After 38 hours spent researching the best dog tags, we think QALO Custom Silicone Unique Dog Tag is the best for most people.
This choice is based on several criteria: brand, type, technology, color, dog tracker, range, battery life, device compatibility, on/off button, shape, durable, lightweight, easy to clean, personalized, and text capacity, among other things.
| Product | Price | Overall Rating | Quality | Durability | Appearance | Maintenance | Value for Money | brand | type | technology | color | dog tracker | range | battery life | device compatibility | on/off button | shape | durable | lightweight | easy to clean | personalized | text capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QALO Custom Silicone Unique Dog Tag | Check Price | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.5 | Qalo | Classic | None | 5 colors | No | None | Not required | Not required | No | Circle / Hexagone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 line front / 2 lines back |
| GoTags Funny Personalized Engraved Dog Tag | Check Price | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | GoTags | Classic | None | 7 colors | No | None | Not required | Not required | No | Circle | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4 lines back |
 | DOTT The Smart Bluetooth Tracker Dog Tag | Check Price | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | Dott | Smart tag | Bluetooth | White | Yes | 350 ft | Up to 9 months | Android, IOS | Yes | Circle | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | None |
 | Pawscout Smarter Walk Tracker Dog Tag | Check Price | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | Pawscout | Smart tag | Bluetooth | Black | Yes | 300 ft | Up to 6 months | Android, IOS | Yes | Circle | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | None |
 | GoTags Stainless Steel Engraved Dog Tag | Check Price | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | GoTags | Classic | None | Metal | No | None | Not required | Not required | No | 9 shapes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4 lines front / 4 lines back |
Keeping your dog safe and identified is essential, and the best dog tag makes that process simple for you as a pet owner.
Finding a tag that matches your likes, is suitable for your dog, and is able to hold all the relevant information is one of the first things a new dog owner should do.
What do you need when you get your first dog? Most of us think about the basics; puppy food, a dog training collar, a dog leash, and even a dog brush. But, what about more specialized items?
Outdoor gear is a must. A dog retractable leash is a simple way to give them more space to run. You can use an automatic dog ball launcher in the yard, or play fetch with a great toy. A dog raincoat and dog life jacket can be really helpful for trips, as well.
Want to groom them at home? Get things like a dog dematting tool, dog shampoo and conditioner, and a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste.
If they have special needs, you may need other items. A dog muzzle if they’re a nervous biter, a calming dog collar if they can’t stay still, and dog anti-chew spray if they can’t stop tearing up the your house. If they’re having issues getting around, a dog wheelchair can be helpful. And, if they’re working with you and have been properly trained, they should get a service dog vest.
Identifying them while they’re not in their dog playpen or on a leash can also be important. How do you find the best dog tag for your pet’s needs and your peace of mind?
Selection Of The Best Dog Tags
Here are the best dog tags for most people according to Outlinist:
Buying Guide
Personalization Options
You want to be sure that you can get absolutely everything on an ID tag and that it stands out, just in case your dog were to get lost or separated from you in an unfamiliar place.
There are a lot of different levels of personalization, from how much information you can put on to whether or not you want to add a picture to it, so you can have fun with it or keep it as simple as you’d like. It’s all up to you and what you’d like to see sitting on your dog’s collar.
Shape
What shape would you like it to be? Do you want it to be a traditional circular or rectangular dog tag, or are you a little more creative than that?
Many pet owners like to make their dog’s tag look different. They may get something that looks like a bone or a dog dish. Not only are these really cute, but they are often very noticeable. It can be another layer of identification that you can point out when you’ve got other people looking for your dog.
Size
The dog tag dimensions should not be too large. These are supposed to be unobtrusive and should not get in the way of a dog’s activities. The majority of tags on the market are between 1″ and 1.5″ in diameter or length (depending on the shape).
Many dog tags come in different sizes; small are meant for small breeds (25 lbs. or less), medium is meant for dogs between 25 and 50 lbs., and large are meant for big dogs of 50 lbs. or greater.
Weight
Along with dog tag size, you want to know how much it weighs. Dogs have very sensitive throats, so you want to be sure that you get a dog tag that is made from lightweight materials that won’t interfere with their day-to-day activities.
Most dog tags weigh only a couple of ounces; the weight is so slight that most dogs don’t even notice that they have anything on their collar.
How Many Lines?
If you want to get all of your relevant information onto a dog tag, then you may be looking at how many lines that you’re able to put on there.
The typical options are 3, 4, and 5 line dog tags. But, if you have a larger dog (and therefore, a larger tag), you may also be able to get up to 7 lines of text. Be aware: the more lines of text that a tag has, the smaller that text will be, and the more difficult it may be for others to read it.
Durability
While you need the tag to be lightweight, that doesn’t mean that the tag needs to be flimsy. You want to be sure that it’s made from the best materials so that, even if it gets caught on something, it’s not going to bend, tear, or break.
You can also consider getting some sort of holder for their dog tags; it adds another layer of protection so that you can keep them around for a long time.
Metal
More often than not, you will find that dog ID tags are made from some sort of metal. Stainless steel and aluminum are the most common, but you can occasionally find other types of durable metal (but they’re often more expensive to engrave).
If you get metal tags, look into their coating. You want to have some sort of rust-free coating that will help to extend the life of the dog tag, even if your dog is an indoor pet.
Silicone
If you and your dog play hard and travel a lot, then the best silicone dog tag may be a good option. These look similar to the metal ones, but they are more flexible.
The only issue with silicone is that they typically have fewer lines on them, and they often don’t come in novelty shapes. So, you will have less space for information that you may want to put on there. But, the longevity and the lack of jingling tags may be worth it.
Smart Options
Did you know that they now have smart pet tags? These tags make it much easier for people to catch their runaway dogs. You can connect the smart chip in the tag to an app on your phone, which gives you a lot of flexibility.
Typically, they have some sort of GPS installed in them. The chip allows you to keep track of where your dog is, allowing you to get a general idea of where they’ve run off to.
Silencers
One of the best innovations in dog tags is that you no longer have to listen to the jangling noise they make while your dog is moving around. You can find all types of noiseless dog tags, even if you prefer metal over silicone.
Silencers are either containers that the dog tags go into, or they are rubber protectors that go around the outside edge. These bump against each other while preventing the metal from clanging around, making your dog virtually silent as they move around.
Visibility / Ease of Reading
The point of a dog tag is for other people to notice it, right? So, it has to be a color that will stand out against your dog’s fur and that people can notice if they aren’t right next to your dog.
The font should be large and clear. People should be able to look at the tag and get the relevant info without squinting or putting their face right next to your dog. At the very least, you want their name and your phone number to be big, bold, and clear.
Art and Colors
Since dog tags are about form as well as function, you can now get all sorts of colors when you’re trying to choose your options. This allows you to personalize it and get something that matches your dog’s collar or harness.
You may also be able to get specialized art, etching, or even a photo of your dog onto it as well. This can help to make it clearer to someone that they’re looking at the right dog, or it can give a person who finds your dog’s abandoned collar an idea of what your dog looks like.
One Side or Two?
Do you want to have information on just one side, or would you prefer to have enough space on both sides so you can get all of the relevant facts on the tag?
Many options allow you to put their name on the front in big, bold letters. Then, on the back, you can put the other relevant information in smaller font. If you want to keep it simple, then you want to find something that allows you to put everything on the same side of the tag.
How Does it Attach?
The typical dog tag is going to attach using a small ring, which will then attach to the buckle or D-ring (where you connect a leash) on the dog’s collar.
You can also find slide on ID tags, which look like a little bar. All you need to do is attach the edges to the dog’s collar and slide it on. It stays relatively secure, it doesn’t leave something hanging so that your dog can get it caught, and it still provides relevant info.
Tags for Martingale and Choke Collars
Martingale collars are a great candidate for slide-on tags; these collars are meant to help prevent pulling, so you don’t want anything extra on the D-ring. If you use a choker collar, don’t ever put their ID tag on it because the “live” ring (and the tag attached to it) could get caught and strangle your dog. Instead, have a standard collar or Martingale collar that you use for their tag.
The best dog tag is going to be one that is safe for your dog to use, without compromising the use of the collar or the tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use an ID tag?
There are many reasons why you should use an ID tag instead of some other form of ID, but the biggest reason is because it’s in line of vision. People are going to notice a tag of any size because they are typically made to stand out.
Also, you want to be sure that your pet gets back to you as safely and quickly as possible, and an ID tag is going to make that happen a lot more quickly.
Are there options that can provide my dog’s medical info?
Absolutely! There are a handful of tags on the market that have a design that makes it obvious that they’re for medical purposes (for example, the “red cross” or the caduceus).
These often provide a space where you can put info on the back, indicating any special needs or concerns that someone may need to know if they have found your dog, or if your dog has gotten injured or sick when you aren’t with them.
What needs to go on a dog tag?
There are a few things that you should include with your dog tag info: their name, your name, and your phone number. These make it easy for someone to just look at the tag in question and figure out how they’ll be able to get in touch with you. You may also have dog tag requirements in your state or locality.
Other information could include home address, city or town license number, the name of their vet, and whether they’re an indoor or outdoor pet. It’s up to you to determine what is most relevant.
Does my dog need a tag if he has a microchip?
While it’s not absolutely necessary, it can be helpful to have a dog tag on a collar, even if you have adopted a dog with a microchip and/or decided to get one after adopting them.
Microchips require you to get the dog and take them to a vet or shelter, where they have the appropriate devices to read the microchip. As a result, it can take a lot longer for you and your dog to be reunited.
What if my dog doesn’t usually wear a collar?
If your dog uses a dog harness for walking, you still should have them use some sort of dog collar so that they always have identification on them in a place that is clear and obvious. Having a dog tag with their name is always better.
You can also get woven, personalized dog collars with a name and phone number. Or, you can get a plastic collar where you can write their name and your phone number. In most cases, it’s just a better idea to go with the best dog tag so you can have peace of mind.
Sources
- Dog ID Tags: Custom & Engraved Dog Tags for Pets, Petco
- Custom Dog Tags Keep Your Dog Safe, American Kennel Club, Feb 11, 2019
- Pet ID Tags for Dogs & Cats, GoTags
- Pet tag, Wikipedia
- Pet id tag, Etsy
- Dog ID Tags: Personalized Dog Tags, PetSmart
- Dog ID Tags & Accessories, Chewy
- Dog Tags 101: What You Need to Know to Keep Your Pet Safe, VetStreet, Jun 13, 2012
- Pet ID Tags, Walmart
- Dog Tags: ID, Pets, Custom, Gold, Chrome, Engraving, eBay
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