Getting a puppy is one of life's great joys — and microchipping is one of the first practical things to sort out. If you're buying from us, it's already done before your puppy comes home. But if you're looking after a puppy from another source, here's everything you need to know.
Is microchipping a legal requirement?
Yes, in England it is. All dogs must be microchipped and registered by the time they are 8 weeks old. This requirement came in under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015. Owners who fail to comply face a fine of up to £500. Since June 2024, the same applies to cats — all cats must be chipped by 20 weeks.
A responsible breeder will always microchip puppies before they leave, but if you're rescuing a dog or taking on a puppy from a less careful source, checking for a chip (and adding one if it's missing) should be your first port of call.
What is a microchip, exactly?
A microchip is a tiny passive transponder — about the size of a grain of rice — implanted under the skin at the back of the neck using a fine needle. It contains a unique 15-digit code that, when read by a scanner (the kind vets and rescue centres have), links to your registered contact details on a national database.
It doesn't track your dog's location and has no battery. It simply sits there, silently, for the lifetime of the animal, doing nothing until a scanner is passed over it.
Does it hurt?
It feels much like a standard injection — a brief, sharp sensation. Most puppies barely flinch. The needle is slightly larger than a vaccine needle, but the procedure takes seconds and there's no ongoing discomfort. We use puppies' natural distraction and movement to make the process as calm as possible.
What happens after chipping?
The chip is registered to your details — name, address, phone number and email — on a DEFRA-compliant database. You should receive a certificate or confirmation. Keep this safe; it's your proof of registration. Crucially, if you move house or change your phone number, update the database. The chip is only useful if the details are current.
What if I buy a puppy that's already chipped?
The breeder should transfer the registration into your name at the point of sale, or give you the paperwork to do so yourself. Make sure this happens before or at the point of purchase. A puppy still registered in the breeder's name is — legally — the breeder's dog. It's a simple thing to sort, but don't let it slip.
Microchipping in Cheshire — £10
All Moorsbarrow puppies are microchipped and registered before they come to you. If you need a chip for an unchipped dog or cat, we offer professional microchipping at our farm in Middlewich — just £10 per chip, with database registration included. We serve clients from Sandbach, Crewe, Northwich, Winsford and across Cheshire.
Book microchippingFrequently asked questions
When should a puppy be microchipped?
By 8 weeks old — this is a legal requirement in England. Responsible breeders microchip before the puppy leaves for its new home.
Does microchipping hurt a puppy?
It feels similar to a standard injection — a brief sharp sensation, and then it's done. Most puppies barely react.
What database is the chip registered on?
It must be a DEFRA-compliant database. At Moorsbarrow Hall Farm, we register each chip on a compliant UK database and provide the details to the owner on the day.
Can I microchip my puppy myself?
No — microchipping must be carried out by a trained, certified implanter. It cannot be done at home.