It is theoretically possible for a dog to have more than two testicles. This is termed polyorchidism and is a congenital disease an animal can be born with. However, it is exceedingly rare, with only around 200 cases reported in humans, and only two seen in dogs.
Phantom testicles aka bulbourethral glands help dogs 'tie' when they are mating. They are separate to the testicles and are not removed during castration. Usually these are not obvious, but these glands can become swollen and visible when male dogs are excited, even in dogs who have been desexed.
Male dogs have two testicles that are usually localized in the scrotum, a sac designed to lodge them outside the abdomen. However, dog's testicles are lodged in their abdomen when they are born. The testicles should have descended from the abdomen to the scrotum by the time dogs are approximately 4 months of age.
When male dogs are aroused, they have a swelling bilaterally of part of the penis in front of the scrotal sac that confuses some owners.
Most likely, your dog has two testicles. However, only one of them is visible. The other testicle is “undescended,” meaning not in its proper place. Undescended testicles most commonly are located under the skin of the dog's groin, although sometimes they are inside the abdomen.
Cryptorchidism is the medical term that refers to the failure of one or both testicles (testes) to descend into the scrotum. The testes develop near the kidneys within the abdomen and normally descend into the scrotum by two months of age. In certain dogs, it may occur later, but rarely after six months of age.
Polyorchidism is the incidence of more than two testicles. It is a very rare congenital disorder, with fewer than 200 cases reported in medical literature and six cases (two horses, two dogs and two cats) in veterinary literature. Polyorchidism is generally diagnosed via an ultrasound examination of the testicles.
Ball obsession should not be underestimated or ignored, as it poses a risk to the dog's physical and mental health. Therefore, you should act as soon as you notice any of the symptoms listed above. The first thing you should do is stop playing with the ball.
Whether your pup is just a really big fan of fetch or he's constantly obsessed with their favorite sphere, his interest in balls has more to do with prey than play. Centuries ago, canine ancestors had much stronger hunting instincts which were essential to the pack's survival.
The main reason most dogs like balls and specifically playing fetch is because of their prey drive. the way a ball moves when thrown or dropped replicates the movement of prey which stimulates your dog's prey instincts.
Removing the testicles can also protect against some later-life health concerns, such as testicular cancer and prostate enlargement, as well as hormone-related tumors of the perineum. Neutering may also be associated with an increased risk of some musculoskeletal disorders and cancers, when done before a given age.
Having your male dog neutered offers a number of important benefits that will help him live a healthier and longer life. Removing the primary source of testosterone eliminates the chances of cancerous testicular tumors and several other inflammatory diseases of the prostate and perianal area.
Cryptorchidism is when one or both testicles fail to drop down into the scrotum. Undescended testicles can become cancerous and/or twisted, so it's important to have them removed while your dog is young. Contact your vet if your dog's testicles aren't both in the scrotum by the time they are 6 months old.
Whether you have an innie or an outie, belly buttons are pretty obvious on humans. But have you ever wondered if dogs have belly buttons, too? Believe it or not, dogs do have belly buttons. They might be covered in fur and almost impossible to find, but they are there.
Key takeaway. Dogs sniff people's crotches because of the sweat glands, also known as apocrine glands, that are located there. Sniffing these glands gives a dog information about a person such as their age, sex, mood, and mating probability.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
Humping or mounting is among the common dog behaviors that owners are most embarrassed by. Not often sexual, humping can indicate dominance, overexcitement, or underlying medical issues. Positive reinforcement training and redirecting are ways to help curb problem mounting behavior.
While castration does not calm dogs down, it can reduce testosterone-driven actions such as mounting behaviour. It may increase a dog's focus or concentration.
For example, the color red appears dark brownish-gray or black to a dog. And yellow, orange, and green all look a bit yellowish to a dog. Our furry friends see blue really well, but purple looks the same as blue to them. When playing a game of fetch, dogs cannot tell the difference between a red ball and a yellow ball.
Polyorchidism, or more than one testicle in a hemiscrotum, is a relatively rare phenomenon. It is often associated with several other conditions, including inguinal hernia, testicular maldescent, testicular torsion, hydrocele or hypospadias.
Well, for those of you who are afraid to neuter your pet because you're sad he'll never have a chance to mate, you can nix that excuse off your list. The take home message here is that your neutered dog can still have sex. If he wants. Most likely he won't want to.
Many dogs hump simply because it feels good. Humping can be pleasurable for all dogs — spayed and neutered dogs, intact dogs, and females and males. Dog humping can sometimes be a form of play, especially for dogs that have had little socialization or that become overexcited during play.
Dogs with both testicles retained are usually sterile (unable to father puppies). Those with one normal testicle can still be fertile, although the quality of their sperm is reduced.
At least cryptorchid dogs can be neutered and placed as wonderful pets. Still, it makes sense to never breed a cryptorchid dog as we know he is affected. And yes, cryptorchids are fertile as the one testicle outside the body can produce viable sperm.
Testicle Development in Dogs
Typically, the testes pass through the inguinal canal within a week or two after birth, and reach their final scrotal position by 6 to 8 weeks of age. However, in some cases, the gubernaculum isn't formed properly, or doesn't function properly, and the testicle stays in the abdomen, Dr.