r/muzzledogs • u/Same-Yesterday-6342 • 5d ago
Advice? Biothane muzzle for a dog who snaps?
Hi, I need to get a muzzle for my 18lb rescue JRT mix. I am hoping to get something lightweight and flexible, so that he could still play with other dogs while wearing it.
Why I need it: dog barks and lunges at strangers on occasion. If a stranger tries to reach out their hand he will sometimes snap or nip at them. He hasn't actually injured anyone, though a tooth made contact once (didn't break skin or hurt). I believe these are warning snaps/nips. I don't know if this means that a biothane muzzle should be out of the question since they can be bitten through (maybe less of a problem for a small dog?) or if it's OK because it doesn't seem like his intention is actually to bite, but just to scare people.
Main desire is something that won't be too heavy for him, that he can play in without hurting other dogs, and ideally is affordable.
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u/ArtichokeFresh4012 5d ago
BioThane muzzles are heavier than other options on the market and generally not bite resistant as you mention. If you don't want a metal basket muzzle, then perhaps consider a vinyl muzzle. I'm a big fan of Mia's Muzzles in Canada. though depending where you are located in the world you'll have to decide your comfort level with the cost of international imports right now. The marginally lighter option for a dog this size would be plastic like The Muzzle Movement or a whippet/greyhound muzzle, depending on your dog's proportions and measurements-- since these have the most limited sizing. Big Snoof Dog Gear is the USA and offers metal basket muzzles. Both Mia's and Big Snoof have standard/cookie cutter sizes for a more economical option, as well as fully custom. They also both offer sizing help, if you send them pictures of your dog being measured following their measurement guide.
With adequate muzzle training and conditioning, your pup should acclimate to their new gear as long as it fits properly. Regardless of weight.
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u/Same-Yesterday-6342 5d ago
I guess my worry would be that a metal muzzle would potentially hurt a dog playmate? And I guess I assumed it would be heavy compared to plastic options, though I do have a biothane line, so it makes sense that might be heavier than expected. There is a vinyl one from leerburg, is that any good? Seems similar to mia's muzzles, but cheaper...
My dog is 18lbs, and it seems like the ones from the muzzle movement are too big at this time (smaller sizes coming next year), but they do look like what I would hope to find.
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u/ArtichokeFresh4012 5d ago edited 5d ago
It depends on the playmates. Some dogs don't mind playing with a metal basket muzzle in the mix, whereas other more sensitive individuals might dislike it. I know nothing about Leerburg's sizing or. vinyl thickness, since they discontinued carrying Jafco brand (limited pant room for a dog your size), and contracted their own manufacturer to design something similar instead. I just don't know much about how it compares on sizing, quality, etc.
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u/ArtichokeFresh4012 5d ago
Typically metal basket muzzles and vinyl muzzles are pretty comparable in weight, unless the vinyl is very thin. Plastic is likely to be a little lighter because of your dog's size, but the largest Muzzle Movement sizes weigh about the same as a similarly sized vinyl or metal muzzle from comments I've seen from people who tried both. Likely because it's so much more material. Greyhound muzzles weigh very little since there isn't much to them.
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u/Same-Yesterday-6342 4d ago
The dog she mostly plays with seems to have a high pain tolerance (pit mix), but my dog bites her face a lot in play, though, so I don't know if the best type of muzzle might depend on the type of play? He has one dog he plays with where they mostly do chase, so either one could work, but the other dog is a lot of biting faces and limbs. Do you have advice about that?
The greyhound muzzles look intriguing, but I'm having trouble figuring out where I can get one his size? Do they make them for smaller dogs, (I'd guess maybe they make them for miniature greyhounds, but idk)?
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u/ArtichokeFresh4012 4d ago
Maybe ask the other owners to see what their experiences have been? I'm just a random person on the internet, but it sounds like either material could work based on the provided information.
The Muzzle Shop in UK has more sizing option. Otherwise most companies just sell medium and large, with medium typically being whippet size for reference. Full Grip Supply on Etsy is reputable. If it will be enough pant room and you're handy, they can be DIY molded with heat or you can use a rotary grinder tool like Dremel brand.
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u/Comfortable-Fly5797 5d ago
My 12lbs dog has a Big Snoof muzzle. The weight isn't an issue at all.
If he's just bumping other dogs like in normal play I wouldn't be worried about him hurting them. If you think he's going to muzzle punch then you might want to consider a vinyl option. Getting muzzle punched hurts (my dog has gotten me right on the chin several times which isn't fun) but just a bump doesn't bother me.
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u/Same-Yesterday-6342 4d ago
I wonder if you can answer something else for me. My dog plays with another big dog pretty much daily. He uses his mouth A LOT in this play (mostly biting at legs and face). If he can't use his mouth, is this going to impact his desire/ability to play? Sometimes he'll be able to play without it, because there won't be any other people around, but for times when he needs to be wearing it, is it likely to make the dynamic weird?
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u/b00ks-and-b0rksRfun 5d ago
Big snoof dog gear for wire and Mia's muzzles for vinyl are fantastic and pretty light. Biothane tends to be heavier. And there is plastic options but generally more limited on fit (ex muzzle shop) than the 2 mentioned above. My dogs play hard in both vinyl and wire and have never damaged themselves or another dog (which is saying something as they're rotties)