It's one of the first things many people think about when getting a dog tag, should we engrave our beloved pup's name on it? Whilst it seems like a charming and obvious choice, there's actually a good debate about whether a dog's name should appear on their ID tag. We’ll go through some of the pros and cons to help you decide.
The Argument FOR Including Their Name
Immediate Connection & Compassion: For the person who finds your lost dog, seeing their name immediately creates a personal connection. It also allows the finder to comfort your dog by using their name, which can reduce stress for a frightened or disoriented dog.
Quick Identification: If your dog is found by someone who can't immediately call the number on their tag (e.g. they don't have their phone, or are in an area with no signal), having their name might help as they can call out ‘has anyone lost Fido!’, for example, or they might hear the owners of the lost dog calling the dog’s name.
The Argument AGAINST Including Their Name
Safety Concern (Potential for Theft): This is the main reason many people choose not to include their dog’s name on their tag. If a malicious individual knows your dog's name, they can use it to coax your dog. A dog is more likely to go with a stranger who seems to ‘know’ them, making theft easier. This is particularly relevant for highly desirable breeds.
Critical Information That Should Be on a Dog Tag
The most crucial information on a dog tag is your contact number and perhaps your address. In the UK there is a legal requirement to include the name of the owner and their address. You can read more about what should be included on a dog tag on our blog here. The essentials are:
Your Phone Number(s): This is absolutely non-negotiable. Include at least one primary number and ideally a secondary number (e.g., a partner's, or a trusted friend/family member's). Mobile phone numbers are better than landlines, but a landline could be a second phone number.
Your Address: In the UK this is a legal requirement, it may be optional if you are in another country, but if space allows, a partial or full address can be helpful for local reunions, but it's often prioritised below phone numbers.
Your Surname: If you are in the UK (or another country that requires it) it is a legal requirement to include the owner's surname on a dog tag.
Regarding your Dog's Name
Some owners do choose to include their dog's name and in many circumstances the risks are minimal. We would like to think that most people who might find a lost dog would be genuinely nice people who want to help. If you are concerned about theft, or your dog is a high-value breed, you might opt to omit their name and rely solely on contact information and a microchip. Unfortunately there are instances of dog theft and not everyone has the best intentions.
A good compromise: At Noggins & Binkles, we have initial dog (and cat) tags so you can add a bit of personality to your dog’s tag without giving away their name. This is what we do with our own dog, Wiggins. Any of our design tags can also be personalised with an initial on the front instead of a full name. Some people like to have their family surname on the front of their tag instead of the dog’s name.
The Bottom Line
The single most important thing is that your dog wears a tag with up-to-date contact information at all times, backed up by a registered and up-to-date microchip. Whether you add their name is a personal decision based on your comfort level with the potential risks versus the possible benefits.