Puppy tattooing !

[Charliebean]

We are due to pick our puppy up in a few weeks and the breeder is going to get the litter tattooed. I had never heard of this so I asked my vet and she said that it is very rarely done these days and in her opinion micro chipping is the better option. The breeder said that micro chips can move and cause problems even causing the dog to be put to sleep. Has anyone had their dog tattoed instead of micro chipped ? Thanks everyone.

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

Lots of people suggest you get a tattoo and microchip.

Micgochips can migrate and become un-readable and for this reason should be reguarly scanned to check they are working. I have never heard of a dog needing to be PTS because of one though .

[Scuttlebutter]

I would be wary of a breeder who refused to get their dogs chipped. It is likely to become compulsory soon in Wales for pups leaving licensed breeders. Tattoos are commonly used to identify greyhounds, but most responsible owners and all rehoming charities chip as well. However, if at any time someone wishes to un-ID the hound, dodgy owners will cut off the ear which is one of the reasons why chipping is being supported.

I was extensively involved in the Welsh consultation for the new policy, and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association hosts the national Microchip forum where any adverse problems can be reported. During the consultation, I attended a number of meetings with vets and other animal charities - no fatalities were mentioned at all. It is quite rare for the chip to be faulty - usually it is a problem with the reader, though the chip can migrate round the body, especially in very thin dogs. Also European dogs are chipped in a different place so British people scanning may not pick up the chip. I have NEVER come across a dog being pts as a result of being chipped - the only thing I can imagine is an accident while doing it?

[midori1999]

LOTS of breeders have their dogs tattooed and then suggest the owners also get the puppy microchipped if the breeder hasn't had that done too.

All of my own dogs are microchipped (none are tattooed) and in fact, they must no wbe microchipped so they arfe indetifiable at health tests anyway. However, one of my girls microchips has moved and when we had her eyes tested this year the vet doing the test had real trouble finding the microchip even though I told him where it was. I have heard of them moving quite a bit.

There is absolutely no reason the breeder shouldn't tattoo (nort sure if it's still a requirement for some competition dogs?) but there is nothing to stop you having the puppy microchipped as well yourself.