MUZZLE FOR SMALL DOGS: SHOPPING GUIDE

According to legislation, only category 1 (Pitbull, Boerbull and Tosa) and 2 (Staffordshire, Terrier and Rottweiler) dogs are required to wear a muzzle in public places. In other words, if you have a small dog (Poodle, Dachshund, Fox Terrier, Yorkshire or Chihuahua), you are under no obligation to muzzle the muzzle of your small companion when you go out.

It may therefore seem strange to equip a small dog with a muzzle. However, under certain circumstances, there are many advantages to muzzling your small dog. Here's a list of situations where a muzzle is recommended, even for small dogs.

Whether large or small, your dog must be equipped with a muzzle for any train trip. In accordance regulations, the train (and the train station) is the only place where muzzling is mandatory for all our canine friends, with two exceptions :

Guide dogs who can travel without a muzzle if they are not used to it.

Dogs traveling in a closed basket or bag.

Even if you have a Chihuahua, one of the smallest dogs in existence, you should therefore have a muzzle to take him to relieve himself or to let him breathe a little air during your trip.

In addition it is preferable to always carry a muzzle with you when you travel by train. If your small dog has a tendency to bark at people, be aggressive, bite or be snarling, then a muzzle can be useful to avoid any incident with other passengers.

Good to know: To travel by plane with your small dog, check with the airline directly. Most airlines allow pets weighing less than 17 pounds to travel in the cabin. Muzzling is generally not required, for the good reason that the doggie is not allowed out of its carrier for the duration of the flight.

When it's time for a visit to the vet, some dogs are nervous and agitated, even threatening. If this is the case with your dog, it may be necessary to muzzle him in order to avoid any risk of injury to the practitioner. Moreover, depending on the care to be practiced, the veterinarian will be able to make the request himself. Alternatively, he may be forced to use anesthesia, even if the procedure does not necessarily require it.

As part of veterinary care, the muzzle is a guarantee that the examination will be carried out properly and that your small dog will not have to undergo anesthesia for behavioural purposes only. Needless to say, the muzzle is a serious advantage, both for the animal and for the person responsible for examining and handling it!

The muzzle will also make it easier for you to control your dog in the waiting room of the veterinary office. Indeed, your dog will cross many animals such as other dogs, cats, ... A moment not always easy to manage depending on the character of the dog.

If your dog has been injured, he will be embarrassed by his wound and be tempted to lick it to relieve the irritation or tingling sensation it causes. During the healing period, your veterinarian will probably advise you to put a collar on the animal to prevent it from reaching the sore area.

However, some dogs will not tolerate wearing a collar and may even manage to get rid of it with a bite! The muzzle is a more practical and above all safer solution, which will effectively prevent your doggie from tearing his stitches or bandages. If your dog is injured or has undergone surgery, wearing a muzzle can help your dog's convalescence.

Because they are always hungry, or because they suffer from a condition called pica, some dogs tend to swallow anything that crosses their path. Yours has the attitude of a glutton in all circumstances, any food seems appetizing to him? Invest in a muzzle!

Equipping your small dog with a muzzle while walking will prevent him from :

Absorbing all the waste along the road, including toxic substances intended for other animals, which can be fatal to him.

Suffering from digestive problems that would inevitably result from his thoughtless gluttony.

Some small dogs, even if they are not dangerous per se, have aggressive behaviour towards others. Russell Jacks or Yorkshires, for example, can be particularly restless when they are out on the town. They bark, show their teeth, and threaten to bite anyone who dares to pass them at any time. Unless they try to attack their fellow dogs, which would be just as much trouble for you as the owner of the dog, who is responsible for both training and keeping the dog in good health. You would not escape the payment of various damages and interests!

By having your aggressive small dog wear a muzzle, not only do you avoid this kind of misadventure, but you also create more serene walking conditions, both for yourself and for everyone in your path.

If your small dog's character requires it, do the same for training sessions, especially if you entrust your doggie to an educator. Wearing a muzzle is therefore strongly recommended if your small dog is shy or aggressive to avoid any risk of biting.

When choosing a muzzle for your dog, it is not so much the size of the animal that should be taken into account as the measurements of its head and muzzle. For example, a small dog with a long muzzle like a Cocker Spaniel will need a larger muzzle than a large dog with a short muzzle like a boxer. Who says small dog, therefore, does not necessarily say small muzzle! It is therefore necessary to take into account the physical characteristics of your doggie.

The first step in finding a muzzle size suitable for a small dog is to take your pet's measurements. There are muzzle models that are recommended for certain dog breeds. However, it's best to take your small dog's measurements to make sure it's the right size.

To find out what size muzzle to use, take a tape measure and measure :

The length, width, height and circumference of the muzzle.

The length of the head.

The circumference of the neck.

The muzzle size classification system may differ from one manufacturer to another, but it generally ranges from 0 to 10 or S to XL, just like clothing. Each brand offers a table of equivalences, indicating, for each size, the race and measurements concerned.

Good to know: most muzzle models are adjustable, which will allow you to ensure the comfort of your plushie when you attach his muzzle around his head. The important thing is to choose a muzzle that conforms to the morphology of the animal, i.e. the conformation of its muzzle.

Once you have taken measurements of your dog's mouth and neck and found the right size muzzle for him, make sure it fits your doggie by checking :

That it doesn't tighten it and doesn't risk bending itDo not squeeze it and do not risk injuring or hindering it.

That he cannot free himself from it (which can happen if the muzzle is not adjusted enough to fit a dog with a small muzzle). In summary, the ideal muzzle for a small dog is one that prevents the animal from playing with its jaws (at least to some extent) without hindering it tightly. The dog should not be able to remove it or be hindered. The choice of muzzle is therefore fundamental to ensure that your dog feels comfortable and is not hindered when you fit him with a muzzle.

Among the different types of muzzles available on the market, which ones are suitable for a small dog? You will find muzzles: nylon, basket muzzles or duckbill muzzles. Depending on your pet and your needs, each type of muzzle is more or less recommended. Here is a comparison of the different types of muzzles for small dogs.

The nylon muzzle is most often used in dog training exercises. It adapts perfectly to small dogs. The muzzle completely closes the animal's mouth and prevents it from drinking and eating as well as panting or barking. It should be worn occasionally (for example, when you take your doggie to the vet). Dog owners use it both for safety reasons and to prevent a dog from barking or training their dog.

Here are the characteristics of nylon muzzles :

Advantages: Lightweight and foldable, it slips easily into your bag and accompanies you on all your travels. So you can always have it with you just in case. Machine washable, it doesn't cause you any maintenance problems. Finally, it is easy to adjust.

Its disadvantages: for the dog, it is a source of discomfort. It should only be used for emergency situations and is absolutely forbidden when you exercise your doggie.

Suitable: for small dogs with a long snout such as the Jack Russell, the King Charles Knight or the Welsh Corgi, in exceptional circumstances.

Not suitable: Carlins, French Bulldogs and all dogs with a flattened muzzle, whose respiratory comfort could be compromised (even dangerous). Since the nylon muzzle prevents the animal from panting, thus regulating its internal temperature in case of heat, also avoid using it if you have a Miniature Poodle or Coton de Tuléar, small dogs that are particularly sensitive to high temperatures.

The basket muzzle is the most comfortable for all dogs, including the smallest. Indeed, the spaced-apart mesh allows the animal to munch on treats, swallow water and, above all, pant. The only thing he can't do is bite!

Its advantages: it represents only a minimal constraint for the dog. Generally well tolerated, it is suitable for all morphologies.

Disadvantages: made of iron or steel, it can quickly heat up in the sun. In summer, it is better to opt for a plastic muzzle.

The duck-billed muzzle, whose shape indeed evokes the open beak of a palmiped, was specially designed for small dogs which, like the Yorkshire, sometimes have an aggressive behavior, or do not stop barking. Made of silicone, it has a double purpose: to prevent the animal from giving voice and from biting.

Its advantages: it is exclusively designed for small dogs and is therefore tailor-made for small muzzles.

Disadvantages: very uncomfortable, it should only be used occasionally. And even if its design is nice, never use it for laughing, and avoid laughing or even smiling once you've passed it to your doggie, even if he seems funny with his beak.

If your small dog belongs to a breed with a flattened muzzle (such as the pug and the French bulldog), you absolutely must get a muzzle adapted to its morphology.

Indeed, because of its short and flat muzzle, your doggie is more prone than others to respiratory problems. It is thus a question of taking certain precautions, as well for the choice as for the use of the muzzle:
On a short nose, a strap type muzzle will tend to slip and may hinder your doggie's breathing. It is better to avoid this model, or use it with care and always under supervision.
A basket type muzzle will provide a certain comfort to your doggie.