Hi, I have a 12mth old English Bull terrier dog who has only one full decended testicle. I have been to the vet who has confirmed that the other is no-where in the groin area. This means that the dog must be castrated for obvious medical reasons(TESTICULAR CANCER).When I purchased the dog from a very reputable breeder who is also a valued and trusted friend he had two testicles. There is no history of any dogs that she has bred in the past who have had one testicle. I did show the dog when he was eight mths old and he proved to be an excellent all-rounder winning best puppy and best of breed. My breeder and I  have been in contact with championship level judges have have said that if I continue to show the dog after 12mths it would be frowned upon for the reason that the dog can't be bred from. I don't wish to use him for breeding,  but he is such a beautiful example of the breed, looks and temperment that I just want to show him off!! I have also been advised to have him castrated before he is eighteen mths old so I realise that his showing career is numbered. Please help!!!!!!

PS susantwenty?? I have been trying to email you but our email isnt working very well at the moment. How did ringcraft go on wed nite??

Remember, you only need to have the retained testicle removed - the normal one can safely be left in situ if you want.

But can he still be shown with one testicle?

Yes he can be shown with one testicle. The fact that there is only one will be considered along with other faults he may have. In reality it might be that he will not win, but you most certainly can show him, there are no disqualifying faults in the UK showring.

Dawn R.

Thanks for shedding some light on this. My vet didn't give me the option of keeping the descended testicle. Is keeping one testicle known of in the show ring . W are at championship level?? Thanks

It states in most breed standards that males should have two apparently normal
testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

So afraid that most judges will 'knock' your boy as anything less than two is considered a 'fault'.

That is why I posted this topic as I had read this as well. I don't know of anyone else who shows a dog at champ level with one testicle.Well hopefully this is the only fault he will recieve!!!He has everything else going in his favour!!!

Being totally honest you, you stand no chance of being placed with a monorchid dog.  Whilst there are not any RULES that say a dog cannot be shown with one testicle, ALL breed standards state "two apparently normal testicles"  You would IMO stand a better chance of a place if you had the dog castrated.  The condition is inherited.
Dawn.

Thanks for your honesty Dawn. Its such a shame. I don't have any intentions of breeding. I would like to enter one more show before I have him operated on. I find the whole topic of dogs with one testicle very conflicting. While I am being told it is hereditary none of my breeders dogs that she has bred through many years has this condition. I have known my breeder for many years and she has an excellent reputation. She is also disappointed  but has never at any point discouraged me to show him. Other people have discouaged me for that fact that he can't be bred from etc I want to do another show because I have seen alot of tripe in the ring and although my boy has this obvious fault he is an ambassador for the breed. Am I wrong in wanting to show him off? Win or lose I still bring the best dog home!!

Your breeder has probably told you the 100% truth, but if you bought a puppy that had 2 testicles on purchase, then one retracted, how many more could of done that?  and how many people stay in touch with the breeders of their puppies?  They in all reality do not know how many monorchids they have bred, likewise for most other breeders who do not keep in touch with EVERY male puppy they sell, its not realistic.

I think you are right to want to show him, but you will get knocked, monorchidism is a BIG no no in dog showing, whilst castration is not favoured, you stand a far better chance with a "normal" looking dog, than one that is obviously not.  Strictly speaking, who is to know your dog only had one testicle before?

Testicular tumours are a very real possibility in retained testicles, they are at a much higher temperature inside the body than they should be outside of it, ultimately castrating him is the only thing that will prevent this.

If you continue to show him, I wish you the very best of luck, and you are right, we always bring the best dog home!
Dawn.

Thanks Dawn, I appreciate what you have said. I have to face facts. I didn't know that you could show a castrated dog. I'm  just really disappointed. Thanks for all the advice.

I believe one of the greatest Bull Terriers of all time (whose name escapes me at the moment) was a monorchid, apparently he was pretty well perfect apart from this fault!. There are good arguments for placing a dog with one very obvious fault over a dog with no outstanding faults, but no outstanding virtues either. I'd carry on showing him if you want to, but if you do have the undescended one removed, I think you have to inform the KC because you've altered his conformation!
I remember a bilateral cryptorchid in our breed not only winning the CC but also BOB under a very well known (now dead) judge. He never won anything else tho' !
Good luck whatever you decide.

Bar Sinister

Im glad this has come up, my boy Fagan only has one testicle I will be getting just the one removed next year when he is two.  Apart from his skinnyness he is a very good example of the breed (I often take him NFC to champ shows any many people have commented how nice he is) I show him at companion shows and he has done well.  I was thinking that once I have got some weight on him I might enter him in some open shows, as I take him along anyway when I show Alf I dont see the harm in entering him, he is now 16 months old and being an Irish Setter it is not obvious to the eye that he is monorchid so it will only be IF the judge checks and at that age I wonder how many judges have a proper grope ? ;)

Thanks guys for sharing your experiences and stories. I'm still undecided on what to do, remove one or fully castrate him. My decision will be in the best interest for the dog. I have arranged to discuss this further with my vet. I would still love to have a crack at a big champ show in sept. He is only 12 mths!!Whatever the outcome I still have the best bully out!!!

I cross-posted an article on monorchidism on Saturday - under the Breeding Section.   Some of you might find it interesting.

Regards
Margot

If you get permission to show from the KC you will get a letter to show the judge re the testicles, I know of a dog who is doing quite well after having to have one removed due to a testicular(sp)hernia

but if you only have the one from inside removed then it isnt altering the dogs looks (or breeding ability - not that you would want to breed from a monorchid) so do you still need a letter ?

To tell the judge the dog has had a testicle removed BTW the dog i mentioned had two descended testicles

Thanks for the info guys. Will the kennel club have the last say? What is the procedure for reporting this condtion? Thanks

I have just done the permission to show thing, but for a spayed bitch, (she lost her litter at 5 weeks in whelp, and got pyometra.) The form you need is downloadable from the KC site. It's called simply 'Neutered Dogs'.

Dawn R.

Thanks nursey. Sorry to hear about your bitch. I'm so made up that I have options and that I can carry on showing him!!!!!!!

That's him!! Such an obvious name, but the wine affected my memory last night. Thanks Moonmaiden

lolol I had to look it up i knew it had something to do with a pub lololololol

Hi Claire i've pm'd you, i hope everythings going well for you since you went back home.  Speak soon.

Warmest regards Susan