loved it except i had one once that was supposed to be neutered had no testiciles was a cryptorchid and produce a litter of 7. miss martha was exposedto no one except smokey who remember was neutered so i would have no pups...... when i asked the breeder i bought him from she said no way, the the hired hand told me when i called back they had only gotten one when he was neutered so.... but smokey was a great brittany with a whos who pedigree and miss martha was a cross between shepherd, sheltie and beagle not a looker but extremely smart all the pups looked like brits and were some of the birdist dogs i've ever seen all 7 were great hunting dogs and found birds where others couldn't so i have learned in my life if its impossible and the odds are stacked against me 1,000,000 to 1 guess what it'll happen to me, well except for winning the lotto LOL paula

Who would have ever thought that if the breeder is out of state that it must be a great breeder. Behind the glossy pictures the breeder post on a web site is really Bubba meth head with his inbreed pack of mutts living inside his 20 ft. camper.

Had a friend that bought a beagle from a NC breeder that had as much beagle in it that my Siberian Husky has Great Dane in it. He never wanted to admit he was taken and would try to convince us what a great dog he had because after all it had papers.

"The answer is simple: Now that he’s yours, it’s your job to love him and care for him."

Well said.

Although I love all animals, I prefers cats. I love cats and prefer rescues.

That being said, I've never understood how humans who DO prefer purebred animals can view any animal as "defective". I've never understood how loving the animal doesn't always come before show or breeding standards.

I cannot imagine the terror and confusion of the animal when it's taken from the only home it has ever known and shipped to a new owner.

I've never understood how companion animals can be treated as products.

You are so right. It's our job to love them and care for them regardless of any problems they might have.

I to have purchased a dog with luxating patellar. I bought my baby girl from a breeder in my state of Florida and researched his place. But when I took Maizie in for her physical last Feb. I was told she had dislocated knee caps. But no matter what is wrong with her I love her very much and will take care of her til the end. She will probally require surgery in the near furture which isn't cheap. But it is my responsibility to love her and take care of her bad knees and all. I will not purhase any dogs from this breeder again. Maizie is a terrific and happy Beagle. I would not trade her for anything.

I fully agree with the comment 3. I would never buy a pure breed, either cat or dog. There are two many animals on the street where I live. I take kittens into my flat after vaccination, vet examination and an incubation time in my cellar, to protect my other animals. It makes no difference to me if they are "defective" as long as they are healthy and can live a pain free life. How anybody can be bothered by a harmless "defect" is beyond my understanding. I love them all. Incidently, my latest kitten, Larry, found in the snow at -12 C in the middle of a road, is now 6 months old, weighs 4 kg and has a very thick tail. Larry shows all signs of developing into a Maine Coon. One never knows what one will have in the end.

I have 4 adopted kitties - 2 adopted me and I adopted the other 2 from the SPCA. My favorite is one who adopted me 5 years on Father's Day when he showed up in my yard to check out the swordfish on the grill and stayed! His name is Cocoa. Cocoa was very thin but well socialized so I figured someone had abandoned him and he had been on his own for awhile. I noticed right away he was a crypto. When I had him neutered, my vet had to cut him in two places to find the wayward testicle. Of course I had to pay for a spay instead of a neuter since it involved more extensive surgery, but otherwise it went smoothly. He is the kindest, sweetest, gentlest soul and is in no way "defective"!

I wonder what the dachshund owner would do if she birthed a son with the abnormality? Send him back? People are so stupid! Unless she specified to the breeder she wanted a show dog she had no reason to complain. Which brings me to another point - who buys from a breeder they don't know - by mail order - without seeing the dog?

The person who wrote that to you seems be the type of person who would also balk at neutering, even without this issue. Unless you are showing a dog, this issue does not matter. People who DO show dogs would generally not get sold a dog with this issue and if they did have that problem they would not, (no offense) write a letter to a columnist asking what they should do to solve their issue.

Of all the people who show and breed dogs I have been around (and this is many, many people though I do not know any commercial breeders), I do not ANY who would refer to a puppy as 'defective' or love them less. They would just place them in a good pet home.

Conclusion: the writer seems painfully ignorant and insensitive and I detect zero anti-purebred bias.

Defective?? REALLY???!! You know...some people just should not be allowed to have an animal companion..or kids for that matter. I certainly don't want to get into "buying" an animal from a breeder unseen or without any health certification but if you do that you get what you get and..like you said..you love and care for the little critter no matter what.

It is so good you seem to ably ignore the rude criticism you get.

Loved everything you wrote, and agree with you 100%. I, for one, love purebreds because I like a specific look and the personality traits of a specific breed (poodles for me!). When you get a purebreed from a respectable breeder, you can pretty much be assured that the dog will have those physical traits and personality traits specific to that dog. That's why I love poodles -- I know they pretty much all have the same "look" and similar personalities. Now, even the best of purebred dogs can come with a problem. My sister bought a miniature schnauzer with a great pedigree, but one of his testacles never descended. It's just one of those things. Like having a child with a physical "issue". So we go Max neutered, the vet found the wayward testical and removed it, and we now have a perfect, wonderful, loving, fun schnauzer. We wouldn't trade him for the world.
Its crucial to check out the breeder, and that the breeder is part of the AKC or CKC. But even in the best breedings, there will be a dog that isn't "perfect". But, heck, people are born "unperfect" every day and that doesn't make them any less loveable.
If the woman who bought the "defective" dachshund can't find it in herself to really love this dog, then she should give it to a local daschund rescue. Trust me --- there will be a family out there who will be thrilled to have him and will love him and give him a great home. Got my two poodles through a local poodle rescue, and my unperfect poodles are just about the center of my world!
Stay strong, Dr. Khuly!

Those who attacked the good doctor for her column on cryptorchids believe in the old adage:
A good defense is a strong offense.

They know they shouldn't buy on the internet or pet shops or mail order.....but they infer criticism, become defensive and their answer is not to learn but to attack.

People like the poor doxie's owner are not buying a pet; they're buying an item, possibly because it's fashionable to do so. It's no different to them than buying a dress and finding a button missing. Defective item! Must return!

To me, this is just another reflection of our heartless society. Hey if it doesn't suit you just get rid of it! If it's a living and breathing canine so what! Hope when this person gets old her children don't regard old folks as disposable.

Another "defective" belief is that buying pets from breeders over the Internet is a good practice. I post warnings against this habit on www.pgaa.com and advise all who write for advice on getting pets, from a breeder or rescue, to never use the Internet for buying a dog. Only use the Internet for locating a breeder or rescue. Then visit that breeder or rescue to satisfy yourself that the organization is legitimate and that the dogs are healthy and well cared for.

Thank you for suggesting that the woman love the dog just the way he is! What is wrong with some people?? That's like the woman sending back the Russian child she adopted because the child was ill or whatever it was! If she had given birth to a baby with six fingers on one hand, would she want it back in her womb?

My one cat, Frankie, was my little girlfriend for the first 6 months of his life! It was quite a shock to discover that Frankie had grown "a pair" - well, actually, just one of a pair. Problem fixed, though (no pun intended). He's my big, 6 y/o white & black, who loves nothing more than to walk the dog with Mom (much to the amusement of the neighborhood) and snooze on the boogie board in the wading pool. He's anything but defective!!!

My first dog died of cancer from an undescended testicle. He had been bought by someone to breed and "make lots of money" and was discarded when they found out he was sterile. I loved him a lot and cried for weeks after he died.

I have bought dogs from reputable breeders sight unseen, but only after investigating them very well, talking to them, and getting a good contract along with copies of both parent's health clearances. My Standard Poodle, who is currently my service dog, was one such purchase. I had to undergo just as rigorous an investigation before I was allowed to purchase her. Buying a dog should be as difficult as adopting a child. Otherwise, the breeder is not ethical and you do not want the dog.

stephaniesuesansmith@gmail.com
http://blog.stephaniesuesansmith.com

Dr. K., I am glad you are open to the option you mentioned under #2 (removal of undescended testis with vasectomy of the scrotal testis).

Another thing (left unmentioned) is that, depending on the puppy's age, that second testicle could still manage to descend to its proper place and then stay there. As you know, sometimes they can play peek-a-boo, slipping back and forth through the inguinal ring. [But perhaps the letter gave the puppy's age, so you already know it's too late for that.]

AND... although I am a fan of the purebreds (while not hating the mixes), I am highly offended that the owner call the puppy "defective." Are you certain this was a real letter about a real problem (or perceived problem) rather than someone writing a fake letter, trying to stir things up by hitting on numerous hot-button issues all at once? Sometimes people do that.

No responsible breeder would ever sell a cryptorchid puppy without disclosing the puppy's defect. They would not want to jeopardize their reputation within the dog community. This appears to be another example of a slick BYB peddling their puppies through an enticing website. Did the puppy come with a Limited AKC registration? If not, once again I suspect that this puppy is the product of a BYB's indiscriminate breeding practices.

If the puppy was not purchased as a Show Prospect it should make no difference to the owner. Generally, responsible breeders will offer cryptorchid pups or pups with umbilical hernias at a reduced price as their neutering or surgical repair will be more costly.

It is never a good practice to purchase pets over the Internet. Good quality pure breed dogs can often be found locally. Contact your chosen breed's national club for a listing of responsible breeders.

The woman who sent the child back to Russia was given a child who had severe mental problems, more than she was prepared for, or was able to cope with. The child she took in was physically aggressive and the state agencies and private psychologists were not able to give her the assistance she needed. Do I agree with just sticking him on a plane and sending him back to where he came from? Not necessarily- but not disclosing a child's severe mental problems to an unsuspecting adoptive parents is not right.

More on topic- I have bought 3 of my last 5 dogs sight unseen from breeders on the Internet and do not agree this is something one should never do. Of the two that I bought in person, both are dead. One from bloat, one from kidney disease. Of the sight unseens, two are health as horses and one has several health issues, but none that are unexpected for her breed. You can get good dogs in person and good dogs from breeders over the Interent and vice versa.

The Point - Ignorance. Most pet owners are ignorant. They want a pet. They want something furry and think that they have researched or remembered and have gone to the right place and "ordered up" what they wanted. The internet, puppy mills, backyard breeders, pet shops - all make it easy to get a pet without anyone knowing the first darn thing about caring for a what to expect.

Was the dog "defective"? It was different from what she "ordered". She ordered a dog and it had a problem the breeder didn't tell her about. The lady was ignorant and so was the breeder. The whole system is faulty for letting her mail order a dog, unseen. That is what the shelters are full of. People give up their dogs for having the wrong color coats!

It cost more to neuter a with an undescended testicle crytorchid)than a a regular male puppy and it is medically indicated to do so. The breeder should have adjusted the price accordingly.

I've been subscribed to your Vet Blog for about a month now and I LOVE everyone you write:) They are not only well written and witty but also informative. And I can imagine the tons of mail each blog generates and the variety of opinions out there. I'm so glad to hear that you take no negatives to heart. I'm really enjoying your blog:)
And while we're on the subject; I have a 2 yr old cryptorchid Bouvier. My Vet was adamant on removing the internal testes ASAP which we did. But I opted to leave the desended one until he was at least 2 as the latest info on health sides with leaving the males intact until age 2 (anti cancer and growth plates ect). Now it's time to remove it but I'm really dragging my feet. I'm kind of attached to it as I'm sure my boy is and it's the first testical I've ever had in my 53 years of having dogs;) Either I had females or all my rescues were neutered. So it's become a sentimental thing. However it will again become a health issue with time. What do you recommend as optimal health age to get neutered?

Thanks!

Cynthia

I'll bet dollars to donuts that the person that asked the question regarding his/her "expensive" puppy wants fodder to demand money back. I loved Dr. K's answer, the pup is not defective, but this person's attitude is!
For people, like me, that have no clue what "vituperative" means, I consulted dictionary.com ~ here's what it says:
adj. Using, containing, or marked by harshly abusive censure.
I learn so much here!

We had a beautiful Boxer pup at our shelter a while back who had this condition. We found out when our vet neutered him (we spay/neuter every dog before we adopt them out).

I'm glad to say Spike has been adopted out, is a happy, healthy boy who is doing great in his new home.

There was nothing "defective" about him...he was perfect!

The puppy I bought from a (good, imo) breeder was cryptorchid. I was told of it when I went to pick him up (and given the option to decline him), but it didn't matter to me. My intention was to neuter him anyway. The vet was very disturbed that I didn't get him for a discount, but it never occurred to me that I should. I know a cryptorchid neuter is more expensive than a regular neuter, but so is a spay.

Whatever.

I hoped that his missing boy would drop, but it never did. I nicknamed him "The Uniballer", had him neutered at 20 months, it was fine, and I have a great dog who wouldn't have been breeding quality anyway for other reasons.

(Although I have to admit, had both testicles been descended, I probably would have left him intact indefinitely as he gave me no other real reason to neuter him. I considered having just the undescended one removed, but then decided that at 20 months and with him sidelined with an injury anyway, I was comfortable that his physical development would not be significantly affected, and had him completely done.)

A couple of comments, though I know I am late. (Deliveries of this column to my mailbox are really spotty). Out of state breeder does not mean bad. Sometimes you are referred to a really reputable breeder who is out of state. Most reputable breeders do not ship puppies, but some will make exceptions in limited circumstances. As a buyer, though, I would much rather see the puppy and its environment before buying it.

I don't know how old this puppy was, but it can take time before a testicle descends. My Frenchie, who came from an excellent breeder, had a testicle that didn't descend. I was not looking for a show dog, so I did not care, except to the extent it made neutering him more complicated. My vet insisted on waiting for an extra month or two to see whether it would come down. As it turned out, it didn't, but he had no trouble finding it. My pup came through surgery like a champ.

Absolutely if you have purchased the dog for show (which, if you have gone through a breeder with good lines worthy of showing and paid the price for a show quality dog)there ought to have been some provision in your contract for a contingency such as this. Any breeder worth his or her salt is willing to take back a dog he has bred. The dog should be neutered and I would certainly say that either some money is due back to the purchaser (if purchaser is keeping the puppy) or breeder is willing to replace the puppy and place it in a pet home his or herself. It isn't a question of the dog being "defective." It's a question of whether the buyer got what they paid for. The breeders and show people I know would never dismiss the dog as "defective," just not showable. Most of these people love their dogs and take great pains to make sure every one of their dogs, pets or show, goes to a home where it will be well loved and cared for.

Having read the article and comments, my concern remains, if "13% of cryptorchid canines are otherwise perfectly normal", what about the other 87%? I have a cryptorchid labrador and my breeder was up front about the puppy's condition and my vet evaluated the pup at 10 weeks, four months and 10 months (just before neutering). My concern is not the lost nugget(s) but the possibility of other related inherited problems.