48 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



sides, and bent somewhat backwards, and there is a decided 

 cavity, in which a pulpy substance is enclosed. This, how- 

 ever, is gradually contracted as the age of the dog increases. 

 " M. F. Cuvier speaks of certain supernumerary teeth occa- 

 sionally developed in each of the jaws. There- is much 

 irregularity accompanying them, and they have, even been 

 supposed to have extended to seven or eight in number."— 

 Youatt. 



The following notes are extracted from Professor Simonds' 

 lecture on this subject : — " The dog at birth, as a rule, has no 

 teeth, but if we examine the gums we may plainly see the out- 

 line of them, and easily count the number, and the same ap- 

 plies to the molars. When about one month old the tem- 

 porary teeth seem to be all complete, and cut through the 

 gums. After that period very little is to be observed, except 

 the growth of them. In the course of a very short time the 

 temporary teeth may be observed giving way. It is difficult 

 to say which permanent ones come first, but he (Professor 

 Simonds), from his observations, believes the corner incisors 

 and tushes do so, and not unfrequently it is the same with 

 the temporary ones. The cutting of the permanent teeth 

 commences at the age of four months, and at about six 

 months the animal generally has them all, and at eighteen 

 months dentition is complete. Perhaps up to about a year old 

 there is not much difficulty in telling the age of the dog. If 

 properly kept the teeth will be sharp and white, without wear, 

 because if fed on soft food they would be preserved much 

 longer (?) ; while on the other hand, if the meal consists of 

 bones and hard food, they will be worn away much sooner, 

 and seeing these things, we must judge accordingly. At 

 three years old, as a rule, they will present a worn surface ; 

 beyond this we have nothing more to guide us." 



