Permanent ID, read with a scanner.
A chip identifies them. A tag gets you called.
Microchips are brilliant, but they need a scanner. A dog tag is visible immediately and can turn a worried search into a quick phone call.
Updated 22 August 2026Instant contact details visible on the collar.
The safest everyday combination.
Why use both?
If your pet is found by someone kind nearby, a visible phone number can solve the problem in minutes. If the collar is lost, the microchip still provides a backup.
Where a tag wins
A tag is visible immediately. The person who finds your dog does not need to know which database to check, where the nearest scanner is, or whether a vet is open.
- Fast contact for everyday escapes.
- Easy for neighbours, walkers and delivery drivers to use.
- Useful even when the dog is only a few streets from home.
Where a microchip wins
A microchip is permanent identification under the skin. It is especially important if the collar comes off, the tag is damaged or the dog ends up with a rescue, vet or warden.
Good to know before you order.
Can a dog tag replace a microchip?
No. They do different jobs. A microchip is permanent identification; a tag is fast visible contact information.
Why add a phone number if the dog is chipped?
Because a phone number lets someone call you straight away without needing a scanner.
Does a microchipped dog still need a collar ID tag in Ireland?
Yes. Microchipping and visible collar identification are separate requirements in Ireland. The Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 require a dog to wear a collar carrying the owner's name and address, either on the collar itself or on an attached plate, badge or disc. A microchip does not replace that visible identification requirement.