My pug had only one testicle drop. My vet said this was common between pugs. Does anybody has any information?

Question

I just want to see the percentage of pugs since I am told I shouldn't breed him becuase it is a hereditary condition. But if this is indeed a common thing in this breed then it shouldn't be so bad as long as the female dog's owner is aware of the situation. I wouldn't mind taking care or finding good homes for any male dog that might be born with the condition.

Answer 1

When my pug was a puppy, he had this same condition. Once he was fixed, the vet corrected it and he is fine now. You should definitely try to get the condition fixed, otherwise your dog will be more prone to develop testicular cancer.

Answer 2

It would be impossible to ever know a true percentage. There are owners who may have a dog with a retained testicle and never realize it. (I have had people bring adult male dogs to me of my own breed, asking about showing them, and when I went over the dog, found out it had a retained testicle, which is a disqualifying fault in all breeds). There also have been dogs of many breeds who have finished championships and sired progeny, who have had one real testicle and a fake one (yes there are fake testicle implants, as well as a lot more such "cheating" tricks people do for show wins.)

Undescended testicles occur in all mammal species, even humans.It is not a rare thing in any breed of dog. There are many places between the point of a testicles descent out of the abdomen, to the scrotum, where something can go wrong. Often a testicle doesn't descend because the testicle failed to come down before the opening in the scrotum became too small for it to descend through! Retained testicles atrophy although they still put out male hormone and a dog has to have the retained testicle removed as well as the normal one, when he is neutered, or else the retained testicle will still produce male hormones. Retained testicles never produce sperm because the temperature inside the body is too high. A dog with one retained testicle and one normally descended one can be very fertile. A dog who has both testicles retained is always sterile.

A dog with an undescended testicle makes a fine pet, although can never be shown in the conformation ring. Although most serious breeding literature says that a dog with a retained testicle shouldn't be used for breeding, the facts are that there are dogs who haven't been shown, but who produced champions and the reason they weren't ever shown was because of a retained testicle. There are a number of different theories as to possible causes for testicles to be retained, but as far as I know, none have ever been definitely proven. Retained testicles is at least partly hereditary in some bloodlines and in some species.

Answer 3

Common? No. Perhaps your vet has seen one or two other Pugs with this problem and personally considers it to be common. Has your vet discussed the fact that the second testicle might be retained? This means the testicle didn't drop down and is up in the cavity. If not removed, the testicle will be very prone to developing cancer, cancer that will kill your pup at an early age.

It could be the testicle simply didn't develop at all. If so, it is likely your boy isn't even capable of reproducing. But if he does manage to do so, he will almost certainly pass on his problem to his pups.

And it IS a problem. Monorchid dogs (one testicle) should NOT be bred. Whether or not the owner of the female knows or not, YOU, as a responsible person, should not do it.

The operation for monorchid dogs to be neutered is much more extensive than a simple neutering. The vet has to slice them open, often wider than a female getting spayed, while going in search of the undescended testicle. The dog is in excruciating pain for days after the operation. And, of course, as with any major operation, there is always a risk of complications resulting from being opened up.

If you are seriously considering breeding, please join up with some current Pug breeders. Breeders who take steps to do all the health checks, who show their dogs, who make sure of the temperament of their breeding stock. Ask hundreds of questions, learn and THEN consider breeding.

For the sake of the breed, please neuter your wonderful boy and keep him as a beloved pet. If you want breeding stock, you want to start with the very best quality to produce the very best quality. Anything else is shorting yourself and the breed.

Below is a link to the statistics you asked for. Go down to 'reproductive' and look at monorchid/chryptorchid (no testicles).

Answer 4

It is becoming a more common problem in all breeds due to indiscriminate breeding. This is exactly why you should not breed your dog. You should have him neutered as there is an increased risk that the undescended testicle can develop into a cancerous tumor. Common doesn't equal good. Do the right thing...your pets should never be for making money...

Answer 5

If your dog has only one testicle that descended, you need to have him neutered right away. I am surprised your vet didn't tell you that. I don't know how common it is with Pugs but it needs to be addressed. He should NOT be bred at all. Get him neutered.
The name for this is monorchidism

Answer 6

Pugs are nice dogs, but they have a lot of respiratory problems because of their smooshed in face. Some end up dying because of these problems. But otherwise they are a great dog. Be ready for vet bills though !!

Answer 7

Retained testicles are more likely to develop cancer, since they are not meant to be kept at such a warm temperature.

Here is an interesting article on cryptorchidism (retained testicles).

http://www.beaconforhealth.org/Cryptorchidism.htm

Answer 8

I have a dog that we found, and he's fairly young, and he's only had one testicle drop, but you can see the other one through his skin on his stomach.

Answer 9

You should not breed any dog with only one testicle.

Answer 10

Even if it is common that doesn't mean it's somthing you shouldn't care about.