The 6 Best GPS Dog Collars Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

Until recently, GPS dog tracking was expensive and therefore reserved for professional settings.

Today, tracking devices have become affordable and easy to use! Getting a GPS dog collar is a great idea for every pet parent whose canine companion spends a lot of time outdoors. Being able to locate your dog at any time not only makes your life easier, but it can literally save your dog's life.

But how do you know which one is perfect for your pup? We teamed up with an independent panel of researchers to answer that question. They, along with our happy doggos, tested out some of Australia's best GPS tracking devices, and after months of research, compiled this guide. So if you are looking to add a GPS tracker for dogs to your canine dog collar arsenal, keep reading - this article is for you!

Australia's Best Dog GPS Trackers Reviewed

Now that you know what to look for in a pet tracker, it’s time to show you the best options available in Australia. While it took months for our team to compile this data after testing literally dozens and dozens, it will only take you a few minutes to read through. No matter what you are looking for, one of these below will fit your needs.

The PaWz Pet AirTag Collar is a versatile and practical solution designed to keep track of your furry companion.

The collar allows you to follow your pet's every step, giving you the ability to locate them within a range of up to 120 metres. This feature is particularly handy for dogs that tend to escape from seemingly escape-proof backyards or for keeping tabs on adventurous cats.

The system is incredibly simple to use. It does not require any subscriptions, but it does require you to have an iPhone on which you can install the app and connect it to the tracker. But the ease of use comes at a price: this is a Bluetooth tracker and its range is only 120 m. If your dog jumps the fence and starts escaping, you’ll need to be pretty fast if you want to locate them before they are out of range.

The collar is designed to withstand moderate rain, ensuring your pet remains comfortable during light outdoor activities. However, caution is advised if your pet decides to take an unexpected swim. In such cases, the battery should be removed and the collar dried thoroughly before use.

The Tractive GPS Dog Tracker is among the most popular and most reliable GPS trackers for pets in Australia and worldwide.

This dog tacker comes with all the features you could need. It comes with an integrated SIM card, so there is no complicated setup, unlike with our number two choice. In fact, I was able to start using the device immediately (after I paid for the monthly subscription, that is). 

Speaking of the subscription, it can be quite affordable if you get the plan for the whole year in advance. Its amazing features, ease of setup, and affordable pricing put it over the top and made it any easy choice as our number one option.

Unlike some other trackers that can have a bit of a lag in showing the location, Tractive actually gives you real time data. More precisely, it will update the location of your dog every 2-3 seconds.

Just like any good GPS tracker, Tractive allows you to set up a virtual fence (geofence), so you can get alerts if your dog leaves the designated area.

Another thing I like is the design of this tracker. It is a device that’s made to be used outdoors. It’s resistant to wear and tear thanks to the sturdy outer shell and it’s completely waterproof (even swimming with it is fine).

This tracker also has a decent battery life. It will last up to 5 days on a single charge, which is not as long as many of the other options on this list. However, while other manufacturers might claim their batteries last much longer, this is rarely true in practice, so we consider 5 days of battery life a win.

Because of all of these features, Tractive is a bit bulky. The device is rectangular and weighs approximately 100 grams. For most dogs, the tracker will go unnoticed when attached to the collar, but if your canine companion is tiny the size of this tracker might be too much. The bulk did seem to capture my toy poodle's attention, but it still didn't distract him much or hinder him in any way.

Tracki is a simple-looking GPS tracker that offers a lot of features for a decent price. This tiny device allows you to track your pooch’s movement in real time and it comes with a couple of additional features too.

So what did our team of researchers like most about it? First of all, the Tracki app will let you know if your canine friend is moving or running. Moreover, you can set up a geo-fence around your backyard, for example. If your dog leaves that designated area, Tracki will warn you. You can choose to get those alerts via an app, SMS or email. This is great because you can access Tracki through any computer or mobile device around the world.

Tracki uses four different technologies when locating - it combines Wi-Fi for indoor tracking with Bluetooth, GPS, and GSM for outdoors. It tracks without distance limits, so no matter how far away your dog wanders off from your home, you’ll see his precise location on this device.

Tracki comes with a rechargeable battery that can last from 2 days to a month, depending on the location tracking settings.

This GPS tracker comes with a built-in international SIM card that allows it to use an internet data connection. The monthly fee starts at $9.95, but there are no other activation, roaming or cancellation expenses.

Tracki comes with a silicone cover that makes it water-resistant. This is important, as you don’t want a few splashes in the puddle to prevent you from finding your wandering pooch. That said, it's not completely waterproof unlike our number one option, so bear that in mind if your dog is like mine and loves hopping into any body of water he or she encounters!

The first thing you notice about GeoZilla tracker is its modern, stylish design. It’s small and light - weighing only 30 grams, so even the smallest of pooches can wear it around their necks without it feeling bulky. Simply clip it onto your dog’s collar and the days of not knowing where your adventurous canine companion wanders off to are over.

You can connect GeoZilla with your device via an app, and once paired, it allows you to share access to the tracker with other family members, which I have found extremely useful. You can also create custom departure and arrival notifications for certain locations. So, if for instance, your child takes your pooch to doggy daycare once a day, the device will notify you about that. Naturally, you can set up a geo-fence area that will alert you when your dog leaves it.

GeoZilla service plans start from $19 per month, making it a more affordable option on our list and ideal for budgeting Australian households.

The tracker comes with a rechargeable lithium battery of 520mAh. According to the manufacturer, the tracker will be on for up to 5 days while sending you location updates every minute, before it needs a recharge. When not tracking or in-use, GeoZilla uses a battery safe mode technology that prolongs battery life.

This GPS tracker is specially designed for keeping a close eye on our dog’s endeavours. It’s the perfect tool to use when going on a hike with your canine best friend, as you don’t have to worry about you two getting separated from one another.

Petfon combines GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and long-distance wireless technologies to access the location of your dog. It doesn’t use network signals so there’s no monthly subscription, unlike with our number one option. While it’s a bit more pricey than other SIM-based GPS trackers, it’s a one-time investment which makes it cost-efficient.

Since it doesn’t use network signals, our team noticed that its range isn’t limitless - it can reach up to 5.5 km in open environments and 1 km in crowded places like parks.

The Petfon tracker allows you to set a virtual fence, and it will alert you when your dog leaves the area. You can also set up a dangerous zone and it will alarm you should your pooch try to set foot in there.

Another neat option Petfon offers is a speaker that emits sound alarms and a recorder that allows you to store voice commands. That way, you can try to communicate with your pet remotely. Furthermore, this tracker can emit colourful lights that will help you spot your canine companion in a foggy or dusky environment. This is one of my personal favourite features since my doggo loves his nighttime walks.

Electronic gadgets for your dog are great but water is often their biggest foe. Pretty tricky when most dogs love walks in rainy or snowy weather, and endlessly enjoy garden sprayers and puddles. Lucky for us, the manufacturer had that in mind when creating Petfon. This tracker is durable and completely waterproof like our number one option so you can rest assured no possible accident will stop it from working.

The battery lasts from 8 to 16 hours depending on the distance between you two, and you get a portable charging box that can recharge the device up to three times.

Warning - this is not a GPS tracker! So, if your pet gets lost, this tag won’t tell you their exact location. If you are specifically looking for a real GPS tracker, this is not for you, but this smart tag is a great gadget for responsible and tech-savvy pet parents.

The Pawscout tag is actually a Bluetooth beacon which is able to locate your pet within the Bluetooth range of your phone (around 100 meters). In itself, this is not enough to locate a lost dog, but it can notify you once your dog gets too far so you can act immediately. In a way, this little tag acts as a virtual leash, and I have used it successfully when in the dog park with my fur boy. I know when he's wandered a little too far astray and can actively catch up with him before he goes further.

What our expert team of testers also really liked about this tracker is the Pawscout app. This app lets you create your dog's profile and keep track of everything related to your furry-friend, including tracking your daily walks. If your pet does get lost, this app can send you notifications when your dogs come within range of anyone else with the Pawscout app.

In short, it’s not as good as a real GPS tracker, like the other options on this list, but this small, lightweight, and affordable tag can be really useful too.

How Does a Dog GPS Tracker Work?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is the best and most commonly used location tracking technology on earth. The GPS system was created by the US government, but today it is used around the world for commercial as well as military purposes.

GPS is a network of 24 satellites circling the earth, used to pinpoint any device sending and receiving GPS signals. This technology is now used in pet care, there are GPS collars that correct. These collars provide real-time location tracking and a humane correction feature for training, making them an invaluable tool for some dog owners (1).

So yes, Big Brother is watching, but for the safety and well-being of your pets!

GPS works on its own, and it does not need access to the internet. However, in order for you to see your dog’s location, the tracker needs to be able to send you data. This is why most trackers these days are also equipped with data and/or Wi-Fi connectivity. That way, you can see your dog’s location in real-time.

How I Choose a Dog Tracking Collar

There are actually quite a few GPS trackers for dogs available these days, so how do you know which one to get? Our expert team has a few suggestions to ensure you choose the perfect one for your pooch.

First of all, before settling on a tracker, make sure that it is designed to work in the country where you live.

Not all of them have global coverage (all of those on our list below work in Australia). Here are a couple more things to take into consideration before making a decision:

Size and Weight

GPS trackers can get quite bulky and heavy, but not all! Some are incredibly small. So, what’s the catch? Well, most of the time, the smaller trackers will also have a less powerful battery. The truth is, if your pup is a large breed, they will most likely not notice any type of tracking device for dogs. On the other hand, size and weight become really important if your dog is on the smaller side, like mine. After all, we don’t want to make them uncomfortable.

Range and Accuracy

A proper GPS tracker should be able to locate your dog anywhere on the planet. However, not every tracking device is actually equipped with GPS. Some of them use Bluetooth or similar technologies and are only designed to locate the dog inside a small area surrounding you. So, make sure to check what the tracker actually is before buying.

Regarding accuracy, most GPS tracking devices will tell you the exact location, but not all of them do it with the same frequency. The best trackers will update the location of your dog every 2-3 seconds. Some lower quality options have a bit of a lag in updating the location. That can make it hard to find your dog, since we all know how fast they can run!

Durability

Any good GPS tracker must be designed to withstand the outdoors. There is no point using a tracker if your dog will lose or break it. Therefore, your GPS dog tracker must have a hard-outer shell. Bonus if it's waterproof too.

Battery Life

Battery life is extremely important when it comes to GPS collars. For example, if my furry friend pulls a disappearing act, I want the battery to last long enough for me to find them. Look for trackers that have a battery that can last for at least 2 days. Any less than that and it completely defeats the point. The stronger the battery, the better.

User Interface

A GPS collar is what collects the data about your dog’s location, but you need to be able to see that data somehow. These days, most pet trackers come with an app dedicated to this that you can access from your smartphone or computer. Some trackers even send you notifications via SMS or email.

Monthly Costs

Since most dog trackers use mobile data to transfer your dog’s location to you, they usually require a monthly plan. So, make sure to consider this when checking out the price of the device. Plans tend to cost less if you pay for the whole year.

Additional Features

Every GPS dog collar can track a dog’s location, but some of them do more than that. Here are some extras are researchers suggest you keep an eye out for:

• Most of these trackers will allow you to create a virtual fence (geofence) which is a designated area inside which it is safe for your dog to be (such as your backyard). Once the dog leaves this area, you get a notification.
• Some trackers give you the option to record commands that can then be played to your dog.
• Many emit light and sound signals when your dog is lost so it’s easier for you to find them.
• Some GPS trackers also act as fitness trackers via the accompanying apps. (Not essential, but it can be fun to have.)

Consider which of these extra bells and whistles could appeal to you!

My Final Thoughts

Our expert team tested them all and believe that the Tractive LTE GPS Dog Tracker and the Tracki 3G Real-Time Worldwide GPS Tracker are the leaders in the market when it comes to GPS collars for dogs. They are both reliable and have more or less the same features. In the end, it’s up to you to choose which one you like the best.

Want to learn more about dog collars? Check out our below guides:

• Best Martingale Collar
• Best Puppy Collar
• Best Flea Collar
• Best Leather Dog Collars
• Best Personalised Dog Collars
• Best LED Dog Collar