Microchip vs. Tattoo - Page 1

Hello All, I was wondering how someone researches a tattoo on a dog if they find a dog with a tattoo? I know you can call and find out about microchipped dogs but what about tattoos? Is there a registry? Do the tattoos have a format that means something? As an example are the first letter for the kennel and the numbers for the litter or something? Also, when microchipping puppies and you put yourself down as the second contact, can an owner change you as the second contact and remove you completely? If so, how does this really help to get the dog back if someone who owns the dog presently does this? Another thing, if you as the breeder move - how do you change all those microchip registrations? Kelly

Well, I am hoping someone *in the know* will answer you as I also wonder about these things. It will all be microchips in the near future and we will have to have our own microchip reader in trials. A few years ago I was involved in a transaction in sending a GSD to NC. The lady never finished paying me for the dog so I had arranged for pick up. The dog came up missing. She had *donated* the dog to the Cherokee County Sherrifs Dept in Murphy NC. Couple years later mother and daughter got in a fight and the daughter gave me a call. The Tattoo in the dogs ear helped us to identify the dog with the Sherrif. They offered to return the dog but since they had *Dixie* (from Eichenluft and Fenwald lines-they thought she was a mixed breed... lol) in training and she was living in a home situation we let them keep her. The tattoo didn't *find* her but it helped to *identify* her once she was found.

I, personally, only microchip. And they stay in my name only. Have seen way to many dogs come in with ears cut off or burned out....very sad! :(

I don't like questions like this.. everytime someone asks this question I think of my stolen GSD back in 2002. Where as the person who stole my dog called around asking this very question to all the trainers and Police Clubs searching for his breed info. I think of a thief everytime I hear this question.

May I suggest both? The tattoo provides an easy method of identification as far as indicating that the dog is positively identified. Although there is not one (1) central tattoo registry in the U.S.A., the tattoo indicates that it is probably a purebred dog of some value to someone. And while I have never seen it, I have heard of dogs whose ears have been removed. The mircochip is the best means of positive identication-there is no doubt about it. I see the day coming when even the S.V. relents and allows this to replace the tattoo. The only present issue with microchips is that there are different protocols that require different readers, but I think that readers will become easily available that can read all of the different microchips, and that eventually all microchips will adhere to an I.S.O. format. Puppies can be easily chipped, and the contact information can remain with the breeder, as the breeder is ultimatly responsible for the presense of this new puppy! Owners move, and auxiliary contacts move or cease to be, and addresses and telephone numbers are not updated with the microchip registries as they should be. My vote for the breeder to retain the role of primary contact for a microchipped puppy. Bob-O

Is it possible for the breeder's info to go on the chip as well as the new owner's? And which is the largest and most trusted microchip company?

I am NOT a thief and am appalled that a person seeking information on how to keep their dogs/puppies safe from thieves has to endure comments from people like you. I want to make sure that my puppies come back to me if they should ever need to - thats all! How do we learn if we don't ask?

I personally have only ever microchipped and believe that keeping the microchip information for the breeder only is the best way to go. I can't understand why someone would want to steal a dog and have to maim it to remove the tattoo. What is the point of stealing that dog? They dont have paperwork associated with them so whats the point? Back to the microchips, I suppose a dog could have more than 1 microchip? The breeder's AND the owners if the owner decided they wanted to chip the dog too? If a owner found out a dog they had purchased was already microchipped (by the breeder) could they change that information by calling the appropriate chip company? I sure hope not. My suggestion would be for the chip companies to come out with a microchip specifically for breeders that would be protected by a password/PIN or something so that the information regarding that chip could only be changed by someone knowing the password or pin. Also, this way if we did move or something we could change ALL our dogs with one fell swoop. What do you all think? Sure is a pain having to try to outsmart the bad guys. :(

Pearliewog, I may be able to help you a little with the microchip thing. I just placed two pet beagles who were microchipped into a new home and I wanted to change the info on the microchip to the new owner's name. They cannot do this if they do not have the confirmation letter that only the one the dogs are chipped under would have access to. This is with Home Again anyway. I myself believe microchipping is the way to go as I'm not sure of the protocol of the tatooing though, one of mine has both done. As far as microchipping twice, I would think the vet or whomever was microchipping, would scan first before chipping as anyone could then do this. Hope it helps.

Also, I am nervous now about the tattoos since it seems it almost puts the dog at risk of having their ears lopped if someone wants to remove for i.d. purposes. Although to me this is so stupid as it removes one of the very traits that make the dog so beautiful.