Tattoo'd Ear

[nalabear]

I was playing with Reo's ears today and noticed a green tatoo in his right ear of the number 10. Just curious if this is a normal breeder marking system for their pups? And if there is a way to tell who the breeder is?

 

[EAO76]

Some puppy mills tattoo a number in the dog's ear to help them keep track of each dog.

 

[EAO76]

I should add that some reputable breeders tattoo as well however they use a unique code of usually two letters and several digits that can be registered and traced just like a microchip. Since yours is just two digits its more likely just a way to keep track of each dog within a litter.

 

[Maniago]

I should add that some reputable breeders tattoo as well however they use a unique code of usually two letters and several digits that can be registered and traced just like a microchip. Since yours is just two digits its more likely just a way to keep track of each dog within a litter.

Aren't those usually on the inside upper thigh or belly?

 

[EAO76]

Aren't those usually on the inside upper thigh or belly?

Yes, you are correct. It is usually on the thigh. You see this even with show dogs, however I think more breeders are leaning towards microchips now.

 

[nalabear]

So what your telling me is Reo probably came from a BYB? Not that it changes anything. He is fitting into our family wonderfully and he is not going anywhere.

 

[BendyBoxers]

Was he a rescue or adopted as an older puppy or an older dog? It's just not trackable for a tattoo w/ only 2 digits. The reputable breeders that tattoo their dogs will register their tats with a registry.. and you would want to use more than just the number '10' in that case. I have heard of ear tattoos being used as well, but in dogs with more 'ear' to spare, not Boxers.

Unless your dog is a potential breeding dog or show dog, it doesn't matter though, does it? He obviously has a good home now, and that's all that matters. I am guessing the tattoo '10' was given as a means to track a dog that was one of many, many, many dogs. I can't see any other reason to tattoo a puppy or dog in that way (with an un-registrable number basically in an odd place).

 

[avaboxer]

Tattoo

I agree with BendyBoxers on the tattoo. I don't see where on the ear in any location would be done by a reputable breeder at all.

I like microchip because it is inexpensive (compared to losing a dog) and that way you always are able to keep track of them.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

When I was in Louisiana the local Humane Society tattooed their dogs and cats ears both. My kitty from them was tattooed with an X prior to us adopting him on the inside of his right ear.

So it's not just BYB's/puppy mills, it could be a previous rescue source as well.

 

[nalabear]

Was he a rescue or adopted as an older puppy or an older dog? It's just not trackable for a tattoo w/ only 2 digits. The reputable breeders that tattoo their dogs will register their tats with a registry.. and you would want to use more than just the number '10' in that case. I have heard of ear tattoos being used as well, but in dogs with more 'ear' to spare, not Boxers.

Unless your dog is a potential breeding dog or show dog, it doesn't matter though, does it? He obviously has a good home now, and that's all that matters. I am guessing the tattoo '10' was given as a means to track a dog that was one of many, many, many dogs. I can't see any other reason to tattoo a puppy or dog in that way (with an un-registrable number basically in an odd place).

I got him from a lady who adopted him from our animal shelter. She said he was a surender due to high medical bills from previous owners.

No he is definetly not a potential breeding dog or show so your right it doesn't matter at all. I was just curiouse because I had never seen this or heard of it before.

Thank you all for your input.