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I was just curious on everybody's opoinion about branding their hounds. Is there any real benefit, Or is it unecessary? I've noticed quite a few people do it, I actually own a hound with a freeze brand on it's ear. I freeze brand all my horses and mules, it would be pretty easy to do my dogs if I thought they needed it.
For the guys who do like branding their dogs, what's the best location and why?

Thanks,

I think it just depends on your location and hunting situation. Some places are known to have a fare share of dog thieves. This at least makes them think twice about sterling one. My father in law actually got a dog back because someone noticed the brand. If your huntin big private places you shouldn't have a worry.

I brand mine on their ear. Yes they could cut the ear off, they must also think twice about this. People that are going to do this are going to find a way to steel them anyway. People should also be suspicious if they see a dog missing an ear. I like it here because if they are in a dog box you can see it. On the shoulder, ribs or hip the dog would need to be out of the box to be seen. I don't know if it needs to be done or not. What I do know is it's very easy to do. I branded 8 young dogs the other day in less than an hour.

I think the head because its the first thing your gonna see hanging out of a dog box and I dont think many thieves want to cut the ears off and hunt hounds like that. But if their really good then Id do the ears and the body with micro chips.

Thanks guys, that makes sense.......

When you brand your dog's ears, do you do it the same as you'd do a horse.....shave the hair and clean with alchohol?
what's the best way to keep the dog from moving?

Thanks again

Yes it's the same. I do it by myself so sedate them. If you have a vet there have them knock them out. It makes it way easier when they're still. You'll need a very small iron to do the ears. It also doesn't take long on the ears. My iron w/dry ice takes between 7-12 seconds. It all depends on the thickness of the ear.

I do a T in one ear and an H in the other always figured no theif in their rite mind would cut off both ears

What are your iron's made of?

They're made of brass.

Would copper work?

Really not sure if copper would work. Don't see why not because the key is something that holds cold well. With hounds the brand time is so short that I'd think it would work. I am no expert on this however and I'm just thinking (which never seemed to work very well for me). They're really not that expensive to have made out of brass though.

Really not sure if copper would work. Don't see why not because the key is something that holds cold well. With hounds the brand time is so short that I'd think it would work. I am no expert on this however and I'm just thinking (which never seemed to work very well for me). They're really not that expensive to have made out of brass though.