Puppy ID Collars

Four black labrador pups look identical at birth and they will still look identical at three weeks, particularly at night and particularly when you are tired. Identification collars solve that within the first hour, and everything you record afterwards depends on them.

These are soft, adjustable bands in a spread of colours, usually sold as a set so a whole litter can be marked as it arrives. Fit them as each pup is born and the litter stops being a guessing game.

Why Colour Coding Matters

Once each pup has a colour you can track daily weights, note who feeds well and who gets pushed off the milk bar, record worming and vaccination dates, and tell buyers precisely which pup is theirs. It matters most for the pups you are worried about: the one who lost a few grams overnight is easy to find again at the next check. Pair the collars with a notebook and your puppy scales and you have a proper record from day one.

Fitting and Checking

Fit is what catches people out. Newborns grow fast, so a collar sitting comfortably on Monday can be tight by Thursday. Check every collar daily by sliding a finger underneath, loosen as needed, and look for any rubbing on the neck. Hook and loop bands adjust in seconds and are easy to remove and refit. Never leave a collar on a pup you are not checking regularly.

Choosing a Set

Pick strongly contrasting colours rather than three shades of blue, and choose a set with more collars than you expect pups. Write the colour into your records on the day rather than later. Keep the set in the whelping box with your thermometer and cord clamps, ready for the first arrival.

Litter due soon? Explore the RPBA collection of puppy identification collars and have a set on hand before whelping starts.