Listen, I'm not going to beat around the bush. Losing your dog is absolute terror.

Three weeks ago, my neighbor on the fourth floor went through hell. Her Beagle ran off in Voltaire Square. Gone. Vanished. For almost half an hour, she searched everywhere, shouting his name like a madwoman. The dog was only wearing his basic red collar, the kind you buy at the supermarket. Nothing on it. Not a word. Not a number. Luckily, a guy out jogging spotted him near the garbage cans and waited for her to find him by chance. Otherwise? A trip to the pound, at best.

Does this feeling of panic resonate with you?

That's why I'm writing this article. There's a whole debate between a personalized dog collar with the engraving built directly into it and a classic tag hanging from the ring. Depending on whether your pooch is an adventurer or an apartment dog, whether you move every six months or have lived in the same place for fifteen years... well, the choice is completely different.

We'll look at this point by point. No bullshit. Just concrete facts, real stories, and above all, how to effectively protect your dog.

Direct Engraving: When a Necklace Becomes a Permanent Identity Card

Let's start with the one that really impresses me: the necklace with direct laser engraving.

The idea is very simple. Your collar – whether it's leather, biothane, nylon, it doesn't matter – becomes the identification tag. Your dog's name, your phone number, and sometimes an address are engraved on it. Usually two lines. No dangling tags. No extra accessories. Just the collar and the information on it.

My brother-in-law has this for his Springer Spaniel. This dog spends his life in brambles, diving into puddles, rolling in anything and everything. And after almost three years? The engraving is still perfect. Not blurry. Not faded. Nothing.

What Makes the Engraved Necklace Really Practical

First of all, there's one obvious thing.

It's impossible to lose it . A medal, honestly, can just go anywhere. The ring loosens, a snag on a bush, a slightly rough dog fight... poof, no more medal. I have a colleague whose English Cocker Spaniel lost three medals in one year. Three. She was fed up with buying replacements, so she switched to engraving. Since then? Zero problems.

The engraving doesn't move. It makes no noise. It stays there, period. Permanent and indelible.

Total silence . Some dogs can't stand the clinking of a tag against the metal buckle. That "ding ding ding" with every movement. My former manager had a Yorkshire Terrier who would get completely agitated by it. As a result, she got an engraved collar. Problem solved immediately.

Personalized Leather Necklace with Engraving

This red leather model perfectly illustrates the concept of direct engraving. High-quality leather, integrated engraved plate, sturdy hardware. All information is visible without a pendant. Available from €79.

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Incredibly durable . Laser engraving is no joke. It cuts deep into the material. Unlike a print that washes out or embroidery that frays, laser engraving literally goes right through leather or biothane. You can get it wet, rub it against anything, leave it to dry in the sun... it won't budge at all.

Example of professional laser engraving: the name "Asir" engraved on a matching collar and bowl. The laser engraving penetrates deeply into the material for maximum durability.

However, we must be honest about the limits.

Be careful though. It's not perfect.

Change it? Impossible . Change your phone number? Move house? You're forced to buy a whole new necklace. Engraving, by definition, is permanent. Unlike a medal that you can have re-engraved anywhere for ten bucks, here the entire necklace becomes obsolete.

My neighbor (always her) has had to buy a new dog collar four times in six years. Moving house, changing mobile providers, then separating with a new number. Total cost? Let's say around 250 euros easily. It's starting to add up.

Limited space for writing . Two lines max, generally. So yes, you can fit "ROCKY" and "06 12 34 56 78", but if you want to add a full address, a message like "I am deaf" or "Allergic to medication"... it's complicated, if not impossible. Some wide necklaces allow for three lines, but that's rare and really depends on the available width.

The price is higher . A high-end leather collar with professional laser engraving will cost you between 59 and 89 euros, depending on the model and size. That's clearly more than a basic 20-euro collar to which you would add a 12-euro charm. Then again, when you calculate over several years and avoid having to replace three lost charms...

The Pendant Medal: The Classic That Always Works

Here we enter the territory of the traditional system. The medal that everyone has always known. The one that our parents were already putting on their dogs in the 80s.

The principle is extremely basic. You buy a collar. Any one you like. Then you attach an engraved tag with your dog's information. It hangs from the D-ring. It's usually stainless steel, sometimes brass, or even colored aluminum for the fun designs.

Why It Still Works Today

Complete flexibility . That's the huge advantage. Changing phones? No problem, you can have a new tag engraved for 12-15 euros. You keep your collar. Your dog grows and needs a larger size? Simply unclip the tag and voila, it's on the new collar.

It's actually quite clever when you think about it. I have a friend who has three dogs of different sizes. He had a set of tags engraved with their name and number, and he just switches them on different collars depending on which one he's walking. Economical and practical.

Plenty of space for information . A pet tag, especially round or rectangular ones, offers plenty of room. You can engrave a name, two different numbers, an address, a special message... some even have both sides usable. In short, you can include your pet's complete identity.

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The perfect combination: a stunning navy blue leather collar with a beautiful, elegant gold medallion. If you move, just change the medallion, not the entire collar, which costs €79. Classy and practical.

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Limitless aesthetic variety . Bones, hearts, stars, circles, squares, hexagons, paw prints... there's absolutely everything you could want. Some owners love to personalize their tags with shapes that reflect their dog's personality. A French Bulldog with a bulldog-shaped tag. A Husky with a snowflake. You get the idea.

My cousin has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She got him a crown medal because "he's a king." Objectively, it's completely unnecessary, but so cute.

Possible Problems (Yeah, There Are Some)

The infernal noise . The infamous metallic "cling cling cling." Some dogs couldn't care less. Others absolutely hate it. And some owners go crazy. Like, your dog moves in its bed at night, and you hear this constant clanging. Great for sleeping, huh?

There are little plastic silencers you can attach around the medal to cushion the impact with the collar. It helps a little. But still, it's just another accessory to deal with.

The risk of loss is very real . I'm not going to beat around the bush. Medals fall off. Not every time, but it happens quite often. A ring that opens slowly, a sharp snag on a thorny bush, a dog fight in the park... poof, the medal is gone.

Two weeks ago at the Buttes-Chaumont park, a Golden Retriever was playing in the pond. When he got out of the water, his medal was gone. The owners searched for a good forty minutes. Nothing at all. Lost at the bottom of the mud.

The engraving fades on cheap models . You really have to pay attention to the quality. Those painted aluminum medals, the cheap, brightly colored ones you find for 5-8 euros... the engraving disappears over time. Seriously. After six months of normal use, the number becomes completely illegible.

Go for stainless steel or solid brass instead. Yes, it's more expensive (around 15-25 euros), but it really lasts. My boyfriend's dad has had a brass tag on his Labrador for eight years now. Still looks brand new.

Engraving or Medal? The Honest Match

Okay, so what do we actually do?

This is my perspective after observing many different cases around me.

Choose direct engraving if:

Your dog is hyperactive and plays really roughly. Hunting dogs, sporting dogs, those who love to jump into brambles and water—in these situations, the tag is very likely to come off. A biothane collar with engraving is really sturdy.

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Ultra-resistant nylon, professional laser engraving, high-visibility colors. This Labrador can dive into any swamp, and the collar won't budge an inch. Neither will the engraving. Starting at €69.

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You want a clean, minimalist look. Some owners find a dangling tag visually cumbersome. They prefer the discreet look of an engraved collar. Just the dog with its collar. That's it.

Your dog is sensitive to noise. Seriously, some dogs panic at the clinking of a tag. If your dog is anxious or has sensory issues, engraving is definitely a better option.

Take the medal if:

If you're renting and move often, or you anticipate frequent changes, frankly, if you know your number will change in six months (job transfer, mobile contract expiring, etc.), don't bother engraving a €69 or €79 necklace. Get a pendant instead. You can easily change it.

You want to display as much information as possible. Two different phone numbers, a full address, a medical message... the medal truly offers this capability.

Small Personalized Brown Leather Necklace

Perfect for small dogs. You can attach a lightweight tag without adding weight to your dog's neck. If your Chihuahua grows, simply transfer the tag to a larger collar. From €42.

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You like to change your collar regularly. Some owners have several collars depending on the occasion: one for everyday wear, one for formal outings, one for hiking in the mountains. With a tag, you can simply move it from one collar to another.

A personalized collar in a real-life situation: comfortable, visible, and adapted to your dog's daily life.

The Hybrid Solution: Combining the Two Systems

Wait, because there's a third option that nobody ever talks about.

Use engraving and medal at the same time .

Yeah. Both on the same necklace.

On the engraved collar, you put the basic information: the dog's name and ONE main phone number. The one you will probably never change (or very rarely). And on a separate tag, you add a second number, a temporary address, or a specific message like "Diabetes Treatment - URGENT".

My neighbor does exactly that with her Australian Shepherd. She has a biothane collar engraved with "OSLO - 06 12 34 56 78" (her personal cell phone number), plus a tag with her mother's landline number and the address where the dog stays during the holidays. That way, if Oslo gets lost while staying with his grandmother, both contacts are immediately available.

Clever, isn't it?

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Premium Black Leather Necklaces with Brass Buckles

The ultra-solid base allows you to combine engraving and a medallion for maximum security. Available in three sizes, top-grain leather, and solid brass hardware. It's truly durable. Starting at €89.

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Materials That Really Change Everything

Okay, now let's talk seriously about materials. Because the choice of material directly impacts the quality of the engraving or medal.

Leather: Noble but Demanding

I love leather. That natural texture, that characteristic smell, that patina that develops over the years... it's visually magnificent.

Leather is truly ideal for laser engraving. The laser superficially burns the surface, creating a sharp contrast between the engraved area (darker) and the natural leather. The result is highly legible and aesthetically pleasing.

However, you still need to be careful with maintenance. Leather doesn't hold up well to prolonged exposure to water. If your dog is a compulsive swimmer who dives into every body of water, the leather will harden, crack, and lose all its suppleness. In this case, even with a beautiful engraving, the collar will only last a maximum of six months before becoming completely stiff.

Custom-Made Leather and Wool Necklace

A truly elegant collar combining black leather and woven wool. Perfect for this type of greyhound that runs fast but doesn't wallow in mud 24/7. Choose between a discreet tag or an integrated engraved plate, depending on your needs. Starting at €59.

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Biothane: The Nearly Indestructible Warrior

Biothane. My absolute favorite for really active dogs.

What exactly is it? A nylon core covered with a layer of polyurethane. The concrete result: 100% waterproof, ultra-resistant (some models can withstand up to 500 kg of tensile strength), extremely easy to clean (just a wipe with a sponge), and... perfect for laser engraving.

The laser engraves directly into the polyurethane, creating a white or grey contrast on dark colors. Completely indelible. Even after a hundred swims in filthy conditions.

My brother-in-law (yes, him again) uses fluorescent orange biothane for his hunting dog. After two full hunting seasons in appalling conditions—torrential rain, thick mud, brambles everywhere—the engraving is still perfect. The collar too, for that matter, like new.

Biothane also works very well for attaching a medal. The D-ring is usually made of riveted stainless steel. Extremely strong.

Nylon: The Affordable Compromise

Nylon is a nice, balanced compromise. Lightweight, moisture-resistant (not as much as biothane but still decent), available in a thousand different colors and patterns, and above all: very cheap.

Engraving on pure nylon? It's possible, but usually on a metal plate that's sewn or riveted to the collar. It's rarely done directly on the nylon itself. The laser burns the nylon, but the result is much less crisp than with leather or biothane.

However, it's perfect for attaching a medal. The nylon easily supports the weight of a standard medal without any problem.

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High-quality, supple leather in a truly vibrant color. For this Italian Greyhound (a small, ultra-slender dog), the lightweight tag doesn't add bulk to its delicate neck. Perfectly versatile. From €79.

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Common Mistakes to Absolutely Avoid

Well, after all these years observing the struggles of other owners, here are the most common pitfalls.

Don't engrave information that will inevitably change . Like your full address if you're a tenant and move every two years. Or a temporary cell phone number. It's better to use a family landline or the cell phone you've had for fifteen years and will never change.

Choosing a cheap painted aluminum medal is a bad idea. Seriously, the paint will completely wear off. After three months of normal use, you won't be able to read anything at all. Spend ten euros more and get stainless steel or brass. You'll thank me in six months.

Forgetting to regularly check the condition . Whether it's an engraving or a medal, check every two to three months that everything remains legible and securely attached. An engraving that becomes clogged with dried mud can become illegible. A medal whose ring has gradually loosened will eventually fall off.

Completely overloading them with information . I've seen tags with EVERYTHING on them: first name, two phone numbers, address, postal code, city, date of birth, microchip number, vet's name, allergies... The result? A microscopic engraving that's totally illegible. Stick to the absolute essentials: first name + one or two phone numbers. Frankly, who cares about the rest in an immediate emergency?

And what about the electronic chip then?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Some people will say, "But there's the microchip!"

Yes. Your dog absolutely must be microchipped. It's been legally required since 2012, and it's the only permanent identification method officially recognized by the government.

But...

The microchip requires a special reader. Which absolutely no one has at home. If someone finds your lost dog, they must take it to a veterinarian or animal shelter to have the microchip scanned. It takes time. It requires paperwork. It assumes the person is motivated enough to go through all that.

Whereas with a personalized engraved collar or a clearly visible tag, your number is IMMEDIATELY accessible. The person takes out their phone, calls directly. You get your dog back. End of story in thirty minutes.

The microchip is the ultimate, legal safety net. The personalized collar is the first line of defense, quick and effective. The two are completely complementary, not competitors at all.

Where to order a truly high-quality personalized necklace?

Okay, so you're convinced. You want to personalize it properly. But where to order?

You essentially have three main options.

Traditional brick-and-mortar pet stores . Some offer on-site engraving. It's convenient; you leave with your collar right away. However, the selection is often extremely limited (two or three models max), and the quality... varies greatly from store to store. I've seen laser engravings done with a DIY laser gun. It works technically, but the finish is really poor.

Large e-commerce platforms like Amazon . You can find absolutely anything and everything. Some sellers are excellent and professional. Others... are based on the other side of the world, the engraving is done with cheap permanent marker (yes, I've actually seen that), and delivery takes at least three weeks.

Reputable online specialty shops . This is generally where you'll find the best value for money and service. Artisans or small businesses that truly manufacture to order, engrave cleanly with professional equipment, and use top-quality materials.

Our complete collection of personalized dog collars offers precisely this type of high-end, custom-made product. Made from top-grain leather, durable biothane, and available in various widths to suit different dog sizes, with professional laser engraving... all backed by genuine personalized service.

And if you ultimately prefer to go with a standalone medal because it better suits your situation, we also have a range of quality engraved medals that you can add to absolutely any necklace.

My Final, Truly Honest Advice

After all this lengthy explanation, here's exactly what I would do in your place.

If you have only one dog, ultra-stable information (fixed number for years, owner of your house), and an active dog that plays really hard: collar with direct engraving without hesitation .

If you move frequently for professional reasons, have several different dogs, or want maximum visible information: a truly high-quality tag (stainless steel or brass, not cheap colored ones).

If you're slightly paranoid like me and want maximum security: both systems combined . Main engraving on the collar + secondary tag with important additional information.

And above all, absolutely, check its condition regularly. The best system in the whole world is completely useless if the engraving is filthy or if the medal fell off two weeks ago without you noticing.

Your dog is completely counting on you for that. Honestly, it's really not much. A quality personalized collar costs between 42 and 89 euros depending on the model and size. For the enormous peace of mind it provides? It's a real bargain.

Okay, now you know absolutely everything. It's up to you to choose what best suits your situation and your dog. And if you still have any doubt, just look at your dog, imagine him lost outside, and ask yourself honestly: "What would allow me to get him back AS QUICKLY as possible?"

The answer is right there.