Engraved metal tag
Stainless steel or brass, deep-engraved. The legal default. Survives years of mud + rain + chewing. Engrave: name, owner phone (NOT dog's name optionally — debate), "I'm chipped". Address optional but legal-compliant.
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Dog Id Tags Accessories
🪪 ID + tracking
Dog ID tags & accessories — the law + the smart upgrades
In Ireland, every dog in a public place must wear a collar bearing the owner's name and address — that's the Control of Dogs Act, on top of the microchipping requirement. Microchip alone doesn't satisfy it. Here's the right tag, plus the modern QR + tracker upgrades that get a lost dog home faster.
Photo: Jamie Street / Unsplash
What we'll be stocking
Tag + tracker types
Silent / slide-on tag
No dangling tag = no jingle (saves your sanity + the dog's ears). Slides flat onto the collar webbing. Engraved on both sides. Best for nervous dogs that startle at noise + crate-trained dogs that hate the bell.
QR-code smart tag
Scannable QR — finder gets a web profile (your phone, address, vet info, dog photo, meds). PetHub, Pet Dialog, Smart-Tag. Better than a phone number — works even when you're not at the phone, hands the finder a full handover sheet.
Bluetooth / GPS tracker
Apple AirTag (Bluetooth, EU range, free w/ existing iPhone) — best for "fell off in the park". Tractive / Fi (cellular GPS, ~€5/month) — best for escape artists, real-time tracking, geofencing. Both clip on the collar.
Dog licence disc
Annual €20 dog licence from An Post or post office — disc clips to the collar. Required for every dog over 4 months. €60 fine if not held. Lifetime licence (€140) available for permanent ID. Easy to forget after the first year.
What goes on the tag (and the law)
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Control of Dogs Act 1986
A dog in any public place must wear a collar bearing the name and address of the owner — by deep engraving on the collar, on a metal plate, or on a tag attached to the collar. Microchip alone does NOT satisfy this. Garda enforce, penalty up to €635.
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What to engrave
Owner phone (essential), Eircode + town, "I'm microchipped". Some owners skip the dog's name (a stranger calling the dog's name can lure them). Multi-line tags fit ~4 lines comfortably. Update tags after a house move — same day, not "soon".
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Microchip — register + keep details current
Microchipping is mandatory in Ireland (Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015). Must be registered with one of the four approved databases (Fido / Animark / IKC / IrishPetID). MOST OWNERS NEVER UPDATE after moving house — the chip is useless if the contact details are 5 years stale.
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Add a tracker for escape risk
Recall-failed adolescent? Sighthound? Door-bolter? AirTag is €35 one-time cost (no subscription) and works in any populated area via the Find My network. Real GPS trackers (Tractive, Fi) need cellular subscription but give live tracking + geofence alerts.
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Replace tags annually
Engraving fades after 12–18 months of use. If you can't read your dog's tag at arm's length, neither can a finder. Many smart owners replace tags every January when they renew the dog licence — same trip, same €15.
🛒 We don't stock this directly
Alleavia doesn't stock or ship pet supplies. Our breed-matched buying guides pick the right dog id tags accessories gear and link out to Amazon — and the calculators, breed guides and AI vet tools below are always free.
Frequently asked questions
Is microchipping enough — do I still need a tag?
No, the microchip is not enough on its own. The Control of Dogs Act 1986 requires a collar with the owner's name + address (or a tag carrying the same) on every dog in a public place. Microchipping is a separate requirement. You need both. Garda can fine on the spot.
Should I put my dog's name on the tag?
Personal preference. Pros: a finder can talk to the dog calmly using their name. Cons: a thief or stranger can lure the dog using the name (rare but real). Most trainers advise putting only owner contact info + "I'm chipped" on the tag.
Apple AirTag or Tractive — which?
AirTag if you're on iPhone + the dog usually doesn't leave populated areas — €35 one-off, no subscription, leverages every passing iPhone for location. Tractive / Fi if your dog escapes, hunts, or roams rural areas — true GPS gives live tracking but costs €5/month. Many owners run both.
How often does the dog licence need renewing?
Annual €20 (€140 lifetime) — get it from any post office or An Post online. Renew on the same date each year; some councils auto-remind. Failing to hold a licence: €60 on-the-spot or €635 court fine. Often forgotten in year 2 + 3.
