Dogs possess their own distinctive nose marks, which prove to be more precise than both iris or DNA identification methods. (Image courtesy of Changwon-si)
CHANGWON, Sept. 23 (Korea Bizwire) –Humans possess unique identifying features such as fingerprints, irises, and glottis patterns. In a similar vein, dogs possess their own distinctive nose marks, which prove to be more precise than both iris or DNA identification methods.
The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), a prominent dog club in North America, has employed dog nose marks as a means of identification since 1938. In recent years, advancements in artificial intelligence and high-definition scanning technology have elevated the accuracy of this method, approaching near-perfection.
This progress has prompted local governments to implement measures aimed at preventing the proliferation of stray dogs by utilizing these unique dog nose patterns.
Changwon City in Gyeongnam Province made a noteworthy announcement on Thursday, declaring its status as the first local government to introduce a service for registering dog nose patterns, thus addressing the issue of abandoned and lost dogs.
The city unveiled a new mobile application named ‘Changwon Puppy’ and officially launched the service on Saturday, coinciding with the ‘Pet and Plant Culture Festival.’
A dog’s nose pattern, much like human fingerprints, remains a consistent and unchanging biometric identifier throughout its life. Changwon City anticipates that the introduction of the dog nose pattern registration service will help compensate for the limitations inherent in the current methods of animal registration.
Currently, animal registration relies on two primary methods: internal, involving the insertion of a chip beneath the skin, and external, where a chip is affixed to a collar.
Dogs possess their own distinctive nose marks, which prove to be more precise than both iris or DNA identification methods. (Image courtesy of Changwon-si)
However, these methods have their drawbacks, as some individuals are uncomfortable with the idea of implanting chips in their pets, while external chips can be lost, hindering efforts to increase animal registration rates.
The introduction of dog nose pattern registration offers a convenient and secure alternative. To utilize this service, users can simply download the Changwon Puppy app, input their personal and dog-related information, and capture a photograph of their dog’s nose pattern using their phone camera.
In the unfortunate event that a dog is abandoned, their owner can still be traced through the registered pattern information, ensuring a higher likelihood of reuniting lost pets with their families.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
