The different muzzles
Full nylon or leather muzzles
These muzzles totally block the dog's mouth. They are therefore not recommended in periods of high heat. The dog cannot pant or drink. But panting is vital for your pet. This is what allows him to regulate his body temperature when he gets too hot.
It is therefore advisable to use them only at low temperatures and for a very short time.
They can be, for example, very useful during a consultation with the veterinarian. This allows him to handle the animal without danger of being bitten.
The basket muzzles
They are also called cage, Baskerville or wire muzzles.
In plastic, metal or silicone, these are the most suitable muzzles since they are very solid and ventilated enough for the dog to pant. They also help prevent bites.
Some of them even allow the dog to drink.
Strap muzzles
These muzzles are not accessories that prevent bites since they are a simple strap that surrounds the base of the animal's muzzle and to which the animal's leash is attached . It is rather an educational tool, to prevent the dog from pulling on the leash, to be used when learning to walk on a leash.
Muzzles for brachycephalic dogs
Brachycephalic dogs are dogs with "flattened" muzzles like bulldogs and pugs.The particular morphology of the skull and muzzle of these dogs does not allow these dogs to wear muzzles designed for dolichocephalic dogs (with long muzzles). For these dogs, choose muzzles adapted to their morphology and in a basket, to allow them to pant properly.
Strike muzzles
Be aware that there is one last category of muzzle: these are the striking muzzles. Most often, they are reserved for training dogs used in the fields of security and public authority (police dogs
How to choose the size of the muzzle?
Depending on the manufacturer, several measurements may be requested: the different measurements of the mouth (length and circumference of the muzzle) as well as the animal's neck circumference.
To do this, use a tape measure that is made of flexible material like those used to measure measurements in sewing.
Choose a muzzle that is shorter than your pet's muzzle so that it does not interfere with his dog's vision and whose circumference is between 2 and 6 cm wider than that of the muzzle. Thus, the dog's muzzle will not be compressed and the dog will be able to open its mouth to pant.
Your pet must be comfortable in its muzzle without being able to get out of it easily. He must not be embarrassed at the level of his muzzle. You have to be careful that it does not risk hurting him, irritating him or hurting him in certain places, otherwise he may not want to wear it anymore. Do not hesitate to run your fingers inside where the muzzle will be in contact with your dog's coat to appreciate its comfort.
In which cases should a muzzle be used on a dog?
The muzzle is a legal obligation if:
- your dog belongs to the 1st or 2nd category,
- you are traveling by train with your pet and it weighs more than 6 kilos.
Beyond these legal obligations, muzzles can sometimes be very useful when you need to handle an injured dog without risk of being bitten or when you want to undertake educational work with a reactive dog or fearful. The muzzle can thus make it possible to secure an encounter with congeners or when an attack is feared in the presence of a trigger for the dog.
Obviously, before having a dog wear a muzzle, it will be necessary to gradually and always positively accustom him to it so that he assimilates it to a simple walking accessory in the same way as his collar, leash or harness.