Personalised dog collars: do they meet UK law?
Updated 24 September 2026 · 3 min read
Yes. UK law asks for your name and address on your dog's collar, and it doesn't have to be on a hanging tag: details embroidered, printed or engraved on the collar itself count. Here's what the law says, what to put on it, and where a tag still earns its place.
Dog tag wording maker →Work out the wording for the collar, checked against UK law.What the law says
The Control of Dogs Order 1992 says every dog in a public place must wear a collar with the owner's name and address “inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it”. So a collar with your details stitched, printed or engraved on it meets the law, and so does a riveted plate or a slide-on tag.
Some dogs are exempt, such as working, police and guide dogs. Our guide to UK dog tag law covers who they are.
What to put on it
- Your surname. The law asks for the owner's name, and your surname on its own is fine.
- Your house number or name, and your postcode: the usual short version of your address.
- A phone number, if there's room. The law doesn't ask for one, but it's the quickest way for a finder to reach you.
Many owners leave the dog's name off, so a stranger can't call the dog by name. That's a personal choice; the law doesn't ask for it.
Why people choose them
- Nothing hangs down, so there's nothing to jingle, snag or fall off.
- Stitched or printed details can't come loose the way a tag on a split ring can.
- They suit dogs that swim or play rough.
The catches
- When you move house, you need a new collar, not just a new tag.
- Embroidery and print wear over time, so check the details are still easy to read.
- A harness on its own may not be enough. The law talks about a collar, so the safest option is a collar with your details, even if you clip the lead to a harness.
Where a QR tag fits in
A collar only has room for a few words. A QR code dog tag on the D-ring holds the rest: your dog's photo, medical notes, a way for a finder to message you without seeing your number, and lost mode, which emails you when the tag is scanned. Its details can be changed online any time.
Quick answers
Is a personalised dog collar enough for UK law?+
Yes, if it shows your name and address. The Control of Dogs Order 1992 allows the details to be on the collar itself, or on a plate or badge attached to it.
Does my dog still need a tag if the collar has my details?+
Not for the law. A tag can still add what a collar can't hold, like a photo, medical notes or a way for a finder to message you.
Does a personalised harness count?+
The law talks about a collar, so the safest option is a collar with your name and address on it, even if you walk your dog on a harness.
Should I put my dog's name on the collar?+
It's up to you. The law doesn't ask for it, and many owners leave it off so a stranger can't call the dog by name.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal or veterinary advice. How we write our guides
