Tattooing your dog??

[Kellynbobellen]

So my big man Charlie has this kinda ugly spot on his hip where there is no fur.  It doesnt really bother me seeing as I know that it is a scar from when he was a puppy, but I get asked about it CONSTANTLY!  Because people ask me about it all the time veI started to feel like a bad dog owner or something!  People seem to think that hes got some sort of skin issue. 

My mother and I were talking about the spot and what can be done.  He is a black dog and the skin under is white, so its really obvious.  She suggested jokingly that we should have it tattoed, saying that "people do it all the time".  I certainly have never heard of someone tatting a dog to rid a blemish spot.

So, is this even something that is done?  I dont think I would do that, but if its really common and easy to do....I dont know.  Maybe I just need some other SD owners to tell me that I am crazy for worrying about it, idk...

[Kirsten]

I wouldn't do it.  Tattoos are not fun for the dog.  They do hurt.  I'm unwilling to cause my dog discomfort for a cosmetic reason.  I won't even tape ears that don't set correctly.

That said, all of my dogs ARE tattooed, but they are Tattooed with their registration numbers for identification purposes.  If someone tries to claim my dog is theirs, which has happened once, I can easily prove the dog is mine on the spot because I have the registration numbers memorized.  My dogs are also microchipped and wear ID tags.  I'm just thorough.  But the reason I like the tattoo is they can't lose it and I don't need a special tool to read it.  Just the command "tattoo" and they'll go belly up to show it (on the inside of the thigh).

My new pup will be tattooed and microchipped before I even get him.  She puts the tattoo in the ear, which I don't like.  I prefer it on the thigh where it is more discrete and harder to remove.  But that's life.  I'm still glad he'll be permanently identified before I try to travel cross country with him. 

[Kellynbobellen]

wow I had no idea that they put ID numbers on dogs like that.  So who keeps track of the number?  Is it a same system like chips use?  Is it better for your dog to have this then a chip, in terms of getting your dog back I mean.

[fledchen]

The ID number Kirsten refers to is the AKC (or UKC, or whatever kennel club is widely recognized in your country) registration number.

[Kirsten]

You can use your dog's AKC registration number, or you can use any number you like and register it with NDR:  http://www.nationaldogregistry.com/  Back when you wanted a tattoo to help your dog find his way home, registration was more important.  Now, I depend on the microchips and ID tags to help my dog find his way home.  But the tattoo gives notice that the dog is identified.  The odds are very high that if he has a tattoo, he also has a microchip.  And as I said, I can instantly identify the dog as mine because I can rattle off the 10 digit number and I also have it on his ID card along with his microchip number.  (See Cole's ID card is a real ID card, used to identify him, not to convince door keepers he is a service dog.)

Back in the day, they had to be tattooed with the AKC number for OFA certs.  It would even indicate that on the OFA number with a T.  Now they just use "PI" (permanent identification) and it can mean either a microchip or a tattoo.  But in order to get certified, the dog must have one or the other.

CJ will be tattooed with the numbering system used for German working line dogs, not his AKC registration number.  I'm not sure how that numbering system works, but it is a lot shorter than 10 digits, and is required for competition.

[Roxie]

Don't fill in your dog's coat with tattooing just because his skin is showing! Ridiculous thinking! Tattoos hurt! Why subject your dog to uneeded pain just for your want to not have people ask you about it or your fear you may be considered a bad dog owner!

Tattoo in your eyebrows shape instead, or tattoo on lipstick for your lips.

You selected and chose your dog with the blemish. If you didn't like the scar, you could have opted to not choose that dog.

[Cera]

I'm unwilling to cause my dog discomfort for a cosmetic reason.  I won't even tape ears that don't set correctly.

Does taping hurt? I know its cosmetic but my collie boy's little flaps are taped down right now. I think the end results are cute, (though he was not chosen for his looks, he IS quite handsome), but I would not be doing it if I knew it was at all uncomfortable. Frankly, I've never done anything at all for cosmetic purposes before and I guess it does feel a bit silly... if I didn't need a sound dog, I know I'd have a mutt.

Crud, he is attempting to heard the cat again. She is NOT impressed.

[Ilghaus]

I don't think the little taping on little collie boy is the type Kirsten is refering to. I think she is talking about either like that done with a Great Dane (crop ear and tape) or some people taping a German Shepherds ears for months to force them to stand (many times with some type of form inside the ear).

[Roxie]

I think Kirsten may be refering to a rack to set dogs' ears erect. Used for dogs after ear cropping and for dogs with ears that should be erect but droop.

That kind of taping can be really miserable and brutal for a dog.

Far different from taping a ear tip to the inner ear or taping a nickel on the tips.

[Cera]

Ah, I didn't realize there were other types of taping. I guess I am being a bit of a worry-wart tonight. 

[Roxie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e39bE8ctNJc     Dobermans

http://www.rockytopboxers.com/Earwraps.html   Boxers

http://leerburg.com/tapingears.htm   German Shepherds

[Magesteff]

It's one thing to tattoo for ID purposes and another to to it for somewhat a vanity reason (i.e. looks). I don't see anything wrong with your answer - "It's a scar from when he was a puppy, before I owned him." - Doesn't make you a bad owner. Plus it is a different question rather than them focusing on him being your SD (i.e. "What do you need him for?" invasive questions).

[Cera]

Thanks Roxie... I had no idea!

[Kirsten]

Sorry, my comment was from my frame of reference.  I have shepherds.  Some people will tape ears on shepherds if they do not stand correctly.  A shepherd whose ears are not fully erect does not meet the standard and cannot be shown.  Taping the ears changes the dog's appearance, but does not change the genetics that caused the soft ear.  The purpose of showing a dog is to prove his breedworthiness and a dog with soft ear genes isn't breedworthy.  I'm proud that all of my dogs have correct ears, but they have them because the genes made them that way.  If one had a soft ear or two I would leave it.  It's still the same dog, and I'd love him just the same and the rest of the world can go shove it if they have an issue with it, but at least I wouldn't be torturing him unnecessarily.

This is what taping means in the German shepherd world: 
http://leerburg.com/tapingears.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLX6PIrMN_A

I've seen lots more dobies and danes with this kind of taping than shepherds.  And if I had a dog of a breed that was traditionally cropped or docked, I wouldn't do that either.  Aside from not wanting to torture my dog over cosmetics, I think natural dobie ears are adorable.

Every single dog I have seen taped like the above has been miserable.  I don't even want to imagine getting the tape back off again, though apparently the dogs do it themselves.

I have no first hand experience with collie ears.

[Sheenar]

I agree --I have seen first hand a Dobie with taped ears. It was a pup, so it was running around being goofy --but it did not look like that would be comfortable. I like the natural ears on a Dobie too --but I wonder if a natural-eared Doberman could be shown in conformation?

As for tattooing, I'd do it for ID purposes (I also don't agree with the ear being a suitable location --the inside of the thigh would be better), but not for cosmetic reasons.

Leon is microchipped and wears and ID tag --I will most likely not get him tattooed. Because #1, it is painful and #2 if we do have to be apart (like if I am going somewhere unsafe for him to be), he is shut in my bedroom --otherwise, he is always by my side. (I am also not sure on if it would be okay with his program).