Imagine your dog always runs free. On the beach, during a walk in the woods, or on a quiet mountain path during your vacation. He stays close, occasionally looks back, and returns without hesitation when you call him. It's a trust that naturally develops over the years.
Until that one walk when everything goes differently...
You're spending a weekend in the French Alps, enjoying the silence around you. As you pause to admire the view, a deer suddenly bolts from the edge of the woods. Before you fully realize what's happening, your dog sprints after it. At first, you see him moving between the trees, then he completely disappears from sight.
You call his name. Again. And then again.
The only thing that comes back is the echo between the mountains.
At such a moment, only one thought matters: hopefully, someone finds my dog and can contact me immediately.
A clearly legible dog tag might seem like a small detail on your dog's collar, but in such a situation, it can be invaluable.
No time to read it all? Here are the key points:
- A dog tag is not a substitute for a microchip, but a valuable addition.
- At a minimum, put your dog's name and a phone number on the tag.
- Always use your phone number in international format, for example, +31 6 12 34 56 78.
- Choose a durable material that will last for years.
- Occasionally check if the information on the tag is still up-to-date.
Want to know why? We'll explain it step by step below.
Why a microchip alone is not always enough
Almost every dog in the Netherlands is now microchipped and registered. And rightly so, because a microchip forms the official link between a dog and its owner. However, this does not automatically mean that a dog tag is unnecessary.
A microchip has one practical limitation: you cannot see it. Special equipment is needed to read the data, which is usually only found at a vet, animal ambulance service, or animal shelter. Someone who finds your dog during a walk almost never has access to this.
In practice, a finder will therefore first try to locate the owner themselves. A dog tag makes this surprisingly easy. With one glance, someone sees your dog's name and a phone number. Often, one phone call is enough to reunite you, without your dog first having to go to a vet or shelter.
Therefore, do not view a dog tag as an alternative to a microchip, but as the fastest route home. The microchip provides official registration. The tag enables direct contact. It is precisely this combination that offers the best chance of a quick reunion.
What information do you put on a dog tag?
This is undoubtedly one of the questions we get most often.
Our advice
For most dogs, this is exactly sufficient:
- Your dog's name.
- Your mobile phone number.
- Optionally, a short medical note, such as Needs medication or Do not feed.
We generally advise against a full address. That takes up a lot of space, making the engraving smaller and less legible. When someone finds your dog, you want the most important information to stand out immediately.
Also, occasionally check if the information is still correct. A new phone number is easily updated on your mobile phone, but is surprisingly often forgotten on a dog tag.
The detail almost no one thinks of
Since we started punq, we have engraved many dog tags. We noticed something.
Almost everyone sends their phone number as we are used to in the Netherlands: starting with 06. Logical, of course, because within the Netherlands, that works fine.
But more and more dogs go on vacation. A weekend in the Ardennes, a walk through the French Alps, or a road trip through Scandinavia is no longer an exception.
That's why we engrave phone numbers in international format as standard. So not 06 12 34 56 78, but +31 6 12 34 56 78.
It seems like a small detail, but it ensures that someone from Belgium, Germany, or France can call you directly without first figuring out how a Dutch mobile number is structured.
Almost every customer reacts the same when we send back the design: "I never actually thought of that." That's precisely why we do this as standard. Good products distinguish themselves not only by how they look, but especially by the details you only appreciate when you need them.
Why we choose solid brass
Anyone looking for a dog tag online will quickly discover that there is a huge amount of choice. Aluminum, plastic, stainless steel, or brass; each material has its own appearance and properties.
At punq, we deliberately chose solid brass. Not only because of its warm, luxurious appearance, but mainly because it is a material that only becomes more beautiful with time.
A dog tag might experience as many adventures as the dog itself. It dangles along during forest walks, beach days, holidays, and daily rounds in the neighborhood. Rain, mud, sand, and sun all leave their marks. Instead of wearing out, solid brass develops a natural patina: a subtle discoloration that gives each tag its own character.
Do you prefer a shiny finish? Then solid brass can easily be polished back to its original shine. This way, you choose whether to show the traces of your adventures or restore the original gleam.
We believe that a dog tag should not only be beautiful when you take it out of the packaging, but also tell a story after years of use. That's precisely why solid brass fits so well with how we view our products.
Hopefully, you'll never need it
Perhaps that sounds strange coming from a brand that makes dog tags, but honestly, we hope that every tag we engrave never has to fulfill its most important function.
We hope your dog always comes back when you call him. That every walk goes as smoothly as the last, and that the phone number on the tag is never needed.
Nevertheless, it's reassuring to know that if something ever happens, you've done everything to enable a quick reunion.
Perhaps that is ultimately the greatest value of a dog tag. Not the piece of solid brass itself, but the knowledge that someone can reach you with one phone call.
And that's precisely why we believe every dog should wear one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dog tag mandatory?
No. In the Netherlands, a dog tag is not mandatory. Microchipping and registration are mandatory for almost every dog. A dog tag is a valuable addition because it allows someone to contact you directly.
What do you put on a dog tag?
We recommend your dog's name, a phone number in international format (+31), and optionally a brief medical note if needed.
Can a brass dog tag get wet?
Yes. Solid brass is excellently resistant to daily use, rain, and mud. Over time, it develops a natural patina, which you can easily polish back if desired.
Why does punq use +31 for phone numbers as standard?
Because more and more dogs travel abroad with their owners. By engraving the phone number directly in international format, someone can reach you immediately, even outside the Netherlands.
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