Hi all,

my new pups are so similar that I'm wondering about getting them velcro whelping puppy collars but wonder how safe or good they are? or is there another way to id them that doesn't involve collars? the pups are 3wks and just starting to move around. :-)

I have used a strand of wool for each pup in different colours, http://barbelka.awardspace.co.uk/wpimages/wpdf249d14_0a_06.jpg , small balls are cheap and last years.

I put them onas son as borb adn weighed so I know right from the start who everyone is, and change change them weekly, or when they get dirty.

I find the velcro collars best at birth. Once pups are up and about they soon learn to pull them off each other. You need to check them daily, too tight and you have a problem, too loose and the front legs get stuck in them. I prefer using them up to 2 weeks of age and then switch to the adjustable Trixie puppy ID collars. Those ones last for more than one litter as well. (Unless they get chewed.)

> (Unless they get chewed.)

I find with my breed I can't put proper collars on without this happening, but they largely leave the wool collars alone as they settle into the fur, and only the little tied ends are vuisible.

I do what Goldmali says:  I use the velcro collars for the first few weeks and then switch to the breakaway Trixie collars when they get a bit bigger. 

If you get velcro ones, make sure you get newborn size - if they are too big, you have to wrap them around multiple times which makes them really stiff and thick for the pup.

This is the joy of raising a breed where 'any recognised hound colour' is the norm!!   We've never had to I/D our individual puppies.   However, if we did, I'd have opted for a thin coloured wool collar rather than risk puppies getting caught up in collars, especially once moving around, or scratching at them (?).

Same as goldmali and didnt have issues

No please don’t use the Velcro collars we had a whole host of problems with them two years ago when all my pups came up in sores from them rubbing this time I made my own with nice soft ribbon and bought wee clips off eBay they were great and we had lots of different ribbon so was so easy to identify them

Back in pre-history when I had Goldens, we used to scissor a small patch on a foot or the tail. Some breeders would mark with different nail varnish colours. Nothing to rub, come off or catch.

Thank you very much for your answers all!

I'm going to try the wool strand and then Trixie if I still can't recognise anybody - they are developing different personalities which helps. 

Do I make the wool strand loose to the neck or tight?  I've got a stupid fear of them being able to strangle themselves which worried me with the velcro. :-(

I saw someone online asking for help as the collar had rubbed and caused a sore on a pup. Don't know if they come in different widths but the one it the pic look quite wide for the pup.

> Do I make the wool strand loose to the neck or tight?  I

Loose enogh for two fingers to fit under.

thank you!