You’ve just arrived at your vet’s building. You can hear your heart beating as you walk towards the entrance. You’ve decided to put down your dog but want to keep a little piece of him around forever. You might be wondering, “Can you taxidermy a dog?” And the answer is, depending on your circumstances, you can look into dog taxidermy as an option.
Dog taxidermy is preserving and mounting your dog’s body after death to preserve it for years. You can do this through traditional taxidermy, freeze-dried dog taxidermy or stuffed dog taxidermy (which usually involves synthetic materials). However, before taking on this emotionally-charged task, there are some critical questions that you should consider first:
1. How much does it cost? Taxidermists will typically charge based on size and availability, with smaller animals costing less than larger ones. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars for small taxidermy dogs to thousands of dollars for larger taxidermy dogs.
2. Is it legal? Depending on your location and the type of dog, you may need to get a permit before taking on dog taxidermy. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with local regulations.
3. How long does it take? Traditional dog taxidermy can take several weeks or months, while freeze-drying and stuffing can be done in days or weeks.
4. Can I do it myself? While some people choose to tackle dog taxidermy by themselves, many opt for professional services due to the complicated nature of the process.
5. What if I don’t like the finished product? Unfortunately, dog taxidermy doesn’t always turn out as we hoped. If you need more than the results, look for a reputable dog taxidermist who can offer you a better result.
Dog taxidermy is an emotionally charged experience, but it can also be rewarding as you keep your dog’s memory alive. Before taking on this task, consider all the questions above and research dog taxidermists in your area thoroughly. With careful planning and proper execution, your beloved dog will live on forever! This is our ultimate guide on dog taxidermy. Keep reading.
What is Dog Taxidermy?
Dog taxidermy is preserving an animal’s body using lifelike poses and forms. The goal is to make the animal look as accurate as possible so you can put it on display in a home or office setting. The process involves skinning, stuffing, mounting and customizing the dog’s fur to ensure it looks exactly how it did when your beloved pup was alive.
So, if you were to taxidermy your dog, you could create a posed form of your dog in its favorite position or even recreate the dog’s last moments so you can preserve it forever.
How Does Dog Taxidermy Work?
The taxidermist will start by skinning the dog, including removing all the fur and flesh from the carcass. They then work to preserve the parts being kept for display, such as claws, teeth and other small details. The next step is to stuff the skin with sawdust, cotton or poly-fiber stuffing material so it has a natural form. Then they mount it onto a mannequin base to give it posture and movement before lastly customizing any remaining features like coloration or facial expressions.
How Much Does it Cost to Taxidermy a Dog?
How much a taxidermied dog will cost depends on where you live, your pet’s size, the mount’s complexity and any additional details you want. Generally speaking, taxidermy dog prices could range anywhere from $100-$1000+.
Is Dog Taxidermy Legal?
The legality of dog taxidermy varies from place to place, so it’s best to research your local laws and regulations before taking on the project. In some states or countries, dog taxidermy may be completely illegal, while other places may require you to have a permit to do it legally.
In the United States, dog taxidermy is generally legal, but you should still consult with your local pet authorities, like animal control, before beginning the process.
Can You Do Taxidermy on Your Dog Yourself?
Now, at this point, you might be asking yourself: “Can I taxidermy a dog myself?” The answer is yes, you can. Taxidermy dog kits provide all the materials and instructions needed to do it yourself. However, these can be difficult to find as not many places carry them. Read more about how to taxidermy a dog yourself here.
Generally, this is how to taxidermy a dog:
1 . Skin the dog and prepare it for stuffing. This part can be the most difficult as it requires precision and experience. You must remove the eyes and muscle tissue and carefully preserve the dog’s fur.
2. Stuff the dog, and create a pose. This is where you will need to use materials such as sawdust, cotton or poly-fiber stuffing material to give your dog its desired shape and posture.
3. Mount the dog onto a mannequin base or something similar and customize any remaining features like coloration or facial expressions. For example, if you want the dog to look as it did while alive, add details like eye color or fur texture. This will help give your dog movement and make it look more realistic. Learn more about taxidermy mounts here.
4. Customize any remaining features, like eyes, teeth, tongue, etc., to make the dog look lifelike. For example, for eyes, you can use glass or plastic eyes.
5. Place the dog in an airtight display case and cover it with a protective layer to prevent dust and other debris from settling on your dog’s fur. Avoid direct sunlight and other environmental factors that could damage it over time.
However, it’s important to note that dog taxidermy can be complex if you need more experience or knowledge about the field. Hiring a professional dog taxidermist is best to ensure your pet will look as lifelike as possible when displayed.
Although dog taxidermy is legal, it’s important to remember that it isn’t for everyone. For example, suppose you feel uncomfortable performing dog taxidermy on your dog. In that case, there are plenty of other ways to preserve its memory, such as having photos taken or creating an urn for its ashes.
Ultimately, it would be best to do whatever makes you the most comfortable when honoring your pet’s life in death. Good luck!
