This article was updated on November 11th, 2023
The bulbus glandis is a normal part of male dog anatomy. Sometimes visualized as two enlarged, round swellings under the skin on either side of the pen*s, the bulbus glandis is made up of erectile tissue.
When a male dog is excited, blood flows into the bulbus glandis causing the characteristic engorgement of these round structures.
Bulbus Glandis is a part of the dog reproductive system that is present in male dogs. It is located at the base of the pen*s and swells during arousal, causing the dog’s pen*s to enlarge and lock into the female’s vag*na during copulation.
How do you recognize bulbus glandis? [with pictures]
When engorged, it will appear as:
- symmetrical,
- round,
- firm
- located on either side of the pen*s.
They are further cranial (towards the head) than the testicles and can appear in both intact and neutered male dogs. When the dog is no longer excited, they will completely disappear.
Pictures of Bulbus Glandis on Dogs
When engorged during mating, it serves to retain the male’s pen*s in the v*gina of the female, just before, during, and after ej*culation. This “tie” during mating may last from 20 minutes up to an hour. It is completely normal for the bulbus glandis to engorge and be externally visible on all male dogs, even if they are neutered.
If your male dog has an engorged bulbus glandis, there is nothing that you need to do
The condition is not painful for the dog and is a perfectly normal occurrence.
Call your veterinarian if the engorgement of the dog’s bulbus glandis persists for longer than two hours or if the pen*s is outside of the prepuce
You should call your veterinarian if the engorgement of your dog’s bulbus glandis persists for longer than two hours or if the penis remains outside of the prepuce, as these conditions can indicate serious health issues that may require immediate medical attention.
Frequently asked questions
Why do dogs have a bulbus glandis?
This structure is a normal part of male canine anatomy. The bulbus glandis engorges with blood during mating to retain the pen*s inside the female’s vagina before, during, and after ejaculation.
Does it cause any pain for the dog?
No, an engorged bulbus glandis is not painful for the dog.
Does neutering your dog remove the bulbus glandis?
No, the castration (neuter) surgery consists of surgically removing the make dog’s testicles. The bulbus glandis is a normal anatomical feature and will be present in both intact and neutered dogs.
Is what I am seeing swollen bulbus glandis – or is it something else?
The best way to know if the structure you are seeing in your male dog’s groin is the bulbus glandis is to ensure that the structure disappears from visibility when the dog is no longer excited.
If the bumps persist, if one side is larger than the other, if there is just one mass, or if the pen*s is stuck outside of the prepuce, your dog needs to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
These different appearances could indicate an injury or tumor:
1. Hernia
A hernia in dogs can appear as a lump or bulge under the skin. The exact appearance can vary depending on the type of hernia and its location. An example is shown below:
2. One-sided mass
If one side is larger than the other, if there is just one mass, please reach out to your veterinarian.
Related posts:
Author
Disclaimer: This website's content is not a substitute for veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian for healthcare decisions. Read More.
This post was super informative! I had no idea about the bulbus glandis before. The pictures really helped me understand what to look for. Thanks for sharing this important info for dog owners!
My dog is going through some behavioral changes, and I kept hearing about the bulbus glandis but wasn’t sure what it actually looked like. Your pictures made it easy to understand!
Great to see your post.
postingan informasi yang bagus untuk pecinta hewan peliharaan
This is such an informative post! I had no idea about the bulbus glandis and its role in dogs. The pictures really helped me understand what to look for. Thanks for sharing this valuable information!
I was researching this as well and was surprised to not see any mention of this possibly happening when I dog is holding back urinating. I could be wrong, but I have 3 male dogs and have observed what seems to me, at least some of the times, there’s a connection to holding back pee for one reason of another. (just coming home or storming outside for example) Has anyone else ever thought there’s a connection?
Hi Brian, and thanks for this query.
As far as I am aware, no, holding urine would not have any effect on the size of the bulbus glandis.
Dogs store urine in their bladder, and it then gets transported through the urethra when they pass urine, which remains narrow in diameter.
“The information on this website is not a substitute for in-person veterinary care. Always seek advice from your veterinarian if you have concerns about your pet’s medical condition.”
Thanks for sharing such informative pictures! I never knew the bulbus glandis had such a distinct appearance. It’s fascinating to learn about different aspects of dog anatomy. Great post!
Great post! I never knew much about the bulbus glandis before, but your pictures really helped clarify its anatomy and purpose in dogs. It’s fascinating to learn how these details contribute to their behavior! Thanks for sharing such informative content!
This post was really informative! I had no idea about the bulbus glandis and its role in dogs. The pictures you included were super helpful in understanding what to look for. Thank you for shedding light on this topic!