Fig 15-01b Dog cranium (ventral view). The dental formula for the adult dog includes three incisors, one large canine, four premolars, and two molars on the maxilla, and three incisors, one canine, four premolars, and three molars on the mandible (not shown). In the carnivores, the large canines are used to seize and dispatch prey. The sectorial cheek teeth work like a pair of scissors to cut meat into pieces that are small enough to be swallowed. The dog’s dental formula is 3/3.1/1.4/4.2/3.