I truly believe in the necessity of having id tags on the dogs; however, since my back yard is wooded and the occasional aggression toward the neighbors labs (Kiki hung his collar on the fence one time) I've been letting them out in the back without their collars and tags. (It is completely fenced in.) Any thoughts on alternative id that isn't prohibitively expense? What are the plusses and minus of tattoos, and does any one have information about the electronic implants?
collars and tags
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JulieM
Boxer Insane
Tattoos and microchips are the alternative (or additional) methods of ID.
Tattoos are only useful if they're registered with a national service (Tatto-a-pet has one, I don't know the others). Tattoos can fade, can be obscured with hair (not as much of an issue with Boxers) and can, in extreme cases, but cut out. I don't know how the registries deal with duplicate numbers/combinations. In Canada, I think every person registering tattoos has a different code of 2-3 letters they use.
Microchips are registered when they are sold, so even if you never register your pet with a national service (AKC has one with HomeAgain, and Avid has their own), the chip will be traceable back to your vet (or whoever implants the chip - in my case, I have a breeder's pack - all puppies are chipped before they leave my house, and the chips are all registered to me. I keep a file of which puppy has which chip. The owners can register with a service if they want, but if not I will be the one contacted.).
There have been some instances of microchips migrating. I believe these were in the early days of chips, and not as much of an issue anymore. Most shelters and vet's offices have scanners - the different manufacturers' scanners will not read the *numbers* on the other manufacturer's chips, but it will note that a chip is present. The variable is whether the shelter/vet's office actually scans the dog. The AKC has reported a 100% success rate with their system (which is a bit misleading, really, since all it means is that 100% of found, scanned, microchipped dogs that were registered with the AKC program were reunited with their owners....)
I have no idea how much tattoos cost (for dogs, anyway!). Microchips are usually around $30 at the vet's office. I agree with not leaving collars on dogs unless they're on leash (there's a thread about that whole issue in the archives, if you're interested). My dogs are all microchipped, they are not allowed to run loose, or to bolt out the front door. I also have a nifty sign on my fence (can also be a license plate for a show RV or truck) that states that all of our dogs are permanently identified with a microchip - to give would-be-thieves pause.
Tattoos are only useful if they're registered with a national service (Tatto-a-pet has one, I don't know the others). Tattoos can fade, can be obscured with hair (not as much of an issue with Boxers) and can, in extreme cases, but cut out. I don't know how the registries deal with duplicate numbers/combinations. In Canada, I think every person registering tattoos has a different code of 2-3 letters they use.
Microchips are registered when they are sold, so even if you never register your pet with a national service (AKC has one with HomeAgain, and Avid has their own), the chip will be traceable back to your vet (or whoever implants the chip - in my case, I have a breeder's pack - all puppies are chipped before they leave my house, and the chips are all registered to me. I keep a file of which puppy has which chip. The owners can register with a service if they want, but if not I will be the one contacted.).
There have been some instances of microchips migrating. I believe these were in the early days of chips, and not as much of an issue anymore. Most shelters and vet's offices have scanners - the different manufacturers' scanners will not read the *numbers* on the other manufacturer's chips, but it will note that a chip is present. The variable is whether the shelter/vet's office actually scans the dog. The AKC has reported a 100% success rate with their system (which is a bit misleading, really, since all it means is that 100% of found, scanned, microchipped dogs that were registered with the AKC program were reunited with their owners....)
I have no idea how much tattoos cost (for dogs, anyway!). Microchips are usually around $30 at the vet's office. I agree with not leaving collars on dogs unless they're on leash (there's a thread about that whole issue in the archives, if you're interested). My dogs are all microchipped, they are not allowed to run loose, or to bolt out the front door. I also have a nifty sign on my fence (can also be a license plate for a show RV or truck) that states that all of our dogs are permanently identified with a microchip - to give would-be-thieves pause.
When I worked at the vet office, we did a lot of tatoos. We would recomend getting the client's social security number placed on the dog. We would do this on the inside of the hind leg. Some clients would request the inside of the ear also. Also, clients would request "pictures" as tatoos. We had a brussel griffon with a sailboat and a moon tatoo, I think it was a Jimmy Buffet theme 
. We also had a Great Pyrenese with a butterfly. We did this when he was a puppy and now it looks like a fly instead .
Linda
. We also had a Great Pyrenese with a butterfly. We did this when he was a puppy and now it looks like a fly instead . Linda
What kind of collar does Kiki wear? My two have choke chain collars for everyday because I like the way they look on them. I've never had a problem with them although I know the possibility exists. Indy and Beauty wear their collars until I take them off at night before bed. I keep their collars and leashes near at night in case of emergency evacuation in middle of night - fire, etc. Also, there is almost always someone at home during the day with them.
Gingeranne
Boxer Buddy
Pumpkin has a chip - it seemed less painful to me than a tatoo. A friend of mine has her SS# on her Bouvier. I too worry about the tags/collar catching on something as Pumpkin can be rather wild at times. But right now we are putting up a new fence and they only go out when they are supervised.
buddy'smom
Boxer Pal
Buddy was tattooed in the ear when we had his ears cropped. It was a number that could be traced back to the vet, and the vet held our information. Kailee has nothing as of yet, however I have a real thing about implanting a microchip. Just one of those things with me. ID tags are kept on the slip collar and only worn when I take them for walks. In the house she wears her regular collar with just her angel on it. Our yard is completly fenced in, and rarely is she ever out their alone.
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