I thought about sticking this on the other thread about microchipping, but then thought maybe I shouldn't hijack it and should start my own...

I have a few questions left about tattooing:

For those who do tattoo, has it ever happened that you've been traced (as a breeder) by a tattoo?

When you have a litter tattoed, what sort of notice do you need to give and how far in advance do you need to book their visit?

When new owners get their pups home, do they need to call up the registry and change the details to theirs?  If they are also chipped, they are going to need to change those details too.... and the KC reg paperwork as well... so 3 lots of paperwork to be changing their details on?

How do you get the tattoo number added to the KC paperwork?  Since you've sent off for the paperwork shortly after the litter were born, and before they were tattoed, when do their tattoo numbers get added?

Do you keep mum out of the way, since pups will yelp and be hurt, or is mum not really bothered by that?  (Ie since pups are older, it's not like docking at 2 days.)

Think that's all I can think of for now, thanks.

In response;-

For those who do tattoo, has it ever happened that you've been traced (as a breeder) by a tattoo?

  Yes - only very recently had a phone call from NDTR re a dog I bred 3 years ago.

When you have a litter tattoed, what sort of notice do you need to give and how far in advance do you need to book their visit?

Dependent on breed of dog - pups are usually tattooed around 6 weeks - purely to give tattooist plenty of notice, I usually book my visit when pups around a week old.  My tattooist has to travel quite a way to get to me and if she can do another at the same time it gives her plenty of opportunity to do so.

When new owners get their pups home, do they need to call up the registry and change the details to theirs?  If they are also chipped, they are going to need to change those details too.... and the KC reg paperwork as well... so 3 lots of paperwork to be changing their details on?

  You, as the breeder complete the change of address forms - if you look at the website there is a 'deal' for breeders and if you do this and charge the new owner for the change of address etc tattooing costs are minimal.  As I register my pups on-line I can add the tattoo numbers on the KC website before the pups leave me.  I'm sure you can also do this on the Registration Docs.  I personally don't Microchip my litters as well - thats a decision for the new owners.  I will have my own pup chipped at 2nd vaccination.

How do you get the tattoo number added to the KC paperwork?  Since you've sent off for the paperwork shortly after the litter were born, and before they were tattoed, when do their tattoo numbers get added?

  Answered above - hopefully!

Do you keep mum out of the way, since pups will yelp and be hurt, or is mum not really bothered by that?  (Ie since pups are older, it's not like docking at 2 days.)

  By the time pups are 6 weeks old mum isn't around that much anyway - so easy to keep her away for a few minutes.  The 'yelp' is minimal - some don't even whimper.

Ditto the above except I leave the owners to do change of ownership (some do some don't, same as with KC transfers, which is why according to KC records I have 42 dogs registered in my name), if they don't then it isn't a worry to me as I primarily get them done so that I can be traced.

Great, thanks. 

Interested to hear from anyone else who tattoos as well & what their experience is.

So do the tattoo registry people automatically keep breeder's contact details even if new owners change to their details, if the tattoo was done while the pups were still with them?  All of mine are tattooed, but I had them done once they'd come to me, so just wondering how it works when a litter's done at the breeder's

I can only comment from a breeders view - and yes, NDTR keep a record of all breeders.  The paperwork we send off to them has both breeder and new owner details on.

Thank you :-) 

very informative thread thank you

Ditto the above Claire 41....very informative and helpful