Shortly after moving to the Olympic Peninsula, I saw salmon run for the first time. Shortly after I saw the salmon run, I began muzzle-conditioning my dog Roo — after watching in horror as she gobbled up the remains of a stinky fish carcass tossed ashore by seals. While Roo needs a muzzle to prevent her from scavenging vile things and making herself sick, many dogs wear muzzles for a variety of reasons. The best dog muzzles include different designs for specific needs.
Muzzles can benefit dogs who are fearful, reactive, at risk of biting, injured, in pain, or easily overwhelmed, especially in environments where you can't control the distance between your dog and their triggers, says Emily Annis, certified dog trainer and founder of Compassionate Canine Care. She adds that muzzles also help keep everyone safe in high-stress situations, like going to the vet or groomer.
"At the same time, muzzles shouldn't be used as a pass to put a dog into situations that are still too hard," she says. Instead, it's best to gradually and methodically introduce the muzzle, using it as a management tool to reduce risk while working on a training plan to address your dog's behavior.
To make my recommendations, I tested nine muzzles in various styles on Roo, my 43-pound lab terrier mix and resident fisher dog. After evaluating for fit, comfort, and durability, five muzzles made the list.
A quick look at the best dog muzzles
Best overall: Mia's Muzzles ($54-$240 at Mia's Muzzles)
These durable vinyl muzzles suit a wide variety of dogs and behavioral needs. Available in standard and custom sizes, they're a solid choice for getting a great fit right from the start.
Best budget: Company of Animals Baskerville Ultra Muzzle ($15-$31 at Chewy)
When you need to find a good muzzle quickly, this one from Baskerville is readily available and affordable. Its rubber design also provides a comfortable fit.
Best sleeve: Coastal Pet Products Best Fit Adjustable Comfort Dog Muzzle ($21 at Chewy)
This muzzle offers a unique design for high-stress situations when your dog might need to wear a sleeve. It provides quick adjustments via a Velcro strap.
Best for bite protection: Big Snoof Dog Gear Muzzle ($70 at Big Snoof Dog Gear)
Dogs with a history of aggression or biting will benefit from the added protection of this heavy-duty muzzle. Soft biothane straps and a nose cushion provide added comfort to the wire frame.
Best for preventing scavenging: The Muzzle Movement Customizable Muzzle and Scavenger Guard ($94-$113 at The Muzzle Movement)
For extra-determined food hounds, this muzzle offers two different types of scavenger guards. There's also plenty of pant room for active pups and large dogs with big jaws.
How to choose the right muzzle for your dog
There are a few key elements to keep in mind when choosing a dog muzzle.
Intended use: The best dog muzzles are those that address a behavioral need. For example, brief trips to the vet may only require a soft-sleeve muzzle for short-term wear to protect against bites, while a basket muzzle might be best for longer walks with a reactive dog. All muzzles used for extended wear must allow the dog to comfortably breathe, pant, drink water, and accept treats, says Jennifer Malawey, a certified professional dog trainer and behavioral consultant at Instinct Dog Behavior and Training.
Fit: The best dog muzzles will stay securely on your dog's head without blocking their vision. The fit should be snug on the cheeks so the muzzle stays on when your dog moves or tries to paw it off, but not so tight that it restricts the cheeks' ability to widen while panting, Annis says.
Additionally, the muzzle should have plenty of space in the front, so your dog's nose isn't touching the end. Annis says to shoot for around half an inch of space, roughly the width of your pinky nail.
Adjustability: The straps should also be easy to loosen or tighten so you can adjust the muzzle to your dog's unique size. When fitting the straps to your dog's face, Annis recommends conducting a finger test. "You should be able to fit one to two fingers under the straps without them digging in," she says. "The muzzle shouldn't rotate easily or slide forward toward the eyes."
Measurements: To find the right fit, you'll need to measure your dog's face. The measurements you'll need will depend on the muzzle's brand, type, and whether it's customizable. However, commonly required measurements include snout length, pant depth, and cheek width. For muzzles that aren't customizable, Malawey recommends options that can be boiled and molded for a better fit.
Comfort: The best dog muzzles are also comfortable at pressure points, with smooth edges along the nose bridge, cheeks, and under the chin, Annis says. Along with plenty of room for your dog to pant and drink water, the ability to easily take treats will also make your dog feel more comfortable while wearing the muzzle. Since muzzles are management tools, you'll want to still be able to reward your dog's preferred behaviors while they wear it. "It also makes it much easier to build (and maintain) a strong reinforcement history for wearing the muzzle itself," Annis adds.
Material: The material of a muzzle will also affect your choice. Common options include biothane, vinyl, wire, fabric, and nylon.
- Biothane muzzles are often lightweight, easy to clean, and frequently available in custom-fit options. Annis says because they're coated with webbing — commonly polyester with a PVC or TPU coating — they're also durable and somewhat flexible. "That flexibility can be a pro for comfort, but it also means they're not universally bite-proof," she adds.
- Vinyl muzzles are also often comfortable and can be custom-fit. Additionally, they're transparent. This visibility helps dogs communicate their emotions to you, other people, and dogs around them. For instance, you can better see if your dog is pulling their lips tightly at the corners or snarling to indicate they need more space from their trigger. Annis says the main trade-off is ventilation, since vinyl tends to retain more heat and allows less airflow, making it a poorer choice for warm or humid weather or exercise-heavy use.
- Wire muzzles, on the other hand, often offer an open design for excellent airflow. The gaps between the wires also make it easy to give your dog treats. Still, quality wire muzzles are extremely sturdy and durable, offering rigidity that's hard to bite through.
- Sleeve muzzles are typically made of fabric or nylon and are designed to keep your dog's mouth closed. "You'll most often see them used for very brief medical or grooming procedures because they're quick to put on and less dependent on precise basket sizing, like cheek width and pant room," Annis says. She adds that while they may have a use under professional guidance when safety is concerned, they're not appropriate for walks, exercise, or extended wear.
Extra features: Handy extras can elevate your dog's experience wearing a muzzle. They include features such as a treat hole, an open-snout design, a scavenger guard, and messaging tabs like "no dogs." Options with fun colors or designs may also be a good choice, especially if you want to avoid some of the stigma of muzzling a dog.
Best overall
These well-fitting, durable muzzles offer protection for dogs with a variety of behavioral needs.
What we like
What we don't like
Best for: Dogs with a variety of behavioral challenges, including reactivity and scavenging
Skip this if: You cannot wait a couple of months for a custom fit
The Mia's Muzzles Guardian custom model wowed from the start, fitting almost perfectly right out of the box, more so than any other muzzle we tried. The Guardian is one of six customizable vinyl models, each designed to suit specific behavioral and activity needs. Other than moving the screw one notch on the chin strap, I didn't need to make any other adjustments. It was snug but not too tight, didn't wobble on Roo's nose bridge, or sit too close to her eyes. I was really impressed, considering she's hard to fit with her wide Pitty cheeks and narrow Pom-inspired snout. It makes sense, though, as Mia's Muzzles had me send extensive measurements and pictures for nose length and width, closed mouth, pant height, tip of nose to neck, forehead length, ear to eye, and neck circumference.
In addition to customizing the fit, you can make more alterations to suit your intended use and preferences. Since I'm still working on muzzle conditioning with Roo, I opted for an adorably heart-shaped treat hole and a nose hole for added comfort. The idea is to get her used to wearing the muzzle, just like her harness or leash, before actually using it to manage her scavenging behavior — Mia's Muzzles offers a scavenger guard to cover the treat hole when that time comes. I also chose fun colors and a cute pawprint design for the nose pad. I loved how this muzzle looked in the end, and because Roo is reactive, I added phrase badges on each side that said "needs space" and "no dogs."
Along with the custom muzzle designs, Mia's Muzzles offers standardized-fit, or "cookie cutter" muzzles, to suit a wide range of dogs at a more affordable price. These twelve sizes include three options for bully breeds and one for flat-faced dogs, which can be harder to fit. They also start at about half the price of the custom models, giving pet parents with varying budgets more options.
The wide variety and extreme attention to detail don't come without their caveats, though. The fulfillment time for custom orders can take up to two months, so this may not be the best option if you need to start muzzle conditioning your dog immediately. And while the vinyl on the Guardian model is tough (measuring 3 millimeters thick and intended for dogs with a history of biting) and held up extremely well to my fork jabbing, the black paint on the screw scraped off a bit.
Best budget
This budget-friendly pick is widely available when you need it and offers a comfortable fit.
What we like
What we don't like
Best for: Pet parents looking for an affordable, readily available, and comfortable muzzle to work on training with their dog
Skip this if: Your dog needs a lot of pant room, is between sizes, or has a history of biting or aggression
The Baskerville Ultra Muzzle is a comfortable option for dogs in the midst of muzzle training. Made from high-quality thermoplastic rubber, the lightweight muzzle felt smooth, and the nylon straps were soft. With an open nose hole, there was plenty of snoot space between Roo's nose and the end of the muzzle. While the pant space was limited, she was still able to yawn fully, drink water, and take treats. However, Annis says that because Baskerville muzzles don't allow dogs to pant fully, they're better suited for muzzle conditioning or situational use and are not ideal for everyday use.
It's an affordable and widely available option, too. Available in six sizes, it can be found at major pet stores and online retailers like Chewy, Amazon, and Petco. It's easy to order, so you can have it at home in a matter of days.
It is not a safe option for biting. While the Baskerville is comfortable, Michael Shikashio, a certified dog behavior consultant and founder of AggressiveDog.com, says it's not bite-proof, and he wouldn't recommend it for dogs with a history of aggression or biting. When I tested its durability by jabbing it with a fork, it also left some noticeable marks.
Getting the right fit was also quite a tedious and frustrating process. Roo was between two sizes, with both seeming either too small or too big based on the company's breed recommendations. I decided to size up and boil the muzzle in hot water, which ended up working pretty well for a more tailored fit, but it still added extra steps on my end. The straps were also so difficult to get the right length, and while I eventually got the chin and head straps to fit correctly, the cheek straps bulged out. It still fits firmly on Roo, but I imagine that extra space in the strap could catch on things outside.
Best sleeve
This muzzle offers an adjustable sleeve to better fit dogs quickly in higher stress situations.
What we like
What we don't like
Best for: Dogs who need a comfortable, durable sleeve for the vet, groomer, or other temporary situation
Skip this if: You'd rather pay the same price for a budget basket muzzle and get more use out of it
The Coastal Pet Products Best Fit Adjustable Comfort Dog Muzzle offers a secure fit for the brief times you need to keep your dog's mouth closed, like at the vet. The advertised size was spot on to Roo's measurements, and it was the best-fitting sleeve out of the three I tested. It was snug without being too tight, didn't affect Roo's line of vision or movement, and stayed on when she tried to paw it off.
It's highly adjustable to accommodate a variety of snoot sizes. The muzzle itself can be adjusted via Velcro flaps, a rarity for a sleeve muzzle, which is typically one-size-fits-all. There's even a small strap that goes under the bottom of the sleeve to keep things in place.
It's comfortable with soft cushioning, breathable mesh, and soft straps, but it's also quite durable. It held up well to my vigorous tug test, with the Velcro staying in place when I yanked it vertically, the way a dog would open their mouth. The mesh and cushioning also showed no signs of damage after I scraped and jabbed it with a fork.
While it's the best sleeve design we tested, it's not the most affordable option. It costs about as much as a budget basket muzzle without the versatility of being able to wear it in more situations and not just for very specific, occasional use. For extended wear, you'll want a muzzle that lets your pup pant, breathe, drink, and eat treats comfortably.
Best for bite protection
This muzzle offers a heavy-duty wire frame for added protection and a well-placed treat hole for training.
What we like
What we don't like
Best for: Dogs with a history of aggression or biting who need extra protection to keep everyone safe
Skip this if: Your dog is smaller and won't be able to handle the weight of a half-pound muzzle
When it comes to dogs with a history of aggression or biting, Shikashio recommends a heavier-duty metal wire basket muzzle with padding for comfort — the Big Snoof Dog Gear Muzzle ticks both boxes. For starters, its wire frame is tough, barely showing any marks after I stabbed it repeatedly with a fork. The paint didn't even chip off when I again pressed down firmly with the fork and scraped the sides. Though durable, the biothane straps and padding lay smoothly along Roo's nose, chin, and neck.
The muzzle also offers a great design for active movement and training, whether for reactivity, aggression, or scavenging, with a well-placed treat hole in the middle of the wire bars. It was easy to feed Roo treats through it, but it was not big enough for her to sneak food off the floor. The highly adjustable neck and chin straps also made for a secure fit, so it stayed in place and didn't affect Roo's movement while she played training games and did tricks like paws up and high-five.
Getting the right adjustments for the straps can be a bit tedious. I had to screw and unscrew the bolts, moving them through the many holes in the neck and chin straps before landing on the right fit. It's worth the work in the end, however, and if you do it correctly in the beginning, you'll be set.
The weight of the wire muzzle might also be too heavy for some dogs. Clocking in at 8 ounces, this half-pound muzzle was the heaviest on our list, and double the size of rubber basket muzzles.
Best for preventing scavenging
For dogs who love sneaking snacks off the ground, this muzzle features a large scavenger guard that clips over the treat hole for maximum protection.
What we like
What we don't like
Best for: Dogs who love to scavenge and eat things on walks
Skip this if: Your dog is tricky to size
The Muzzle Movement offers an ideal scavenger guard for dogs like Roo who love to gobble up things on walks. The guard prevents foraging while also making it easy for pet parents to work on muzzle conditioning. I loved the flexibility of being able to train with the guard off and then clip it on later to keep Roo from snarfling up nasty things outside. I also liked that I could still poke in treats from the side of the muzzle with the guard still on.
The guard itself is huge and effective. I tested the Standard Guard, which clips to the front of the muzzle and completely covers the treat hole and central front panel. When I tossed treats on the ground, Roo was unable to eat them with the guard on. It also stayed in place when she tried to paw the muzzle off. For more determined snackers, the Muzzle Movement also offers the Extra Secure Scavenger Guard, which attaches to the inside of the muzzle, meaning the guard can't come off unless the entire muzzle comes off.
These muzzles are also ideal for larger dogs with big jaws or more active pups. With 3 to 4 inches of pant space, it has the most pant room out of all the muzzles I tested. Large ventilation holes on the muzzle's sides also provide plenty of airflow for walks, hikes, and warmer weather. However, the pant size and, really, the overall size of the muzzle, might take some time for pups to get used to.
Available in 10 made-to-order models, these muzzles aren't the most inclusive. While colors and accessories are customizable, the sizing is not. Roo unfortunately fell just short of the measurements for the pre-made sizes, but I was able to make it work by boiling it in water and reshaping the sides. However, once you make these adjustments yourself, the muzzle is no longer eligible for a return.
How we tested the best dog muzzles
This guide was first reported and written by Shoshi Parks. Her original choices were based on recommendations and advice from certified animal behaviorists and dog trainers. Parks's experience as a certified professional dog trainer also helped shape the selection criteria.
Since then, I have tested the muzzles she recommended, as well as new options. I tried them out with my medium-sized dog, Roo. I also consulted professional dog trainer Emily Annis. With her added insight, I came up with the following testing criteria.
Fit: I compared the actual fit of the muzzle with the company's advertised measurements, noting if it was true to size. I also examined how easy it was to adjust straps, buckles, and bolts. I then conducted a tightness test recommended by Annis, checking whether one or two of my fingers could still fit under the straps. Once the muzzle was properly adjusted, I made sure the muzzle was below Roo's eyeline and didn't slide around or impact her view when she moved. To better test this, I had Roo trot across the room and perform a variety of tricks, like bowing and jumping up. I also made notes on whether the muzzle stayed in place if Roo pawed at her face.
Comfort: After putting the muzzle on Roo, I checked that there was enough space — about a half inch or so — between the tip of her nose and the front of the muzzle. I also confirmed whether she could still open her mouth fully while wearing it, or whether there was an easy way to give her a treat. To mimic drinking water, I fed her a squeezable treat that she licked through the muzzle holes. For the design, I also checked how the muzzle lay across Roo's pressure points, including the smooth edges along her nose bridge, her cheeks, and under her chin.
Durability: To test for durability, I tugged hard on the straps and buckles for each muzzle. I also took a fork and pressed down with force while scraping the straps and the body of the muzzle. I then took the prongs of the fork and jabbed the muzzle with them. After testing, I checked for any visible marks or damage.
Price: After testing the primary points above, I compared the muzzle's value against its overall price to see how it stacks up against competitors.
Availability: I noted whether there was a wide or limited range of sizes available. I also looked at each muzzle's customization options and how long it typically took to be made to order or shipped.
Dog muzzle FAQs
What muzzle do dog trainers recommend?
Annis says that the best dog muzzles will depend on the dog's anatomy and the job the muzzle is doing. However, a well-fitted basket muzzle is her go-to for training and everyday life. She says that she strongly prefers options that support muzzle conditioning, as the experience matters as much as the gear. This could look like muzzles that allow full panting, eating treats, drinking, and safe movement. Essentially, you want your dog to feel safe, comfortable, and happy while they learn to wear a muzzle.
Is it cruel to muzzle a dog?
No, it's not cruel to muzzle a dog who's at risk of harming themselves or others. Wearing a properly fitted muzzle can be as comfortable as wearing a harness or collar. "In a well-acclimated, well-fit muzzle, a dog is going to be able to do everything they would normally do," Shikashio says. It's an excellent way to provide freedom while assuring the safety of your pup and everyone around them.
How long can a dog wear a muzzle?
Dogs should wear a muzzle whenever they need it. That may include on walks, around strangers, or at the vet's office. A dog can wear a comfortable, properly fitted basket muzzle for a few hours as long as you regularly check that it's not rubbing or chafing. A sleeve muzzle that prevents a dog from panting should only be worn briefly during vet exams or grooming.
Do muzzles stop barking?
Laura Sharkey, owner and senior trainer at Woofs! Dog Training Center, says using a muzzle to stop barking or disruptive behavior is never appropriate. A dog exhibiting these behaviors may be experiencing discomfort or anxiety, and it's best to consult a canine behaviorist to determine why. Plus, if a dog can't bark, it can't pant, which can lead to dangerous overheating.
How do I get my dog to wear a muzzle?
Dogs not properly introduced to a muzzle are likely to hate wearing one. Sharkey says that only muzzling a dog in stressful situations can cause strong negative associations with it. To help your dog be comfortable with a muzzle, it's best to use a gradual desensitization process. "It's going to be something that they're used to, that they accept and tolerate well, and that they are reinforced highly for wearing," she says.
What muzzle is best for aggressive dogs?
The best muzzles for aggressive dogs are made of durable materials such as thick vinyl or heavy-duty wire. They also offer a secure, snug fit that will stay in place when the dog lunges or moves suddenly. A vinyl muzzle with a well-designed treat hole, or a wire muzzle with enough space between the bars to deliver treats, will also come in handy as you work on positive-reinforcement training with your dog, helping address the root cause of their behavior.
What is the best muzzle for dogs that eat everything?
The best dog muzzles for pups who like to find and eat things off the ground are the models with a closed-mouth design. For added protection, some even have a scavenger guard that goes over the muzzle's holes, wires, or bars. A poorly fitted muzzle may not stop a dog from eating foreign objects.
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