The best GPS dog collar trackers (for four-pawed Houdinis)

Worried about your pup freeing from his leash and going AWOL? Or maybe you simply want the reassurance that comes with having your pet’s location in the palm of your hand. A GPS dog tracker is an essential part of any pet parenting toolbox - and can mean you're better prepared should the worst happen. 

Knowing how to find the best GPS collar for dog companions can be tricky, however. So, to help you on your quest we've shared our list of the best GPS dog collar recommendations, so you can track down the perfect one for your pooch. We’ve even included some great alternatives to typical GPS trackers, too (just in case GPS isn’t your kinda thing). Or if you're looking for security without the trackability, maybe martingale collars are the way forward for you.

What to consider when buying a GPS dog tracker

Not all GPS trackers are alike - in fact, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to buying one (and the same can be said for cat trackers). From range and battery life to price and even the size of your canine companion, here are the main things to keep in mind when window-shopping for your latest poochy gadget…

GPS connectivity

First up: GPS connectivity. This is a pretty important one to consider. 

Most GPS dog trackers are connected to your phone, and rely on your device providing an accurate GPS location - and as we know, this can be better on some phone models than others.

Your connectivity will also depend on your environment and location. For the price you’ll be paying, it’s worth doing a network check or opting for a tracker that offers a free trial or money back guarantee. Don’t worry, we’ve included some of these in our list below.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth dog trackers use Bluetooth tracking to help locate your pet, and tend to be a little cheaper than their GPS counterparts. 

Unlike GPS trackers, Bluetooth trackers are slightly less exact when it comes to tracking - they tend to only show your dog's approximate location and distance, and most don’t work in real-time. Also, keep in mind that Bluetooth trackers usually cover small, shorter distances - which means if your pet goes out of range, it will no longer work. 

No cell service

If you live or often go walkies in a location with poor cell service, a no cell service dog tracker may be the perfect solution. 

Trackers that do not require GPS satellites mean you do not need cell service or a data plan to work. So, even if your dog goes missing in a remote area, you'll still be able to track and find them.

Usually, these types of trackers don't require a subscription or ongoing monthly fee, either, so once you've shelled out for the device, you're good to go.

Range

No, we’re not talking about being able to colour coordinate your pooch’s tracker. ‘Range’ is basically how far and wide a GPS tracker will work. 

Some trackers, such as Bluetooth trackers, have a fairly limited range of around a mile (or a few miles). Compare this to some GPS trackers which have unlimited, worldwide range. 

The range and usability of your tracker may also vary depending on where you live - such as whether you are in a built-up urban area, or a remote, open space.

Battery life

Worst case scenario? Your pooch somehow wiggles free of their collar or harness, makes a dash for it and goes AWOL for a few days or more. In those cases, you’re really going to wish your GPS dog collar has a long-lasting battery life. 

Depending on the type of tracker you choose, typical battery life can range from a couple of hours to a couple of months. For the short battery life trackers, you'll need to remember to regularly charge them every couple of days. Some trackers can last up to 3 months or more on a single charge, so require a little less ongoing maintenance. 

Subscription and non-subscription dog trackers

You’ll soon discover that most dog trackers require some kind of monthly subscription, although the cost of this does vary between devices. 

Trackers that do not require cellular networks for tracking tend to not have a subscription fee - once you've paid for the device, it's yours to use. Trackers with a paid subscription usually offer terms of monthly or yearly fees. Some also offer a premium subscription at a slightly higher price point, which unlocks access to things like an extended doggy location history, or the option to share your pooch's data with family members. 

This, of course, can add another big cost on top of your device, so it's worth weighing up the various pros and cons and seeing if a paid subscription dog tracker is the right one for you. It's also worth checking if the device you're interested in offers a free trial, so you can try before you buy.

Price

The price range of dog trackers is incredibly varied - prices range from around $20-$30 to devices that will easily set you back a couple of hundred dollars.

If you’re shopping on a budget, the good news is there are many low-cost trackers that do the job. The price you’ll pay really comes down to your individual needs: Do you need a tracker with a wide range? Do you need one that works with no cell service? Do you need a tracker for multiple fur babies?

These will all affect the price of your device.

As we’ve mentioned, some do come with the additional cost of a monthly or yearly subscription fee, which is another thing to factor in. 

Dog size

Some GPS dog trackers can be pretty hefty in size. So, if you have a small dog, you'll definitely want to choose a tracker that is comfortable and not too heavy for them to carry around. 

While some trackers can simply be attached to your dog’s collar or harness, some come built-in to a collar - in these cases, you'll need to measure your pooch's neck size to make sure it's the right fit. There are many GPS devices that are suitable for small dogs and even cats, and lots of trackers now offer a range of sizes or adjustable collars. 

GPS fence dog collars

For those ultra vigilant pet owners, GPS fence dog collars are a must. These trackers will alert you if your dog goes out of their designated safe zones (or ‘virtual fence’), which can be customised per device.

These will notify you if, for example, your pooch is leaves his safe zone and attempts to exit his back yard. Some even have an alert for 'danger zones', such as if your dog gets close to a busy road or a large body of water. Pretty clever stuff!

The best dog GPS trackers

We promised you a round-up of some of the very best dog GPS trackers on the market… and here they are! 

1. Whistle Go Explore GPS Dog Tracker

2. Tractive GPS DOG 4

3. Fi Series 2 GPS Tracker Smart Dog Collar

4. Garmin T5 GPS Dog Collar

5. Petfon2 GPS Tracker

6. Cube Real Time GPS Tracker

Whistle Go Explore GPS Dog Tracker

Lightweight yet hardy, the Whistle Go Explore is a popular choice amongst pet parents. As well as tracking your pooch in real-time, it comes with 20 days of battery life.

If that wasn’t enough, you can also set activity goals for your canine BFF, create fitness and nutrition plans, and monitor behaviours such as scratching or licking. This impressive device can even send personalised data straight to your vet from the app, too.

Pros: 

• Unlimited range
• Can track your dog in real-time
• Get escape alerts via text or via the Whistle app
• Waterproof up to 6 feet
• 3-mode built-in night light
• Suitable for small and large breeds
• 20-day battery life

Cons:

• A subscription fee is required 
• Reliability is depending on AT&T’s 3G network coverage, so not be ideal if you live in a low service area or live outside of North America

Tractive GPS DOG 4

The Tractive GPS Pet Tracker is an impressive piece of doggy kit - the DOG 4 model comes with a live mode that provides updates every 2-3 seconds and virtual fence alerts, making this a great pick. 

It's waterproof, shock-proof and boasts unlimited and worldwide location tracking. It even monitors your dog’s activity levels and sleeping patterns. You can set activity goals and compare how your pooch measures up alongside other canines. It's designed to fit most collars, and its small and lightweight design means it's even suitable for cats. 

Pros:

• Unlimited range
• Ultra accurate worldwide tracking
• 100% waterproof and shock proof
• Real time tracking and safety alerts
• View dog’s location history
• Dog-safe design (aka no chance of Fido accidentally turning it off)
• 30-day money back guarantee

Cons:

• Monthly subscription fee is required (although, this very reasonable compared to other subscription fees) 
• Requires cell service, so not be ideal if you live in a poor cell service area
• 7 day battery life 

Fi Series 2 GPS Tracker Smart Dog Collar

The Fi Series 2 GPS is a great dog collar with GPS tracking. Its advanced location feature means you can track your pet anytime, anywhere - the range is limitless, providing you have cellular coverage. 

Like the Tractive GPS DOG 4, it also monitors your canine companion's activity levels - and to make sure Fido's getting all of his steps in, you can compare this to other dogs of his breed in your area.

It comes in sizes small to x-large, in four different colours, and boasts an impressive 3 month battery life in between charges. 

Pros:

• Unlimited range
• Alerts you when your dog leaves their designated safe zone
• Waterproof 
• Customizable LED light
• 3 month battery life in between charges

Cons:

• Requires a subscription for full access (without one, it will still function up until your pup leaves the range of your smartphone, base or Wi Fi)
• Can only connect to the AT&T network in the United States, so if you’re outside of the US or have spotty connectivity, it won’t function  

Garmin T5 GPS Dog Collar

The hardy Garmin T5 GPS dog collar tracker can locate pooches up to nine miles. It's water-resistant, has built-in LED lights for extra safety, and doesn't require Wi Fi or a cell service to work - which is why it’s so popular for rural dog walkers and those who live in remote or spotty-cell areas. 

On the one hand, the Garmin T5 doesn't require a monthly subscription unlike many of the other devices on our list. But, you should be aware that it does require a separate, rather spenny handheld device in addition to the collar in order for it to work. It could be a good choice for pet parents with multiple dogs, as one handheld device will work with multiple collars. 

Pros:

• Water-resistant to 10 metres
• Can track up to 9 miles away
• Doesn’t require a smartphone or internet connection - making it a good choice for remote or poor cell service areas
• No monthly subscription fee

Cons:

• An additional Garmin handheld tracker device is needed for the collar to work, which makes this an expensive up-front investment compared to other devices
• One of the bigger, bulkier devices - meaning it may not be suitable for small dog breeds
• Low battery life - it can last up until 30 hours with rescue mode on

Petfon2 GPS Tracker

Combining GPS, Wi Fi and bluetooth, this versatile tracker allows you to monitor your pooch's activity and location in real-time. It includes geofencing and alerts for whenever your pup leaves their designated safe area, plus lights for better visibility at night time. You can even pre-record voice commands that can be used remotely, should you and your pup be separated. 

The battery life on this little baby is between 8-16 hours, which is fairly short compared to others on the market. But it does come with a compact charging station, which can recharge the device multiple times while on-the-go. 

Compared to the earlier Petfon1 model, the Petfon2 can track distances 15% further and positioning time is 10 seconds shorter - which we know will make the world of difference, should you pooch disappear from sight. 

Pros:

• Real-time tracking
• Works worldwide (in countries with a GPS signal)
• Rainproof (but not waterproof) and dust-proof
• No cell network needed
• No subscription fee

Cons:

• Limited range - up to 0.65 miles in dense space, and 3.5 miles in open spaces
• Fairly low battery life - between 8-16 hours (but it does come with a company charging station for on-the-go charging)
• Quite costly, compared to other devices

Cube Real Time GPS Tracker

The Cube tracker really is a multi-talented tracking device - you can use it to track belongings, vehicles - even people! - all in real-time from your phone or computer.

Not only can you use it on both dogs and cats, you can track multiple pets at once via the app, making it perfect for multi-pet households (you'll just need to purchase an additional tracker for each furry friend). For extra peace of mind, you can set up custom geofences and get alerts whenever your pet crosses a safe zone.

Depending on usage, this tracker will last from anywhere from 10 days to 60 days. 

Pros:

• Real-time tracking
• Affordable
• Small and lightweight - suitable for small dogs and cats
• Multi-pet tracking via the app
• Custom geofences and real-time alerts when your pooch crosses their safe area (plus alerts for low battery)
• Dust proof and can sustain temporary water immersion between 15 cm-1 metres, for up to 30 minutes 

Cons:

• Requires a monthly subscription 
• US-only coverage
• Reliability is depending on Verizon's network coverage
• Data connection required for use, so may be not suitable in remote locations

Alternatives to GPS dog collars

Apple AirTag

First of all, it’s worth keeping in mind that these are not designed or tested to be used as a dog tracking device. That said, believe it or not, Apple AirTags have been gaining popularity amongst pet parents as an unofficial dog tracker. 

How does it work? When lost mode is activated, you'll receive automatic location updates whenever your AirTag (and therefore, your pup) enter the Bluetooth range of another compatible Apple device. For that reason, these really only work best in populated, urban areas. 

The battery is designed to last at least a year, and is replaceable once it finally does give up the good fight. They're also extremely affordable, compared to more traditional dog trackers. 

Pros:

• Will notify you whenever your dog comes into contact with a compatible Apple smartphone or tablet - huge potential to find your pet if you live in a highly populated area 
• Option to leave a message to the finder
• Long battery life of 1 year 

Cons:

• Not designed as a dog tracker
• No good in remote or off-the-grid locations
• If your pup does not enter a Bluetooth range, they won't work 

Pawscout Smarter 

The Pawscout Smarter uses close-range Bluetooth and a community-led approach to help find your lost pet. On the app, you can track walks, set virtual fences and receive alerts whenever your pet moves in or out of range. You can also build a local network of friends, family members and neighbours, and even discover local pet-friendly businesses and chat or share photos with the community!

This one has its pros and cons - on one hand, the Pawscout community is a feature not many other trackers can claim and is great for neighbourhoods and big pet parent communities. It also has no monthly fee, and is small and lightweight meaning it's suitable even for small dogs. 

On the other hand, its community element is also its biggest limitation - it means your missing dog would need to come within 300 feet of someone else using the Pawscout app for you to track their location.

Pros:

• Lightweight and small size
• Long battery life - up to 6 months depending on usage
• Water-resistant
• Affordable

Cons:

• It doesn't provide the exact location of your pet, but rather alerts you when your pet is outside of the 300 feet safe zone
• Your missing pet must come within 300 of another Pawscout user - so not 100% fail proof, or ideal if your pet goes missing somewhere more remote

Marco Polo Advanced Pet Tracking System

The Marco Polo Advanced Pet Tracking System uses radio signals to find your pup's location, meaning no GPS or cell service is required for it to do its job.

It works best in open spaces, as urban areas with tall buildings can interrupt the signals - likewise, areas with poor signal will struggle with this device. 

On the plus side, this tracker doesn’t require GPS, cellular service or an internet connection to find your pooch; it's waterproof and has functionality to monitor up to three pets at a time (provided you have tracking tags for each pet), which makes it a good choice for multi-pet households. And, with no subscription fees, it's a pretty affordable pick, too. 

Pros:

• Waterproof
• Monitor up to three pets at a time (additional tracking tags are required)
• No subscription fee required

Cons:

• 45 days battery life 
• Signal strength can be spotty, especially in built up, urban areas 

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