Over the years, dog tags have been used as an essential form of identification not just for our precious pets, but also for humans too! Originally designed as a simple way to make sure that any lost pups could be returned home safely, it's fair to say that they have since evolved into an accessory that is not only super functional but also potentially super stylish and customizable. Dog tags might be small, but they sure can reflect a sense of personality, innovation and even sustainability!
From a modern perspective, one of the most unique versions of a dog tag is definitely those that are made from brass, crafted from old shell and bullet casings. They are seen by many as a sensible and sustainable way to repurpose military waste that otherwise may have gone to landfill.
Let’s take a closer look at the interesting history of the dog tag, from their origins of simple ID markers to the now indispensable pup accessories that they have become!
The Origins of Dog Tags for Dogs
Time for a history lesson! The first known use of dog tags for pet identification can be traced back to the late 19th century, when responsible pet owners started to attach small metal tags to the collars of their pups to give people the chance of returning them if lost. These early versions of tags would typically contain the dog’s name, the details of their owner, and sometimes a contact number/address. Of course, as the years went by, this became absolute standard practice.
Alongside popularity among dog owners, this practice of ID tags was also adopted by a completely different sector of society, the military.
Military Influence: Dogs and Soldiers Alike
During both WWI and WWII, dogs made crucial contributions to the war effort in the form of scouts, messengers and search and rescue animals. In order to be able to track them successfully, military units would attach ID tags with all of the important information needed.
The high profile use of these tags within the military started a wider trend of doing the same amongst civilians. It was around this time that official pet organizations started to formally endorse the use of an ID tag for purposes of safety and recognition.
Establishing Dog Tags as a Necessity
One of the very first institutions to promote proper pet identification was the American Kennel Club. By the early 20th century, the AKC made it a requirement that all registered dogs needed to have official ID tags, and this definitely marked a defining moment in pet ownership across the country.
As well as the simple concept of owner identification, dog tags soon started to be used for additional uses including:
- Confirmation of rabies vaccination.
- Credentials for any type of service dog like therapy animals, guide dogs and search and rescue dogs.
- Working dogs in the military and in law enforcement.
Once they were firmly established as a functional piece of equipment, the trend then started to move into the more fun and unique world of style and customization!
Beyond Functionality: The Modern Pet ID Tag
Nowadays, there is no doubt that dog owners around the world like to reflect a bit more creativity and personality into their pup’s tags! The trend towards customization has seen a huge boom in variety, with tags available in a range of different materials, designs and colors. Some even boast ultra modern features like NFC chips, QR codes and handy GPS trackers, all really taking the concept of a simple ID tag into a new tech savvy world.
The thing to remember, though, is that no matter how cool and stylish modern tags get, the factors of readability and durability remain absolutely essential. It’s all about striking that perfect balance between function and fashion.
The Military Connection and Civilian Adoption
The term ‘dog tag’ actually does originate from the military tags we have already mentioned. During the time of the American Civil War, soldiers would create makeshift ID markers from everything from paper to cloth to metal to try and ensure that they would be known if the worst happened to them in battle. Of course, the lack of any official system made it very hard to identify all correctly.
By 1906, the US Army had introduced standardized metals tags for the first time, and these featured the soldier's name, their serial number and their rank. This idea was then adopted by France, Britain and Canada during the world wars.
Military dog tags soon started to influence civilian society in a number of different ways, including:
- Medical ID tags for identification in emergencies.
- Sports ID tags for professional and college athletes.
- Military style dog tags that were worn simply as a fashion accessory away from any battle field.
As you can see, though dog tags started as a military necessity, they quickly became a mixture of symbolic, practical and trendy in wider culture!
Brass Dog Tags: Our Sustainable Innovation
One of the things at the forefront of modern dog tag innovation is the creative use of brass that has been recycled from shell and bullet casings. We think that this is a really interesting and unique way to turn military waste into something stylish and durable for your pup to wear! We take pride in guaranteeing that the items we sell are always of the highest quality, and eco-friendly to boot!
Why Choose Brass?
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Durability
Brass is a material that is naturally resistant to corrosion, which makes it the perfect option for daily wearing. -
Sustainability
The repurposing of things like old bullet casings helps to reduce the amount of waste used in the making of the tags, promoting an all round better level of eco consciousness. -
Aesthetic Appeal
The lovely golden finish that brass has gives it a really chic and timeless look, all the while retaining the all important practical and functional benefits too.
Alongside the matter of material choice, the fine details of the engraving method can also have a big impact on the quality, readability and longevity of any dog tag.
Precision Engraving vs. Traditional Hand Stamping
Traditional hand stamped engraving has certainly served a purpose over the years, but from a modern point of view it can suffer from:
- Lots of surface creasing that can weaken the metal over time.
- Inconsistent depth of letters that can result in issues with readability.
- Text fading over time due to the unavoidable nature of wear and tear.
In complete contrast, the more modern practice of deep laser engraving offers a wide range of benefits:
- Sharper, cleaner lines that will remain easy to read for years.
- No risk of surface distortion which ensures that your tag keeps all of its original integrity.
- Much more versatility and customizability in design, like multiple fonts, intricate details and symbols.
With the combination of far superior materials and advanced engraving techniques, it’s fair to say that our brass dog tags truly stand out from the crowd in terms of both quality and longevity!
Why Our Brass Dog Tags Stand Out
As we’ve already highlighted, our brass dog tags offer that ideal blend of style, sustainability and durability that all pet owners should be looking for these days.
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Eco-Friendly Production
They are made from recycled shell and bullet casings that serve to reduce the environmental impact that our production process has. -
Exceptional Durability
Brass is about as tough as it gets! It is able to withstand corrosion, rust and all kinds of extreme weather conditions that you and your pup might encounter. -
High Quality Engraving
The deep laser engraving method guarantees the best possible clarity and longest lasting readability. -
Stylish and Customizable
The combination of visual appeal and functional practicality makes these tags a real win-win for any dog owner who wants to add some fun and uniqueness to their dog’s accessory collection.
Sustainability Meets Functionality
We’ve said it before, but we really think it's worth repeating one last time! We are strongly committed to creating dog accessories that are the perfect mixture of high quality craftsmanship and responsible sourcing and manufacture. These repurposed military grade dog tags are the quintessential example of everything that we strive to achieve!
Conclusion
As you can see, the journey of the humble dog tag has been an interesting one, providing essential help to both humans and pets along the way! From the military battle field to the local dog park, safety and recognition has always been important, and thanks to deep laser engraving and beautiful sustainable brass, we are proud to offer some of the best on the market right now!
To grab a dog tag of your own for your precious furry friend, head over to The Lille Bjorn site to take a look through our collection of handcrafted brass tags that are both super stylish and super sustainable.
Your pup deserves the very best, and we can guarantee that you will find something that you absolutely love.
