Dog Tags

Legally, your dog's ID tag must show your surname and address (including postcode). Best practice is to add a mobile number so a finder can reach you straight away, the whole point of a tag is to get your dog back fast. A second contact number is sensible. You don't need to include your dog's name, and some trainers actively advise against it: a stranger knowing your dog's name makes them easier to approach. Keep the text tight. Three clear lines of information beats a tag crammed with detail that becomes unreadable within a year.

Don't pair your dog's name with your full address, together, that's a lot of information for a stranger to have. Don't rely on a home address without a contact number because in a lost-dog situation, a phone number is more likely to get your dog home. And don't overcrowd the tag: the more text, the smaller each character, and small characters wear down fast. Keep it to the essentials.

Metal, and it's not particularly close. Stainless steel and anodised aluminium are significantly more durable than plastic as plastic cracks, fades, and becomes unreadable quickly, especially on dogs who swim or wear their tag every day. The trade-off with metal is noise: a metal tag against a metal collar ring is audible. BullyBillows dog tags are available in durable metal finishes with deep engraving that stays legible through years of active use. Alternatively, we have ID attachment tags that attach to the collar via silicone bands which eliminates jingling sounds altogether. Problem solved.

Yes. Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, any dog in a public place must wear a collar with an ID tag showing the owner's name and address. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to £5,000. A phone number is strongly recommended (though not legally required), it's what actually gets a lost dog home.

Our ID tags attach via a split ring that threads through the D-ring on the collar - open the split ring with a thumbnail or a split ring tool, thread one end of the D-ring on, and slide the tag around until it sits fully on the ring. Check it can't slide off. If the D-ring is large relative to the split ring, use an S-hook or tag clip connector instead. BullyBillows tags come with a split ring included. Check the tag is secure every few weeks - split rings can work loose over time, and discovering your tag is missing mid-walk is not the best moment.