Let's talk about ear tatoos . . .

2421 Views 11 Replies 10 Participants Last post by ardavis324, Apr 10, 2008

my4cowboys

Discussion Starter · Apr 9, 2008

Geiger's right ear is all green, because she was tatooed at the breeder's. I'm just wondering how long it takes for the green to go away, and if I should be doing anything to it (try to clean it off, etc.). It seems more sensitive than her other ear so I haven't been doing anything with it. I would ask the breeder, but she is out of town right now, delivering some of Geiger's siblings to their new families.

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Dannay

· #2 · Apr 9, 2008

When our puppies were tattooed, our breeder told us to just leave it alone. To let the vet know not to clean it off, and let it go away on it's own.

After about 2 weeks it's almost gone now, and the tattoo itself has become visible.

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lhczth

· #3 · Apr 9, 2008

Just leave it alone. The extra ink will eventually go away.

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Chris Wild

· #4 · Apr 9, 2008

Agree. Leave it alone and it will wear off with time. The ear is still sensitive because it had a bunch of holes poked in it and will need time to heal.

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Rügen

· #5 · Apr 9, 2008

I read that around 8 weeks is when pups are tattooed. Is it just because that is when most go home? Is 9 or 10 weeks too late?

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KCandMace

· #6 · Apr 10, 2008

Hubby had wanted KC tattooed but the vet said no as they had to put them to sleep. I really don't know anything about having it done. Or the rules for Germany vs the US. So many different rules! UGH!
It is interesting that the breeder had it done.

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kutzro357

· #7 · Apr 10, 2008

Chris why don`t they eliminate ear tats and either chip or go exclusively belly so stolen dogs don`t have their ears cut off?

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Chris Wild

· #8 · Apr 10, 2008

Originally Posted By: kutzro357Chris why don`t they eliminate ear tats and either chip or go exclusively belly so stolen dogs don`t have their ears cut off?

The stolen dogs having their ears cut off is very, VERY rare. It just really isn't a concern. Yes, it's happened once or twice, but is hardly epidemic.

For competing in SchH and the German conformation ring, each dog must be permanently identified in order to prove the dog is who people say it is.

Microchips are accepted for this, in lieu of tattoos, however:
Some people don't like chips or are afraid they will cause cancer, etc.. so don't want to chip their dogs.
Someone choosing to use a microchip as permanent ID must be able to provide a reader so the chip can be read. This would require everyone who wants to use a chip to spend $300 or more on a reader just so they can trial/show their dog. Some clubs provide readers, some don't. But of course, since not all microchips are readable by all readers, this isn't foolproof.

Belly tattoos also have their problems compared to ear tattoos.
They must be done by a vet under anesthesia. Most vets do not have the proper tattoo equipment to do them, so just getting it done can be logistically difficult. And I know I wouldn't want to put my dog through the risk of anesthesia just to get a tattoo. Ear tattoos are quick and easy and don't require vet visits and drugs to accomplish.
The judge at the trial must be able to read the tattoo. And there are a lot of GSDs out there who aren't going to be willing to go belly-up in front of a stranger so he can see their tattoo. Showing the ear is quick and easy.

All our dogs are chipped and have ear tattoos, and we do the same for our pups. The ear tattoo for purposes of SchH/showing and the chip just for general ID and pet recovery, since it's much easier to track down an owner of a lost dog via chip than tattoo.

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Hellismd

· #9 · Apr 10, 2008

is there an age limit on when to tatoo? I am assuming it is somewhat painful for the dog.

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lhczth

· #10 · Apr 10, 2008

The ear tattoos are done usually between 7 and 9 weeks. Yes, it is painful, but over quickly and most puppies recover the minute they are put back on the ground.

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Wildtim

· #11 · Apr 10, 2008

Originally Posted By: HollyEis there an age limit on when to tatoo? I am assuming it is somewhat painful for the dog.

Not a limit per se but you want to do it young. As the cartilage firms up as the puppy matures and doing the standard pliers tattoo can damage it causing a floppy ear if it is done older. There is also a lot more vascularity in a mature ear increasing the risk of bleeding and infection if done in an older dog.

Like Lisa said puppies feel it and usually yelp but recover almost instantly from the "trauma" of having it done. If done young there is little to no bleeding and when care is taken it is a quick simple thing to do with little risk to the pup. Considering the amount of noise puppies make as an indicator of pain, it isn't any more painful than chipping them at the same age at least by the volume of noise they make

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ardavis324

· #12 · Apr 10, 2008

Originally Posted By: my4cowboysGeiger's right ear is all green, because she was tatooed at the breeder's. I'm just wondering how long it takes for the green to go away, and if I should be doing anything to it (try to clean it off, etc.). It seems more sensitive than her other ear so I haven't been doing anything with it. I would ask the breeder, but she is out of town right now, delivering some of Geiger's siblings to their new families.

Heidi told me to leave it alone for one week, and then wash it out with soapy water.

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