has anyone heard of a microchip that can be inserted into a dog that sends agps signal in case of theft or straying?
i was speaking to a man in the park today who said about someone whos dog had one,i thought it sounded abit far fetched,i know you can get a gps coller but he insisted that it was a chip that had been put into the dog.....any ideas?

I remember an article somewhere, but can't remember exactly what it was. I think it was in the early stages of development. Bet it is expensive though.

We design and manufacture GPS vehicle / product trackers and have one of the top designers in this field who as yet is beaten in reducing the size of the module required to make this technology work.  Not aware of anyone in the industry who has managed to produce one so small.

Seems like a tall tale then, as you say you can get tracker collars - the type used by working terriers.

Slightly off topic but for my christmas I got a small gps tracker unit that records your journey. I've been having lots of fun putting it on each dogs collar for a walk and seeing how far they walk and what their top speed is, you download it onto google earth. Milly and Tchi are going racing on Sunday and I'm taking the tracker there too :-)

We have similar to what you have for the racing pigeons where it is basically a data logger and you have to download it to your computer after the unit has been recovered.

If we hear of anything that has been developed believe me I would be jumping up and down to try it first.

Our gps/gprs/gsm trackers allow you to sit at your computer and live track whatever the unit is fitted to.  I've used it loads of time to get tidied up and tea on when OH is on his way home lol.

http://www.retrievatracking.com/domestic_pets_loss_theft.aspx

IMO these collars are only of use for working terriers and the like. I can't see it as a deterrent against stealing your dog or even a means to get your dog back if it's stolen. I'm sure the collar could be cut off, what does it matter if it sends you a text saying it's being tampered with - presumably you're not standing beside your dog so could do nothing about it.

LOL at Abbeypap....so you've attached a tracker to your OH or just his car? :-)

no, the type used on terriers are "locators" and not trackers. They have a max range of about 20 feet so no use for tracking but excellent for terriers working below ground :) There are tracker collars as used widely in the USA for hunting breeds that range many many miles in pursuit of quarry and also on pointing breeds in difficult terrain. I also use one on my hounds at working trials.

> Our gps/gprs/gsm trackers allow you to sit at your computer and live track whatever the unit is fitted to.  I've used it loads of time to get tidied up and tea on when OH is on his way home lol.

Abbeypap. I'm curious and nosey, are they very expensive. My OH has been very unwell for sometime and when having time out with the dogs he has got into the habit of ringing to find out where I am, reassurance and  I have been joking that I should get something where he could track my movements when out walking. What size is the unit?

Hello Lacy

I have sent you a PM with details of where to see our products.  If you have a GPS mobile phone you can allow that to be tracked which will save you spending money on a tracker.  I've included a link to a company we roccomend for that purpose.

Hope you find something suitable on one or other of the sites, if your not sure feel free to call or email Jim and ask, I have put his mobile number and email on the PM as well.

> LOL at Abbeypap....so you've attached a tracker to your OH or just his car? :-)

:-)  LOL Tigger2 Would have a problem with the antenna not seeing sky!!! :-)  It's in the car, and I also have one I use for my show trolley.