There are certain situations in which it’s very useful, important, or legally required for a dog to wear a muzzle. A useful example being if your dog has already snapped once and you want to prevent such a situation occurring again in future or for bite prevention at the vet. Muzzles can be important if you are travelling with your food-oriented four-legged friend in an area with a poison bait warning. In some cases, muzzles are required by law, like when taking dogs on public transport or regionally for certain dog breeds.  

It is very important that every dog has a suitable muzzle and is accustomed to it as early as possible, slowly and positively (see procedure below).

Your dog's muzzle must fulfil certain key criteria so that your dog's quality of life is not impaired:

• The muzzle must fit the head shape and the snout well: Muzzles are available in various sizes for different head shapes and muzzle lengths.
• Your dog must be able to pant, eat and drink: The muzzle should therefore offer enough space for the animal to open its snout, eat (e.g. treats) and drink water. In hot weather, the mouth must be open, and the tongue must be able to stick out for thermoregulation.
• A clear view must be guaranteed: The distance from the muzzle to the eyes or the eye line must be sufficiently large.
• The head must be protected from damage: This means that there is no rubbing or bruising in any area of the head that comes into contact with the muzzle. There must be some space (approx. 1-2 cm) between the rhinarium (the area around the nostrils) and the muzzle (for non-nose-free variants). The noseband should be softly padded so that important structures like the neck and larynx are not impaired and neither ears nor cheeks are squeezed.
• The muzzle must fit tightly (but not too tightly) and securely: this prevents it from slipping, being shaken off or being pulled off by other dogs (opt for a model with a browband if necessary).
• The muzzle must be bite-proof: If there is a real risk that your dog will bite or has already bitten humans and/or dogs, it must be ensured that the material is bite-proof. In risky cases, e.g. in animal shelters or after other biting incidents etc., we recommend a metal muzzle.
• There must be sufficient air circulation for adequate breathing: Closed muzzles or those with few/small openings hinder dog's breathing and impair its well-being.

With so many muzzles on offer, you may be wondering how to find the best one for your dog. Here are a few tips: 

• Take a few measurements to determine the correct muzzle size. To do this, measure the length from the eye line (the imaginary line that connects both eyes at the lower edge) to the tip of the nose to find out the required muzzle length. To determine the correct muzzle extension, start approx. 1 cm (for short-nosed breeds) - 3 cm below the eye line and measure around your dog's nose/muzzle. Add some length to the measured values, i.e. approx. 1 cm - 1.5 cm for small dogs and approx. 1.5 cm - approx. 2.5 cm for large dogs. 
• Decide on a model and the material. Should it be plastic, metal, BioThane, silicone, or steel wire? leather, ...?
• Ask yourself what purpose the muzzle should fulfil and when or for how long it should be worn by your dog. Not every material will fulfil the required purpose. If the aim is to prevent biting incidents, a steel wire muzzle is recommended. Its disadvantage is that it is usually heavier than other models and can be uncomfortable if your dog rubs against your leg or bumps into you when greeting you with joy. Does your dog need the muzzle during training? Then choose a model that allows your dog to pick up its reward treats (caution: a muzzle like this is not a poison bait preventative!). If your dog has to wear the muzzle for a longer period of time, e.g. on a long train journey or because it is regionally prescribed for their breed, please make sure that the muzzle fits comfortably and allows a clear view, drinking, eating and panting. 
• Note that not all muzzles are padded, especially on the inside (the part that sits on the dog’s muzzle). If necessary, you can add padding yourself and, for example, sew on a soft fabric or fleece strip to make your dog more comfortable.
• When selecting the material, also consider the cleanability of the muzzle and that it must be cleaned regularly, e.g. of food residue, dirt, etc. 

Our tip: First define what your dog needs a muzzle for (bite and poison bait prevention, training, ...), then the important criteria that each model should fulfil (can your four-legged friend drink, eat, and pant with it?) and finally your personal requirements for the muzzle (lightweight, vegan, well-padded, ...). If you have a clear idea of what you need for your four-legged friend, take them to a good specialist shop and ask for advice. If possible, try out the models that you think are most suitable. There are now also good internet shops/online suppliers for muzzles where you can have a suitable muzzle made after measuring your dog.

or an adequate substitute for a muzzle but is used exclusively for short-term bite prevention at the vet. It is made of closed nylon and fits relatively tightly around your dog's muzzle (to prevent a bite) and therefore does not fulfil the minimum requirements (eating, drinking, panting) for a muzzle. In the hot summer, dogs can overheat very easily if they are mistakenly used as muzzles on public transport, for example.

There are supposedly 'funny' muzzles on the market that give a dog a big grin or a threatening-looking muzzle. Stay away from these; preserve the dignity of your four-legged friend and avoid frightening effects on other dogs and people (especially children). In addition, your dog's well-being may be at risk, e.g. due to insufficient breathing space, and bite prevention is most likely not possible.