Should I Microchip My Dog?

A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification. The chip itself is very small – about the size of a grain of rice – and is implanted subcutaneously (just under the skin) between the shoulder blades at the back of your pet’s neck. Each chip has a unique number that is detected using a microchip scanner.

We get asked about microchips quite often… Whether it’s someone getting a new puppy from our litters, or just in general.  I can’t stress the importance of permanent identification of your dog.  Collars get lost and if your pet ends up in a vet clinic or shelter they will scan your pet, get the info for contacting the owner, and then proceed to call you. We have seen that importance firsthand, in fact, a dog I use to own got lost and the new owners didn’t update the information. But when the shelter found the contact info and called me, I was able to locate the information from my records and called the very upset owners and they were, fortunately, reunited with their dear Labrador.

In the video below, I talk a bit about how having a microchip can protect your dog, especially in the event of loss or theft.

WATCH THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO on Microchipping and if its the right thing for your Lab! (This covers MY opinion of this)

This video by the veterinarian, Dr. Karen Becker, is also VERY GOOD and if you are thinking of microchipping your pet, WATCH THIS FIRST!! (learn the RISKS and BENEFITS!)

Remember that if you ever transfer ownership of your pet, or move, that you change the contact information associated with the microchip inside of your pet. Many pets found that end up in vet clinics or shelters are frustrating to the staff who look up the info, call or contact the owner on record only to find out that the information is out of date or no longer correct. Also, check monthly to see that the chip has not migrated to the shoulder, chest, neck, or belly area.

If you show your dogs, I recommend putting it in the shoulder area as putting it between the shoulder blades could break up your dog’s topline because it can cause a little “bubble” where it was inserted.