Your dog's tag is their first form of identification if they get lost and one of the quickest ways to get them reunited with you so it’s extremely important your dog wears an ID tag. In the UK it is the law too! However, with many sizes and shapes available, choosing the right size, especially for your dog or puppy’s first tag, can be a bit confusing! Below we will go through the two sizes we offer and make a recommendation based on your dog or puppy’s size.
Size Matters
Our two tag sizes are described as cat tags and dog tags, although we often recommend our ‘cat’ tags to new puppy pawrents and tiny and small dogs too! Below is an example of some of the breeds, but if you aren’t sure or we haven’t included your dog’s breed feel free to send us an email.
- Tiny, Extra Small and Small Dogs & Puppies: For small and miniature-sized dogs like tiny mixed breeds, Chihuahuas, Maltese, Miniature Dachshunds, Miniature Poodles, Toy Poodles and Yorkies (Yorkshire Terriers) we recommended our 22mm cat tags. If you have a small puppy a smaller tag such as this could be more suitable for them until they have grown bigger. Our smaller cat tags won't weigh them down or dangle down as they also have a much smaller split ring to attach to their collar. Because they are smaller they are also better for dogs with short legs as they don’t dangle down as far.
- Small to Medium Dogs & Puppies: Small to medium dogs could wear either our smaller cat tag or larger dog tag. It comes down to preference as both will be comfortable. Small to medium dogs include mixed breeds, Patterdale Terriers, Westies (West Highland White Terriers), Jack Russells, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, French Bulldogs, standard Dachshunds, Corgis, Cocker Spaniels and Pugs.
- Medium and Large Dogs: medium and large mixed breed and breed dogs will be able to comfortably wear our dog tags which are 25mm. Our dog tags come with a bigger split ring so look more in proportion with bigger collars too! Breeds such as Beagles, English Bulldogs, Border Collies, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Standard Poodles, Rottweilers, German Short-Haired Pointers, Great Danes, Hungarian Vizlas, Lurchers and similar breeds can comfortably wear our larger tags.
Other things to Consider
- Dog Collar: It’s also important to make sure you have a properly fitted dog collar to attach your dog tag to. At Noggins & Binkles we make dog collars in all sizes and three different widths, as well as being able to make bespoke sizes, so we should have the right collar for most dogs!
- Right Size Tag to Fit All Your Details: You will also want to ensure that you can fit all of the required information on the tag, such as your contact information. If you aren’t sure what to include on a dog tag you can read our guide here. In the UK there is a legal requirement to include certain information on your dog’s tag, in addition to them wearing it, so you should ensure you have checked your country’s regulations.
- Dog Tag Design: You might also want to consider whether you want a design on your dog’s tag. At Noggins & Binkles we offer lots of tags with designs on, but also a plain tag that has up to four lines of engraving on both sides, so these will be best if you have long contact details and need both sides for personalisation.
Our stainless steel initial design dog tag
- Best Dog Tag Material: We have golden solid brass or silver stainless steel dog tags so you can match it to your dog’s collar. In our opinion solid brass and solid stainless steel are the best materials for a dog tag as they are both solid hardwearing materials and neither will rust.
- Clear Engraving: It’s also important that the engraving on your dog tag is clearly readable. We have set limits for each line if you order a dog tag on our website so we can be sure that the text you have provided for engraving will fit and be a good size.
- Microchip: Finally, as important as a dog tag is, please don’t also forget to get your dog microchipped (also a legal requirement in the UK) and keep your details up to date. Your dog’s tag will be their first form of identification, but their microchip is very important if they get lost and lose their collar or they are stolen.