How to Buy a Pet Identification Tag for The German Shepherd Dog

Choosing a pet identification tag for your German Shepherd Dog is like purchasing an insurance policy – you do it with the devout wish that you’re never going to use it. The “possible cost” of not having a pet ID tag is more expensive than the “real cost” of purchasing the pet tag itself.

The kind of pet identification tag that you buy is vital, so take 5 minutes or so to think it through. Whimsically buying a collar tag because it’s low cost or trendy often ends up being a regret, long-term.

Consider the following before picking any pet id tag for your German Shepherd Dog:
1.What is the level of risk to your German Shepherd Dog?
Lost German Shepherd Dogs are definitely common – we have all come across “Lost German Shepherd Dog!” signs plastered around the city, or deceased dogs lying by the side of the road. If your German Shepherd Dog is a master at jumping your fence, or cannot help following a scent, or youthful and spry, or is not well trained, the chance of a missing German Shepherd Dog is high.

But losing your German Shepherd Dog isn’t the only danger.

Sometimes German Shepherd Dogs get stolen. A pet thief may take Fido or Fifi in hopes of getting a reward for its return, or to use in pit battles (even small or gentle dogs are susceptible – they can be used for “bait”), or for use in cult rituals.

And what is the danger to your German Shepherd Dog if something happens to you, its owner?

If you’re a senior adult with a German Shepherd Dog, particularly if you live by yourself or are in poor health, there’s a high chance that at some point someone else will need to care for your German Shepherd Dog, perhaps with little notice. And anyone can be hit with a tragedy or disaster which leaves you incapable of caring for your German Shepherd Dog.

In this instance, will your German Shepherd Dog’s temporary or new caregiver know that Rover hates cats, or needs medicine, or even whether or not Max is potty trained? A pet ID tag that has more than your phone number and name would be very beneficial.

2.What amount of danger are you comfortable with?
Some German Shepherd Dogs are simply more important to their owners, and the chance of losing that pet demands a specific, higher priced kind of pet identification tag. Risk is directly proportional to value.

Keep in mind that there are many ways to assess the value of your German Shepherd Dog. It may be monetary (e.g., a purebred German Shepherd Dog) or functional (e.g., a guide dog).

But for most German Shepherd Dog owners, the companionship attachment they have to their German Shepherd Dog sets its value. For many, German Shepherd Dogs are family members, dearly loved and impossible to replace.

3.Using your responses to the two previous queries, what do you need in a pet ID tag?

Pet ID tags come in various shapes, sizes and materials and hold varying amounts of info. Some have artwork or logos, as well. Many pet identification tags are designed to be attached to a collar.

At a bare minimum, a pet identification tag should contain the phone number, name and address of the German Shepherd Dog’s owner in a durable, legible format. Plastic tags are lightweight but chewed easily. Stainless steel tags are durable and don’t rust or fade. These traditional types of tags can gotten from any animal doctor or pet store. They’re low cost yet the amount of information they hold is limited to the size of the tag.

Fortunately, there are many more options in pet ID tags for your German Shepherd Dog these days, such as tattooing, microchipping, digital display tags, voice recorded pet id tags, and pet registry websites.

One of the newest entries in the pet identification game is the high-tech USB drive that hangs from your pet’s collar (or is attached to their cage) and which holds 64MB of data (including comprehensive medical and diet information). The tiny USB drive is encased in a sturdy plastic case and can be used in any computer, where it is easily updated and easy to print sections for sharing with your vet or pet sitter. There are also bluetooth devices for tracking, but their range is low, due to bluetooth technological limits.

Don’t forget to check out these other articles about German Shepherd Dogs

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