[Lazuliblue]

Ok, so after looking at Mayret's thread regarding the changing pigmentation on her chi's testicles, it got me a bit worried about Milo's because, well....there doesn't seem to be a lot there! Do they look as if they have descended yet?

He is 18 weeks, what is the age where you need to start worrying that his testicles haven't descended? Do I need to go and see the vet? I plan to get him neutered when he is about a year old, I know surgery will be more complicated if his testicles haven't descended.

Thanks for any help

 

[Chi Nation]

They haven't dropped yet but they will. They will be more noticeable around 7-8 months of age when they start to mature more.

 

[rubia]

Rico's were "in place" by 3 months. He was neutered at 5 months of age. If you wait too long bad habits wil be difficult to break--ie. peeing all over everything, etc. Rico does not remeber being neutered so he still lifts his leg to wee.....

 

[Lazuliblue]

They haven't dropped yet but they will. They will be more noticeable around 7-8 months of age when they start to mature more.

Oh thank you, that's good to know

 

[Lazuliblue]

Rico's were "in place" by 3 months. He was neutered at 5 months of age. If you wait too long bad habits wil be difficult to break--ie. peeing all over everything, etc. Rico does not remeber being neutered so he still lifts his leg to wee.....

Haha poor Rico

It was my dog trainer who suggested waiting until he was a year old, because of his size, but I think I'll ask the vet and see what she says, I don't want him getting into bad habits like you said!

 

[Huly]

Sonny had only one drop from the time he was 6 months and the other dropped at 9 months hence the neuter is Thursday

 

[Rocky]

What bad habits is everyone talking about when they refer to unneutered dogs?
Rocky is almost 4, hasn't been neutered and never peed anywhere in the house. He does mark outside though which I think is totally normal for a male dog. But he doesn't have any "bad habits" inside or is being at everything :S.
Of course it's everyone personal choice whether they want to get their dog neutered or not, but am quite annoyed about everyone saying dogs will behave badly inside and pee on everything when they are not neutered as this is simply NOT TRUE. All they need is training like female dogs need as well.

I think they will still drop so don't worry too much . I also think your dog trainer is right and I would wait until he is at least 1 year old if your want to get him neutered so he can mature first.

 

[AussieLass]

They could well be hiding in that hairy tuft by the way you're holding him. If you lay him flat on his back on the bed when it's WARM, give him relaxing tummy rub etc. you should be able to feel them, around the size of peas at that age. I found sometimes they were visible, sometimes they were not and the blighters move around a bit! Earlier neautering the better, imo.

 

[Lazuliblue]

What bad habits is everyone talking about when they refer to unneutered dogs?
Rocky is almost 4, hasn't been neutered and never peed anywhere in the house. He does mark outside though which I think is totally normal for a male dog. But he doesn't have any "bad habits" inside or is being at everything :S.
Of course it's everyone personal choice whether they want to get their dog neutered or not, but am quite annoyed about everyone saying dogs will behave badly inside and pee on everything when they are not neutered as this is simply NOT TRUE. All they need is training like female dogs need as well.

I think they will still drop so don't worry too much . I also think your dog trainer is right and I would wait until he is at least 1 year old if your want to get him neutered so he can mature first.

The main reason I want to get Milo neutered is because it decreases the risk of testicular and prostate cancer. As of yet, he isn't displaying any "bad habits" that could be rectified with neutering, other than the occasional humping if a pillow

They could well be hiding in that hairy tuft by the way you're holding him. If you lay him flat on his back on the bed when it's WARM, give him relaxing tummy rub etc. you should be able to feel them, around the size of peas at that age. I found sometimes they were visible, sometimes they were not and the blighters move around a bit! Earlier neautering the better, imo.

Yes I can definitely feel them, which must be a good sign! And they a very teeny tiny pea size.

Sonny had only one drop from the time he was 6 months and the other dropped at 9 months hence the neuter is Thursday

Glad to know Milo isn't a late bloomer then, that seems to be the average age

 

[Huly]

They could well be hiding in that hairy tuft by the way you're holding him. If you lay him flat on his back on the bed when it's WARM, give him relaxing tummy rub etc. you should be able to feel them, around the size of peas at that age. I found sometimes they were visible, sometimes they were not and the blighters move around a bit! Earlier neautering the better, imo.

At 6 months my Vet could not find Sonny's 2cnd one. She was scared they might have to go in and search for it if it did not drop by his first birthday! She said some drop later than normal but wanted me ready just incase she had to go in. Lucky for me it finally did so he is scheduled for his neuter this Thursday he will be a year on 7/30/12.

 

[susan davis]

Many male UNneutred male dogs DO have problems such as marking inside the house. Specially if there are more than one dog in the house. Neutering stops most of these behaviors as well as prostate problems later in life. You are lucky that your male does not. Most do. Sue

 

[LBChi]

I had Guillermo done as early as possible, he was around 6 months.

 

[Wicked Pixie]

I agree with Rocky. I'm not anti-castration per se, but I don't agree that surgery is automatically necessary for every male dog. I will have to have Harley castrated because one of his testicles is still undescended at 17 months (he didn't have any until he was around 8 months!) but this will be done purely for medical, rather than behavioural reasons. Even with an entire bitch in the house, I don't have any issues with humping, aggression or marking. If both testicles had descended normally, I would happily keep him intact.

 

[Lazuliblue]

I didn't realise there were so many conflicting views regarding neutering. I'm pretty sure I will get Milo done, just so I don't have to worry about testicular/prostate cancer.

 

[AussieLass]

Check out cryptorchid on google, that'll give you all the info you need from various vets etcc.

 

[Rocky]

I still disagree. I know sooo many UNneutered male dogs who even live together with other males and do NOT mark in the house. However, I do actually know some neutered male dogs who DO mark in the house. It's simply something you need to train your dog. Also, of course a male dog will mark inside the house if someone has a couple of male dogs and female dogs, as the male dogs will want to show off in front of the females and show that they are theirs.
Getting a male neutered does simply not replace training. I personally would rather wanna train my dog that having him have a surgery. Don't understand me wrong, I do agree in neutering if it is medically necessary. But for many it's rather convenient.

 

[LeStatKelly]

I've always had my dogs, and bitches, neutered because I've always had both sexes in the house.

Your little one will 'drop' eventually but at his age there's no hurry to be neutering him in my opinion. Here in the UK they didn't used to neuter male dogs until well after 6 months until recently and even now it's got to be over 5 months old.
Personally I've always waited until the animal was mature so in bigger breeds well over a year old but in smaller breeds I would neuter at around 9-12 months old.

LeStat isn't neutered simply because the vet, and I, are afraid of the aneasthetic for him with him having reactions to everything!
I don't think that for one minute his using a puppy pad and ocassionally haveing accidents still has anything to do with him not being neutered it is down to my daughter not housetraining him as a puppy!

 

[Huly]

I neuter and spay due to the health risk. If you have ever worked in a vet clinic and seen what health issues a pet might have from not being fixed most would change their outlook on it. I know a lot of men have issues fixing their male pets but the health benefits are more than enough for me. Mine never run free but also the thought of all the unwanted puppies and kittens (and accidents can happen no matter how careful you are) I am 100% for getting your pup fixed