My almost adopted rescue, Rocky, has a tattoo in his ear. How would I trace where he came from? I have tried the CKC website and all they say is to "call them".

Have you called them? I think the pups need to be permanently identified when a Canadian breeder registers the litter/pups. I am sure we'll get confirming info shortly. So they might be able to look up the ID and tell you, but only over the phone.

Ahh ok. I will definitely give them a call, I'm curious as to this guy's history!

http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=93 did you get to here with the CKC? They do search chip and tattoo records. You do have to call them but, wonder of wonders, it's a toll free call. I think there is a fee.

There is a chance you may not be able to track down the breeder. I had a pb lab foster with a tattoo, though we coudl read it, we were never able to track down the breeder, they were no listed with CKC or anything (I did some research with the help of some breeders)

What's the tattoo series? (first three letters, if you can't read them clearly, you may want to shave a bit, these are induvidual and assigned to breeders.)

Further, what are the rest of letters/numbers, they can tell you a lot about that puppy. (year born and # of puppy registered by the breeder)

Rhys is CP734L

This tells me he who he was bred by, that he was the 34th puppy registered by his breeder (and he was born in April, shudders) and that he was born in 2001.

Ginny is 4JN7U and this is my tattoo series (4JN) and she was the 7th puppy born, and that she was born in 2008.

Hey Melissa, just curious, so in the numbers, the last letter, is that a code for the year? Because in Ginny's example, 4JN is you, 7 is the 7th pup, and U? That's the secret code for year? That's pretty cool!

What's the tattoo series? (first three letters, if you can't read them clearly, you may want to shave a bit, these are induvidual and assigned to breeders.)

It is (from what I can tell) CIY31U ... we do know he was born in 2008 so the U makes sense (up until today we thought it was a 0!).

Most of the time when I use the CKC website it times out!
So it finally worked! All I got was his registered name and a number (UU249952), and what I assume is the original owner's name. Still curious as to breeder info, is there anyway I can trace that?

Thanks, I'll email a rescue contact, usually she's pretty good at convincing the CKC to tell them who is the breeder, so the dog can be returned safely, of course ;)

What is his registered name? Sometimes the breeder's name is in there too :)

Hey Melissa, just curious, so in the numbers, the last letter, is that a code for the year? Because in Ginny's example, 4JN is you, 7 is the 7th pup, and U? That's the secret code for year? That's pretty cool!


Yup, Jen the U is the year code. Rhys is an L and was 2001. Ruby is NRW7P, P being her year of birth, 2004.

Notice, three letters (and three years) between L and P.

Ruby and Gin were both the 7th pups in their litters. Lucky 7's!

Thanks, I'll email a rescue contact, usually she's pretty good at convincing the CKC to tell them who is the breeder, so the dog can be returned safely, of course ;)

What is his registered name? Sometimes the breeder's name is in there too :)

You're the best!! The registered name is "Prince Jack".