Archie is now five months old - all of his incisors are now in (and the baby teeth out), the premolars and molars are coming in (this in an ongoing process, some of the baby premolars and molars are out).

However, his canines - the upper adult teeth are just starting to erupt (only a few millimetres are showing, maybe quarter of an inch at most) but the baby canines aren't even loose yet (the lower adult canines are barely visible yet, although one of the lower baby canines is very slightly loose).

Is this normal? Despite having brought up four other goldies (the last being a few years ago) I simply can't remember.

I know that retained baby teeth can be a problem, but at what point should I be concerned and need to take him to the vet? Naturally I don't want the baby canines to interfere with the growth/angle of growth of the adult canines.

Thanks

Yep, totally normal. Don't worry until the adults are fully in. Retained teeth are not common in goldens.

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Sarah

Ruby: Topbrass Ravishing Ruby CDX, RAE, JH, AX, OAJ, XF, WCX, CCA, VC, CGC, TT (8/1/04)
Piper: Topbrass Pipe Dream CD, JH, RA, OAP, NJP, WC, CCA (7/19/09)
Sage: Prime Time Sage RN, CGC (10/27/97-12/2/12)

With Rose it took about a week or so before the baby canines fell off. I was worried just like you but it solved on its own and her canines are quite pretty and straight. I would have probably taken her in after a couple weeks if the baby ones wee still in.

Thanks for the replies.

So, in short - don't worry unless the baby teeth are still there when the adult teeth are fully grown?

I wouldn't worry at all if the pup is 8 mos and the teeth are still there then talk to the vet you might have to have them pulled but honestly just about the time I am thinking shoot these aren't gonna come out... they come out... I wouldn't worry if you want to help them along a bit later get a rope bone tug and play some tug... (never leave a rope bone unsupervised) but play a good game of tug and then look for blood on the rope... if you see blood check the teeth if the tooth is gone start searching and you will find the baby tooth on the floor or in the rope bone... I often will play rope bone tug and wiggle the baby teeth for the pup just to help them along

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Shalva and the Milbrose Retrievers and Irish Wolfhound
Milbrose Retrievers and Irish Wolfhounds

Thanks for the info and the tip, a good idea re tugging. Thankfully he plays tug a lot with one of my elder dogs so that should help.

A small update - the upper left baby canine came out a few days ago, but the upper right baby canine is still very firmly in place. Hopefully that too will come out soon. We'll see ...........