The nipples of female dogs tend to show up depending on where they are in their reproductive cycle. But what if the dog you just found a nipple on is a male dog? Sure, we all know that humans all have nipples, whether male or female. But why would a male dog need nipples?

Luckily for you, this article will answer all the questions you might have about nipples on dogs, such as do male dogs have nipples or anything else. 

Do you have a specific question about the subject? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page. 

Do all dogs have nipples?

Absolutely! Like human beings, whether a dog is a male or a female does not change the presence of nipples. It may be surprising to many owners as they might not spend a lot of time inspecting their dog’s underbelly through its fur.

Unlike female dogs, the nipples of a male dog shouldn’t swell and become more noticeable at any time. This is why some owners can have their dog for years without ever realizing that it has nipples, just like a female dog.

Why do male dogs have nipples?

So, now that you have confirmed that male dogs have nipples just the same as female dogs, the next question is, why? Well, a similar question can be posed alongside this. Why do men have nipples? It is really the same case, whether for dogs or for humans, as nipples in the males serve no biological purpose whatsoever. After all, it is the female that feeds the young.

Well, the answer that researchers have settled on is as follows. Males and females in most mammal species start from a specific origin. Depending on multiple factors, they can either become a female or a male.

This physical template of a body has nipples present, and they only become active in females. From an evolutionary standpoint, whether men have nipples or not, little changes. There is no advantage or disadvantage to them being present, so they decided not to go anywhere. 

One unfortunate part is that while a dog doesn’t lactate and produce milk for puppies, it still has very little mammary tissue beneath the nipple. In very rare instances, a male dog can develop mammary gland tumors. This is why it is essential to present to the veterinarian if you ever notice a swollen nipple or a nipple with a lump in your male dog.

How many nipples does a male dog have?

The number of nipples that a male dog has is pretty much identical to those of a female dog. Of course, the number can vary, but it usually between 8 and 10. These nipples can be found on their undersides, anywhere from the groin region to the stomach.

Why do male dogs have so many nipples?

The male body of a dog starts off from the same template as a female dog’s body. This template has many nipples on it, typically as many as ten. As a result, the male body inherits these even if it doesn’t need them.

The reason for so many nipples is because dogs tend to have so many puppies at a go. In humans, a single baby is the norm. So two nipples can suffice. Dogs can have as many as 8 puppies at once, so they need more nipples to cope with feeding their children simultaneously.

Do all male dogs have nipples?

Yes, pretty much! While there are all sorts of medical conditions that can cause unexpected changes in the body, it is extremely rare to find a male dog with no nipples. They may have less than the average number, but complete absence is unlikely.

Credits: thanks for the cover photo to Canva.

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