Skip to content

Public index · Biology

Forty-two teeth

42

teeth
Measured

Adult canine permanent dental formula: 42 teeth.

An adult dog, in the normal formula, has forty-two permanent teeth. Twenty on top, twenty-two below. Puppies have twenty-eight. Missing teeth are variation or pathology, not a second standard.

What it supports

Merck Veterinary Manual states the count. Formula 2 × (I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/3) = 42. Ohio State CVM teaching text uses the same. Species-specific. Cats 30. Humans 32.

What it does not

Not every visible mouth. Extractions and unerupted teeth happen. Not a myth about dogs. Not Adams.

ExactnessCount

Form42

Unitteeth

Strengthhard

Source

Merck Veterinary Manual · Dentition, dog

Owner

THE 42 INDEX