Wolf & Dog Teeth Comparison

Wolves and dogs are closely related. Both belong to the mammalian carnivora family, they can be interbred and many dogs (particularly the Northern breeds such as Siberians and Huskies) may be mistaken for wolves at first glance. However, there are significant differences between the two, physically and temperamentally. Among many other points of divergence, a comparison between wolf and dog teeth reveals several differences, possibly relating to centuries of different diet.

History

The wolf used to be classified as canis lupus, and the domestic dog as canis familiaris. While it was long accepted that dogs descended from wolves, the technology for analyzing DNA did not exist until late in the 20th century to prove this. In 1993, the taxonomic classification was changed, as research then proved that wolves and dogs were from the same genus or family. Since then, dogs have been classified as canis lupus familiaris.

Dental Differences

Wolves and dogs have the same number of teeth, 42 in all. However, wolf teeth are much larger in comparison to the size of the skull, with their canine teeth reaching up to 2 inches long. They also have stronger jaw muscles than dogs of similar size.

Bite Types

All wolves, as with most dog breeds, have a scissors bite, meaning the upper and lower teeth align and rest smoothly together when the mouth is closed. Some breeds, however, have been bred to have an undershot bite, such as an English Bulldog with its lower jaw protruding beyond the upper jaw.

A proper scissors bite is necessary for a carnivore to catch prey and eat the meat and bones efficiently. No wild carnivore would survive without a proper scissors bite, unlike an undershot dog.

Selective Versus Natural Breeding

In some cases of poor selective breeding, primarily with small toy dogs, the mouth is simply too small to accommodate the normal 42 teeth. This can lead to abnormal, crowded or tilted teeth. Dogs with poor dentition should not be bred as they will pass the tendency for bad teeth onto their offspring. This is unlikely to happen with wolves, since natural selection would eliminate wolves with bad teeth from the gene pool, as they would be unlikely to survive to adulthood.

Theories/Speculation

Two inter-related factors affect tooth size in dogs and wolves: nutrition and genetics. Primarily, the function of large, strong teeth is what allows a wolf to survive and thrive in the wild. The trait for truly functional teeth is then passed on to their offspring. Since for centuries, domestic dogs have not had to hunt for their own food, dentition has not been a necessary trait for survival, thus dog's teeth have become smaller.

Misconceptions

There is a common misconception that dogs are omnivores. The "omnivore" misnomer was attached to dogs in the 1950s, at the same time the commercial pet food companies started aggressively marketing the cereal-based kibble that most dogs now eat. While dogs can certainly survive on cereal-based pellets, they are a member of the family carnivora, are scientifically classified as carnivores and still retain the teeth and digestive system for eating like their cousins, the wolves.

References

• Features of a Wolf Skull Illustrated
• Types of Bites in Dogs