Tractive XL Review: Is Bigger Really Better for Your Dog?

When you have a dog who just loves to explore, a dog GPS tracker will pretty quickly become more than just a gadget. It becomes an extra level of safety for your dog and a piece of mind to you.

We have used Tractive since their Dog 4 GPS tracker was released in 2020 and now we’ve had a chance to test Tractive Dog 6 (released in 2025) and Dog XL (released in 2023) and Dog XL Adventure (released in 2023), which are Tractive’s largest and most powerful versions.

But does the bigger device really make a difference who is it actually for?

Size and fit

As its name hints, Dog XL, then this dog GPS device is built with big dogs in mind. Officially it is recommended for dogs 22 kg and over. The same is goes for the Tractive Dog XL Adventure GPS, but since it has a protective silicone casing, it’s even more bulkier than the regular Dog XL.
Size info Tractive Dog XL:
Size: 89 x 51 x 24 mm
Weight: 90 g

Size info Tractive Dog XL Adventure:
Size: 97 x 51 x 24 mm
Weight: 115 g

Now if your dog weighs 20 kg, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get either of the bigger trackers, if you have a very adventurous dog. It is just to show that for smaller dogs it is too bulky.

We usually have our Tractive Dog XL attached to our dog’s running harness and she doesn’t mind the extra device at all.

But when we wanted to test it on a smaller dog, a 3-5 kg Dashchund, it was very hard not to notice the mismatch. The Dog XL really is too large for smaller breeds to wear comfortably.

Battery life

This is the area where the Dog XL really stands out among Tractive’s earlier models. Its battery can last up to a month! Versus compared with the Dog 4 with about 2 days and the Dog 6 with up to 10 days (depending on the usage).

So maybe it doesn’t seem like a big deal, because it is quite simple to charge the device. But if your dog is spending most of its time in the garden or you go for hikes and longer adventures, then the bigger and longer lasting battery makes the Dog XL a lot more reliable.

Tractive Dog 4 vs Dog 6 vs Dog XL

If you have never had a Tractive dog GPS before, then we’ll give you a quick comparison. But if you want a better overview, then read our Tractive Dog 4 vs Dog 6 comparison here.

• Dog 4: it’s definitely reliable as a dog GPS tracker. The sound and light features are there but not very good. The battery life is quite short. So needs to be charged multiple times a week, especially when used constantly.

• Dog 6: Slimmer and lighter case compared with the Dog 4. Light and sound features are improved quit e a lot - still not the best, but a lot better. Battery lasts longer (about 10 days).

• Dog XL/Dog XL Adventure: visibly bigger and bulkier, but definitely unbeatable battery life, compared with Dog 4 and Dog 6.

  
  Light and sound features about the same as the Dog 4 model - not very good. But for bigger dogs and even bigger adventurer dogs it is a great choice.

The Tractive app is the same for every device, so the GPS and extra features work about the same, depending on what subscription you have.

Which dog GPS to choose?

When buying a GPS tracker for your dog, we feel like it is actually quite a big investment. Is it worth it when you have a possibility to track your dog the second it runs away or gets lost? Absolutely.

But nowadays nothing really comes free, even after you buy it. So even if you do buy the GPS tracker for your dog, it’s not all - you will have to pay extra for the subscription too. So it is good to do your research and buy the one that at the end is worth its price.

So when you’re choosing between different Tractive dog GPS devices, then we would say, think about:

• your dog’s size - as you can see from the picture, then the Dog XL is obviously too big for a smaller dog, whereas on a mid to bigger sized dog won’t really even notice it.

• where your dog is - do you have an “in-house” dog and on every walk is always on the other side of the leash?

  Or your dog spends most of its time in the garden alone or on walks is often unleashed?

If it’s a “homebody” dog, then Dog 4 or newer Dog 6 is the one to go for. If it’s the latter, we would recommend the Dog XL.

So is the Dog XL better?

Let’s say that when you’re planning to use the device only while going outside with your dog (inside you take the collar off), then the smaller model is a great choice. On a daily bases we use the Tractive Dog 6 GPS tracker and we’re super happy with it.

But when going on a hike, to the countryside or for a run we have the Tractive Dog XL attached to our dog’s harness. So in case she runs away, we’ll at least know that the GPS tracker’s battery lasts and we’ll be able to track our dog.

So at the end the Dog XL or Dog XL Adventure GPS tracker is definitely a great choice if you have a) a bigger dog, b) your dog is spending time alone in the garden and c) you go on adventures a lot.

It definitely is more about finding the right fit for your dog’s size and lifestyle. And with a smaller breed we would say that definitely stick with the Dog 4 or the Dog 6 GPS tracker.

So if you do want to try out Tractive then feel free to use our Tractive discount code, which will give you -30%.

Haven’t heard about Pocket Puppy School before?

Pocket Puppy School is a completely free dog training app. Our mission is to make information about raising dogs accessible to everyone in the world.

But in addition to our app, we have a blog (that you are currently reading 🤓) where we talk all things about dogs.

We post some informational and fun content to our Instagram page and believe it or not, we even have a merch store. 🥹 In the store you can get a t-shirt or a hoodie with your own dogs’ picture that we will make into an awesome design.

Feel free to check out all of our channels, and if you have any questions, leave a comment down below.

Thank you!