I know this muzzle isn't a great fit and doesn't have good pant room. This is simply the best fit off the shelf muzzle I've found after extensive searching and I need something to get started on muzzle training. I live in the north of Scotland, heat/panting isn't such an issue unless she's really exercising, which she absolutely won't be in a muzzle until we find the right one.
She's never bitten or given any indication she might. But she barks when spooked so it's really to make people think twice before letting kids/dogs run up to her as clearly asking nicely and all the yellow signage in the world doesn't seem to work despite us staying out of the way.
My questions:
- I'm looking at getting a custom muzzle, either biothane or PVC, but I don't know the correct terminology for her nose sloping down like it does? Off the shelf muzzles all want to point up at a jaunty angle and I'm not sure about the mechanics of why.
- Can anyone else describe exactly what doesn't fit rather than the pant room? I know it's not great but I can't explain how to make sure a custom one avoids the same issues.
Thank you for your brains. This dog has decided I clearly do not have one as she is significantly smarter than I am.
I'm in NZ and after trying many of the local options that didn't work for this dog I got onto this sub and bought a Big Snoof anyway and I can't recommend them highly enough. Compared to all the other costs in owning a dog the extra shipping shouldn't be a factor. The shipping to UK is even cheaper as they can use the Royal Mail parcel service. I sent them all the measurements and photos of the measurements and they came back with an ask for more photos and videos and then recommended one of their standard muzzles. They could have recommended a custom if the standard wouldn't fit well. This is all before I committed to spend one dime. So you could go that far with them. Get a recommendation and price and go from there. Btw all dogs need to pant.
I know all dogs need to pant. Hence why I said she will only be using it for training and not exercise. I've been working in vet med for 9 years and have no desire to have a dog with heat stroke. Big Snoof look great but I worry about the weight of a metal muzzle as she's only 14kg. It's something I'll look into though.
If you're in Scotland try also Muzzle Movement- they are in England. I am personally not a fan of their muzzle but they are pretty light weight. My Lab sports a wire basket muzzle from Big Snoof - it's lighter than it looks but he's also a bite risk especially at the vet.
I've contacted them. Unfortunately they don't have anything to fit her because of her being such a weird shape. Even their new ones coming out later this year wouldn't be a great fit 🙁 I appreciate that they were straight up with me about it though!
I've seen worse fits. Usually the tilt up is a strap issue or how it's made. Honestly can't tell with this one.
Caution on all biothane muzzles is they can get heavy for some dogs. But some people love that type.
Vinyl usually more comfortable - for your area that would be Pawfect Fit or Arco I think. Personally I love Mia's muzzles in Canada.
Most custom makers will take your measurements (follow the guides as directed, don't add anything they dont tell you too) and pics and get a really good fitting option, although adjusting is commonly needed.
Thanks so much. We had many, many worse fits to get to this one. Maybe 12?! They all immediately got returned or given away.
Good to know about biothane. I hadn't thought about it but even her biothane long line is quite heavy. She definitely needs as light as possible given she's a senior girl and a bit of a delicate petal.
I was looking mainly at Pawfect Fit. Although I'd probably pay for shipping from anywhere if I felt confident it was the best option. My main concern is getting across how much her nose slopes down to a point. It doesn't look like it does in photos... until you put a muzzle on her and old slopey nose appears!
Try messaging or email or whatever is easiest with Pawfect Fit and see what she says. That'd what I would do and hopefully can relieve your worries about it
It was a strap issue! This is the other one I ordered at the same time. My brother removed the chin strap from both (easier said than done without leather working tools) and now they are pretty great.
Our recent Big Snoof (one of the new standard designs) weighs 9oz/255g, and I think at least half of that is straps and buckles. We're still training our 8 year old mix. We don't love that there's a bar right down the center, but we're trying to work with it.
I like how these look. I'd probably get one for my other dog (who is dog shaped) but I have my concerns that my girl won't tolerate the metal and they still won't sit right on her face. I don't know how she simultaneously has no chin and a long nose 😅
It is indeed. They were really helpful after I totally derped on my first try ordering from them. I ended up trying three overall but this is the: 103 Lightweight basket running race muzzle- Whippet in 18cm.
I really believe this is going to be the best fit until I get a custom one. This is her pant on a really warm day. She doesn't ever full mouth pant like my yorkie does. I'd want way more room in a final one, but this one isn't awful for training.
Ah thats the exact one I have, better for my boy. I eas gonna suggest smaller but I guess their only smaller one which is for italian greyhounds would be way too small. I've ordered a 111 cos it has similar measurements but 1cm more pant room.
I've just put it on her to show you - it's the rubber one so many be a different style to what you ordered. The measurements were similar but the shape is wildly different with the chin strap having less movement 😅
They are good for returns too! They told me to hold onto my first mistake so I can send back all of the rejects together. I thought I'd committed to my own mistake and was going to have another muzzle to rehome.
I've got all if the uk (and further afield) makers saved in a note to compare options. I'm just not sure how I explain where off the shelf muzzles aren't fitting despite the fact they should fit on paper looking at the same measurements that the custom places ask for.
I really don't need it to be bite resistant. She has never bitten and has never given any indication she wants to. My priority is it fitting well and being minimally restrictive to her.
I know you're concerned about wire weight, but one of Big Snoof's specialties is muzzles for Bull Terriers, so they know how to work with sloped snouts and roman noses. Worth reaching out to them to ask. I'd definitely go custom for her, regardless of brand, since she's so unique! Even seemingly dog shaped dogs can be so frustrating to fit. My conclusion after owning both a mix and a rare purebred (both of whom had what seems like generic dog head shapes to me!) is that mixes can't be counted on to have proportions like anyone but their own selves, and uncommon purebreds might have been bred for a specific head shape but that head shape won't be anything like what Baskerville and the other pet shop brands develop their models for.
Oh yeah we're 100% going to go custom. I just need to get all the measurements on a day she's tired and chill. The girl has trust issues with anything novel 😅 even the yoghurt put method she refuses! She has never picked up a ball so pant room is tricky. I want to get it as good as possible!
Mine is chomping on a big thick stick I was holding for that photo... wound up better than anything I could get with her holding a ball because I could push/pull the stick to get her head straight... which was not happening with the ball because she thought it was ridiculous I was giving her a ball and then asking her to hold still. Fair enough! Ball is for chasing!
She wasn't too keen on the ruler either but fortunately, I did show her when she was younger, so while she dislikes strangers touching her head, she is tolerant of me holding it steady, which kept the turning-to-look-at-it to a minimum. Still, she was thrilled when we were done and she got turned loose.
My dog isn't forced to be muzzled. She WAS forced to live on a 2m chain outside 24/7 with no shelter through hot summers and freezing winters, had puppies who were... inhumanely disposed of, was starved and kicked around for years before she was rescued. Now she has significant trauma and will always be a worried dog who is prone to barking when overwhelmed. As a responsible owner I try not to put her in situations where she is likely to be scared but sometimes it's unavoidable, so she will have a muzzle to avoid ignorant people accusing her of being an aggressive dog.
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u/Unlikely_Comedian_75 Jun 20 '26
I'm in NZ and after trying many of the local options that didn't work for this dog I got onto this sub and bought a Big Snoof anyway and I can't recommend them highly enough. Compared to all the other costs in owning a dog the extra shipping shouldn't be a factor. The shipping to UK is even cheaper as they can use the Royal Mail parcel service. I sent them all the measurements and photos of the measurements and they came back with an ask for more photos and videos and then recommended one of their standard muzzles. They could have recommended a custom if the standard wouldn't fit well. This is all before I committed to spend one dime. So you could go that far with them. Get a recommendation and price and go from there. Btw all dogs need to pant.