Canines — Dogs

The story behind the answer

These long, pointed “fangs” are canines. Dogs use them to grip and puncture, hold toys or prey, and tear meat. By contrast, incisors are the small front nippers, while premolars and molars are broader for shearing and grinding.

Fun fact: “Canine” comes from Latin canis, meaning dog—so dogs literally give the tooth its name. Dogs have four canines (two upper, two lower) with deep roots that make them strong tools and visible signals in displays. Memory tip: Canines are the classic fangs—think “canine teeth in canines.”