The 5 Best Dog Tags Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

So, you’re looking for an ID tag for your dog or puppy. Maybe they have lost theirs while playing at the dog park or swimming. Maybe you have just adopted your pup and they need a proud identifier.

Well, we have got you covered. Our team spent months researching the best dog tags in Australia that you and your pup will love! You know we love a detailed guide here, so we’re going to do a deep dive. We’ll talk about why microchipping is simply not enough. We’ll discuss the merits of a dog tag over a personalised collar. We’ll discuss the properties of a great product before rounding up our favourite dog tags Australia has to offer.

Strap in, everything you need is right here!

Australia's Best Custom Dog Tags Reviewed

We are well and truly filled in with the merits of dog tags and the qualities of them. Below we have reviewed our favourite dog tags on the Australian market to take out the guesswork for you. As this is an accessory, we have shown a wide variety of styles below so you can find the right ones for you. We also have the ESA and Service dog options for the talented employed pups out there.

Sometimes classic is best.  You will rarely catch me saying that but in this context it’s true. There is something endlessly cool and suave about a military-style dog tag. Dog Nation provides with their stainless steel classic military ID tag.

First of all, it is an ideal size to show everything you need on the tag. Measuring 41 mm in length, 22 mm in width and 2.5 mm in thickness, it’s a decent surface area which allows the font to be super easy to read.

As it is made of stainless steel, unlike our second option JIAKAI that's made of aluminium, it is a hardy little thing that shouldn't show signs of wear for years and years to come. The personalisation comes in the form of laser engraving on the back of the tag, so no printed words could wear off with time.

In order to personalise the tag, all you need to do it enter your dog’s name, address and your phone number in the custom text box when you order it. Easy peasy.

Compared to JIAKAI and all the dog tags on this list, we made this one our first choice because of its quality material and convenience in ordering. It is simply the best we can recommend! We absolutely love all of its features, and it's the easiest to customise.

The 100% 5 star stellar reviews attest to how great of a product it is. Durable, stylish and fit for purpose. What more could you want!

If you want a dog tag that is cheap as peanuts, this is the option for you. What we like most about the JIAKAI range is the cool assortment of colours. It’s pretty much the entire spectrum of the rainbow here. The pack includes 30 - yes 30 - dog tags in a random mix of colours. One thing to note is you are unlikely to get one of each of the colours and may have repeating colours. It’s like a box of chocolates as Forrest Gump would say, you never know what you’re gonna get. That could be a con for you, but out of the 30 pieces you are sent, it’s unlikely you’ll dislike all of them.

It’s also important to note that these are not personalised when they come to you, meaning you’ll need to engrave them yourself or get then laser engraved by a professional. This is quite easy to do. Many key makers have the equipment to do this.

So in the previous section when we were talking about the qualities of a good dog tag, I mentioned that the cheaper options can be a little thin sometimes. Well, the JIAKAI model is one of those. You get what you pay for here.

However, it is made of hardened aluminium so it is not brittle or breakable but not as durable as the Dog Nation option. It is rust-proof, chew-proof, scratch-proof and protected against corrosion. It may have some give in the metal as aluminium is a soft metal by nature, causing it to bend with brute force. As I said before, it is pretty difficult for your dog to do that kind of damage to it. Normal activities of play, sleep, swimming and exercise are unlikely to cause any harm.

Let’s talk about sizing and shape. These are bone-shaped tags that are a decent enough size. A little smaller than the military-style tag we see from Dog Nation. Measuring 38 mm in length, 25 mm in width and 2 mm in thickness.

So, to sum up, we made this brand our second choice because compared to Dog Nation and other brands, this is a pretty simple product! You just have to do the personalisation yourself, but still, we recommend, and we like this brand because, aside from its affordable price, it's also adorable and durable enough.

If you want a heavy-duty beauty, then you’re better off with the Dog Nation options. But for a cheap and cheerful name tag that you are free to engrave in a style of your choosing, this is a no brainer.

Did I say I like beautiful things? We have another entry from Dog Nation because I cannot resist adding in a pretty option.

This range of tags has a gorgeous floral or leafy pattern depending on which of the three styles you choose. It is a simple but incredibly effective design. I wholeheartedly agree with the "designer" label.

Compared with JIAKAI, which has a cute bone design, this one is definitely on the aesthetic side. We surely love the minimalist design!

As for durability, Dog Nation doesn’t scrimp on their characteristic high quality here. This tag is stainless steel and therefore everything proof; scratch-proof, chew-proof, waterproof, heatproof… I could go on. It feels like a premium product too though it comes at a decent price point.

As for shape and size, it is a perfect circle which is a welcomed classically cute look. It’s also incredibly easy to read because of having a good amount of space to pack in your details.

All three designs in this model measure 30 mm in diameter. So, it will likely only fit your phone number and the dog’s name.

A minor detail that probably only a select few people will care about is the actual engraving font. The engraving font of most personalised dog tags can be a little dull. In the case of the JIAKAI, you can have the tag engraved however you want which is neat. But sometimes for the standard engravings, the font is a bit... clinical let’s say. So, pleased to say that this ID tag has a really pretty font! (Again, fully aware many won’t care about this, but for those who do, rejoice!)

In summary, Dog Nation strikes again with this stunning dog ID tag which bags of personality, clear engraving and reliable durability.

Now onto the special dog tags. Service dogs are pretty fabulous and it’s helpful to have a tag to identify them. This simple service dog tag is completely fit for purpose.

This is a durable little number. Made of stainless steel and a strong metal keyring like Dog Nation, it will stand up to the elements easily. Everything proof as we like to say.

It is a perfect circle, so no sharp corners or illegible shapes.

There are two sizes available depending on the size of your pooch. For small dogs, they recommend the 25 mm size. For medium to large dogs, they recommend the 32 mm size. Both are clearly marked with the “service dog” moniker.

It’s worth noting that this is not a personalised dog tag like Dog Nation and  JIAKAI. You will need a tag to print your dog’s name and details onto. This is an extra tag to also indicate their very important profession. Think of the ID tag as a passport and the service dog tag as a police badge.

Again, I must reiterate, this is only for your dog if they are a service dog. A tag is rarely enough for them to coast through every door that’s usually closed to them. You’ll often need to prove their assistance to you by way of documentation as well.

We recommend using this tag for owners who have a service dog since this one is specifically created for your best buddy helper. Let them wear this recognition of their valuable service to their dear fur parents.

For the Emotional Support Dogs out there, I have the perfect solution. This is a slightly different style from the other tags on this list.

It is a tag that loops through the dog collar. In other words, it doesn’t dangle, it lies flat on your dog’s collar using the stretchy rubber handles.

Apart from the rubber handles, the tag is constructed of durable stainless steel. It will withstand all the elements, heat, sleet, snow and sand.

It is worth noting that there isn’t an option to personalise the tag like the K9King Service dog tag, and you’ll need a separate ID tag to hold your dog’s details.

If you prefer the style of the previous product as opposed to this flat laying style, K9King has an ESA option that looks very similar to their service dog model.

What we like about this option is its unique design and purpose, which is primarily for emotional support. These dogs are special, and this tag is specially made for them, too!

Why Your Dog Needs A Name Tag?

When shopping for the dog in your life, it’s likely that a dog tag possibly hasn’t crossed your mind. It’s one of those secondary items that is both crucial and easily forgettable. Particularly with the popularisation of microchipping, do we even need dog tags anymore? (1)

Yes, we do.

Let’s be honest, if you find a lonely dog wandering the streets aimlessly, is your first thought:

“oh, I must rush this poor pup to the nearest vet or dog shelter to have their microchip screened so we can accurately locate the owner”?

Probably not! You go for the collar first to see if there is a dog ID tag. If there isn’t one, you may take to social media to report the dog missing.

Another reason to give your dog an ID tag is to increase their approachability oddly enough.

Dog tags are a much clearer and more immediate way of returning your pup to you should they get lost during your latest adventure in the big bad world.

Personalised Dog Collars vs Dog Tags

So first, I’m sure you are aware of collars that can be engraved with your dog’s details. What are the merits of purchasing one of those over a physical dog tag?

Personalised dog collars are a great alternative to dog tags but do have their drawbacks. First of all, there are fewer options out there for personalised collars - particularly local to Australia. You have far more variety in regular collars which you can affix a simple tag to.

Second, personalised collars can be a little pricier than regular collars. That makes sense - I am someone who loves my name to be printed on everything. It’s a much more expensive existence.

When you combine the cost of a regular collar and dog tag, it’s likely still cheaper than a reasonably priced customised dog collar.

Finally, dog tags can be a better aesthetic choice. This is entirely personal but I am not a fan of the front plate engraving on personalised collars. I rarely like the font and quite like the look of the classic dangling dog tag on a smart dog collar look.

However, you may also argue that dog tags are more easily lost than if the engraving is on the collar.

Features I Look For When Buying a Dog Tag

Right so you are well and truly on the dog tag train - great! What makes a good dog name tag then?

Durability

Durability is an interesting one in this category.

Because of where dog tags are affixed, it’s not the end of the world if you have a cheap dog tag that is a little thin. What you don’t want is a tag that is likely to snap off or snap in half. Some give in the material, for example bending metal etc is not the end of the world, however. It can be a hazard should the tag bend into a shape that is harmful to your dog if they or a playmate were to fall on it, and of course, aesthetically, it’s a bit annoying.

That said, bending in metal is quite unlikely because of where the dog tag is located. There are quite a few specific movements that would have to happen to distort your dog’s name tag. It’s not likely to happen while rolling around, so there would be some acrobatics involved to cause any meaningful damage.

Ideally, you want a sturdy metal dog tag that will retain its shape come hell or high water.

Font size

This is a BIG one. See what I did there?

Engraved dog tags with illegible font are wholly useless to everyone. It doesn’t need to be a huge tag with pt 102 Arial font, but if you need to use a magnifying glass to read it clearly, it’s not worth purchasing.

When reviewing this with online products, your best points of reference are the reviews and customer feedback. Manufacturers are highly unlikely to admit that their personalisation is only possible to read under NASA’s finest microscopes. You’ll only get such salacious details from customer’s hands-on experiences.

Design

I like beautiful things. Do you like beautiful things?

Why shouldn’t your dog’s tag be beautiful too? With personalised dog tags, you can get some really cool designs that can match your dog’s collar for a cohesive look. On the other hand, you can opt for a simple shape and colour that can match any collar you choose. This is handy if you plan to have a variety of collars that you use interchangeably with your fashionable pup.

Sometimes it can help if your dog has a brightly coloured tag as it can improve the legibility. Having said that, I wouldn’t recommend having coloured font for your personalised dog tags for the exact opposite reason. Better to get a simple engraving or black font that everyone can read easily.

Weight and Shape

It goes without saying that anything hanging from your dog’s neck needs to be almost imperceptible. A gold medallion may sound cool, and make your dog look like a 90's rapper, but it’s not practical for you or them.

Pretty sure even Diddy doesn’t sleep in his chains. The same wouldn’t apply to your dog.

In terms of the shape, it is somewhat the dealer’s choice here. There are bone shapes, the classic circle, ovals etc. You’ll notice that most dog tags have rounded shape in some capacity because this is safer for your dog. Any sharp corners are to be avoided.

Think about how the shape interacts with the legibility of the important information on your dog’s collar. It may sound super cute to have a doughnut-shaped name tag for your portly pooch but how easy is it to read? Novelty tags are all good and well if they are still functional. Don’t fall for the style over substance trap.

Special features

Does your dog have a job? No not a monotonous office affair. I am talking about service dogs, police dogs and emotional support animals. (3)

It is great practice to make it known to the world by way of a handy tag. It automatically lends credibility to your dog and can often help you when taking your dog into spaces they wouldn’t ordinarily be permitted.

Of course, only get your dog a special identifying tag if it applies to them. We could all argue that our pet animals provide emotional support, but that is not the definition of an Emotional Support Animal. There is also a difference with Service Dogs too.

It is quite easy to find tags specific to your dog’s job title and we have recommended some below.

My Final Verdict

We absolutely love the Dog Nation name tags for stylish, premium quality that will stand the test of time. The military-style tag is a timeless style that will give your dog a certain cool factor. The designer range is a little more “fancy” but equally timeless and beautiful.

It has the best features and designs and is the easiest to customise. It's all that we can look for in a dog tag!

Of course, if you need a more specific tag for your ESA or service dog, the two options we recommended will do the trick!

References

1. “How to find a lost pet”. Humane Society. Retrieved November 25, 2023. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-find-lost-dog
2. L, Coleman. “What Should I Put On My Dog’s Tag?”. Rover. Retrieved November 25, 2023. https://www.rover.com/blog/what-should-i-put-on-my-dogs-tag/
3. “Assistance Dog”. Health Direct Australia. Retrieved November 25, 2023. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/assistance-dogs
4. “Difference Between Therapy, Service, and Emotional Support Dogs”. Petfinder. Retrieved November 25, 2023. https://www.petfinder.com/dog-breeds/collections/emotional-support-dogs/
5. “Microchipping”. RSPCA Australia. Retrieved November 25, 2023. https://www.rspca.org.au/campaigns/responsible-pet-ownership/microchipping
6. Perreault, J. September 26, 2013. “How to Choose the Correct Collar Size for Your Dog”. Petful. Retrieved November 25, 2023. https://www.petful.com/pet-products/choose-right-size-dog-collar/