Dear ID Please: When it comes to identification for your new canine friend, think about both permanent and temporary approaches. Permanent identification can be either the older technology of tattooing or the newer technology of a microchip implant. Temporary solutions traditionally include collars and tags that, unfortunately, can come off the dog.

Let’s look at your options:

PERMANENT – Whether you choose to tattoo or microchip, the idea is to permanently mark the dog with a registration number that will be held in a database. If that dog is lost and someone calls the database, it will have your name, address, phone numbers and other contact information such as e-mails, fax number or alternative contacts if you can’t be reached. 

One of the largest and oldest tattoo registry with four million animals listed is the National Dog Registry founded in 1966. Visit them at www.natldogregistry.com. The tattoo, done by a tattoo artist with a number of the owner’s choosing, will be placed on the dog’s inner right thigh. If the dog is found, someone can call 800-NDR-DOGS to access the database.

 Microchips follow the same principle. Microchips, about the size of a grain of rice, are inserted just under the skin between the shoulder blades of the dog. Unlike tattoos, they do not fade or blur with time. Using a hand-held scanner, similar to having your groceries scanned at the supermarket, a vet, dog warden or shelter operator can access the number.

The American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery organization provides a microchip registry service. Visit them at www.akccar.org or if you find a pet with a HomeAgain® microchip number call 800-252-7894 for their 24-hour recovery hotline.

TEMPORARY – Of course, permanent identification is better than temporary, but what if the person who finds your dog doesn’t know about these databases and how to access them? Here is where adding a tag with the 800 number plus the registration number can help. Hopefully, if your dog still has his collar and tags on him, his owner can be located simply by reading the old-fashioned metal tag with the dog’s name and “if found” information.

There is a new product called “dog-e-tag” which looks like a watch and can be attached to the collar. It displays 40 lines of information in five languages with an automatic backlight. This water resistant dog tag is effective in temperatures from 140 to 14 degrees (so is a metal tag) and has a low battery indicator (not needed on a metal tag). If bringing new technology into an old delivery system is for you then visit them at www.dog-e-tag.com or call 866-DOG-ETAG. 

Lisa’s Pick of the Litter

From the pages of the PETsMART Dog Catalog I’ve found the ultimate in unbelievable toys and fashion accessories for the holidays. Rather than the traditional monogrammed Santa hat or even more embarrassing stuffed reindeer antlers try the latest in a jingle bells or flashing lights collar.

And for the dog that has everything, try the “Talk-To-Me Treat Ball.” This ball has a motion-activated tape recorder nestled inside. When rolled around the dog will hear your own pre-recorded message. Now the point of this toy, according to the catalog is to “comfort and encourage” your dog while he is home alone. In addition, when the ball rolls, it spits out treats. I think this could be a great training tool while you are away by simply replacing the “I’ll be home soon” message with a “Don’t you dare get on that couch” command.

Just kidding!

Lisa Peterson, a breeder and exhibitor of Norwegian Elkhounds, is a Delegate to the American Kennel Club. Send questions to ask@lisa-peterson.com or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.