Best Muzzle For A German Shepherd

 

In this guide, we look at some of the top rated muzzles that might suit German Shepherds.

We look at the top brands and products.

There’s also a few different styles of muzzles to choose from.

Let’s take a look!

 

(NOTE: this is a general information guide only, and is not professional advice, or a substitute for professional advice. A qualified vet or animal expert is the only person qualified to give you expert advice in regards to your pet/s)

 

Best Muzzle For A German Shepherd

A few of the most popular muzzles at the moment might include:

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Best Muzzle For German Shepherd: Reviews

Coastal Best Fit Mesh Muzzle

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What’s Good About It?

A temporary muzzle

Easy to adjust

Comfortable

Range of sizes for different dog snout sizes (you can search Amazon for ‘coastal best fit mesh muzzle’ and the different sizes come up)

Coastal recommends a size 7 for German Shepherd sized snouts – size 7 is for 9 1/2 inch snouts/nose circumference measured from the tip of the mouth/nose

Padded around the nose area

Made of nylon which feels strong and well made

Open mesh design to allow airflow between the muzzle

Open end of the muzzle to allow your dog to breathe

 

What Could Be Improved?

This is definitely not a muzzle for big, strong, aggressive dogs – if they struggle hard enough, they can probably dislodge the muzzle and chew it up. Get a caged muzzle if this is a concern for you

 

What Else Might You Get With This Muzzle?

Nothing

 

Where To Check It Out

 

Baskerville 5-Inch Rubber Ultra Muzzle

What’s Good About It?

Very affordable for a decent quality basket muzzle

Comes in black or tan colours

Full cage/basket muzzle that covers the snout

Rubber is more comfortable than the metal muzzles

Dog can still drink, pant, breathe and eat treats in this muzzle

Plenty of ventilation

Straps are easy to adjust and decent quality/durable

Range of sizes available – the size recommended for GSD’s is a size 5 which has an inside circumference of 14 inches – make sure you pay attention to the sizing chart though

 

What Could Be Improved?

Takes a little bit of practice to get the muzzle to sit right on the snout

If your dog is constantly banging the muzzle against other objects with decent force, the inside of the muzzle might graze their nose because there isn’t a tonne of padding on the inside – but not an issue for most dogs

If you want to sacrifice some comfort, but you absolutely need the extra protection for the most powerful and aggressive dogs, a full head metal basket muzzle might be a better option

 

What Else Might You Get With This Muzzle?

Nothing

 

Where To Check It Out

 

Best Muzzle For German Shepherd: Buyer’s Guide

What Is A Muzzle

A muzzle is usually a nylon, leather or metal device that fasten’s over a dog’s muzzle/nose/mouth.

It can be either a temporary or permanently used device.

 

Types of Muzzles

Materials can be divided by the type of the muzzle, and also the material:

Nylon/Soft Fabric

Plastic 

Vinyl

Leather

Metal

 

Shapes Of Muzzles

Basket Muzzle (mouth is fully enclosed by the muzzle)

Tube Muzzle (the end of the muzzle is open, and the main body of the muzzle constricts the mouth)

 

What Are Muzzles Used For?

Muzzles are mainly used by owners to prevent aggressive behavior like biting, nipping and any use of the mouth to harm other animals and humans.

They might also be used in working applications like in the police force for example when the dog is patrolling and not required to seize suspects.

They do this by constricting the dog’s mouth from opening wide enough to bite or attack.

 

When Might You Use A Muzzle?

In some places it is law for some types of dogs to wear muzzles in certain areas – so check the laws in your area.

 

Before you consider using a muzzle as a permanent solution, you want to make sure you have approached a professional trainer and asked them how to best socialise and train your dog.

Dogs are are animals, so once they have shown a tendency to either nip, bite or be aggressive, even the best training won’t guarantee they don’t do it again.

But, that’s not an excuse to just get a muzzle without making an attempt to minimise the aggressive behavior.

Aggressive behavior is usually not because the dog is naturally nasty, but rather that they have either had a negative experience in the past, or they get scared or stressed and bite as a way of defending themselves and making themselves feel safe.

You might choose to use a muzzle on your dog in one or several of the following circumstances:

If you have visited an animal professional in the past and asked for their advice

If you have attempted training and socialisation for your dog

If your dog has shown aggressive traits in the past to humans and other animals

If your dog has nipped at friends and family members in the past

If your dog shows signs or territorial or intimidating behavior

If you know that your dog has trigger situations which make them feel stressed, threatened or scared – and you think there is a possibility they could get aggressive in those situations in the future e.g. visiting the vet, 

You need at least a temporary solution to your dog’s aggressive behavior because either the dog or other animals or humans are at immediate risk

If your dog hasn’t shown signs of aggressive behavior, but you want to make others are safe in a particular situation as a preventative measure

When the law requires you to use a muzzle

 

Specific examples a dog might be muzzled might be when bringing home a new baby, when children or strangers visit the house, when your dog visits the vet or is being operated on, when your dog goes into public areas, when your dog goes to the dog park, and so on.

The decision is ultimately yours, as you are liable for your dog’s actions.

If you are seriously concerned about your dog’s behavior, think very seriously about taking them to the vet for a referral to an animal behavioural specialist.

 

Safety When Wearing A Muzzle

Once again, ask your animal expert what the safest muzzle is for your GSD, but some guidelines you can take into consideration are:

Soft materials like nylon and rubber can be more comfortable than metal and leather (although metal might be required for particularly strong or aggressive dogs)

Make sure your GSD has enough room and airflow in the muzzle to breathe, drink water and eat

Try not to leave the muzzle on permanently – 20 minute periods is generally a good and safe time period

If it’s hot – be very cautious about using a muzzle

If you see your dog is visibly distressed – take them to a safe isolated place, and remove the muzzle

 

What Size Of Muzzle To Get For A German Shepherd?

Different manufacturers have different dimensions for different sizes of their muzzles.

The best way to figure out the best muzzle size for your GSD is to measure your GSD’s snout in both length and width/diameter.

Match those dimensions up to the dimensions recommended by the manufacturer for each size.

A German Shepherd usually takes either a Large or Extra Large size – but check the dimensions. 

 

Should You Get A Basket Muzzle For A German Shepherd or A Tube Muzzle?

It depends what you’re looking for.

Basket muzzles are fully enclosed, whilst tube muzzles are more open at the end.

Get professional advice if you are unsure.

 

 

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The information is based on either our own thorough research, and/or own experiences, as a means of free speech.

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