9 Best Dog Muzzles: When, Where, Why, and Which One?

Dog muzzles may seem taboo in the dog world, but they can be extraordinarily handy when it comes to your dog’s safety on walks or hikes. Muzzles can prevent injuries, illness, and fear.

1. The Company of Animals Baskerville Ultra Muzzle

The Baskerville Muzzle is a favorite for dogs and their owners. This basket-style muzzle fits like it’s custom-made!

This muzzle lets your dog drink, receive treats, and breathe comfortably. It’s great for all sizes of dogs and the rubber is durable, flexible, and easy to clean.

The straps even have Neoprene for added comfort around your dog’s neck and ears.

Perfect For:  Active dogs of all sizes, all outdoor activities: camping, hiking, hunting, walks

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2. Dog Muzzle by Barkless

This soft, silicone dog muzzle provides flexibility and great coverage. It also attaches to your dog’s collar for extra stability and dependability. The underside straps of this muzzle are padded to keep your pup’s chin comfortable, and they’re reflective which is great for camping or hiking at night. This one is also foldable so it won’t get lost in your tent. This model is a top pick for its ventilation and comfort. Your dog can pant, drink, and even get treats for being a good boy!

Perfect For:  Active dogs of all sizes, outdoor activities

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3. Downtown Pet Supply Basket Cage Dog Muzzle

This straightforward design easily clips onto your dog. The hassle-free buckle also makes getting it on and off your pup quick and simple. The durable nylon and soft rubber are durable. The basket-style allows your dog to be able to pant or lap up water.

Perfect For:  Active dogs of all sizes

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4. Birdwell Enterprises Plastic Dog Muzzle

Birdwell’s heavy-duty plastic muzzle is one tough muzzle! The roomy design allows for drinking, panting, eating, and treats! The hard plastic is easy to clean and strong. One of the best features of this muzzle is you can pop it in the dishwasher!

Perfect For:  Medium and large dogs for walks, hikes, camping

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5. Canine Friendly Soft Fit Dog Muzzle

From extra-extra-small to extra-extra-large, this muzzle is great for dogs of all sizes! The simple design makes it easy to buckle onto your dog. Its mesh and nylon materials make it breathable while being comfortable. It’s also foldable which is great for carrying with you for first aid situations. This soft muzzle allows moderate panting and eating.

Perfect For: Barkers and biters of all sizes, first aid

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6. Canine Friendly Short Snout Dog Muzzle

With all the reliability of the regular Short Snout Dog Muzzle, this style is made for all those short snout dogs. The side-buckle is comfortable and make it easy to put on your pup. The mesh and nylon are breathable and washable, too!

Perfect For:  Barkers and biters of all sizes with short snouts

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7. NACOCO Anti Bite Duck Mouth Shape Dog Mouth Covers

For those of you that want your dog to remain as cute as possible, this NACOCO Duck Mouth dog muzzle is perfect. Its unique design will make sure your dog is still approachable. The silicone material is light and comfortable. The design still allows panting and drinking.

Perfect For:  Small and medium dogs with senses of humor

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8. JYHY Short Snout Dog Muzzle

This soft mesh muzzle is made specifically for dogs with short or flat snouts like English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Yorkies, and Boston Terriers. The design is secure, comfortable, and easy to put on your dog. The material is washable and breathable.

Perfect For:  Small to extra-large dogs with short snouts

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9. Nylon Dog Muzzle

If you hate the look of most muzzles this option is more attractive. The muzzle is fully adjustable so it fits securely. This one also fits some of the biggest breeds, like Great Danes. It also has a clip loop underneath for redirecting your dog’s head (which is great for training).

The design says it allows for drinking, panting, and some eating, but we think it’s little restrictive. I would not recommend this muzzle outside of training or grooming. You’re better off with a more unrestricted muzzle for longer hikes.

Perfect For:  Small to extra-extra-extra-large dogs, First Aid

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6 Reasons to Muzzle Your Dog

1. Local laws

The first consideration when it comes to muzzling your dog for a hike is checking the local law. While many laws have become more lenient, many places still require certain breeds to be muzzled in public. For example, in Sparta, Tennessee, Aurora, Colorado, and Toledo, Ohio, Pit Bulls must be muzzled outside of your house.

2. High prey-drive dogs

Muzzles aren’t just for hiking with aggressive dogs, though. They’re great for keeping high prey-drive dogs from injuring other animals, for dogs that bark a lot, for keeping puppies from eating trash (or even poop), or for training.

When you’re out in nature with your canine companion, muzzles can protect wildlife if your pup has a high prey-drive. If you have a Rhodesian Ridgeback, Terrier, Irish Wolfhound, Bull Terrier, Husky, Bulldog, Cattle Dog, Coonhound, Foxhound, Australian Shepherd, or Beagle, Border Terrier, German Shepherd, Catahoula, or Dutch Shepherd, you may want to consider a muzzle to quell his prey-drive.

Muzzles are great for neighborhood walks, too. My Dutch Shepherd loves to chase squirrels, cats, and rabbits. I can’t even imagine the guilt I would feel if he injured one, not to mention the vet bills I would pay for the animal’s recovery. And you definitely don’t want your pupper to bite something like a porcupine.

3. Excessive barking

Muzzles can also help a barker to keep quiet on a hike or in the park to not scare off wildlife. Barking can also be intimidating to other hikers. It can even spoil their chances of seeing wildlife, too.

My deaf dog is the biggest pansy in the world, yet his tone-deaf bark can cause concern when he meets strangers, including new dogs. There have been a handful of times his bark got him into trouble. With a soft muzzle, these situations would have never happened.

4. Training

Muzzles are great for de-sensitivity training while hiking. The trails are great for training dogs that are nervous of strangers. With the open space and infrequency of other people and dogs, you can turn what you love, hiking, into an opportunity to teach your dog.

Of course, you should keep your dog on-leash during these training sessions, but the muzzle with add an extra layer of protection and comfort to other hikers you may encounter.

5. Unwanted eating

If your dog tends to eat random plants or other unwanted dietary finds (like trash).

Nothing is worse than your pup gobbling something up before you can a) see what it was, and b) pull it from his mouth. I know my dog has found animal bones, poop, and even rotten food out in the woods.

Basket muzzles are one of the best options for these situations because your dog can still drink and pant with it on.

6. Injuries

Keep in mind, that a muzzle can be a lifesaver when you’re out on an adventure and your hiking buddy gets injured.

Many dogs, including my own, get very scared when they get hurt and often react erratically by snapping, growling, and nipping at anyone that may be trying to help. 

What to Consider When Shopping for a Dog Muzzle

Style

Basket dog muzzles may make your dog look like Bane from Batman, but these muzzles are some of the most comfortable for dogs. They come in plastic, rubber, leather, and metal although, we don’t recommend metal. Metal baskets can break at welds and great a hazard for your dog. Basket Muzzles work great for small and large breeds, and they allow your dog to drink or get treats if you’re on a hike.

There are also soft dog muzzles, which look less intimidating and are made from nylon or mesh. These are less comfortable than basket muzzles and can prevent your dog from panting and drink on hikes.

You also will want to avoid grooming muzzles which are made of fabric or mesh. This style is used to keep your pup’s mouth closed tightly to prevent bites during grooming or vet visits. They’re not safe for a long period of time.

Fit

Make sure you get a muzzle that will fit your dog. You will want a piece of string or soft measuring tape to help with this job.

1. Measure from your dog’s eye line to the tip of his snout.
2. Measure the circumference of your dog’s snout where his snout meets his cheeks.
3. Measure from the eye line all the way to the back of his head, behind his ears.
4. Finally, measure the circumference of his neck.

If you have a dog with a short snout, most muzzles won’t work, but don’t worry, we didn’t forget about your pup for our list.

Introducing Your Dog to a Muzzle

Getting your dog used to a muzzle can be challenging for some dogs.

When getting your dog used to the muzzle, remember that slow and steady wins the race. Don’t try to put the muzzle on your dog right away!

To get your dog introduced to the muzzle:

• Show your dog the muzzle and give him treats and praise
• Put some treats in the muzzles and let him eat them voluntarily
• Begin to keep it on his snout for a slightly longer period (try 10-15 second increments until you can get to 2-3 minutes)
• Get your pup used to you handling the straps while it’s on his head
• Strap it on, then give tons of treats!

Begin by muzzling your dog for walks, this will create a positive association with the muzzle and eventually work your way up to hikes.

Remember to always monitor your dog while wearing a muzzle. Many muzzles aren’t meant for long periods of time.

Final Thoughts

Remember that muzzles may look intimidating, but they can protect you and your dog.  No matter which muzzle you choose, make sure it fits properly and is comfortable for your dog to wear.

Muzzles can be a great tool and allow us to spend more quality time doing what we love outdoors with our four-legged best friends.