If you need to muzzle your dog for some reason, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the number of choices out there. There are quite a few different types of muzzles for dogs out there, and many of them have different uses.
In this article we will be covering six different types of muzzles, what they’re commonly used for, and what their pros and cons are.
Biothane
When we selected a training muzzle for Tank, we chose a biothane muzzle. These muzzles aren’t considered completely bite proof, because they are soft. The dog can potentially bite through the muzzle, causing injury.
They’re also not completely scavenger proof, since the dog can bend and move it to reach that nasty piece of food on the ground.
These are a great choice for training, because they are light and comfortable to wear. They’re good for dogs that are wearing a muzzle purely to be in compliance with the law, for dogs who aren’t a major bite or scavenger risk, or for emergency use at a shelter.
Agitation Muzzles
As the name implies, these muzzles are to be used when the dog is agitated, or ready to bite. These are bite proof, and are usually made from leather or vinyl. They are rigid, thanks to a metal bite bar at the front of the muzzle, to prevent the leather muzzle from flexing.
These muzzles are usually truly bite proof because they are meant to be used for sports where a dog is actively trying to bite (such as protection work.)
If your dog is at all a bite risk, this is a good choice, but it does come at the price of ventilation for your dog. Take care that if the dog is going to be wearing it in hot conditions or for a long time, to find one that is extra breathable. The agitation muzzle shown is available on Amazon from the Redline K9 Store. It has received mainly positive reviews from those on Amazon, but I have not personally verified the quality.
Wire Basket Muzzles
Wire Basket Muzzles are also for the most part bite proof. The added ventilation from it being a wire mesh makes this a great muzzle for long term use, but there’s the risk the dog may be able to bite if an ear or tail gets between the bars of the muzzle.
This is why “bite proof” muzzles are usually for the most part fully enclosed. Basket muzzles are perfect for hiking with a reactive dog or for long term use however, because they do allow for plenty of breathing room and ventilation.
As long as you are aware of the possibility of how a dog could potentially bite through all that wire, these muzzles are just fine for most situations.
Shown is a basket muzzle available on Amazon, but a better quality example would be Leerburg.
Vinyl Muzzles
Vinyl muzzles are built similarly to leather agitation muzzles, but have the additional benefit of being clear. Clear muzzles allow you to see if your pup is lifting their lip or showing other important warning signals, as well as letting other dogs see those signals too.
If a dog is aggressive, a bite bar may be necessary to help make the muzzle more bite proof. Shown is a vinyl muzzle from Mayerzon, but my recommended brand for Vinyl Muzzles is Mia’s Muzzles. (I don’t have licensing for the muzzles I prefer, thus why alternatives are shown.)
TPR Muzzles
TPR, or Thermo Plastic Rubber, is a non-toxic but very hard and durable plastic. TPR are usually made to resemble metal wire basket muzzles. These are also the most commonly seen muzzles outside of mesh muzzles, since these are what Baskervilles and other muzzles regularly found at pet stores are made from.
TPR Muzzles often don’t have enough pant room, and are not bite proof in the same way metal basket muzzles are not bite proof. If a dog is trying to fight another dog for example, and an ear goes in through one of the gaps, that ear can easily be bit.
These muzzles work reasonably well for a dog that’s not a determined biter or scavenger. They’re best for “What if” scenarios.
Mesh
Finally, mesh is the last type of muzzle. Mesh can either come large enough for the dog to open their mouth, or a narrow band meant to tie the dog’s mouth shut.
Mesh muzzles with pant proof are not bite proof, as a determined biter will simply bite through the fabric. It’s also easy enough to work poo and other more liquid scavengable items through the mesh. These aren’t very good in most situations.
Mesh flat muzzles, which work by tying the mouth shut, do not allow the dog to eat, drink or pant during this time. They should only ever be used for a few minutes in a vet or grooming scenario, to keep the handler safe while cutting nails or giving shots.
A dog can vomit while wearing this muzzle and choke because there’s no place for the puke to go. These should never be used for long term use.
Best Muzzle for Scavenging
The above run down gives you a good description of the different types of muzzles—but that doesn’t help much if you’re not sure which one you need. If your dog has a habit of eating rocks or gulping down poop on walks, scavenging is your problem.
This can be stopped with many of the different muzzle options. A wire basket muzzle, vinyl muzzle and agitation muzzle are all good choices, but you’ll need to make sure they come with a scavenger guard.The scavenger guard is a solid plastic or metal piece that goes on the front of the muzzle, making it impossible for dogs to scavenge.
Recommended brands for chihuahuas include Mia’s Muzzles (the guardian lite fits 15 pounds and under.) and Leerburg for a variety of different types.
Best Bite Proof Muzzles
If you need a truly, 100% bite proof muzzle you will need a sturdy vinyl muzzle thick enough to prevent bending or flexing or a leather agitation muzzle with a bite bar. This prevents all sorts of bites, from damage to ears or even fingers that slip in through the gaps in the muzzle.
If you need a bite resistant muzzle, with the knowledge that there is a small possibility of the dog being able to bite through the muzzle, wire basket muzzles offer better ventilation for outdoor activities, but can allow parts of a fellow pup, stray cat, etc. to slip through into the muzzle and be bitten.
Best Muzzles for Light Duty
Sometimes, a muzzle isn’t needed because of the dog being a bite risk or a scavenger. It could be that the dog is a nice, well behaved dog who happens to be the wrong breed in the wrong place. It could be that the dog is being trained to wear a muzzle purely for emergency issues, or it could be that a sport requires the dog to be muzzled.
In these cases, whether the muzzle is bite or scavenger proof isn’t quite as important. Biothane muzzles are a light, breathable choice, with plenty of options for customization, color and style. The option for a treat hole makes it easier for training in, and the options for a scavenge block can help reduce (but not eliminate) the chance of eating gross stuff.
Biothane is a good light duty muzzle. We got ours from Tyedye Muzzles on Etsy, and are very satisfied with its durability, and ease of cleaning.
Best Muzzle for Indoor Use
If you have dogs that play together and you are worried about a dog getting hurt, a vinyl muzzle is the best choice here. These can be custom made for plenty of pant room, but don’t hurt as bad as a metal basket muzzle.
Metal basket muzzles are great for outdoor use, but a muzzle punch (a dog hitting you, a cat, a fellow dog, etc with the muzzle) can cause a lot of blunt for trauma even when the dog can’t bite.
Vinyl muzzles are softer than metal and will be a bit gentler on who ever may get wacked by the muzzle.
Need More Help Choosing?
I’d love to take time to let you know about pro-muzzle communities that are willing to help you figure out what type of muzzle is best. These people are also great helping to judge whether a new muzzle is a good fit, and for any other muzzle related questions you may have.
These two groups include the “Muzzle Up, Pup!” community on Facebook, and the r/muzzledogs group on Reddit.
You are also welcome to ask any questions you have here in the comments below. If I don’t have the answer myself, I will look for the answer for you until I do find it.
Similar Posts:
- Breaking Down Muzzle Stigma with Social Media Celebrity Duo Kaylah and Stanley
- Interview with Muzzle Designer, Hillary
- How to Measure Your Dog for a Muzzle
- How To Muzzle Train A Chihuahua
- How to Convince Your Parents to Get You A Chihuahua
[…] helps you get your dog used to wearing a basket muzzle, but if you’ve gone to the store and faced a wall of muzzles to choose from, you’re probably wondering how to get the right size for your […]