Microchip vs tattooing?

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Sophie - L

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Hi guys!
So i've just got a new pup and already anxiety is setting in. I'm so worried that she's going to be stolen like my other dog was. Yes i have now added more locks to the gates and the fencing is higher than that around a castle but i can't help wondering what lengths some people would go to! I've heard some terrible stories.

My girl was microchipped but obviously that doesn't help if the "new owner" ;) doesn't want to give her back. My new girl is microchipped too.

I've researched about getting dogs tattoed and there's a lady in my area who does it (certified etc) but what do you guys think? My thinking is that a visual deterrant is better as with freeze marking on horses.

Please help
 
Tattoos don't work very well. As an identifier yes but they are not visible and few people know who to call.
I have just had a hound in for the weekend.
Breed welfare rep picked him up Saturday having been found as a stray. No microchip but tattooed and not spotted by dog warden, pound or person who pulled him from pound.
His huntsman picked him up this morning.

He had been reported missing so we assume it was an anti hunting lack of communication.
 
It is a huge bugbear of mine that dog wardens etc don't check for tattoos. The National Dog tattoo registry are having a bit of a promotional push at the moment trying to make people more aware and to encourage them to check for tattoos. There is a letter in Dog World this week about a saluki that a lady had taken on from a rescue, she was told it was a young dog. When she got it home she found it was tattooed and on checking with the NDTR it turned out the dog was actually 14 years old.
I have always had litters tattooed but the current ones will be tattooed and microchipped, just because I am aware that frustratingly a lot of people don't bother checking the ear.:(
 
Totally agree. Maybe i could suggest some sort of drive in my local area. Since my dog was stolen ive been involved in a missing dog website and had her story in the local paper so we could do some follow up stuff to make people aware of the tatt's!

I haven't had any litters in the last 2 years but i too will be having all mine tatt'd as well as chipped from now on!

I know that not many people will check but hopefully it will act as more of a deterrant. Also thinking of adding "chipped and tattoed" sign to gates and fences - yes people will think i'm a raving loon but maybe that will also keep thieving scoundrels away!
 
I ID dogs sometimes and agree tatoos can be bloody hard to read. Our older dog has both and is linked to a DNA registry, sent off my young dog's profile a few weeks ago too.
 
Even if the powers that be insist on microchips in the future I will still tattoo my puppies because it links them back to their breeder,in a bull terrier ear they are perfect and stay easy to read,not too bad in hairy border terrier ears either! Dog thieves get chips out very easily,so if professionly nicked it is useless.
 
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