The Best GPS Dog Trackers

Whether your dog is an escape artist or just chasing after animals, a GPS dog collar can help you keep your pet safe. One of the worst feelings in the world is not knowing where your dog is, or if he/she is safe after they escape your yard or gets loose. With today’s advanced technology, dog owners can keep closer tabs on their pups by purchasing a GPS dog collar (or GPS pet tracker), which allows you to find your dog quickly if he runs off or gets lost.

Our vet advisor, Dr. Addie Reinhard, DVM, reviewed dozens of GPS dog trackers and chose the Whistle GO Explore as her top pick. With a built-in night light, 20-day battery, notifications when your dog leaves a designated safe area, and health/activity tracking features, the Whistle GO Explore helps you keep track of your dog no matter how far she runs away. Read how she chose the top 5.

Our Vet’s Top Pick

Whistle GO Explore

For the best in GPS dog collars, look no further than the Whistle GO Explore.

In addition to a GPS pet tracker, a wireless dog fence can help to keep your dog safely on your property while giving him space to run and play off-leash.

Our Vet’s Top 5 GPS Dog Collars

Here are the top picks from our veterinarian. Compare the ratings and features of different models.

Vet’s Picks Model Rating Waterproof Alerts Subscription Battery Life
Best Overall Whistle GO Explore 4.1 Starts at $6.95/month Up to 20 days
Best Budget Buy FitBark GPS Dog Tracker 4.4 Starts at $5.95/month 10-20 days
Best for Hunting Dogs Garmin Astro 450/T 5 Dog Tracking Bundle 4.5 None required Up to 20 hours
Most Stylish Link AKC Smart Dog Collar with GPS Tracker & Activity Monitor 3.5 Starts at $6.95/month Up to 3 days
Best Waterproof Fi Smart Dog Collar 4.4 Starts at $1.59/week for GPS tracking Up to 3 months

*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers

Who Should Buy a GPS Dog Tracking Collar

  • New dog owners – If you’re training your puppy, then you’ll want the added security a dog GPS tracker offers.
  • Curious pet parents – If your dog is well-trained or has a fenced-in area, a GPS dog tracker is still a useful tool for knowing where your pup goes while exploring or how he’s spending his time.
  • Pet parents of bolting dogs – If your dog is prone to bolting out the door as soon as it’s open or taking off at every opportunity, then a GPS tracker will go a long way in keeping your pet from getting lost.

Who Should Not Buy a GPS Dog Tracking Collar

  • Apartment pet owners – If your dog is leashed at all times that he isn’t inside your home, then you probably won’t need a GPS tracker.
  • Old dogs, new tricks – For the slow-moving dog who is well-trained and never runs off, a GPS tracker will likely be a waste of money.

Research Tips (From a Veterinarian)

As a veterinarian, I often get asked how to choose a good dog GPS tracker. Here are some tips and best practices to consider when purchasing a GPS tracker. Be sure to do adequate research on the product you are considering purchasing to look for key features and ask your friends, family, or veterinarian if they have any recommendations on GPS trackers for dogs.

  1. Check the water resistance – If your dog is likely to get wet or loves to swim, you will definitely want to find a collar that is water-resistant or waterproof. Even if your dog isn’t a water lover, there is a chance that the collar will get wet if it rains.
  2. Look for long battery life – Look for a product with long battery life. If your pet gets lost, it can take time to find them. You will want a collar with long battery life to give you plenty of time to find your pet.
  3. Real-time mapping is a big plus – Look for a GPS collar/tracker that offers real-time mapping. This service allows you to track your dog from a cell phone or a handheld device so you can pinpoint the exact location of your pet.1
  4. Good customer service is crucial – When you lose your pet, you may need to speak with someone about the GPS tracker if you are having issues. Look for a GPS tracking company that has reliable customer service so you can talk to someone when you need it most.
  5. Scannable GPS trackers make information accessible – Scannable GPS collars allow someone who finds your dog to scan the tag and have your dog’s vital information at their fingertips, so they can call you right away or take note of any pertinent information you’ve included, such as health concerns.
  6. Consider ongoing subscription costs – Most GPS dog trackers require a monthly or annual subscription. Consider these costs when evaluating GPS dog trackers to find one that fits your budget.

How Much Do They Cost?

Between $60 and $150

For most GPS dog collars, you can expect to pay between $60 to $150 and still get a quality product. Subscriptions for dog GPS tracking typically provide excellent customer service with a monthly fee, making it worth your money (usually less than $30; often under $10). If you want a non-subscription tracking system for your dog, consider a GPS tracker with a handheld map device that won’t make you pay for map updates. However, the best of that bunch can run you upwards of $600.

Our Methodology: Why Trust Pango Pets

As a veterinarian, I have spoken with many pet owners and other veterinarians about the best GPS trackers on the market. Many of these products were chosen based on my professional experience as a veterinarian combined with product feature considerations. Reliability was determined by considering the tracking ability, range, and battery life of the collar. You also want a collar or tracker that will be able to withstand a little action, and you want to ensure that the collar won’t stop working if your pet gets wet! – Dr. Addie Reinhard, DVM

The Best GPS Dog Collars: Full Reviews

Our Vet’s Top Pick

Whistle GO Explore

For the best in GPS dog collars, look no further than the Whistle GO Explore.

The Whistle GO Explore is an all-in-one tracker that uses advanced GPS and cellular technology from America’s largest network (AT&T) to pinpoint your dog’s location anywhere in the United States. The GPS tracking device will record your pup’s data so that you can log onto the app to find out where he’s been for the last 24 hours, and the battery can last up to 20 days between charges.

The Whistle GO Explore also has activity monitoring capabilities, just like the fitness watch you may wear. You can set your pet’s activity and fitness goals, which can go a long way in maintaining a healthy life for your pup. Bear in mind, this tracker does require a monthly subscription fee (plans start at $6.95) but for the price, you get a product that’s much more than a simple GPS tracker.

Pros
  • Whistle App gives access to on-demand vet help via chat, cell phone, or email
  • Exceptionally long 20-day battery life
  • 3 different color options, so you can coordinate with your pup
Cons
  • Subscription required ($6.95/month for 2 years; $7.95/month for 1 year)
  • Reviewers say that GPS coverage is occasionally spotty

Best Budget Buy

FitBark GPS Dog Tracker

Not only will you have an all-encompassing tracking device with the FitBark GPS Dog Tracker, but it’s an affordable purchase as well.

FitBark GPS Dog Tracker is more than just a GPS tracker. It tracks everything from how often he’s chasing the cat to how well he’s sleeping. You’ll even be able to compare your pet’s activity to similar dogs and to her own activity on other days, as well.

You can monitor your dog’s anxiety and skin conditions from the convenience of your phone with the included app. You’ll also appreciate that you can link your dog’s tracker to your Fitbit, Apple Watch, HealthKit, or Google Fit – making it all the easier to keep track of your dog’s health right alongside yours.

Pros
  • Excellent for fitness tracking as well
  • Waterproof for optimal efficiency
  • 10-20 day battery life
Cons
  • Connection issues occasionally prevent efficient tracking
  • Subscription required ($6/month)

Best for Hunting Dogs

Garmin Astro 450T 5 Dog Tracking Bundle

The Garmin Astro 450/T 5 Dog Tracking Bundle is the best GPS tracker a hunting dog could want.

The Garmin Astro 450/T 5 Dog Tracking Bundle is a testament to Garmin’s ability to design GPS products that boast superior materials and craftsmanship. This GPS tracking device provides ultra-high location sensitivity thanks to the fact that its GPS uses GLONASS, which is a “space-based satellite navigation system operating as part of a radio navigation-satellite service.”2

Not only will you find the Garmin Astro equipped with hunt metrics to show the distance traveled and time afield, but you’ll also find that the battery lasts a whopping 20-40 hours. This GPS dog tracker can detect your dog up to a range of 9 miles.

Pros
  • Pre-loaded maps and 1-year subscription included
  • 2 sizes available for versatility
  • Expandable – up to 20 dogs
Cons
  • Leash use with this collar is not recommended
  • Dense cover limits some tracking capability
Most Stylish

Link AKC Smart Dog Collar with GPS Tracker & Activity Monitor- Leather

If you’re in the market for a stylish GPS tracker, you’ll love the Link AKC Smart Dog Collar with GPS Tracker & Activity Monitor.

The Link AKC Smart Dog Collar with GPS Tracker & Activity Monitor comes in your choice of a posh leather or functional sporty collar. It’s form-fitting so you won’t have to worry about it getting in the way or your dog slipping it off, an added comfort both you and your dog will appreciate.

You’ll get temperature alerts if your dog is in an environment that’s too hot or too cold, and the LED light on the collar will make your evening walks all the safer. You can record your adventures or walks to monitor the paths you’ve traveled. The app will even let you store your pet’s vet records so you always have access to important information.

Pros
  • Works up to 30-minutes in water up to 3 ft deep
  • 5 sizes available for maximum size versatility
  • Designate a safe zone and be alerted when your dog leaves it
Cons
  • Service plan required
  • Occasional connectivity issues
Best Waterproof Pick

Fi Smart Dog Collar

The Fi Smart Dog Collar will track your dog reliably, even if he’s in the pouring down rain or decides to take a swim.

Check Price

The Fi Smart Dog Collar boasts state-of-the-art GPS technology to track your dog’s whereabouts with astounding speed and accuracy. Its GPS technology not only leverages the tracking power of three constellations of satellites, but also the LTE-M cellular network.3 That means its signal reaches about 30% farther than 3G, 4G, 5G, and LTE networks.4

In addition to tracking your dog’s whereabouts, this GPS collar and tracker also monitors their activity levels. Simply open the app on your phone to see how many steps they’ve taken and how it compares to other dogs in the Fi community.

Pros
  • Geofence feature lets you map a boundary around where your dog can go
  • Speedy escape detection based on proprietary algorithms
  • Built-in LED light with changeable colors
Cons
  • Subscription required – and one per collar, not per set up ($100/year)
  • Heavy collar may be too much for your pup to tolerate for long-term use

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a GPS dog collar and how does it work?

A GPS tracker will use satellites through a Global Positioning System (GPS) for location tracking, whether he’s lost or you’re just interested in tracking his typical activities. There are dog collars with built-in GPS as well as tracking devices that you can attach to your dog’s collar or to a harness or pack. A GPS tracking system for your dog will give you peace of mind for a fur baby who can’t call for a ride if they get stuck somewhere, lost, or injured. Most trackers have apps or websites for you to check to determine your dog’s location.

Can you track your pet with a chip?

You can’t track your pet’s location with a microchip, but a microchip can help reunite you with your dog if he gets lost. A microchip provides permanent identification for your dog (RFID – Radio-Frequency Identification) but does not communicate with satellites. They store your contact information and your pup’s name. Every veterinary office and humane society has scanners that read microchips, which store information such as your name, your dog’s name, and your contact information, so they can contact you and reunite you with your pup. Therefore, we still recommend getting a chip so that no matter where your pup ends up, a vet or humane society will be able to access your information to contact you.

Do I need to download an app to use a GPS dog collar?

It depends entirely on the GPS tracker you choose. You can find handheld gadgets that won’t use your phone at all, while others use an in-depth website that details all the information you need without the need for an app. There are even trackers that simply text or email you updates on your dog’s location. That said, an app is a useful tool to use if you’re trying to reach a dog who’s on the move because you can use it while walking or in the car.

Do all GPS dog collars require a monthly fee?

Not all GPS trackers require a monthly fee, although most do have subscription costs in some form. Those that don’t may rely on a combination of GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth technologies to provide real-time tracking, but these dog trackers typically have a smaller tracking range, and the coverage and tracking capabilities may be limited by WiFi or wireless availability for some models. If you need to download an app on your phone to access your dog’s GPS data, you might incur data charges through your wireless plan. If the tracker sends you texts, data and texting rates may apply.
  1. Bertagna P. How does a GPS tracking system work? Eetimes.com. Published October 26, 2010. Accessed March 2, 2021.
  2. Wikipedia. GLONASS. Published March 27, 2002. Updated March 2, 2021. Accessed March 2, 2021.
  3. EMnify. Webinar recap: Cellular IoT explained – everything you need to know about 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE-M and NB-IoT. Emnify.com. Published May 11, 2020. Accessed March 2, 2021.
  4. Fi. The Smartest Dog Collar Ever Built. Tryfi.com. Accessed March 2, 2021.