We are okay with microchips but if you’d like a direct tracking option, we would recommend either a GPS collar or an Apple Air Tag. Here are the pros/cons of each.

Microchip: good if you’re worried about thieves catching and selling your pup, or if your pup’s collar comes off.

• Pros:
  • Cannot be taken off by thieves
  • Proves who the dog belongs to without concern of “evidence” that anyone else might create
  • Essentially universally readable at any vet or animal shelter’s office
• Cons:
  • Does not track the dog or tell you where they are unless someone catches the dog and brings them to a vet or animal shelter

GPS Collar (Fi or Whistle): good for locating a lost dog in any environment

• Pros:
  • When in lost dog mode, it uses satellites to tell you exactly where the device is, even if you’re in a very remote location
  • Also has fun step/activity tracking features
• Cons:
  • Can be removed by thieves
  • Expensive
  • It is mounted on a collar that can always fall off

Air Tag: good for locating a lost dog in a well-populated environment

• Pros:
  • Allows you to track your dog using bluetooth technology
  • MUCH less expensive than a GPS collar
• Cons:
  • Must be within 50 feet of a bluetooth enabled device to work, so will not necessarily find your dog in remote locations
  • It is mounted on a collar that can always fall off

The one device that we strongly do not recommend is the Halo collar. It is a GPS collar that is enabled with a movable shock fence system (which is very confusing for dogs!).