Here's the breakdown:
* Early Development: All mammals, male and female, start with the same basic body plan. This includes the development of mammary glands, which are necessary for producing milk.
* Hormonal Influence: During development, hormones determine whether the mammary glands will fully mature and become functional in females or remain underdeveloped in males.
* Genetic Predisposition: The presence of nipples is also influenced by genetics. Some dog breeds have a higher tendency to have more prominent nipples than others.
While male dogs don't produce milk, they do have nipples that serve no real purpose.
It's a fascinating example of how nature uses the same building blocks to create different outcomes!