Dog GPS trackers are devices that allow you to pinpoint your dog’s exact location and monitor their daily activity and sometimes health depending on the tracker. Dog GPS trackers are either built into a collar or can be attached to an existing collar. In this review, we’ll discuss the features, prices, and pros and cons of our favorite GPS dog trackers to save you time and money.
Not all dog GPS trackers are similar—and there are numerous options on the market. While multiple dog GPS trackers rely on cellular service to locate your dog if he gets lost or roams too far when you’re on a hike, other dog GPS trackers feature GPS, radio frequency (RF) technology, or Bluetooth.
Every dog GPS tracker has its benefits, and we’ve included our favorite ones in this review. The best GPS tracker for your dog will depend on your location, the quality of cellular service in your area, and the distance that you want to track your dog.
Improve Dog’s Quality of Life
Pet MD adds that “One of the biggest ways pet technology can keep pets safe is through GPS devices in dog collars. These devices can locate your pet and give you a better shot of getting a lost dog back. Dogs can’t talk. In essence, it gives your dog a voice. It gives the pet owner better information to improve life and ultimately reduce trips to the vet and increase their lifespans.”
PetMD explains that veterinarians can also use these devices (GPS with features that track activity & health) to check on pets after surgery or their weight loss progress. “I think they are a remarkable tool that can help in any weight loss plan for dogs,” says Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM via PetMD.
Subscription Fees for GPS Trackers
Another important takeaway when shopping for the best dog GPS trackers? Monthly fees. Some dog trackers have a subscription fee that you’ll need to consider. You can also find dog GPS trackers that have low rates or no fees at all. Some of these may work well for your dog, depending on your needs.
It’s key to keep in mind that dog GPS trackers not only encourage you to enjoy the outdoors more and lead a healthy lifestyle, but they are beneficial in increasing the bonding experience with your dog.
In a rush? Here are the top picks!
- Pros
- It can be set up so that many pet parents all receive alerts
- Relatively small device compatible with a wide range of dog collars
- Long battery life with one charge
- Can track drinking, scratching, and licking data
- Suitable for monitoring skin health and allergies
- Accurate GPS tracking anywhere in North America
- Ability to track movements every 15 seconds
- Shock resistant & waterproof
- Cons
- Large size doesn't fit well on small dog breeds
The Whistle Go Explore is one of our favorite dog GPS trackers because of its location tracking features. It also features a remote-activated built-in light and a long-lasting battery that can run for 20 days on a single charge.
The Whistle Go Explore provides you with a weekly health report that monitors your pet’s licking, scratching, and sleeping habits. Utilizing AT&T’s wireless network and Google Maps, the Whistle GO Explore will notify you whenever your dog leaves his designated safe space and provides live location tracking. In addition to GPS monitoring, the Whistle can also be used to track physical activity goals for your pet, as well as specific health behaviors.
This dog GPS tracker sets up alerts and quickly locates your pet, whether they’ve made a sneaky escape or are 3,000 miles away. Like many GPS dog collars, a subscription is required, covering connection to AT&T 4G LTE-M network for GPS location in the US. Yearly $8.25/mo. 30-Day Free Trial.
This GPS dog collar can track your dog’s location with 15-second updates but does require a Wi-Fi connection. Here’s the takeaway:
Features
- Affordable
- Over 2,400 reviews from happy customers
- Available in 3 fun colorways: Magenta, green, and grey
- Provides health, fitness, and location data
- On-demand veterinarian
- Get recommendations on food portions based on activity levels, breed, age, and weight.
- Get custom exercise and feed goals based on your dog’s weight, breed & age
- Ability to review weekly reports that break down your pet’s latest stats
- Built-in night light for visibility
- Wi-Fi – Only 2.4 GHz networks are supported.
Product Details
- Product Dimensions: 6.75 x 5 x 2 inches; 7.37 Ounces
- Connectivity: AT&T 4G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS
- Battery Life: 20days
- Pros
- Battery life 2-5 days depending on how much you use it
- Live tracking & location history
- All-day activity monitoring
- Virtual fence to create safe spaces & set alerts
- Worldwide location tracking
- Numerous subscription plans to choose from
- Live GPS Tracking mode gives you updates every 2 to 3 seconds
- Tractive connects to AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Viaero Wireless USA.
- Good battery life
- Cons
- No activity tracking or health data tracking
- No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth location services
- Maybe lag time in notifications.
The Tractive LTE dog GPS collar is designed for pets weighing nine pounds plus and offers to track in over 150 countries with an app for iOS and Android (or any web browser). This very lightweight tracker is also fully waterproof, making this perfect for dogs who love to swim or play around in mud or rivers while hiking or camping.
Like most good GPS trackers, this one also needs a monthly subscription plan. The lowest rate for two years with Tractive’s premium subscription and the device itself is $194.98.
The Tractive LTE GPS dog collar uses AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile networks to track your dog—and not just where they are in real-time, but also where they’ve been since the tracker turned on. It’s also easy to share tracking accounts with others with the Tractive LTE GPS dog collar. In addition, there are relatively low lag times, making it practical for real-time tracking, especially in urban environments.
Here’s the takeaway:
Features
- Great for international travel (works in 150 countries)
- Waterproof & lightweight
- No range limitation
- Priced affordably
- Over 5,400 positive reviews
- Web-based tracking
- It can be used on cats or any small pet over 9 lbs. and above.
Product Details
- Product Dimensions: 2.8 x 0.65 x 1.13 inches; 1.23 Ounces
- Connectivity: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile networks
- Battery Life: 2-5 days
- Pros
- Works in very dense areas
- LoPowan wireless transmission technology
- The battery can last 8-16 hours
- A portable charging box is included
- It can track up to 3.5 miles (5.6km) in a suburban/open environment
- Dirt-resistant
- Features Geo-Fence for virtual fencing options
- IP65 rating – waterproof and dustproof
- It can use worldwide where there is a GPS signal.
- Cons
- May cost more than other trackers
- Not practical for indoor tracking or remote tracking
There is no monthly fee with the Petfon GPS tracker. This pet GPS tracker is free of any service fee or monthly fee. This is another small, durable, and rainproof tracker that allows you to track your dog’s activity and pinpoint location in real-time.
Petfon GPS tracker uses GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and long-distance wireless technologies for accurate real-time positioning. The unique Radar searching feature can help you find the direction of lost pets. The tracking distance is 15% further, and the initial positioning time is 10 seconds shorter than Petfon1, which means the tracking is quicker and more accurate.
Features
- Priced well
- Easy to use & free for life
- Best gift for outdoor pets
- Uses the characteristics of nearby Wi-Fi hotspots and other wireless access points to discover the location of your pet’s device.
- Uses Radar technology
- No monthly subscription fees
- Real-time tracking via Glonass and GPS
Product Details
- Product Dimensions : 1.7 x 1.7 x 0.6 inches; 5.28 Ounces
- Connectivity: GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Radar searching technology
- Pros
- Temperature alerts
- Light & sound features
- Vet record storage
- Access to Pet Poison Helpline
- 24/7 vet access
- Waterproof up to 3ft for as long as 30 Minutes (IP67)
- Health reminders
- Cons
- Needs to be charged each night
- It may look bulky on certain breeds.
This is one of our favorite dog GPS trackers because it gives you temperature notifications. The Link AKC dog GPS collar works like a smartphone for your puppy & requires a subscription.
With this smart dog collar, you get to track your dog’s location and monitor his activity and health (and also receive temperature alerts.) The dog GPS tracker comes with a leather collar that is naturally curved to fit the contours of your dog’s neck while being fashionable, durable, and waterproof. The tracking unit can be used with provided collar or on collar widths between 0.5″ to 1.5″.
Features
- GPS location tracking
- Activity level recommendation & monitoring
- Adventure recording & sharing
- Priced affordably
- GPS smart collar designed for dog comfort, fit, and fashion.
- Remote light & sound activation
Product Details
- Product Dimensions: 22.6 x 1 x 0.2 inches; 6.4 Ounces
- Connectivity: GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Cellular
- Battery Life: several days
- Pros
- Priced right
- Durable and weatherproof for all types of weather
- Monitor & feeding recommendations.
- Live track & track record
- Subscription plan with a one-month free trial
- Equipped with safe zone alert and lost dog mode.
- Compact and lightweight pet tracker
- Cons
- Only for use in the US
PetBiz uses NB-IoT technology and has an exclusive algorithm for dogs. It has an unmatched 30-day battery life and extended cellular range. With this tracker, you get fast alerts when your dog leaves or enters the safe zone (Wi-Fi location).
It features live tracking & gives you a tracking history. PetBiz also has an activity & fitness tracker, gives out feeding recommendations based on breed, age and weight.
Features
- IPX7 waterproof/ depth proof
- Led light with two light modes
- 30-day battery life
- Secures to any collar up to 1″ in width
- Durable
Product Details
- Product Dimensions: 1.97 x 1.77 x 0.71 inches; 0.92 Ounces
- Connectivity: NB-IoT technology AT&T
- Tracking Your Dog’s Activity
- Pros
- Receive alerts every time your dog escapes
- Track of your buddy's activity levels
- Able to compare his activity levels with other dogs in the neighborhood and of the same breed!
- Battery life is up to 3 months
- Durable, waterproof collar
- Features a customizable LED light for low visibility areas
- Cons
- Reliability depends on the AT&T network, which will vary in a specific area.
Fi Series features both tracker and collar. This GPS dog collar uses the latest technology and is one of the most popular GPS dog collars. The Fi collar uses the LTE-M cellular network to let you easily track your dog from your phone.
The collar also features Geo fence detection and can notify you immediately if your dog escapes the yard. In addition, the app lets you set specific daily goals for your dog’s fitness and check how his activity level stacks up to other Fi collar-wearing dogs. You’ll also be able to compare your dog’s fitness to dogs of the same age or breed.
You can find these in yellow, blue, pink, or gray, with sizes ranging from small to extra-large. The Fi Series 2 GPS smart dog collar is durable—it is crafted to withstand up to 300 pounds of pull resistance. This GPS dog collar is also waterproof in 1.5 meters of water.
The Fi Series 2 GPS dog tracker uses the AT&T LTE-M network to send your dog’s location to an app on your phone. It then updates it every two minutes when you enter “Lost Dog Mode.” In addition, this dog GPS tracker features a remotely controlled LED light for the evening and can track sleep and activity for optimal safety.
We like this dog GPS tracker because the tracker has fun fitness features and solid battery life. The Fi smart collar allows you to go up to 3 months between charges for more playing and less hassling about battery levels when you’re outdoors having fun with your furbaby. The takeaway here is that you’ll need a one-year subscription to gain access to all the features. That’s after a 30-day free trial to try out your service.
Features
- Waterproof, dirt-proof and adventure-proof
- Armored aluminum faceplate
- Priced affordably
- Reinforced internal metal frame
- Available in 4 colors and four sizes
- Plenty of positive reviews
Product Details
- Product Dimensions: 13.5 to 16.5-in neck, 1-in wide
- Connectivity: GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Cellular
- Battery Life: 3 months
Fitbits for Pets
The very first few dog trackers were all concerned with activity, like fitness trackers—similar to “Fitbits for pets,” and that description still essentially stands. Most of the dog GPS trackers we’ve tested quantify activity to varying degrees.
Some have fully enveloped the activity tracking business in a big way. Most dog GPS trackers calculate moves using proprietary algorithms, so you should pick a device based on the important activity for you and your dog.
How to Find Your Dog via a GPS Dog Tracker?
GPS location tracking is a primary reason for getting a tracker today. It would help if you always used a dog GPS tracker together with microchipping and not as a substitute. Most veterinarians charge less than $75 to the microchip. If you’re worried about finding a lost dog, a GPS tracker or collar offers is worth the extra cost, no matter the price.
Temperature Alerts in Dog GPS Trackers
Numerous devices like the Link AKC can track more than just your dog’s activity and location. They give you temperature alerts, an important feature, especially when hiking during the summer or cold winters.
The Link AKC tracks your dog’s location and activity and includes a feature that lets you know more about the temperature by giving you temp alerts.
What to Consider When Purchasing a GPS Dog Tracker?
It’s essential to consider your dog’s size when looking for a GPS dog tracker. If you’re a pet parent to a small dog breed, the GPS tracker needs to be the right size to fit comfortably on your dog’s collar. It should not be too large and bulky on a small breed.
Luckily, many pet GPS trackers feature various colors, shapes, and sizes for all dog breed sizes. For GPS dog tracker models that include a collar like the AKC Link, you’ll find that most brands sell different sizes to fit all dog breed sizes.
You should also understand what wireless technology the GPS tracker uses to keep tabs on your dog. Some use LTE-M. This cellular network technology utilizes less power while still offering an essential feature: real-time tracking capability.
Other dog GPS trackers use Bluetooth, but these offer less coverage, with some only up to 400 feet, making them less than perfect if your dog gets lost. Some dog GPS collars feature RADAR, yet these tend to work best on large dog breeds because the collars tend to be bulky.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a monthly fee for the FI dog collar?
There is a subscription that gives you access to all of the features. This allows you access to your dog’s location and activity. This cost covers GPS/LTE connection to the FI collar. That said, the FI dog GPS collar will still function without a subscription but not in areas outside the range of your smartphone, base, or WIFI. So if your dog gets lost, you won’t be able to locate him without a subscription.
How do I purchase extra accessories for the Whistle dog GPS Collar?
You can purchase extra Whistle dog collar accessories from the Whistle page.
What’s the difference between Pet Biz and other Dog GPS Trackers?
Pet Biz features a proprietary algorithm that sets them apart from its competitors. Their dog GPS tracker doesn’t locate your lost pup every 5 minutes (like most competitors do) but uses a motion sensor to detect your dog on the go.
It uses GPS, WIFI, and NB-IOT (5G) cellular technology to locate your dog in real-time. This is the best way of finding a lost dog. Their algorithm takes your dog’s age, height, breed, and previous exercise data into account to determine how much exercise they need.
Conclusion for Best Dog GPS Trackers
Investing in a reliable, top-notch GPS pet tracker helps you keep better track of your pets, most especially if you’re out hiking with your dogs. Today, so many dog GPS tracker options differ in features, pricing, and specs. Most dog GPS tracker models feature the ability to notify you when your furbaby leaves a designated area.
More high-tech advanced dog GPS trackers feature a complete timeline of places your dog has visited, which comes in handy for keeping tabs when you’re at work or on holiday and need to keep tabs on your pet sitter.
Numerous dog collar GPS trackers even double up as activity trackers that pair with smartphone apps, making it pretty simple to set fitness goals for you and your furbaby.
This is based on your dog’s breed, age, and weight. When choosing the best dog GPS tracker, check whether it requires a subscription to use the features. Just as you’re required to pay a bill every month for your iPhone, you’ll need to pay a certain amount for a GPS tracker connected to a network.
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Claudia Bensimoun is a writer who specializes in dog content and veterinary topics! Aside from writing for We Love Doodles, Claudia also writes for other major dog blogs like Fido Friendly, Animal Wellness Magazine, and the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). She has a ghostwritten over 50 different dog e-books. Her passions include animal welfare, veterinary research, and wildlife conservation.
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