We rescued our dog from Battersea Dogs Home. He is 14 months old and has a tattoo in his right ear "TOCO 789" He is an absolutely lovely dog and we would love to trace his origins. If any one can help we would be very grateful. My e-mail is geraldined@syner-med.com

Best wishes

Geraldine

Contact the National Dog Tattoo register as they hold a register of all tattooed dogs.

Here is the National Dog Tattoo Register site. I wonder why Battersea didn't contact them? Please, please, please contact them.

Maybe He could have been surrended by the owners JG ?

He could indeed have been signed over, in which case all well and good - but what if he hadn't been? Also I would imagine his breeder would like to know where he is. I have my pups tattooed before they leave me, and would be devastated if I wasn't informed when they changed hands.

Just out of curiosity, I wonder what breed he is?

JG if the number is T0C he will be a GSD as the puppy indicator for GSD's is a 0 between the tattooists ID letters

I never knew that, Moonmaiden! Thanks - all info gratefully received!

That makes me curious, though ... is that because GSDs were the first breed that really 'got into' tattooing?
:)

The NDTR was originally founded with the help of the GSD League with The Late Rory Frost as themain driving force

There are different numbers that are put between the tattooists's ID letters that indiicate that the dog was tattooed as a puppy 1 rotties, 2 dobe, 3 working breeds(including the pastorals)etc it means that there are more numbers available for use.

So yes GSDs were the 1st to be done then as more people wanted different breeds done the number codes were included.

Originally it was just to indicate if the dog was done as an adult or puppy

That's interesting! My dogs' tattoos start MC (tattooed as an adult), M9C and M9A (tattooed as puppies). It's nice to know what it all means!
:)

I presume he would be a gsd who was tattooed as a puppy & handed into battersea instead of being returned to the breeder :O Nomally people who have their puppies tattooed will take them back

Also so it is very usual for Battersea to notify the NDTR if the dog has been handed in(should do really as the breeder might be willing to take the dog bcak)