Reason for Dog Tags

A common accessory for many pets are dog tags, which come in a variety of sizes, shapes and styles. Tags are attached to a dog's collar and are worn individually or in groups when each serves a different function. Most counties require pets to wear an identification tag in public, but dog tags are also worn for safety and fashion.

  1. Identity

    • One of the first things that dog owners do when they get a new dog is give the pet a name. That name becomes an important part of the dog's identity and training as your pet learns to recognize the sound of its name. Dog tags are often used to bear the name of your pet as a way to further cement the animal's identity and differentiate it from others.

    Licensing Requirements

    • Many states and counties have legal requirements mandating all pet owners to apply for a dog license. Health concerns are the cause for these laws as licensing aims to ensure that pets are spayed or neutered and current on all vaccinations against infectious diseases. When a dog is properly licensed, the issuing agency will provide the owners with dog tags that verify compliance and state owner information.

    Locator Device

    • Chip ID tags are worn by dogs that have some form of radio frequency identification. The technology is used to help locate your pet in the event of theft or if it runs away. Typically, a microchip is embedded beneath the dog's skin or added as an external piercing. When a stray animal is found, it can be scanned with a device that reads the data on the chip, functioning to help reunite the animal with owners.

    Style

    • The extent to which dog owners go to pamper beloved pets can be seen in reality television as well as in dog show competitions. Dog tags are just one arena where owners show affection toward pets. For example, "vanity" dog tags are sold with colored rhinestones in the shape of bones, stars, hearts. These items become an extension of the dog owners style while also attributing a distinct personality to the dog.