Testicles not descended question - Page 1

I am looking at an 8wk old gsd that neither testicle has descended.  Other than that he's what we're looking for.  He will be a family pet with no breeding in his future.

I know surgery is recommended and don't have a problem with that if they do not come down and I have done a lot of reading on this.

What I can't find is definitive word on how his secondary characteristics will develop. 

If I waited to say, 1.5-2 years before the surgery will he fill out and look like a male? 

If I had them removed by 6months would he still grow to look like a male? 

If both of them never drop will he ever "fill out" so to speak?

Any opinions are greately appreciated.

Most people will tell you that wait till full 2 years before the surgery, and that would be the best option, but it been done in the past to have the surgery done, early and no physical differances could be really noticed.

The testicles are there, even if they are not descended - and so all of the hormones and testocerone will still be used to develop his masculine characteristics and will affect his development.  Wait to neuter him until he is at least 18 months.  There will be no difference in his growth/development as the male pups with descended testicles.  You may consider however, the cost of the neuter if one or both testicles do not descend - much more involved and expensive.

molly

8wk's is a bit early to be thinking about neutering.

give it just a little time please.

he'll grow just fine depending on his genetic's.

molly gives good advice; the one thing i would add is to ask the breeder for some kind of price discount or future reimbursement for the neutering surgery.  retained testicles cause the neutering procedure cost to increase about 3x.  undescended testicles tend to become cancerous, but not until much later (5-7 years) in the dog's life - they will eventually need to be removed.

several years ago, i reimbursed a client approx $300 for surgery to remove 1 undescended testicle.  (this was covered in my guarantee as a congenital defect)

Thanks for the responses. 

That helps me feel a little more at ease.  Two Moons, I am not thinking of having him neutered at 8 weeks by any means.  So that's good advice.

I also realize that even at 8 weeks all hope is not lost that they will drop.

I am just trying to find out, if they never drop, will he still develop his adult, male characteristics or will he always appear as a young dog that hasn't filled out.  This is a big deal for me to be honest.

I have other options from future litters from this breeder so I don't have to take this dog.  Just trying to make an informed intelligent decision because it's one we'll live with for a long time ;)

Actually, the chances of an undescended testicle becoming cancerous is a very low risk.  Vet's just love to quote that, when the statistics of it happening are not great, since they can charge a lot for the surgery.

You can check out the public spay/netuer programs in your area.  In our area, the SPCA charges $125 to perform surgery to remove undescended testicles, while the local vets in their private practices charge $400 up.  I got this info from my vet, who kindly volunteers a great deal of his time to the local SPCA!  Some of the best vets in the area voluteer their time there.

Veronica

I posed my last message while Kioanes was posting there's.

The dog would be discounted and I would consider that sufficient compensation for the eventual surgery. 

I have a friend who is a surgeon for Medvets here in Ohio so I have an "in" on affordable surgery anyway. 

I would not neuter the dog until he reached two years of age.  Early neutering does give the dog a girly look.  If you want the big headed male look, wait to have him neutered.  I forgot to add, the statistics of dogs having cancerous retained testicles, when it does happen, is when the dog is older, like 7 and 8 years of age.  Veronica

If it has to be done so be it,   younger is better than older in my opinion.    I've seen many neutered animal's of every kind develope just fine.   I don't think it will turn him into a sissy boy just because he's altered.

JMO.