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Dog Breeding: Potential Male Breeding Problems
Every breeder-owner should research and have enough useful information to rear puppies to the fullest potential. Equally important is the ability to develop a heightened awareness and a strong sensitivity to the dogs' physical and emotional well-being. Through such an advanced awareness, the earliest signs of many problems may be detected. The following information will help you realize the potential breeding problems that male dogs (studs) may have.
The majority of male-female relationships are successful without extraordinary measures or help. Abnormalities discussed here are beyond the normal experience though not considered rarities. Essentially, males generally appear to be more free of breeding problems than females. They are somewhat more simple physiologically because they do not carry puppies.
The normal intact male produces spermatozoa stimulated by the hormone FSH, one of the two basic and essential hormones that a female's ovary also requires to produce viable eggs. When examined, the normal males' testes appear smooth, one like the other without variation. Upon gentle palpation during an examination, both testicles should be of closely similar if not the same in size. The palpated weight and density of the two should feel equal.
Some males may have one testicle that is small, not having developed normally. The passageway for sperm may be absent, or it may be so narrow that semen cannot be ejaculated. During the time when a male is stimulated by the presence of a receptive female in estrus, the testes may actually become somewhat enlarged and slightly firmer to palpation.
During this period of stimulation it is not unusual for the prostate gland to enlarge, becoming sore or even painful. This condition may be first noticed by the owner when it has caused the male to walk in a manner different from usual. The male may also exhibit other signs of discomfort such as, for example, repeatedly licking the scrotum.
The average male is capable of breeding physically before emotional maturation occurs. Attempted use, however, of a dog that is too young may prove ineffectual because of infertility resulting from his age. Some young males appear to be physically mature, but may prove too emotionally immature to consummate a breeding.
If the penis has been previously injured, a dog may be incapable of effecting a natural breeding. It is also possible in some cases after an injury to the penis that the male will be unwilling to attempt mounting a female. Occasionally it has been found that the penis has developed incorrectly; one developmental abnormality is a curved penis bone. In this case, while the dog is fertile, it is unable to sufficiently direct the penis to allow a natural breeding. These males may still be used by breeding through artificial insemination.
The most common male problem found by veterinarians is that of testes that do not descend into the scrotal sac. In some cases the testes have been known to descend and not remain in the scrotal sac, being drawn back up through the inguinal ring into the abdominal cavity. Countless times veterinarians have also encountered males whose testes lie directly in front of the correct location.
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