If you own a dog, you’ve probably wondered how you can prevent him from going missing, or what you would do if that happened. We have an answer for you: Invest in the best dog GPS tracker. A Global Positioning System dog collar will help you keep track of your furry friend and make you feel confident about his safety.
What’s Here?
Guess how many pets go missing every year in the US- do you have any idea? Well, according to the American Humane Association, about 10 million dogs and cats are lost every year in the United States. At least one in three dogs gets lost at some point in their life.
Shocking, right?
Lost pets can be a devastating thing to go through as a pet owner and family. Finding the best dog GPS tracker can take massive amounts of stress off of your shoulders- especially if your pooch is a repeat runaway.
But there are hundreds of dog GPS trackers on the market today, how do you pick the right one? Well, worry not! We’ve made it easy for you. Here’s a guide to help you choose quality dog GPS trackers.
A Closer Look: 9 Best Dog GPS Trackers in 2021
Here is our product roundup of the best dog gps tracker options on the market.
1. Whistle Go GPS Pet Tracker & Activity MonitorBest Dog GPS Tracker: Consumers Pick
A lot of dog owners trust Whistle’s tracking system and for good reason. First, this all-in-one tracker provides nationwide coverage through America’s largest cellular network infrastructure, which means you can locate your dog from anywhere in the US. The Whistle Go GPS Pet Tracker uses advanced GPS technology to guarantee highly accurate, up-to-the-moment location readings.
But that’s not all.
Bonus Features
This tracking device comes with a Wi-Fi connectivity feature that you can use to create a dedicated safe zone for your four-legged friend. Should your dog stray away from the secure area, you’ll get texts, emails, or app notifications so you can take the necessary action before he gets too far away.
Along with tracking your pup’s location, the Whistle Go GPS Pet Tracker will also monitor his daily activities. It’ll offer valuable health information you require to take care of your dog. For example, you can use the info to set fitness goals based on his age, weight, and breed.
This tracking device comes with a long-lasting battery that can last up to 7 days. The Whistle Go GPS Pet Tracker is lightweight and ideal for pups that weigh about 8 pounds or more.
Keep in mind that Whistle offers 3 versions of their GPS tracker:
- Whistle 3 – Old model that is discontinued, features GPS and activity tracking.
- Whistle Go – Base Model with real time pet location tracking and health monitoring.
- Whistle Go Explore – All the features of Whistle Go plus some extras including a built-in light and extended battery life.
Best Dog GPS System for Sporting Dogs
This GPS dog collar has excellent zooming capabilities, and this helps make navigation easy and convenient. It is one of the few devices that support Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) and GPS. This allows it to maintain its signal even in deep canyons.
It also comes with training features that ensure your dog stays fit all the time. The Garmin Alpha Dog Bundle compatible with most Garmin devices.
3. Tractive Dog & Cat GPS TrackerBest Dog GPS Tracker with Activity Monitor
The Tractive Dog and Cat GPS Tracker is an excellent value. What we really like about this is the cost of the product itself is pretty low, and then the subscription for unlimited tracking is only $5 a month. Plus, it’s got activity tracking and location tracking with LTE connectivity.
There is a LIVE mode on this tracker which will ping your pets location every 2-3 seconds, so you’ll know the route they’re taking as well as if they decided to jump the fence and go for a joy ride around the neighborhood.
Bonus Features
This tracking device is water-resistant and has a robust design that can withstand harsh elements. It also has an easy-to-use app. The only problem with this tracking device is that it’s bulky for some pets.
4. Link AKC Smart CollarBest GPS Dog Collar
Are you looking for a stylish dog GPS tracker? The Link AKC Smart Collar can be an excellent choice for you. It comes with a fashionable leather collar that’s curved to fit the contours of your pup’s neck naturally. It has unique features that allow you to monitor your pet’s daily activities, log vet records, receive temperature alerts, and much more.
Bonus Features
The sound training feature of this GPS can help you train your buddy whatever you want if you use it together with the best dog treats. What’s more, this device is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about water damage. It works with both iOS and Android.
5. The Paw Tracker
The Paw Tracker is small and lightweight. As the name suggests, it’s shaped like a paw and is usually attached to the dog’s collar. This device uses 2G technology, along with Wi-Fi and cellular technology, to communicate its location.
It comes with a “geo-fence” feature that enables you to set up a dedicated safe zone for your pet. You’ll get notified if your pet leaves the secure area. The Paw Tracker is available in three different colors: Silver, gold, and blue.
6. SportDOG Brand TEK 2.0 GPS Tracking System V2-LBest Dog GPS System
Besides tracking your dog’s location, the SportDOG tracking device can also measure the distance traveled and the dog’s current speed in MPH. With this tracker, you can monitor your four-legged friend up to ten miles away, even if you have no cell service.
The collar fits necks of about 10.75-23 inches and is submersible to 25 feet of depth. You won’t require any monthly subscription or map update fees to use this tracking device.
7. FINDSTER DUO+Best Dog GPS Tracker for Smartphones
Launched in 2017, FINDSTER DUO+ allows for real-time location and activity tracking without monthly fees.
It boasts of a communication range of up to 3 miles (about 4.8 km) and doesn’t require a cellular network to work. Therefore, you can be able to identify the location of your pal in the mountains or places where there’s poor network coverage.
Bonus Features
This FINDSTER GPS tracker also boasts of great compatibility. It can work on virtually any smartphone. Besides, it’s incredibly lightweight, so your furry friend can carry it without noticing it’s there. The tracker is highly durable, so you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged even when it’s exposed to harsh elements for a long time.
It also comes with a rechargeable battery that can last for five days or longer, depending on use.
8. Trax PlayBest Dog GPS for the Price
Trax play is another GPS tracker that most dog owners love and trust. Capable of working in more than 40 countries, this GPS tracking device ranks among the smallest and lightest live tracker in the world.
It comes with a sturdy and well-built plastic body that designed to withstand harsh elements and extreme conditions. The body is also waterproof.
Bonus Features
Trax Play boasts of high tracking accuracy, thanks to its ability to use both GPS and GLONASS systems. Trax play sends GPS updates every 10 seconds, but you can change the update frequency to 1 min or 2 min for better battery life. When it comes to battery life, Trax play has a rechargeable battery that can last for 24 hours or longer.
9. Xiaomi PetBit
This tracker is usually attached to the dog’s collar and provides the owner with information on location, distance traveled, current speed, and the number of calories burned. Xiaomi PetBit has an IPX7 water rating, which means that it can withstand splashes and rainfall.
Bonus Features
This device also comes with a QR code that anyone can scan to find out who the owner of the dog is. The tracker is available in silver/white and graphite/black.
Unlike most other dog GPS trackers, PetBit has a rechargeable battery that can last up to 30 days on a single charge. The device also comes with a power saving mode feature that can make your battery last even longer.
Tips for Choosing the Best Dog GPS Tracker
Here are a few features to consider before you make your dog GPS purpose.
Pay Attention to the Size
The size of the GPS tracker determines the comfort level of your pup. For this reason, the tracking device you pick shouldn’t be too large. A large device will only add unnecessary weight on your pet.
Also, make sure the device can easily fit on the dog’s collar.
Avoid Useless Features
Avoid GPS trackers with features that you don’t need. Before you go looking for a tracker, ensure you understand your needs. This will allow you to pick a collar with the right features at the lowest price.
Waterproofing
While most GPS dog trackers come with complete waterproof features, others don’t. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure the pet tracking device you pick is waterproof. This means that the device is entirely impermeable to water.
If your device is not fully waterproof, then it might stop working if it gets submerged.
Activity Tracking
Aside from monitoring your dog’s location and direction, the tracker you pick should also allow you to track your dog’s daily activities.
By monitoring your pet’s activities, you can easily adjust the daily schedule of your pups, its playtime, food intake, and many others. The activity tracking feature will also help you develop a training strategy to keep your dog fit all the time.
Setting Up Safe Zone
Go for a tracking device that allows you to create a virtual fence for your pet. When the furry one leaves the area you’ve set, you’ll automatically be notified, and this will allow you to act fast before he gets lost.
Pet-Friendliness
Make sure the design, material, and features of the GPS tracking device you choose are pet-friendly. This will ensure your pet is always comfortable when wearing the tracker. A dog GPS collar is a great way to make sure it is compatible.
Price
Price is also an important factor when selecting the best GPS dog collar. Although the device you choose shouldn’t ruin your budget, this doesn’t mean you should pick the cheapest tracker in the market. Avoid cheap trackers; most of them are made of sub-standard materials and might give inaccurate readings.
Battery Life
The best dog GPS has a quality battery that needs less charging. You should pick a GPS dog collar with a power-saving mode so that the battery can last longer.
