Home -> Our dog accessories comparisons -> The top 5 GPS collars for dogs
What is a GPS dog collar?
GPS for dogs are boxes to attach to the collar of our canine companions, which allow them to geolocate in real time. The information is then transmitted to your phone or tablet via an application, or on the screen of a remote control provided with GPS tracker for dogs.
Two types of GPS dog collars exist, with different levels of accuracy.
- The most used are tracers GPS for dogs working with mobile networks. You must therefore pay a monthly or annual subscription to use them using a SIM card, just like your mobile phone! Their range is therefore unlimited as long as the network coverage is effective.
- The second type of model works by radio waves, either bluetooth or very high frequencies. They are also called tracking collars because the housing does not separate from the collar that comes with it. In addition to this GPS unit, you therefore need a remote control to capture the information. For these GPS trackers for dogs, there is no subscription but their price is worth several hundred euros.
There are also radio beacons. Much cheaper than GPS trackers for dogs, they are however less reliable. In fact, they do not provide information on the location, but on the direction of the dog that is being sought.
Most GPS dog collars do more than just provide information on the dog's location. Those selected in this Top 5 also allow you to define a virtual fence, that is to say a perimeter for which you will be alerted if your dog exceeds it. Some have microphones, a vibration system to help with recall or even a light to find the dog in the dark.
In this section:
Before we begin, I want to tell you that this comparison was not paid for by a partner. These are only products that I have tested with my dog or which have been tested by our Wouafer's community. If you are like me, you like to wander around with your dog and he probably accompanies you everywhere on vacation. Whether in known or unknown places, Musher sometimes wanders away. I panic as soon as I can't see her anymore! A GPS collar for dogs is therefore the ideal solution to be more peaceful while walking, and to find her if she ever gets lost. I compared many models and questioned the Wouafer's community, so I'm sharing my research with you! If you like this article, go through the links in the article to buy your GPS collar for dogs, like that EmmèneTonChien.com will be “a little” remunerated by the sites that sell these products 
Top 5 GPS collars for dogs
Here are the GPS dog collars we compared:
- #1 💖 Le Tractive DOG 4
- # 2 The Weenect
- #3 The DogMax Ultra from Localiz
- # 4 The WINNES TK911pro
- #5 The Findster Duo+
- #6 The GEONIMO V5
- As a bonus: the Kippy Evo
(By purchasing your equipment via these links, you will be supporting the site since we will receive a small, very useful commission to finance the many pending projects!)
In what situations should you use a GPS dog tracker?
A GPS dog collar comes in handy in a variety of different situations!
On vacation, when your dog doesn't know the place, he may want to explore more than at home. Dogs love to explore, it would be a shame to deprive them of this activity! To allow your dog to move away from you, equipping him with a GPS tracker will allow you to find him without fail. He no longer risks getting lost.
It is also useful for very predatory dogs. Some people tend to travel long distances in pursuit of game, forgetting that you are completely terrified that it will cross a road or fall into a ditch. Sometimes you even have to drive to find them! A GPS dog collar will help you target your dog's location in this case.
Whether you are on vacation or at home, GPS collars for dogs also serve to find whole or runaway dogs. Indeed, it is not uncommon for the first ones, attracted by the smell of a female in heat, to run away in search of her! Seconds may need to explore, join a playmate or simply your neighbors for cuddles.
Dog GPS devices are therefore a great help if you are afraid when your dog is no longer within sight. They can prevent you from being too vigilant, and thus allow you, too, to enjoy your vacation and walks with your dog!
At EmmèneTonChien, we advocate caring dog education. The vibrations and noises emitted by certain GPS trackers for dogs must absolutely be associated with a positive consequence for the dog, whether it is a sweetmeat or caresses! Under no circumstances do we recommend their use to punish or frighten the dog! For this reason, we do not recommend any GPS tracker that can send electric shocks to the dog that carries it.
What should I take into account when choosing my dog's GPS collar?
There are many dog GPS devices on the market. To help you choose the one that will best suit you and your dog, here are the main criteria to take into account.
First of all, the size and weight of the cases depend on the battery. The larger and heavier it is, the greater its autonomy. However, a small dog will be more free to move around with a small box.
Depending on the models, a dog GPS battery generally lasts from a few hours to 5 or even 7 days. This depends on the battery characteristics, but also on the frequency and duration of use of the application. If you open the app once during the walk to check that your dog is nearby, the battery will drain much more slowly than if you follow his track for 1 hour 
Also important, if you opt for a GPS dog tracker that works with mobile networks, its reliability will strongly depend on the network coverage of the place where you use it ! In the middle of the mountains or in a white zone, the tracker will have great difficulty transmitting your dog's location to you. Conversely, when your operator has many relay antennas in an area, you will know where your dog is with an accuracy of 5 to 10 meters.
The price is also an element to take into account. This comparison was carried out at the beginning of 2024. It is therefore possible that if you read it a few months or years later, the prices of the recommended GPS trackers for dogs have changed.
The opinion of Musher and Sophie: - " Having tested it with Musher, Tractive really stands out for its after-sales service. He does not hesitate to return the latest model free of charge (excluding shipping costs) if yours is irreparable. Hyper responsive, after-sales service helps with updates or rectifying rare bugs. It’s reassuring and effective! “
Le Tractive DOG 4 is the best-known GPS dog collar on the market. Its small box attaches to the dog's collar or harness using a silicone clip. You receive the location on an application to download to your phone. Live tracking mode, which allows you to follow your dog in real time, drains the battery more quickly than standard mode. On the other hand, the GPS collar connects to the Wi-Fi back at home, which allows the battery to discharge less quickly! It's super useful for not using your battery when you know perfectly where your dog is 😄 There are several aesthetic boxes, for all doggie profiles!
Technical specifications
- Weight: g 35
- 71 x 28 x 16 mm
- Battery life up to 10 days
- Waterproof
- Live tracking mode: location updated every 2-3 seconds
- Sound and light
- Attaches to collar or harness
- Tracking of several animals possible
- Global coverage
- Price: 50 €
Musher & Sophie's note: 
Strong points :
- Super fun app
- Virtual Closing
- Very solid and waterproof case
- Battery life can exceed 2 years
- Hyper reactive after-sales service
- Additional options: location history, activity tracking, health alerts
- Unlimited scope
- Cheap
Weak points :
- Network dependent
- Subscription between €5 and €14/month
- Premium version required to use outside France
Le Weenect works on the same principle as the Tractive. It actually has a case for the GPS tracker and the location can be read on the phone via an app. The GPS collar also connects to Wi-Fi when you return from a walk. If network coverage is good, the dog's location is updated very often, but the app is sometimes slow to start. It’s the smallest GPS dog collar on the market, practical for small dogs 😉
Technical specifications
- Weight: g 27
- 60,5 x 24,5 x 15 mm
- Battery life up to 10 days
- Waterproof
- Superlive mode: location updated every 1-2 seconds
- Sound, vibration and light
- Tracking of several animals possible
- Attaches to collar or harness
- European coverage
- Price: 50 €
Musher & Sophie's note:
Strong points :
- Fun app
- Virtual Closing
- Lifetime warranty
- Additional options: location history, activity tracking
- Cheap
- Good accuracy because use of the 5G network
- Unlimited scope
Weak points :
- Network dependent
- Subscription from 4 to 12 €/month
- App sometimes slow to load
- Slow after-sales service
#3 The DogMax Ultra from Localiz
This GPS collar for dogs is intended to be reliable and robust. The DogMax Ultra from Localiz is indeed designed to last a long time. It does not have a subscription but access to the location lasts 1 year after purchasing the GPS tracker. If you want to continue using it, you must then purchase a one-year refill from Localiz.
Technical specifications
- Weight: 156 gr.
- 83 x 46 x 46 mm
- Waterproof
- Impact resistance
- Battery life up to 7 days
- Attaches to collar or harness
- European coverage
- Price: 240 €
Musher & Sophie's note:
Strong points :
- no monthly subscription
- Virtual Closing
- fun app
- Unlimited scope
Weak points :
- Quite heavy
- Low battery life
- Duration of access to the location of 1 year, then need a recharge at €30
#4 The WINNES TK919pro
Le WINNES TK 919pro is a GPS collar for dogs that focuses on precision and lightness. It uses GPS and GSM networks combined for better geolocation reliability. It is also designed to be resistant to extreme temperatures, interesting if you want to go to Lapland with your dog for example 😉 To use the app, you just need to know a few words of English, but there is not a lot of vocabulary .
Technical specifications
- Weight: g 41
- 82 x 49 x 37 mm
- Waterproof
- Position updated every 2 seconds
- Battery 7 days
- Sound and light
- Attaches to collar or harness
- Ability to track multiple dogs
- Price: 80 €
Musher & Sophie's note:
Strong points :
- Accurate because it uses 4G network
- Virtual Closing
- Bidirectional microphone
- Additional options: location history, activity tracking, low battery alarm
- Unlimited scope
- Ability to track multiple dogs
Weak points :
- English-speaking customer service
- Purchase local prepaid SIM card to use it
- Charger port not protected from mud
#5 Findster Duo+
The Findster Duo+ GPS dog collar works via Bluetooth. It therefore uses 2 modules, small boxes connected by Bluetooth, hence its name. One is to be placed on the dog's collar or harness. The other, the receiver, should be kept close to your phone to capture your dog's geolocation. You can hang it on your key ring, for example!
The opinion of Musher and Sophie: – “It’s just an aesthetic detail, but I find the design of these modules super cool! They go everywhere, almost like a little decorative medal. “
Technical specifications
- Weight: g 21
- 51 x 51 x 13 mm
- Works via Bluetooth via MAZE technology
- Range of 4,8 km on average
- Virtual Closing
- Additional options: location history, activity tracking, battery charge level monitoring
- Watertight
- Battery 3 days
- Tracking multiple dogs
- Attaches to collar or harness
- Global coverage
- Price: 150 €
Musher & Sophie's note:
Strong points :
- Fun app
- Specific
- stylish design
- No subscription
- Network independent operation if maps are downloaded first
- Warranty Coverage: Three year warranty
- Responsive after-sales service
Weak points :
- Very low range in town because Bluetooth is interfered with by Wi-Fi: 800 m
- App in English
- English-speaking customer service
- Removable clip which can therefore be lost if left without the case
- Magnetic charging sometimes not very effective
#6 The GEONIMO V5
Here, the GPS tracker is integrated into the dog's collar. The price goes up because the quality is extremely robust. The GEONIMO V5 collar is marketed by a company designing GPS collars for hunting dogs. They must therefore withstand violent shocks and immersion in lakes or rivers. This GPS collar for dogs uses, in addition to GPS data, the GNSS network, which implies much better geolocation precision, whatever the weather or terrain relief.
Technical specifications
- Weight: unknown
- Waterproof
- a position updated every 10 seconds
- Biothane collar sold with the tracker
- Neck circumference: 30 to 55 cm
- European coverage
- Price: 350 €
Musher & Sophie's note:
Strong points :
- Extreme impact resistance
- Very good precision in all weather and all environments
- Virtual Closing
- Precise thanks to the 4G network
- Wide network coverage because uses 2G
- Battery up to 6 months if used twice a day
- French product
- Wide choice of collar color
Weak points :
- Expensive
- Subscription at €60/year
- Non-removable housing
Bonus: the Kippy Evo
This GPS dog collar works like the Tractive and the Weenect. Indeed, the Kippy Evo uses the 2G network only, which means it is a little less precise, but the network coverage is very wide and the subscription cheaper. Practical if you just want to monitor your dog from afar! Its silicone shell (optional) gives it super resistance to shocks, perfect for exploring dogs like my Musher 
Technical specifications
- Weight: g 38
- 55 x 22 x 37 mm
- Waterproof
- Battery 7 days
- Light
- Attaches to collar or harness
- European coverage
- Price: 50 €
Musher & Sophie's note:
Strong points :
- Virtual fence and virtual leash
- Optional shockproof silicone case
- Additional options: location history, activity tracking, community
- Wide network coverage
- Unlimited scope
Weak points :
- Not very precise because it uses the 2G network
- Available only with Bouygues and Orange operators
- Subscription from 3 to 11 €/month
I will stop there in the comparison of GPS trackers for dogs. On the other hand, if you have a cat or a very small dog, the next paragraph may interest you!
A GPS collar for cats?
Wondering if GPS cat collars exist? Yes, Mr. Madam, that is indeed the case!
It may be interesting to track your cat's position when it has access to the outdoors. Outside, it’s a super enriching environment for cats. Lots of insects, small rodents and birds to follow! It's tempting for our felines to travel miles, climb trees or enter your neighbors' barns or garages! As much as some cats always come back, for others it's more random.
It is therefore a big advantage to be able to track it, thanks to a GPS collar for cats ! You will no longer be afraid of losing it because you will normally always know where it is. It will be easier for you to find it and pick it up if necessary. You will simply need to remember to recharge the battery of the GPS cat tracker once a night or every 2 nights.
At Tractive, you have the Tractive CAT Mini, specially designed for cats and very small dogs. At Localiz, their GPS collar for cats is called the lookat. These two models have the same strengths and weaknesses as their dog version, because they work the same way.
Expert advice
Dog training: essential for all activities with your dog
GPS dog collars are great, but they won't stop your dog from crossing the road at the wrong time or falling into a ditch during a game chase.
Train your dog and have a very good recall is therefore essential so that its freedom does not cause you too many white hairs! To do this, show him that you are super happy when he comes back. He will learn how nice it is to come back to you.
You will then be able to share many activities and go on vacation peacefully with your dog!
For further :
If you like places where there are very few people, we have made a Top 7 destinations far from the crowds with your dog. Quiet but no less interesting destinations for beautiful walks and activities with your dog!
Are you and your dog great walkers? Read our article to properly prepare your roaming trip on foot with your dog.
Find all the right addresses to properly educate your dog in our dog training guide.
- I don't wish it on you, but you have to be aware of the good reflexes to have in the following situations. We tell you what to do when your dog gets lost or if someone steals your dog.
1
April 25, 2024
Hello, I was looking for a GPS collar for my little beagle and thanks to your comparison, I was able to find what I was looking for. Thank you for your article. Keep it up, thanks to your work and your commitment you are helping many owners. I wish you a long and happy professional life to the whole team