Hi
Just wonderd if anyone had any advice on chipping.
I have a 13 week old GSD who has been tattooed by is breeder but have heard mixed views on this! The RSPCA are chipping at our local community centre this weekend for half the price the vets charge and i was wondering if i should take him along. Hubby thinks not as he is already has the tattoo but can people really read them things? He has really hairy ears and you have to look hard to find it ? His breeder thinks chipping is a waste of money as they can move? What do you reckon ?
Jinny

It's up to you. Mine are all tattooed (and the new tattoos are really easy to read after nearly 4 years - the older-style ones did indeed fade), but I had the opportunity to have one chipped for free, so I had that done as well.

If you do a search on the subject you'll find loads of info and opinions.
:)

Hi Jinny , you might find this old thread interesting to read :

[link http://www.champdogs.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?tid=12129&hilite=Microchips#78134]Tatto or Microchip[/link]

HTH

Melody :)

Jinny,

If the tatoo is noticeable then he probably does not need a microchip under most circumstances. If your dog is lost and hair really does obscure the tatoo, then a quick shave will do the trick.

If you are in the UK and ever plan to travel abroad with him you will need to have him microchipped. So that would be one reason why a microchip is essential.

If you are in an area where dog theft is common I personally believe microchipping is better. People that steal dogs are not bothered by tatoos. First, they are easy to change or blur - just tatoo over the original. Second, some thieves do not mind cutting off a dog's ear if the dog is to be used for guard work or fighting, if they are worried about a tatoo at all.

Stacey

Just for the piece of mind its worth doing...mine are tatooed, chipped and DNA sampled- slight overkill - The green ink used for tatoo numbers have faded in the two bitches, third was never tatooed because of this. If they where ever lost, a frightened dog would have a easier time of someone scanning them, than someone holding their heads and rooting around the ear lobe. Thats if the people/organisation that found her where aware of Tatooes, they have been missed in the past?

I have had my younger two and all pups done with black ink, which fades to navy, and it is far better than green. within reason you can have what colour you like, some use red in the dark ears!

Mine are all done with black ink, too.
:)

I am a fan of tattoing, especially using the newer smaller calipers, and have excellent readable tattoos on mine at nearly six years old. the two older ones with only 20% eyesight I find difficult to decipher, but they were done with the old large ones.

I have all my pups tattooed and am a big fan of this visible method, but I also have them chipped too! Belt and braces. If for some reson your dog go lost and the chip wa missed with scanner batteries low etc, then maybe during vet exam (they should always check ears) the tattoo can be found. The tattoo registry can locate the owner evewn on a partially legible tattoo. Both methods are basically down to human error as to whether they are located.

I remember when I had them done at Halewood RSPCA, Liverpool @ 7/8 years back they all let out out a big yelp... the lady doing the tatoo said the best breed by far where Dobermans who never made a sound!

Ged.

Hi
Thanks for all the replies i read some of the old "threads" they were very interesting i think after what i've read i will get chipped aswell both have to be better than one! His tattoo is black in little letters but where he is a long coat GSD i will perhaps shave the area (if he lets me) like someone adviced ,and hopefully when his ears go up and stay up it will be seen, He looks like a cross at the moment with floopy ears that hang down they were up but have stayed down for the last 10 days bless him.Looks very sad
Jinny

I never thought of it hurting them ahh, he is such a baby aswell think i will get hubby to take him, Is it a big needle and does it bleed? and do you think the RSPCA one at the community centre would be ok or should i go to my Vet.

It is quite a big needle, and yes, Harry did bleed (luckily he had already been judged!!) - so now he hates having anything done over his shoulders - he has to be held very firmly for the vet to pass the scanner over his back to check the chip's still functioning. (Heroism is not his strong point :rolleyes: )

The RSPCA will use the same equipment as the Vet, so from that point of view it won't matter where you go. :)

HI guys,

I would like to get my lot done all at once either Micro chipped , tattoo or both.

I am in Fife , 30 mins from Edinburgh do you have any recommendations who I could use.

Yes I still have to ask my vet also but saw the post and thought I would ask..

Pam

Welcome to mail me preidie@yahoo.com

Hi Pam,
You can find some info on tattooing here.

Thanks Jeanjeanie :-)

Micro Chipping

Jinny
I believe microchips are now barbed and therefore not supposed to move once implanted
Lel

Ouch! really? I didnt know they were barbed...Ahh well.

I have my dog and cats microchipped and my pup is going to be done next week. Its only 12.50 and it is piece of mind. If it moves (rare) then i suppose you could do it again.

Must admit i wouldnt like it doing but its better than them only having a collar on!

It really is a personal choice, perhaps you should speak to your vet about your concernes.

Roxanne