Hi......New to the board.
I've had my dog for about 11 years now. He was a stray and I found him wandering the woods. Based on his tooth development, the vet told me he was between 2.5 and 3.5 years. Since he is getting on in age, I had some questions about him. I had a DNA test done to determine his breeds, but there has always been a question that I had about him. He has a tattoo on his inner thigh. The tattoo is the male symbol (circle with an arrow) and the circle is crossed out (likened to the no smoking sign). Has anyone ever seen something like it? I assume it means that he is neutered, but what type of place/business/industry would mark a dog like that?

im not familiar with that, but i i can't believe that your dog has a tattoo

While I know MANY dogs are tattood (I have one myself). I have never seen one like you describe. In many parts of Europe they tattoo in inside of an ear to ID the dogs. They also do that in the states... usualy on the inside back leg (where your dog's tattoo is). It is VERY COMMON for labratories to tattoo their dogs as a way to ID them and know what was done to who. The college I went to had a big vet program and they got lab rescues (as in research not labrador) ALL the dogs came with tattoos. It is very likely that this is one of those types of tattoos, what does your vet have to say?

I thought he might be some sort of "lab" dog as well. My vet does not have an answer. It's just one of the mysteries that is my dog. I know I have given him a better life than he would have had, but would just like to know where he came from. The DNA test gave me a little insight.

Well sometimes hunting clubs tatoo numbers on the thigh, but not that. Maybe some other hunting clubs where you live do that because where I live I have a hunting club right next to my house and dogs there come to my house with numbers on there thigh.

Can you upload a photo of the tattoo... it sounds very interesting.

i'll try to grab it tonight

It sounds like he must have already been found as a stray and then he escaped from or was dumped by who ever owned him before. Humane Society's will mark a dog with a tattoo to show that it is fixed in case it is found as a stray. Its more common in females because well, its a little easier to tell if a male is fixed or not!!! I've never heard of marking with a symbol but I've seen many females who will be marked with a pink tattoo along the scar where they were spayed. That way if they are found, a vet will know that she is spayed without having to open her up to find out. Now vets can feel for a uterus but it isnt always easy to tell. I have seen males that will be marked with a blue tattoo along where the testicles used to be. That way, even if they have scar tissue that might LOOK like a testicle, the tattoo will show that he is fixed.

I just adopted a boxer who is fixed but he has a lot of scar tissue. The vet said that its probably a combo of a crappy neuter and then the previous owners not watching him closely and allowing him to chew on the area. There is so much scar tissue that it actually looks like he has a small testicle.

[wishbone]

That tattoo might be on him for purpose and he's just escape or something for them. Also curious to see that stain on his leg.

i will have the picture monday morning

this is all very interesting!

[maarvai]

I adopted a puppy from a shelter that was 6 mos old. He has a very small tattoo of a blue line right where he had surgery. With further research I discovered it was the way they show that the animal has been fixed.

[mrsd123]

Bayfront15

Your post gave me chills. We rescued a 10 MONTH old border collie mix in January of 2010 with what sounds like the exact same tattoo!!!

Our vet has no idea why he has it........

Please let me know if you have learned anything more about it.

THANKS! mrsd123

Originally Posted by bayfront15

Hi......New to the board.
I've had my dog for about 11 years now. He was a stray and I found him wandering the woods. Based on his tooth development, the vet told me he was between 2.5 and 3.5 years. Since he is getting on in age, I had some questions about him. I had a DNA test done to determine his breeds, but there has always been a question that I had about him. He has a tattoo on his inner thigh. The tattoo is the male symbol (circle with an arrow) and the circle is crossed out (likened to the no smoking sign). Has anyone ever seen something like it? I assume it means that he is neutered, but what type of place/business/industry would mark a dog like that?

[cigwyllt]

I just googled "dog tattoo neuter" and it is commonly done by neuter/spay clinics. It seems it is quite common. It's not anything malicious or anything like that, simply to make it obvious that the dog has been fixed.

[Krissy48lowes]

I can't wait to see the picture of this tattoo. I would have never thought of doing this to a dog, but you all bring up some very good reasons. I know they tattoo race horses for various reasons.

Sounds like you've given this dog a better home...good for you!

[Yogi]

It also must be noted that many purebred dogs were for years tattooed by breeders are required by breed clubs ie: AKC, CKC.

[kayli_lilly]

I have heard of puppy mills doing this, but don't see them doing it to a nuetered dog. Also though I have seen big ranches and farms tattoo their working dogs to distinguish when there are look alikes, in case they stray.

[dugogota]

You know, I hear tatoos are somewhat painful. So I hope the tatoo has a legitimate purpose. Otherwise, that's abusive to the animal. Sounds like he ended up in a good, loving home though.