Picking a Pet Identification Tag for The Cretan Hound

Choosing a pet ID tag for your Cretan Hound is like purchasing insurance – you do so with the devout wish that you won’t need it. The “possible cost” of not having a pet ID tag is more costly than the “real cost” of purchasing the pet tag itself.

The type of pet ID tag that you buy is vital, so take 5 minutes or so to think it through. Impulsively picking a collar tag just because it’s low cost or pretty usually ends up being a regret, long-term.

Consider the following before buying any pet id tag for your Cretan Hound:
1.What is the amount of risk to your Cretan Hound?
Lost Cretan Hounds are definitely common – we have all noticed “Lost Cretan Hound!” signs plastered around town, or deceased Cretan Hounds lying along the edge of the road. If your Cretan Hound is a master at escaping your fence, or can’t help tracking a smell, or young and full of energy, or is not properly trained, the risk of a lost Cretan Hound is high.

But losing your Cretan Hound isn’t the only possibility.

Some Cretan Hounds get stolen. A pet thief may take Fifi or Spot in hopes of getting a reward for its return, or to use in pit fights (even small or gentle dogs are at risk – they can be used as “bait”), or for use in satanic rituals.

And what is the danger to your Cretan Hound if something happens to you, the owner?

If you’re a senior citizen with a Cretan Hound, especially if you live alone or are in poor health, there’s a high chance that at some point someone else may need to care for your furry friend, perhaps with short notice. And anyone can be struck by tragedy or disaster which renders you incapable of caring for your companion.

In this instance, will your Cretan Hound’s new or temporary caregiver know that Rover hates cats, or requires medicine, or even whether or not Max is housetrained? A pet ID tag that contains more than your name and phone number would be extremely helpful.

2.What level of risk are you ok with?
Some Cretan Hounds are simply more important to their owners, and the risk of losing that pet warrants a specific, more expensive type of pet identification tag. Risk is proportionate to value.

Keep in mind that there are several ways to calculate the value of your Cretan Hound. It may be monetary (e.g., a purebred Cretan Hound) or occupational (e.g., a guide dog).

But for most Cretan Hound owners, the relationoship attachment they have to their companion determines its value. For many, Cretan Hounds are family, impossible to replace and dearly loved.

3.Based on your answers to the two previous questions, what do you need in a pet identification tag?

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

At the minimum, a pet identification tag should contain the address, phone number and name of the Cretan Hound’s owner in a legible, durable format. Plastic tags are lightweight but easily chewed. Stainless steel tags are durable and don’t rust or fade. These traditional types of tags can purchased from any animal doctor or pet store. They’re economical but the amount of info they can contain is limited to the size of the tag.

Fortunately, you have many more options of pet ID tags for your Cretan Hound these days, such as tattooing, microchipping, digital display tags, voice recorded pet id tags, and pet registry websites.

One of the most recent entrants in the pet ID game is the high-tech USB drive that hangs from your Cretan Hound’s collar (or is attached to their kennel) and which can hold 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 veterinarian or pet sitter. There also exist bluetooth devices for tracking, but their range is limited, because of bluetooth technological limits.

Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Cretan Hounds

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