It can happen:  one minute you are casually walking your dog, and the next minute he is gone.  Whether he chased a squirrel or spotted a neighborhood friend, you have lost control.  If your pooch goes missing, then you may have a plan already set in place.  Who to call, what to do, and who to ask for help may all be a part of your plan.  Accurately describing your dog can be a huge help, especially if he ends up at a shelter or animal control agency.  Here are a few tips for a better description.

First of all, it’s a good idea to write this down and keep it in a safe spot.  If you are worried or upset when your dog disappears, then you may miss the little details that can help identify him.  Make a list of these descriptions, and file it with your dog’s other paperwork.  Many of these descriptions are used for mixed breed dogs.  It’s fairly easy to describe a purebred, since he probably meets certain breed standards already.  But, even if your pooch is a purebred, then go through the list.  There might be something you miss.

The first item is the most obvious:  breed.  If you know your pooch’s breed, then this part is easy.  If you don’t, then simply identify him as a mixed breed.  Even knowing that he’s “part something” can help, but it isn’t completely necessary.  The next few items are also obvious.  You should list the dog’s sex, age, weight, and size (small, medium, large).  Hopefully, you know the dog’s sex and maybe you can guess his age.  If you are unsure of a weight (though this can also be guessed), then give your veterinarian a call.  Your vet keeps track of your dog’s weight, so he or she can give you a better estimate.  Don’t forget to write down an identification the dog may be wearing.  Does he have a microchip, a rabies tag, etc.?  In addition to the more obvious items, you should also make a note of whether or not your pet is spayed or neutered.

Now, onto the details that you may forget in your fit of panic.  Start with your pet’s coat.  Does he have long, short, or shaved hair?  If he’s a poodle that goes to the groomer to get a stylish cut, then don’t forget to add this detail.  Next, think about the colors of his coat, and any noticeable markings.  You don’t have to write that “there’s a small white dot on his right paw, and there’s a streak of brown on his tail.”  However, you should note that his coat is brown and white.  Don’t forget that there are many shades of brown (and other colors), so the shade should also be noted.  While you are identifying the colors of your pooch’s coat, also take note of his eye color.  Don’t just write “blue,” instead include the shade and write “dark blue.” 

Describing physical characteristics is the next step.  Start with his ears.  Are they droopy, pointy, long, short, laid back, folded, or cropped?  Now, what about his tail?  Is it docked, long, thin, bushy, etc.?  You can also include ear and tail color in your description.   His muzzle should be the next item you make a note of.  Muzzles are generally categorized as short, medium, or long.  Next, look at his nose, and write down the color.

By using the above descriptors, you have basically covered your pooch from top to bottom.  However, you should also make note of any abnormalities or markers that standout.  For instance, perhaps your pooch got in a fight and he has a scar on his side where the hair doesn’t grow.  Anything that can distinguish your pooch from another dog can help you locate him.

If you ever lose your pooch, then it may be hard not to panic.  So, it’s important to be prepared before that ever happens.  The best thing you can do is to write down a description of your dog.  In your fit of panic, you may forget certain things about your dog, so using the descriptors above can help you start the list.  Then, if your dog goes missing, you can easily fax over the description to local animal shelters, veterinarian’s offices, and animal control agencies. 

This article was provided by Pet-Super-Store.com featuring dog training collars from the pet industries leading manufactures: PetSafe & Dogtra.