Having a dog can be exciting. You get to take them on walks, play with them, and have a loyal companion. While there are so many accessories out there for dogs, even clothing, at some point, these domesticated canines end up with a collar. While collars can be as informational as they can be fashionable, there is often the question of what to put on a dog’s tag.
As dog tags have limited space available, only important information should be included on them. Contact information including phone numbers can be the most important with any medical information also being of high priority when choosing what to put on your dog’s tag.
While the choices can be overwhelming at times, there is always a means to making a good, informed decision. Read on below to explore different avenues of options of what you can put on a dog tag. Take a look at the pros and cons of each so you can make the best decision for your dog.
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What Does The Law Say About Dog Tags
In order to add correct context to this article, I will provide information for the UK. Each country will likely have its own laws regarding dog tags and so referring to your own countries government website is a good place to start.
The UK Law States:
The Control Of Dogs Order 1992 Article (2) –
2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, every dog while in a highway or in a place of public resort shall wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it.
(2) Paragraph (1) above shall not apply to—
(a)any pack of hounds,
(b)any dog while being used for sporting purposes,
(c)any dog while being used for the capture or destruction of vermin,
(d)any dog while being used for the driving or tending of cattle or sheep,
(e)any dog while being used on official duties by a member of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces or Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise or the police force for any area,
(f)any dog while being used in emergency rescue work, or
(g)any dog registered with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
For more information here is the link to the UK governments website
So if you live In the UK it seems pretty clear that your dog should be easily identified by its collar. Despite this being the law, dogs may escape from private areas and run into more public areas, so whether this would still stand up against this law is unclear. Although the central point of this law is to ensure your dog is in control at all times and so you may say not.
Nevertheless, I have spoken in a similar article regarding the wearing of a collar, and have encouraged that dogs do not wear these whilst in private areas such as the home. This is due to the dangers of your dog’s collar getting caught on something and causing them harm. Have a look at this article here. “Should I Take My Dogs Collar Off At Night”
Should You Put Your Dog’s Name On Their Tag
One of the most common and, perhaps, simplest options is to have the name of your dog engraved onto its tag. There are negatives and positives to putting your dog’s name on their tag and opinions are strong when it comes to this subject.
The most obvious and positive reason for putting your dog’s name on their tag is that if your dog runs away or gets lost, having a stranger be able to call the dog by its name could offer him or her a sense of comfort. This could save their life if they need to be called from a dangerous situation and provide them with trust for the person helping them. It also makes it much easier for them to be rounded up and brought back to their owner.
However, this sort of knowledge can also have a negative impact as it makes your dog an easier target for thieves. By knowing your dog’s name thieves are able to not only steal your dog but use your dog for criminal activity, for example fighting. Dogs do however have a good sense of who is dangerous and who is not, I speak about this subject in another article check it out here. “Can Dogs Sense Bad People – Understanding Someone’s Intentions”
You may be thinking that you don’t want a boring name tag but keeping your dog tag short and to the point does not have to be boring.
Nicknames can be put on a dog tag if your dog’s name is a bit too long or you don’t want strangers knowing. With a ton of font styles, there are countless possibilities to bring your dog’s name to life on its collar. If your dog’s nickname is not suitable, or if you are planning to place more valuable information onto your dog’s tag, another great option is the first letter of their name.
Pro Tip – If you are worried about thieves using your dog’s name for cruelty then having an attention-grabbing command rather than their name could help someone summon your dog away from danger without the need to know their name. The great thing about this is that thieves will find it harder to train a dog when they don’t know their name. Try a command or comment that usually grabs your dog’s attention.
Put A Message On Your Dog Tag
Apart from names, a quick message or simple sentence can be applied to dog tags. Similar to a name, these messages can provide anything from a cute saying to something more meaningful. Additionally, information on the dog or how to help it if found wandering can provide more security to your pet.
Some good message options are:
- “I am friendly.”
- “If alone, I’m lost.”
- “Microchipped.”
- “Needs meds.”
- “Doesn’t like kids.”
- “Please call __.”
- “I’m Deaf”
These messages can help keep your dog safe as well as anyone he or she may come into contact with. While a name is always a perfect option, adding messages such as these to communicate your dog’s needs, personality, and other vital information to another person can go a long way.
Additional wording options on dog tags do not always have to be so serious, however. Keep scrolling to find out some fun and hilarious options that you can choose for your dog’s tag.
Funny Things To Put On A Dog Tag
While it is important to have good information on your dog’s ID tag, something comedic can be a fun addition to your pet’s collar. With many people putting multiple tags on a dog’s collar nowadays, you can have unlimited options to give your dog just the right amount of humor and protection.
Though, there are plenty of ways to still provide a touch of humor to a dog tag without the sacrifice of valuable info. Check out some of these options for lost pets:
- “Not All Who Wander Are Lost. Except Me. Please Call __.”
- “Crap, I’m Lost! Have Your People Call My People.”
- “Call My Human. He/She Is Lost Without Me.”
However, if you are really only looking for some fun phrasing or a short quip that matches your dog’s personality, there are plenty to choose from. For a simpler design that hones in on all the best parts of your pet’s personality, try out some of these favorites:
- “Every Day Is Hump Day.”
- “If You Can Read This, I Will Lick You.”
- “I Like Smelling Butts, and I Cannot Lie.”
- “Zero Woofs Given.”
- “Feed Me And Tell Me I’m Pretty.”
Regardless of humor, these telltale messages can do wonders for your pet and give you peace of mind. However, there are more steps that can be taken for added security. Take a look at some important information that can be added to your dog’s tag.
Put Safety Information On Your Dog Tag
As with some of the phrasing above, a good phone number is an important piece of info to place on your dog’s tag. These can be placed right on the front alongside a funny phrase or standing alone beneath the pet’s name. As the UK law has stated you must put your own name and address on your dog’s tag, however, this could be different in other countries.
Alongside residential locations and health priorities, check out some of these other ways to boost your dog’s safety using their tag and how the disclosure of this info can be helpful:
- Address/City: An equally important piece of info to provide could be your address. If you are uncomfortable divulging that much information to potential strangers, you could simply state the city you reside in to keep your dog from being pound-bound in the wrong town.
- Medical Needs: Often, a dog might have medical needs that require certain medications to be administered in a certain time frame. Insulin, for instance, might need to be given to diabetic pets. Allowing others to be informed of your dog’s needs could not only save its life but also get it returned quicker.
- Phone Numbers: While phone numbers were mentioned above, another important number that some suggest is a microchip number. The number of your local veterinarian would also be a good number to have, they would have a database with your details in and could contact you or take the dog in.
For extra security measures, a more pricey option lies in pet tracking. Though microchipping is a fairly popular choice, a less invasive option is to place a similar device on a dog tag. Scroll down to learn more about how you can keep track of your dog’s whereabouts and possibly watch their health too.
Dog Tags That Track
Running off of GPS, these dog tag-type systems can be placed right on the dog’s collar. This is a great addition, and some can even be engraved with names and phrasing of your choosing. There is a wide range of dog tags that offer the latest tracking precision. Check out this website for a list of the best ones and their features.
Most trackers run within a reasonable price range. These trackers come with many different options to suit your needs.
- Some come with monthly subscriptions.
- Others remain with a one-time cost.
- Some have apps that accompany such a tag to provide even more details.
- Others go further to give the pet owner options for health tracking on top of location services.
Regardless of your decision on tracking versus microchipping and the best safety measures to take for your pet, the endless personalization options that accompany dog tags give the pet owner full control over what to put on their furry friend’s collar.
Conclusion
Sometimes even the simplest parts of owning a dog can take the longest to decide on. It’s important not to dwell too long on this and if you are having trouble decided what information to squeeze in, just get another tag and attach it. Dog tags are light and don’t cause your dog any discomfort so an extra one on their collar is not going to bother them. Hopefully, you have enjoyed this article and if you want to learn more about getting outside with your dog then check out our homepage for more great articles.
