque build up which can lead to their infamous breath. Since their teeth are small, these dental issues tend to go unnoticed. Pass the breath mints!
3. Chihuahua
The Chihuahua’s snout and mouth are tiny and are known for teeth crowding, especially if some of their baby teeth never fall out. Also be on the look out for when they are chewing particularly on one side more than the other; it could be a sign of gum disease, infection or a sore tooth.
4. Italian Greyhound
Though they are majestic dogs, Italian Greyhounds suffer from periodontal disease with root exposure as early as two years old, according to the National Greyhound Adoption Program. This can lead to bad breath, yellow crust near the gum line, missing teeth and sometimes loss of appetite.
5. Shetland Sheepdog
Shelties have long muzzles, making them prone to under and overbites and abnormal incisors which can be rotated or point outward, according to the Dr. Mary Mahaffey, DVM, from the American Shetland Sheepdog Association. Shelties also get Lance canines, when their canine teeth point out more than usual.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
How can a face that cute have breath smell so bad? Because, according to Banfield’s Applied Research and Knowledge (BARK) team, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are more prone to having tartar buildup, tooth loss, and gingivitis.
7. Maltese
Like most small breeds, Maltese’s teeth take their sweet time coming in. According to Mary Ann Paul and Vicki Fierheller from the American Maltese Association, most breeds lose their baby teeth at 3 1/2 months, but a Maltese doesn’t lose all of their teeth until 5 months. Maltese also tend to have an underbite, but don’t worry, it just adds to their cuteness.
Bad breath happens. Introduce regular brushing, dental check-ups and chew toys that your pup can chew on, so that your dog’s teeth to be cleaned by the natural process of chewing. Hopefully, your puppy’s smile will never make you frown again!
