If you had a 7 week old puppy and couldn't feel his crown jewels, would you place in a pet home? Sometimes they do not make a proper appearance until 8-9 months (testosterone surge).

I'm not good at feeling at this age, vet says can't find any. Just wondering what peoples views were on this? I've just taken my chances on boys I've had in the past and no breeder has told me whether they are there or not prior to purchase.

It's too soon to panic!!   If they are not there by 6 months ............. and even then, some puppies with them both down will go into the ring, be examined and have managed to pull them back up - so embarrassing.

Mine (puppies!!!) are usually there by 10 weeks, so at 7, stop feeling and wait.  If he's otherwise nice, and worth running on, do it and see how it turns out.  Clearly if they are not down (apart from your vet/his new owners' vet having to go in to find them/one and remove) he must not be used at stud as this is hereditary.   Not that with none, he would be able to sire puppies in any case, so it's self-limiting!!    If this turns out to be the case with him, and you bred him, avoid that pairing in future.

Thanks, I'm aware about the breeding stuff.

I have two people who want to try showing (never done it before) so do I give them the option or go with the ones that can be felt.

I do know of a litter where the vet felt 2 at 7 weeks but they have never appeared again and the dog in nearly two years!

Also know of many that have been up and down until 8-9 months.

So just wondered what people would do in this situation.

At 7 weeks I would not panic. They are so tiny. I realise it is hard if you are trying to guarantee something at this stage but unfortunately I think nearer 10 to 12 weeks is more of a guide to whether or not all is OK. Often you do not get to hear about what happens with them when you have a litter go but one couple became very good friends and their puppies finally dropped at 10 months. They went on to show him and he did sire  a litter although the line ended there because a small litter and nothing kept to breed or show.

I'd say it's a breed thing as well, in my own breed you can feel them as young as 5 weeks, and it's unusual for them not to be in place at 7/8 weeks.

In both my breeds AND in all the kittens I have bred, I have learnt that if they are not down at 7-8 weeks, they won't come down at all.  It's never happened to me that they have appeared later. Have waited up to 3 years without result. It can happen that they pull them up whilst at the vet when very young, but I can feel them at home. Because of being disappointed too many times (and let's face it, in 2 dog breeds and 2 cat breeds) I would now never accept anything but both down by 8 weeks for anything I am keeping or selling as for possible showing.

I also don't want animals where the testicles drop late, should it happen -and I am of the firm belief this can be genetic too. There used to be one particular breed of cat wellknown for it. Hence it's all or nothing for me.

Again interesting as in my breed it seems very common but as you say it may be they are always there and not felt. My vet does not seem to worry at the 8 weeks stage.

My boy was over looked because he hid one at 8 weeks but when I went to see him at 16 weeks both were well and truely down. The breeder lay him down and showed me and said it was up to me if I still wanted him. Glad I did - he's the only one of 7 who grew huge, throws chunky pups and did well in the ring.

Also, the brother to my youngest bitch went to his new home at 8 weeks with only one testicle making an appearance.  I made it really clear to the potential owners and let them decide. His other testicle made its debut at nearly 6 months old. He too is an excellent example of the breed, with a single short coming - he's huge...a little bigger than breed average allowance.

Hang in there, let the potential owners decide if they still want him once you've explained the possible problems. He might turn out best of the bunch.


I have two people who want to try showing (never done it before) so do I give them the option or go with the ones that can be felt.

Again 7 weeks is too soon to worry ............ and if you have two people who are interested in showing, again choose 'the best', regardless at this point of the testicle situation, and keep them back for some weeks so you know more about whether they are still showing enough quality to suggest they may be able to be shown.    Nobody would choose a puppy to show at only 7 weeks in any case!!   By around 3 - 4 months when they would, these testicles may well be there!

My male puppies always had their bits down by 8 weeks btw!!!

Thanks for all your replies.

Interesting visit from a friend today who does puppy checks all the time and some of those that didn't appear to have any on Wednesday, she could definitely feel them on. Some were 'down' and some she could feel, but not down. And one boy who didn't have any last week now has two :)

Many people and worryingly many vets haven't got the knack if finding  'Petite pois' in little puppies.

I find the biggest reason is they feel with pup in the standing position and from the back..ok for an adult but..
In young pups you are best to sit them up....on your lap ....like a ventriloquist dummy. They very often drop nicely into position.

That's interesting. I can never find them and be sure I've found them! The vet insisted they had to stand! My friend today had them sitting (cuddling).

Thanks for the tip :)

My vet could not find 2 on a pup at 10 or so weeks, the pup was due to be exported the next day!
I knew two were there but they can go up and down... leaving the country, would like them to be there!
I felt and he did have two, got the vet to feel again and yes, two there :-).
The vet moved on to next puppy and promptly declared this has none!
I was happy about that, considering she was feeling the bitch puppy I was keeping.
lesson, do not trust vets knowing what they are looking for!
in my breed I would prefer to have felt 2 at that age but they can go up and down still, there one not there the next day.

Another here who is hopeless at finding them. On the rare occasion that 'entirety' in males mattered to the owners a friend was good at finding them, and now my hubby is too.

The vet moved on to next puppy and promptly declared this has none!
I was happy about that, considering she was feeling the bitch puppy I was keeping.

Thank you for my laugh of the morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!