With a new pup coming in October I want to be extremely careful and make sure that issues do not arise. Each dog will be crated when the other one is out, feeding in the crate, etc. My question is this - When and If I feel comfortable introducing the dogs later on down the road, would a wire basket muzzle be safer than the plastic jafco type?
It's not that my male shepherd is dog aggressive; I do not know how he will react to a new puppy in the home and I will not take any chances. But with a prey drive like his, I would not trust him around any smaller animal without a dominant dog collar or a muzzle. This is a dog that pounces on blowing leaves, chases bumble bees, and has been known to stalk the field mice that roam the hay field out back. We won't even mention the hamster he ate as a puppy.
I want to be 110% proactive with the situation and be prepared. I still crate him when my 20 month old grandaughter is running thru the house. They are best buddies, but she is small and moves quickly.

I think either muzzle would suffice. I have a female who is higher drive also, but she definitely knows the difference between blowing leaves and critters, and a puppy.

I would spend the first several weeks with the puppy constantly seperated and only bonding with you while you do the groudwork, housetraining, and basic OB/manners. I think I kept my pup completely seperate until she was about 4-5 months, I can't exactly recall.

When I did introduce, I ran my 3 older dogs until they were extremely tired, then I walked my pup and worked her so she was tired as well. I then leashed everyone up and let my older dogs drag their leashes, while I held the pups leash and we went for another walk, they were allowed to sniff but no play. We did this 3 times a week for 2 weeks, until they just ignored each other on their walk. Now my pup is 8 months old - she is worked seperate from the other 3 because she is my competition dog, but I do run them together 3-4 times a week, off leash, on trails or in the fields and everyone gets along famously - but it all starts at home, with your groundwork and your older dog. Everything has to be established with your older dog BEFORE you get your puppy.

 Quote: Niomi Smith

I think either muzzle would suffice. I have a female who is higher drive also, but she definitely knows the difference between blowing leaves and critters, and a puppy.

I agree that he knows the difference between a puppy and blowing objects. But whether that difference matters to him is an unanswered question and I will not take that chance. Thanks for the advice Niomi.