How to Size Your Dog's Muzzle

By Ed Frawley  |  Last modified: April 13, 2022

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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.

Step 3: Measure cheek width (bully breeds & flat-faced breeds).

If your dog is a bully breed or flat-faced breed, also measure the widest straight-line point across your dog's head. Select a muzzle with a cheek width approximately 1/4-inch wider than this measurement.

Fitting Rules

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. You need to be sure of the following before you choose your muzzle size:

1. The muzzle's length should be about 1/2 an inch longer than your 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 must be larger than your dog's "snout circumference," and how much larger depends on how you plan to use the muzzle.
   • For active use (walks, exercise, play): add 3 to 4 inches of circumference so your dog can fully open its mouth and pant. A dog that cannot pant while active risks overheating.
   • For reactive or aggressive dogs (safety/management use): add only 1 to 2 inches. A muzzle that's too large or too loose can be pawed off easily, which defeats its entire purpose and can create a dangerous situation.
3. In addition to length and circumference, owners of some breeds (i.e. the bully breeds or flat faced breeds) need to consider the cheek width of their dog's head. 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. Select a muzzle with a cheek width about 1/4-inch wider than your dog's measured cheek width. 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 at (715) 235-6502. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog. 40% of the muzzles we sell are returned because of measuring mistakes — we would much rather help you get it right the first time.

1. JAFCO Regular Muzzle

A two-strap plastic basket muzzle made of polyethylene plastic. Great for extended wear without inhibiting breathing, barking, or panting; your dog can drink with it on. Clear color is more pliable/flexible than white or black.

*Estimated by matching this size's length/circumference to the closest Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzle sizes (our only style with confirmed breed data). Not a guarantee of fit — always measure and try on when possible.

Note: Muzzles in the Clear color may have varying widths and height because it is much more bendable/pliable. Not recommended for police muzzle-fighting training, especially with unprotected decoys — see the Heavy Duty Police Fighting Muzzle below instead.

2. JAFCO Conditioning Muzzle

Same JAFCO plastic basket build as the Regular Muzzle above, but with a hole in the front nose piece large enough to pass food rewards through — ideal for reward-based conditioning if your dog isn't used to wearing a muzzle yet. See also the Leerburg Conditioning Muzzle below, a similar product made by Leerburg instead of JAFCO.

*Estimated by matching this size's length/circumference to the closest Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzle sizes (our only style with confirmed breed data). Not a guarantee of fit — always measure and try on when possible.

3. Leerburg Conditioning Muzzle

Leerburg's own version of the conditioning muzzle — the same plastic basket build with a front feed hole for treats. A separate product from the JAFCO Conditioning Muzzle above; the two are very similar, differing mainly by manufacturer.

*Estimated by matching this size's length/circumference to the closest Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzle sizes (our only style with confirmed breed data). Not a guarantee of fit — always measure and try on when possible.

Size 4R is sized for the Rottweiler head shape — see the JAFCO Rottweiler Muzzle below.

4. JAFCO Rottweiler Muzzle

Same JAFCO plastic construction, molded specifically to fit most Rottweilers. Available in only two sizes, by sex. Despite the name, these also fit other large-headed, broad-skulled breeds well — including bully breeds.

5. JAFCO 3-Strap (Forehead Strap) Muzzle

JAFCO plastic basket with a third (forehead/over-the-head) strap for extra security — recommended for reactive or aggressive dogs where a 2-strap muzzle isn't secure enough. A separate product from the Leerburg 3-Strap Plastic Muzzle below; the two are very similar, differing mainly by manufacturer.

*Estimated by matching this size's length/circumference to the closest Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzle sizes (our only style with confirmed breed data). Not a guarantee of fit — always measure and try on when possible.

6. Leerburg 3-Strap Plastic Muzzle

Plastic basket muzzle with a third strap for extra security, in a fuller size range including smaller dogs. Can be converted to a 2-strap muzzle by cutting the over-the-head strap — doing so voids the ability to return the muzzle.

*Estimated by matching this size's length/circumference to the closest Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzle sizes (our only style with confirmed breed data). Not a guarantee of fit — always measure and try on when possible.

7. Heavy Duty 3-Strap Basket Muzzle

Molded heavy-duty flexible plastic, with 3 fully adjustable straps and a bottom loop that clips to the dog's regular collar for extra security. This muzzle is bendable/pliable so width may adjust some. Dog can pant, drink, and eat through it.

*Estimated by matching this size's length/circumference to the closest Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzle sizes (our only style with confirmed breed data). Not a guarantee of fit — always measure and try on when possible.

Due to the muzzle shape and size of some breeds, it is not recommended that those breeds use this 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.

8. Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzle

Unlike chrome muzzles, our polymer-coated muzzles do not rust and your dog's tongue will not stick to the muzzle in freezing temperatures. The polymer-coated metal is bite-resistant and allows the dog to pant, drink, or take food treats through the front or sides. 30 sizes cover nearly every breed and head shape.

• Muzzle Length: Measured from end of felt on noseband to inside metal.
• Muzzle Circumference: Completely 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.
• Common Breeds: A rough starting point only — head shape, snout length, and build vary even within a breed. Always measure your dog before ordering.

9. Lightweight Silicone Muzzle

A flexible, easy-to-clean muzzle with a front flap for passing food rewards and a neck strap the dog's collar can run through for extra security. When correctly sized and the dog pushes forward into it, the muzzle should not slide back over the eyes.

*Estimated by matching this size's length/circumference to the closest Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzle sizes (our only style with confirmed breed data). Not a guarantee of fit — always measure and try on when possible.

Suitable for managing a dog with a bite history while conditioning it to a muzzle. Dogs with a serious bite history should ultimately move to a metal or police basket muzzle.

10. Vet/Emergency Soft Muzzle

A lightweight, compact nylon muzzle for quick, short-term use — vet visits, grooming, trail walks, or emergencies. Fits most medium-to-large dog breeds; not compatible with brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds. It can be left slightly open to allow panting for an injured or heat-stressed dog, or cinched down completely for a secure fit.

*This is a one-size, adjustable muzzle — it is not designed for full panting room and should be used only for short periods under direct supervision (medical emergency, vet clinic, or grooming). For long-term or bite-proof needs, use the Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzle instead.

Suggested breeds (est., based on comparable sizing): Poodles, Retrievers, Vizslas, Mini Pinschers, Dachshund, and similar medium breeds — always check fit directly since this is a one-size, adjustable style.

11. Police Basket Muzzle

A leather basket muzzle available in three sizes only. Small fits a female Malinois or a male with a smaller head; most German Shepherds or male Malinois wear medium or large. For Rottweilers and bully breeds, we recommend the Heavy Duty Police Fighting Muzzle below instead — it has more adjustment points and wider cheek sizing.

12. Heavy Duty Police Fighting Muzzle

Latigo leather, handmade in Wisconsin. Purpose-built for controlled muzzle fighting and high-intensity bite work training with law enforcement and military K9 units. Do not use leather conditioner on this muzzle.

13. Leather Basket Weave Muzzle

A genuine leather basket muzzle with foam nose padding, riveted construction, and multiple adjustable straps. The basket weave allows extra airflow, and it is suitable for muzzle/civil training and deployment. Available in three sizes. Small fits a female Malinois or a dog with a smaller head; most German Shepherds or male Malinois wear medium or large. For Rottweilers and bully breeds, we recommend the Heavy Duty Police Fighting Muzzle instead. Do not use leather conditioner on this muzzle.

*Measured from the front outside of the muzzle to the end of the back head strap. This muzzle is sized by overall length and weight rather than snout length and circumference. Measure your dog from the tip of the nose to the base of the skull behind the ears, and call our office to confirm the best size.

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 and owner of Leerburg.com and has been producing professional dog training videos since 1982. Over the years, he has collaborated with some of the most respected dog trainers in the country. His body of work includes 194 full-length training DVDs and 95 comprehensive online courses. In addition to these, he has produced and published over 4,000 short training videos available free of charge on Leerburg.com and across the company's social media platforms.

Ed and his wife, Cindy—also a professional dog trainer—bred working-line German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois for more than 35 years. Although they retired from breeding in 2009, they had produced over 300 litters by that time.

Ed also served as a K9 handler for the local sheriff's department for 10 years, working in partnership with the West Central Drug Task Force. During his time in law enforcement, he handled multiple narcotics and patrol dogs and conducted more than 1,000 K9 searches. If you want to learn more about Ed, read about his history here.

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