# Any recommendation for a canine GPS tracker for a smaller dog?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommendation-for-a-canine-gps-tracker-for-a-smaller-dog/1031918>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 25, 2026, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommendation-for-a-canine-gps-tracker-for-a-smaller-dog/1031918 "2026-07-25T18:18:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommendation-for-a-canine-gps-tracker-for-a-smaller-dog/1031918/21 "2026-07-30T05:46:51Z")

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That’s a great pic, btw 🙂

(Edit: Too late to edit the earlier post)

On this note:

> Maybe you can find a used iPhone or iPad

I think it has to be of at least a certain year model, and running a certain OS version, to support Airtags. But it should work as long as it’s logged in to iCloud (anyone’s iCloud) and connected to wifi. You shouldn’t need a second cell line for that “repeater” device, it just has to be able to sense the Airtag once in a while to report back to the Apple mothership.

If you get a more recent model with a special Apple radio chip (H2 or something, forget exactly), it can also do “ultrawideband tracking” where it will show you a radar view and point you to the dog if it’s within a block or two away, similar to the Tabcat. That is _additional_ functionality on top of the regular Find My network; it’s the phone directly triangulating the Airtag if it’s close by enough.

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**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommendation-for-a-canine-gps-tracker-for-a-smaller-dog/1031918/22 "2026-07-30T10:59:38Z")

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I remembered I had an old iPad I haven’t used in years and fired it up. I’m going to test it out today. Fingers crossed,

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**Author:** ![Corson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@Corson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corson)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommendation-for-a-canine-gps-tracker-for-a-smaller-dog/1031918/23 "2026-08-02T10:33:16Z")

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“I have a Golden Retriever, so weight isn’t really an issue for us, but I totally get your concern. We use a GPS module and honestly, it’s pretty chunky. I imagine it would be incredibly uncomfortable and heavy on a smaller dog’s neck. A lot of people at our local dog park who have smaller pups seem to just use an Apple AirTag with a secure collar mount. It’s lightweight and uses the Find My network. Might be worth looking into if you haven’t already!”

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