Puppy Collar Tags: How to Choose Your Puppy’s First ID Tag
Bringing a new puppy home is a whirlwind of crates, chews and not much sleep. Somewhere on that shopping list should be a puppy collar tag, because it’s one of the few things your puppy legally needs from their very first trip out. This guide covers what UK law says puppy ID tags must show, why size and material matter more for puppies than for adult dogs, and which of our small tags we’d pick for a new arrival.
Why your puppy needs a collar tag from day one
Most puppies come home at around eight weeks old, already microchipped. In England, Scotland and Wales, dogs must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks of age, so a responsible breeder will have done this before your puppy leaves.
A microchip isn’t a substitute for a tag, though. Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the owner’s name and address on it, either on the collar itself or on an attached tag. That applies to puppies as much as adult dogs, on a lead or off it, and owners can be fined up to £5,000 for not complying.
It’s the practical choice too. A chip can only be read with a scanner at a vet’s or by a dog warden. A tag lets the neighbour who finds your puppy in their front garden ring you within minutes.
Even on those early socialisation trips, when you’re carrying your puppy around before their vaccinations are complete, it’s sensible to have the tag on. Get it sorted before the first outing, not after the second jab.
What to engrave on puppy identification tags
The law sets a minimum, and small tags don’t have much room, so it helps to prioritise.
Required by law
- Your name (a surname and initial is fine)
- Your address, including postcode
Strongly recommended
- Your mobile number, so a finder can reach you straight away
Optional
- “MICROCHIPPED”, which tells a finder (and any would-be thief) that your puppy can be traced
- A second phone number
Many UK councils advise against putting your puppy’s name on the tag, because a stranger who calls a dog by name can win its trust more easily. It isn’t a legal requirement, so it’s your call.
On a small tag, fewer lines means bigger, clearer text. A double-sided tag gives you more room without going up a size. For example:
- Front: J SMITH / 14 STATION ROAD / CANTERBURY CT1 XXX
- Back: 07700 900XXX / MICROCHIPPED
Why small puppy collar tags work best
An adult-sized tag on a puppy collar is a bit like wearing a dinner plate as a necklace. It drags the collar round, clanks against every food bowl and gives a curious puppy something big to chew.
All the tags we recommend for puppies come in our Small size, roughly 22–25mm across, which we suggest for cats and dogs up to 10kg. They’re light enough to sit comfortably on a narrow collar without weighing down a little neck.
Got a Labrador or German Shepherd puppy who’ll be well over 25kg by their first birthday? Start small anyway. Your puppy will go through several collars as they grow, and it’s easy to move up to a medium or large tag once they’ve filled out. Smaller breeds such as Cockapoos, Jack Russells and Dachshunds may never need anything bigger.
Choosing a material for a teething puppy
Puppies chew everything, including their own tag, so material matters more now than it ever will again.
- Stainless steel is our top pick for puppies. It’s tough enough to survive teething, won’t rust when your puppy discovers puddles, and most of our stainless tags are engraved on both sides.
- Enamel tags have a bright design on the front and your details engraved on the back. They’re made from strong metal with a durable finish.
- Brass looks classic and suits dogs who stay on dry land, but it oxidises if it gets wet often. Not ideal for a puppy who’s about to discover the beach.
- Aluminium is the lightest option, but it isn’t suitable for pets who chew their tags. We’d save it for when teething is over.
The best dog tags for puppies (all available in Small)
Every link below opens the product with the Small size already selected.
Tough stainless steel puppy ID tags
- Round Stainless Steel Pet ID Tag – double-sided, and our best all-rounder for chewers and swimmers
- Bone Shape Stainless Steel Dog Tag – the classic dog tag shape, engraved on both sides
- Stainless Steel Paw Print Pet ID Tag – a paw-shaped tag that stands up to rough play
- Heart Shape Stainless Steel Pet Tag – double-sided, with room for all your details
Bright and colourful puppy name tags
- Pawprint Blue Pet Tag
- Pawprint Design Red Dog ID Tag
- Orange & Blue Pawprint Enamel Pet ID Tag
- Two-Tone Blue Bone Enamel Pet ID Tag
- Flower Enamel Pet ID Tag
A little sparkle
Our Sparkle tags are only made in Small, so they’re sized for puppies from the start.
- Pink Sparkle Small Heart Pet ID Tag
- Ocean Blue Sparkle Small Paw Pet ID Tag
- Red Sparkle Small Bow Tie Pet ID Tag
Classic brass
Official Petlog tag
- Petlog Orange Round Tag (Small) – feather-light steel, 25 x 28mm, made for small dogs and puppies
Smart QR code tag
- QR Code Pet Tag – combines engraved contact details with a QR code that links to an online profile you can update any time. Add your vet, microchip number and feeding notes, which is handy while your puppy’s routine is still changing. No subscription, and an eZeClip is included.
Keeping a puppy collar name tag quiet and secure
A jangling tag can unsettle a new puppy (and keep you awake). An eZeClip holds the tag flat against the collar so it doesn’t swing or clink, and it unclips easily when your puppy is relaxing at home. Every tag also comes with a strong split ring.
A few quick checks while your puppy grows:
- Fit the collar so you can slide two fingers underneath, and recheck it every week or so. Puppies grow fast.
- Give the split ring a tug now and then to make sure it’s still closed.
- If you move house or change your number, update both the tag and the microchip database.
Everything’s included
Every puppy collar tag from Pet-Tags.com comes with free laser engraving, free standard postage and a strong split ring. Tags are engraved and dispatched from our office in Kent, and guaranteed for 5 years against breakage and fading.
Puppy tags: frequently asked questions
When should my puppy start wearing an ID tag?
As soon as they go anywhere public, which for most puppies means from the week they come home. Let your puppy get used to the collar indoors first, so it feels normal by the time you head out.
Is a microchip enough on its own?
No. Microchipping is a legal requirement, and so is a collar and tag in public. They do different jobs: the chip is permanent, and the tag lets a finder contact you straight away.
Should I put my puppy’s name on the tag?
It isn’t required in the UK, and many councils suggest leaving it off for security. Your name, address and phone number matter far more.
What size tag does a puppy need?
Small, which we recommend for dogs up to 10kg. For bigger breeds, switch to a medium or large tag once they’ve grown.
What’s the best material for a teething puppy?
Stainless steel. It stands up to chewing and water. Hold off on aluminium until your puppy has stopped chewing their tag.
Not sure where to start? The Round Stainless Steel Pet ID Tag in Small is the safest all-round choice for a new puppy.