Has anybody heard of this as have just read a breeders website where because the ABS has said DNA testing is not an option for identification and it has to be a tattoo or microchip.

They went onto say that they have concerns about microchipping and a link to cancer ?

Pretty old news  -think it as last year or something, where they had found cancer in microchipped laboratory rats and mice. Which I really don't think can be compared to dogs, not only because of the size and longevity difference but also because lab rats and mice are deliberately bred to be PRONE to cancer.....it's their main use, after all.

I always take these things with a pinch of salt LJS,

We are all going to die, everything on this planet dies, the two biggest killers are heart failure/disease and cancers it is what the majority of us will die from, so let's be honest anything can be given to test subjects, they develop cancer and hey presto 'that is to blame.' :-)

Thousands if not millions of dogs, cat, and other animals have microchips a few thousand of those will develop cancers the other half will develop other terminal problems.

IMO, It's just the circle of life and as much the microchips fault as yours or mine.

That is what I thought it was scare migraine rather than anything researched and verified :-)

The breeder has come out of the ABS because of it which I thought was rather extreme !

That is strange as for the ABS tattoos and DNA profiles are equally acceptable as means of permanent identification,a nd labs like Optigen accept Tattoo or chip for DNA tests. 

You need one or other for Hip and eye testing under BVA schemes too.

It says that you require a tattoo or a chip for hip scores and just DNA is not acceptable on it's own.

It mentions the risk of cancer and defacing the dog with a tattoo is not acceptable to them so they have withdrawn

Exactly so they can have a tattoo instead.  I woudl not have mine chipped if it were not required for travel abroad.

They are against tattooing as well though hence why they have withdrawn.

I don't understand why DNA alone can't be used I must admit or are they afraid of dodgy samples being submitted ?

The whole purpose of permanent ID for health tests is that the animal van be verified as the one in question so a ringer can't be used to get a good test result,there is no way a vet or person checking ID for a health test can verify a DNA profile on the spot.

Can't understand the persons objection to tattooing (on any health grounds) instead of chipping, both have their plus and minus points.

The reason on the website is put as tattoos are 'unattractive'

I must admit how often are the inside of dogs ear are on show and what difference does it make to a dog ? Nothing I would have said !

I have prick eared dogs and can see the tats on some photos, but in real life we don't notice such details. 

It's the same as when you look around a room and think it looks tidy, you take a photo and you notice there is a shoe under the sofa etc, your brain is selective in what it takes in.  Same as when we listen we don't take equal notice of every sound, but only that which is relevant.

I have only ever had one judge notice my exhibits clear ear tattoo, they were Scandinavian, and I know they use ear tats in that country, so he may have wondered if she was imported, as he gave it a curious look.

So this breeder then doesn't health test?  pretty poor reasons for not doing the, except of course they will save a lot of money by not doing them :(

Especially as they are a floppy eared breed :-)

Well I would say it is excuses then.

Really makes cynical me wonder if they were inspected and rejected and just use excuses now..........

They do have them scored but it says by an  ' independant' expert :-0

It does state this on the site but could be classed as misleading ?

They do mention the vet that has died recently on their site and the also breed lab cross with goldens both of which they breed.

My main objection to microchipping is that they can move or stop working and you only find out when you scan - which could be too late.

At least with Tattoos you know if the tattoo is working immediately and can get it redone ;)

Have to say tattoos being unsightly is a bit peculiar   My dogs have very fine drop ears and you can only see the tattoos if you turn the ear over.   No judge has ever commented or seemed to notice the tattoo, and very few other people who have met my dogs have ever noticed unless they are pointed out.

My main objection to microchipping is that they can move or stop working and you only find out when you scan - which could be too late.

I think anyone involved in dogs, such as breeding and of course showing abroad (as opposed to just having one or two pet dogs) should invest in their own scanner. You can get the new small ones (fits in one hand) for only about £75 brand new now so really no reason to NOT have one. Then all you do is give the scanner to the kids to play with, they never tire of checking all the animals for chips LOL.

I still can't justify having my won scanner having only traveled once each with each of four dogs.

> Then all you do is give the scanner to the kids to play with, they never tire of checking all the animals for chips LOL.

Reminds me of a wildlife programme I saw on TV recently. They were microchipping wild animals in Australia (Tasmanian Devils I think) and the show's presenter asked the rehabbers if they'd ever chipped themselves by accident. "Yeah," said one, quite deadpan, moving the scanner over her hand, which beeped. "It's handy so we know if the batteries are flat or not."

I still can't justify having my won scanner having only traveled once each with each of four dogs.

For the sake of £75, less than 4 champ show entries, compared to quarantine if the chip had gone missing (-or the person scanning having forgotten to replace the battery and claiming there was no chip)? I know what I would choose!!

Hi Goldmali what's the make of the scanner for £75?  I've never been abroad but might just do now with my girls for mating.

I've always had to visit the vet before travel because of airline health cert requirements so had the vet check chip.