How to Size Your Dog's Muzzle

By Ed Frawley

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This article is a quick overview on how to measure your dog's snout. Leerburg has a short but in-depth online course on How to Measure Your Dog for a Muzzle. This course will ensure you properly measure your dog's snout to find the perfect muzzle for your dog, regardless of breed. The methods demonstrated in this course are how we approach measuring our own dogs for a muzzle.

It's important that customers measure their dogs to determine what size muzzle is needed. Some muzzles are identified as breed-specific but this is not an accurate way to determine what muzzle your dog needs.

Dogs within a specific breed can have a wide variety of head measurements. It is impossible to say that one muzzle size fits all Rottweilers or one muzzle size fits all Dobermans, etc. View how our muzzles look on customer dogs of all breeds and sizes.

The only true way to determine what muzzle fits your dog is by measuring your dog's snout in the manner in which we detail below.

Measuring Your Dog's Snout

Step 1: Measure the length of the snout.

Measure the dog's snout length. This should be from the tip of the nose to 1/2-inch below the eyes. This should be taken along the top of the dog's nose as shown below.

Step 2: Measure the circumference of the snout.

Measure the circumference of the snout. This should be done 1/2-inch below the eyes, wrapped all the way around the snout with the mouth closed.

Plastic JAFCO Muzzle

Note: Muzzles in the Clear color may have varying widths and height because it is much more bendable/pliable.

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Leerburg's Heavy Duty 3-Strap Basket Muzzle

This muzzle is bendable/pliable so width may adjust some.

Due to the muzzle shape and size of some breeds, it is not recommended that those breeds use the Ultra Baskerville Muzzle, as it will not fit them correctly. These breeds include: Boston Terrier, Bulldog, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, St Bernard, Pug, and the Shih Tzu.

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.
3. In addition to length and circumference, owners of some breeds (i.e. the bully breeds or flat faced breeds) need to consider the width of their dog's jaw. It is easy to pick a muzzle size with the correct length but the muzzle may not be wide enough to fit the width of the jaw. Call or email our office if you have one of these breeds and need help.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzle

• Muzzle Length: Measured from end of felt on noseband to inside metal.
• Muzzle Circumference: Competely around the inside of the muzzle, starting at the noseband.
• Muzzle Nose Width: Measured from inside metal to inside metal, just past the noseband.
• Muzzle Cheek Width: Measured from inside metal to inside metal, at the cheek bars.
• Muzzle Height: Measured from end of felt noseband to inside metal at bottom.

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Wire Basket Muzzle

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Heavy Duty Police Fighting Leather Muzzle

Police Basket Leather Muzzle

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Adjustable Padded Nylon Muzzle

Measure around your dog's snout, right below the eyes to get the snout circumference. If your dog's measurements fall between 2 sizes, choose the larger size for a more comfortable fit.

Cloth muzzles should only be used for shorter time periods during less strenuous activities. If you are looking for a muzzle to use for longer periods of time, or reactive dogs with a bite history we recommend wire muzzle instead.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Leerburg carries several different muzzles in a variety of sizes. If you need more information on sizing, please view the product description of the muzzle you plan to purchase. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact us for help with sizing your muzzle. We have also created an excellent video on sizing your dog's muzzle. You can view it below:

You can also enroll in my free online course on How to Measure Your Dog for a Muzzle. It is a short course that will ensure you properly measure your dog's snout to find the perfect muzzle for your dog.

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About Author

Ed Frawley

Ed Frawley is the founder of Leerburg. He has been training dogs since the 1950s. For 30 years, Ed bred working bloodline German Shepherds and has produced over 350 litters. During this time, Ed began recording dog training videos and soon grew an interest in police service dogs. His narcotic dogs have been involved in over 1,000 narcotics searches resulting in hundreds of arrests in the state of Wisconsin. Ed now solely focuses on producing dog training courses with renowned dog trainers nationwide. If you want to learn more about Ed, read about his history here.

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