08/10/2026
Here is where I have a problem with some “rescue rhetoric”. My original mentor in training and the breeder of my first few Malinois 20 years ago tattooed all his puppies.
Sure enough, one puppy ended up at the shelter after the owner failed to contact the breeder and ended up dumping the dog at the pound. They posted is tattoo number on the post and we were able to figure out who the puppy was, what litter he was from, and even the specific puppy because of his numbering system and get him pulled.
Short of a dogs ear getting hurt/injured/removed… the dogs will forever be identifiable.
So to answer the OP assumptions from lack of experience and knowledge… let me shine some light on what that tattoo actually** means.
……
It takes as long as it takes to shoot a microchip with its massive needle in his neck with about the same pain level.
It means you could maybe*** check the AKC database and ind out who his breeder is.
It means he has a way of being identified immediately- and forever- no microchip slipping, moving or even having the body eject them. Microchips can migrate, they can be removed, and information isn’t updated or even registered in some cases.
It means whoever bred him and applied the tattoo at probably 8 week old because they DO care and want a permanent way to have their puppies identified and possibly returned to them in the case of emergency or neglect.
Please don’t judge what you don’t know… or at the least, please get curious and ask questions. That dog doesn’t remember that tattoo. Stepping on the dogs foot would cause more pain and long term damage.
Have you ever had a dog with a tattoo?
