Adult dogs typically have 42 permanent teeth: 20 on the top jaw and 22 on the bottom jaw.

Quick Scoop: Dog Adult Teeth 🐶

How many teeth, exactly?

  • Most healthy adult dogs have 42 teeth in total.
  • That’s more than humans, who usually have 32 teeth.
  • The 42 teeth are usually in place by about 6–7 months of age.

Simple breakdown of those 42 teeth

  • 12 incisors (small front teeth for nibbling and grooming).
  • 4 canines (the long “fangs” for gripping and tearing).
  • 16 premolars (side teeth for shearing food).
  • 10 molars (back teeth for grinding).

These are split as:

  • 20 teeth in the upper jaw.
  • 22 teeth in the lower jaw.

Quick note about puppy vs. adult teeth

  • Puppies have 28 “baby” teeth before they get their adult set.
  • Adult teeth start erupting around 3–7 months of age, replacing the puppy teeth.

Why your dog might not have 42

Not every adult dog ends up with all 42 teeth:

  • Some may have had extractions due to dental disease or damage.
  • A few may have missing teeth or slightly different patterns due to genetics or jaw shape (more common in some small or flat‑faced breeds).

If your dog seems to have fewer teeth, bad breath, or trouble chewing, a dental check with your vet is a good idea.

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Wondering how many adult teeth dogs have? Learn why most adult dogs have 42 teeth, how they’re arranged, and what it means if your pup has fewer.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.