A good dog tag shows a phone number you answer, a second contact, and whatever your local law requires (such as your name and address in the UK, or a license tag in many US cities), engraved deeply enough to stay readable for years. Pair it with a registered microchip. The tag gets your dog home fast; the chip is the backup if the collar is lost.
This guide is part of our dog collars series. It covers what to put on a tag, the main tag styles, legal requirements in two example places, and how to keep tags quiet, legible and attached.
Why a tag still matters when your dog is microchipped
A microchip can only be read with a scanner, usually at a vet, shelter or council office. A tag can be read by anyone who finds your dog, in seconds, without a trip anywhere. That makes the tag the fastest route home and the chip the most reliable fallback.
The chip only works if the record is correct. In a study of 7,704 microchipped animals entering 53 US shelters, published by Lord and colleagues in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (2009), owners were found for 74.1% of stray dogs where shelters reported the outcome. Where owners could not be found, the most common reason was an incorrect or disconnected phone number (35.4%). The same lesson applies to tags: out-of-date details make identification useless.
What to put on a dog tag
Space is limited, so prioritize. Contact details come first, and everything else is optional.
| Priority | Information | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Your mobile number | The quickest way for a finder to reach you |
| Essential where required | Your name and address or postcode | A legal requirement in some countries |
| Recommended | A second phone number | Covers times your phone is off or lost |
| Useful | "Microchipped" or a medical note such as "needs medication" | Prompts a scan and speeds up care |
| Optional | Your dog's name | Some owners prefer to leave it off |
Whether to include the dog's name is a personal choice. Some owners feel it helps a finder calm the dog; others prefer not to share it with strangers. Either way, the phone number matters far more.
Legal requirements: two examples
Rules differ by country, state and city, so check where you live. Two well-documented examples show how specific they can be.
In Great Britain, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires every dog on a highway or in a place of public resort to wear a collar with the owner's name and address inscribed on it or on an attached plate or badge, with limited exceptions such as working and sporting dogs. The UK government also states that all dogs must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old, that owners can be fined up to £500 if not, and that a microchipped dog must still wear a collar and tag in public.
In New York City, the Health Department requires all dogs to be licensed, with the license attached to the collar while in public. Many other US cities and counties also require rabies or license tags. Your local animal control office or vet can confirm what applies to you.
Tag styles compared
Hanging tags are the familiar round or bone-shaped discs on a split ring. They are easy to swap between collars but can jingle and catch. Slide-on tags thread onto the collar strap, sit flat and silent, and rarely snag, though they only fit collars of the right width. Riveted plates are fixed to the collar permanently. Embroidered or printed collars carry the phone number on the strap itself.
Snagging is a genuine consideration. A veterinarian quoted by PetMD warns that hanging tags can catch on crates and other objects and cause choking. If your dog spends time in a crate or wrestles with other dogs, a flat slide-on tag or embroidered collar reduces that risk.
Tag materials and engraving
Stainless steel resists scratching and corrosion. Brass looks warm but can darken. Aluminum is very light, which suits small dogs, but it scratches more easily, so text can fade. Plastic and silicone tags are quiet but can be chewed. Deep engraving lasts longer than shallow laser marking or printed surfaces, especially for dogs that swim or dig.
Check readability every few months. Hold the tag at arm's length in normal daylight. If you have to squint, a stranger will struggle too, and it is time for a replacement.
Attaching and silencing tags
Use a sturdy split ring or a screw-lock tag clip, and attach the tag to the collar's dedicated ring rather than the leash ring if the collar has both. S-hooks are easy to fit but can open over time. On breakaway collars, follow the manufacturer's instructions for where tags should hang.
To reduce noise, use one combined tag rather than several, or choose a slide-on design. Silicone tag silencers wrap around metal tags and soften the jingle. Fewer tags also mean less weight on a small dog's collar. Size the collar first using our collar fit guide, since a tag pulls a loose collar forward.
Keep the details current
Update the tag and the microchip record the same day you change phone number or move house. The UK government notes that owners are responsible for keeping microchip details up to date. Set a yearly reminder, for example on your dog's birthday, to check the tag's readability and confirm the chip details online with your registry.
If your dog does not wear a collar at certain times, such as in the crate, make sure the tag goes back on before the dog leaves the house. Our guide on when dogs should wear a collar covers building that routine.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put on my dog's tag?
Your mobile number, a second contact number, and anything your local law requires, such as your name and address in Great Britain. A note like "microchipped" is useful if space allows.
Should I put my dog's name on the tag?
It is optional. Some owners include it to help a finder calm the dog; others leave it off. The phone number matters much more.
Does my dog need a tag if it is microchipped?
Yes, in many places. The UK government says a microchipped dog must still wear a collar and tag in public, and a tag lets any finder contact you without a scanner.
How do I stop dog tags jingling?
Combine information onto one tag, use a slide-on tag that sits flat on the collar, or fit a silicone tag silencer.
Which dog tag material lasts longest?
Deeply engraved stainless steel resists scratches and corrosion best. Aluminum is lighter but scratches more easily, so text can fade.
Dog tag checklist
Include a phone number you answer and a backup number. Add whatever your local law requires. Choose a style that suits your dog's lifestyle, flat for crate time and rough play, hanging for easy swapping. Engrave deeply, attach with a secure ring, and review both tag and microchip details at least once a year.
Ready to set up the rest of the kit? Read the leash and collar setup checklist or ask us about collars that suit slide-on tags.