Hi Guys,

Never had this problem myself as I have always been able to tell my pups apart (even if they were the same colour) but a colleague has 6 all black male pups (won't say the breed so as not to advertise) they are now 4 weeks, she has perspective owners coming to view during the next few days and choose their pup and would like to know how to identify each pup to each owner. (I know she should match personality etc, but does not seem able to tell them apart herself??? Yes, I know strange, but true!) Anyhow, I have heard of people painting the tails or feet a different colour for each pup.  Where do you get this safe paint, spray or whatever it is? Or does anyone else do anything else to help with puppy identification :-)

Most people I know will trim/clip a bit of fur in a different area so that they or more especially the new owner is sure which pup they chose when they come to pick it up.

I used sheep marker on a lab litter once - as each one was born & dried, sprayed a blob on haunch/shoulder/left side/right side/ear/left/right, etc & noted down with birth position & weight.   By the time the marker was wearing off (about 2-3 weeks) we could use different methods of identifying.

Margot

Just to say, when I got Molly, everyone who was having a pup didn't choose their pup until the day they collected, they all came and went in list order and this saved having the worries of marking the pups for several weeks and also puppy personalities were well and truly developed.

How did she identify them for weighing, etc? Anyway, I use different colour "rik-rak" collars.

i used tippex on their toes when they were small and by 4 weeks they each had a different colour cat collar on

Believe me, with a big litter of black pups it's easy to mix them up! The moment mine are born they get collars made of knicker elastic dipped in different colours of food dye. The collars are replaced as the pups grow and stay on until they are big enough to wear small different coloured puppy collars.

I would be far too worried to put collars on puppies (I've had 2 very nasty experiences with dogs playing and teeth getting caught in collars - I never leave them on my dogs).  I am lucky with my breed, markings help of course!

You can get safety collars with clips that give way easily and these are what I use. Of course they get unclipped in play quite a lot by then I know who is who .... as long as they stop moving for a second! :)

Thanks everyone! I shall pass on all of your helpful advice. :-)