Dog Teething Age: When Puppies Start and Stop

Name: Dog Teething Age: When Puppies Start and Stop
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-10-02

Most puppies start teething at 3 to 5 weeks of age, when their 28 baby teeth begin pushing through the gums, and they finish when their last adult teeth arrive at about 7 months [1]. So the short answer to dog teething age is this: the process starts before you bring your puppy home and wraps up around the time they are 6 to 7 months old. What happens in between varies a lot by breed size, and knowing the timeline helps you spot problems early.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

Baby teeth start erupting at 3 to 5 weeks of age, and most puppies have their full set of 28 deciduous teeth by about 8 weeks [1].
Permanent teeth begin appearing at around 4 to 5 months, and all 42 adult teeth are usually present by 7 months [1].
Small, toy, and flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds tend to run later than large breeds, sometimes by several weeks [2][3].
Loose baby teeth and mild gum irritation are normal. A tooth that stays put while the adult tooth comes in beside it is not.
By 7 to 8 months, most of the teething drama is over, and your dog's adult teeth should be checked once by a veterinarian.

The Puppy Teething Timeline, Month by Month

3 to 5 Weeks: Baby Teeth Arrive

The deciduous teeth, also called baby teeth or milk teeth, begin to erupt at 3 to 5 weeks of age [1]. Puppies are still with their mother at this stage. The incisors (the small front teeth) usually come in first, followed by the canines and then the premolars.

A 2022 study of 1,001 puppies from 53 breeds found that the upper incisors and canines tend to appear slightly earlier than the lower ones, while upper premolars come in later than lower premolars [2]. That level of detail matters more to breeders and veterinarians than to the average owner, but it explains why two littermates can look different at the same age.

6 to 8 Weeks: A Full Set of 28 Baby Teeth

Most puppies have all 28 deciduous teeth by about 8 weeks [1]. This is also the age when many puppies leave their mother, since they can feed themselves at 7 to 8 weeks [4]. If you are bringing home a puppy in this window, you may notice they chew on everything, including your hands. That is normal mouthing behavior, not aggression.

This is also a good time to start thinking about the rest of your puppy's care. If you are planning to have your dog spayed or neutered, see When to Spay or Neuter a Puppy: Optimal Age and Health Considerations for how that decision lines up with the teething months.

8 to 12 Weeks: The Mouthing Peak

Puppies in this range explore the world with their mouths, and their baby teeth are sharp. A study of 297 puppies between 8 and 12 weeks of age found that 26 percent had some form of malocclusion, meaning the teeth did not line up normally [5]. Purebred single dogs had a higher rate (33.8 percent) than mixed breeds (20 percent) [5]. Most of these bite problems are mild, but this is the age when a veterinarian can first spot them.

If your puppy is still with their littermates or just left them, the weaning and socialization window overlaps with this stage. Our guide to Weaning Puppies 3-8 Weeks: Gruel Transition and Socialization Window covers what that transition looks like.

4 to 5 Months: Adult Teeth Start Coming In

Permanent teeth usually begin to appear at around 4 to 5 months of age [1]. The first adult teeth are often the incisors or the first premolars, depending on the breed [3]. You may find tiny teeth on the floor or in your puppy's bed. That is expected.

This is the messiest part of the process. The gums can look red and slightly swollen, and your puppy may drool more or chew harder than usual. A 2023 study of 440 puppies from 82 breeds confirmed that breed size and skull shape have a real effect on timing. Small, toy, and brachycephalic breeds erupt their adult teeth considerably later than large breeds [3].

5 to 7 Months: The Home Stretch

The canines and the remaining premolars and molars come through in this window. A 2026 study of male dogs found that permanent canine eruption tracks closely with pubertal maturation, and it predicted underlying hormonal and tissue changes better than the standard 6-month age cutoff alone [6]. In plain terms, when you see those adult canines settle in, your dog is physically maturing, not just teething.

All permanent teeth are typically present by 7 months of age [1]. After that, the teething phase is done.

7 Months and Older: Adult Teeth Only

Once the adult teeth are in, the mouth stops changing quickly. in published veterinary research on, age estimation by teeth shifts from eruption timing to wear patterns. For most large adult dogs with normal teeth and jaws, a veterinarian can examine wear on the teeth and give an age estimate. This is harder in small and toy breeds [1]. That is the practical version of "dog teeth by age" in adult and senior dogs.

Dog Teeth by Age: Comparison Table

Age	What is happening	What you should do
3 to 5 weeks	Baby teeth begin to erupt [1]	Nothing, puppy is with mother
6 to 8 weeks	All 28 baby teeth usually present [1]	Start gentle mouth handling and vet visit
8 to 12 weeks	Mouthing peak, bite alignment can be checked [5]	Provide safe chews, ask vet about the bite
4 to 5 months	Adult teeth begin to appear [1]	Expect loose teeth, keep chewing appropriate
5 to 7 months	Canines and remaining teeth erupt [1][6]	Watch for retained baby teeth
7 months	All 42 adult teeth typically present [1]	Schedule an oral exam
Adult and senior years	Wear patterns used to estimate age [1]	Routine dental care and checkups

What to Do Step by Step

Check the mouth weekly. Lift the lips gently and look at the front teeth and canines. You are looking for redness, broken teeth, or a baby tooth sitting next to an adult tooth.
Offer appropriate chews. Firm rubber toys and veterinary dental chews give the gums something to work against. Avoid hard antlers, hooves, and rocks, which can fracture adult teeth as they come in.
Cool the gums. A chilled (not frozen solid) washcloth or a toy kept in the refrigerator can soothe sore gums. Never use ice cubes directly on the gums.
Keep up with vaccines. Puppies need vaccinations every 2 to 3 weeks until about 4 months of age, and they should stay away from unvaccinated dogs or dogs of unknown vaccine status until the series is complete [4]. Teething does not change this schedule.
Handle the mouth on purpose. Touch the gums, lift the lips, and reward calm behavior. This makes future veterinary dental exams much easier.
Book the 6 to 7 month exam. This is the ideal time for a veterinarian to confirm all adult teeth are present and no baby teeth are retained.

Signs Something Is Wrong

Normal teething looks like this: red gums, extra drooling, chewing, occasional loose teeth, and maybe a day or two of softer appetite.

Call your veterinarian if you see any of the following.

A baby tooth that will not fall out. If an adult tooth is coming in and the baby tooth is still firmly in place, it needs to be evaluated. Retained deciduous teeth are a known problem in some breeds, including Yorkshire Terriers [7].
A tooth that looks discolored. Generalized discoloration of both baby and adult teeth can signal a hereditary disorder of tooth development, as described in a case report of a 1-year-old Labrador Retriever [8].
A broken or dead-looking tooth. Nonvital incisors are common enough in small breed dogs that researchers recommend a higher index of suspicion in at-risk animals, since untreated nonvital teeth can lead to infection and pain [9].
Bleeding that does not stop, swelling on the face, or a puppy that will not eat for more than a day.
A bite that looks off. If the lower jaw juts out or the upper jaw overshoots, have it checked. Malocclusion was found in 26 percent of puppies in one 8 to 12 week study [5].

Common Mistakes Owners Make

Pulling loose baby teeth. Let them come out on their own. Pulling can break the root and cause infection.

Assuming small breeds follow the same clock. They do not. Small, toy, and brachycephalic breeds erupt teeth later and with more individual variation [2][3]. A 2023 study of Yorkshire Terriers found that dogs weighing 3 kg or less lost baby teeth and erupted adult teeth later than dogs over 5 kg [7].

Ignoring the mouth because the puppy seems fine. Many dental problems are painless at first. A retained tooth or a misaligned bite is much easier to fix at 6 months than at 3 years.

Using hard chews to "help" teeth come in. Chewing helps, but hard objects can crack adult teeth that are still mineralizing.

Skipping the vaccine series because of teething. These are separate issues. Puppies are susceptible to infections until they have all their shots [4].

Confusing teething with a behavioral problem. Biting during play at 3 to 4 months is normal development. Our Puppy Training Guide By Age explains how to redirect it without punishment.

Supplies and Setup That Actually Help

You do not need much, but a few items make this stage easier.

Two or three rubber chew toys in different firmness levels. Rotate them so there is always something novel.
A washcloth you do not mind ruining. Wet it, chill it, let your puppy gnaw.
A small flashlight or your phone light. Good lighting makes it much easier to see whether a baby tooth is still attached.
A calendar or phone reminder. Mark the 6 to 7 month window for the dental check.
A soft toothbrush and dog-safe toothpaste. Starting now builds a habit that protects the adult teeth for life.

If your puppy is also going through other developmental changes, such as a first heat cycle in females, our articles on How Long Does A Dog Period Last and How Long Do Dog Periods Last cover that separate timeline.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

Age estimation from teeth is not exact. In dogs, because the incisors are relatively short, determining age in young animals is only somewhat accurate and relies mostly on eruption timing. Wear patterns work better for large adult dogs with normal teeth and jaws, and are harder to read in small and toy breeds [1]. Every dog is an individual, and only a veterinarian who examines your dog can assess their mouth and overall health.

Contact a veterinarian the same day if you see:

A puppy that refuses food for more than 24 hours
Bleeding from the mouth that does not stop with gentle pressure
Facial swelling, especially under the eye or along the jaw
A tooth that is visibly broken with a dark or pink center

Go to an emergency clinic now if you see:

Difficulty breathing, gagging, or a toy or chew lodged in the mouth or throat
Collapse, severe lethargy, or a swollen, painful abdomen
Uncontrolled bleeding

Schedule a routine visit for:

A retained baby tooth next to an adult tooth
A bite that looks abnormal
Discolored teeth
Any dental concern you notice between regular checkups

Frequently Asked Questions

When do dogs stop teething?

Most dogs finish teething when their last adult teeth arrive, which is typically by 7 months of age. Small and toy breeds may run a few weeks later than that. After 7 months, the mouth is usually stable and the focus shifts to dental care instead of tooth eruption.

When do dogs start teething?

Baby teeth begin to erupt at 3 to 5 weeks of age, well before most puppies go to a new home. By about 8 weeks, the full set of baby teeth is usually in place. The adult teeth then start replacing them at around 4 to 5 months.

Do puppies lose their baby teeth in a certain order?

Yes, there is a general pattern. Incisors tend to be lost first, followed by premolars and then canines. The exact timing depends on body weight and breed, with smaller dogs running later than larger ones.

Can a veterinarian tell how old a dog is by looking at their teeth?

For adult dogs, yes, to a degree. Veterinarians can examine wear patterns on the teeth and estimate age in most large dogs with normal teeth and jaws. The estimate is less reliable in small and toy breeds, and in young puppies it depends mostly on which teeth have erupted.

What if my puppy still has baby teeth at 7 months?

That is worth a veterinary visit. A retained baby tooth can crowd the adult tooth and trap food and plaque. Your veterinarian will examine the mouth and decide whether the tooth needs to be removed, often during a routine dental procedure.

References

Dental Development of Dogs - Dog Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Time and sequence of emergence of the deciduous dentition in dogs and its applicability for age estimation. Anatomia, histologia, embryologia, 2022.
Time and sequence of the replacement of the deciduous by the permanent dentition in dogs and its applicability for age estimation. Anatomia, histologia, embryologia, 2023.
Puppy Care - Dog Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Prevalence of Malocclusion of Deciduous Dentition in Dogs: An Evaluation of 297 Puppies. Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2019.
Linking Canine Teeth Eruption, Testicular Histology and Testosterone Levels as Indicators of Pubertal Maturation in Male Dogs. Anatomia, histologia, embryologia, 2026.
Development of Yorkshire Terrier Dentition. Veterinary sciences, 2023.
Dentinogenesis Imperfecta in a 1-Year-Old Female Labrador Retriever Dog: A Case Report and Literature Review. Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2024.
Radiographic Prevalence of Nonvital Incisor Teeth in Small Breed Dogs: A Retrospective Study (2017-2021). Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2026.