Christmas Engraving Checklist: Ordering a Personalised Dog Collar

Why mid-November is the right time to order

Personalised items aren’t sitting on a shelf waiting to be posted. Each one is engraved with your details, then made and dispatched within 7 days, and delivery takes a further 7–9 days. In practice that means about two weeks from order to doorstep.

For our festive range, including the Christmas collar designs, the last recommended order date for UK Christmas delivery is 3 December. Ordering in November gives you a comfortable buffer for the busy festive post, and time to plan the rest of your dog’s Christmas.

If you’re sending a gift overseas, delivery is still free, but bear in mind that orders outside the UK may have local import taxes or duties to pay, and leave yourself extra time.

A tartan Christmas collar with your dog's name engraved on the buckle.

What to engrave: the essentials

A Christmas collar is fun, but it’s still an ID collar. In the UK, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires most dogs in a public place to wear a collar showing the owner’s name and address, either engraved on the collar or on an attached tag. There are some exemptions, for example for certain working dogs, but for most pet owners it applies on every walk.

A sensible engraving layout

• Your surname – the law asks for the owner’s name, not the dog’s.
• House number and postcode – many owners use this shortened address to save space.
• A mobile number – not legally required, but the quickest way for a finder to reach you.
• Your dog’s name – optional. Some owners love it; others leave it off. It’s a personal choice.

Remember that an engraved collar doesn’t replace a microchip. Microchipping is a separate legal requirement for dogs in England, Scotland and Wales, so keep your chip details up to date too, especially if you’ve moved house this year. If you’re unsure what applies to your dog, your vet can advise.

The proofreading checklist

We engrave exactly what you type, so the most useful gift you can give your dog this Christmas is a careful proofread. Before checking out, go through this list:

• Spelling: check your dog’s name and your surname letter by letter. Autocorrect loves to ‘fix’ unusual pet names.
• Phone number: read it back digit by digit, ideally out loud. A single wrong number makes the collar far less useful as ID.
• Capitals and spacing: type it exactly as you want it to appear, for example ‘Bella’ rather than ‘bella’.
• Postcode format: include the space in the middle, as in a normal UK postcode.
• Gifts for someone else’s dog: double-check the owner’s current number with them, discreetly, rather than relying on an old contact.

If you spot a mistake just after ordering, contact us straight away via live chat or info@ourgiftshop.co.uk with your order number.

How long will my order take?

Get the size right first time

A beautifully engraved collar is no use if it doesn’t fit. Measure around your dog’s neck with a soft tape where the collar naturally sits, then add two fingers’ width for comfort. If the measurement falls between two sizes, choose the bigger one.

If you’re buying as a surprise, borrow the dog’s current collar and measure it from the buckle to the hole that’s in use. Winter coats can be thick on some breeds, so make sure you can still slide two fingers underneath once the collar is fastened.

Puppies are a special case: they can grow quickly over the winter, so check the fit every week or two and loosen or replace the collar as needed.

Choosing a festive design that works beyond December

The best Christmas collars earn their keep long after the decorations come down. A few things to weigh up:

• Visibility: with dark afternoons until well into the new year, the Christmas red reflective collar combines a festive colour with reflective material and your details engraved on the buckle.
• Photo appeal: the tartan collar with optional bow tie is made for Christmas cards, with your dog’s name engraved on the buckle and a matching lead available.
• Everyday style: a deep red like the braided faux leather collar with engraved name plate looks seasonal without being novelty, so it works all winter.

Whichever you choose, check the collar regularly for wear and keep the engraving clean so it stays easy to read.

Returns, faults and gifting with confidence

Because personalised items are made to order, they can’t be returned or refunded for a change of mind. That’s another reason to check spelling and size carefully before ordering.

If anything arrives damaged, faulty or wrong, we’ll replace it or give a full refund. Just send your order number and a photo. Non-personalised items, such as plain collars and accessories, can be returned within 14 days of delivery if unused, with the customer paying return postage.

A final festive bonus: personalisation and delivery are both free, with no minimum spend, and first-time customers can take 10% off with code WELCOME10.

Frequently asked questions