The Best Dog Muzzles Reviewed

Written by Rick Allen

Choosing that best muzzle for your dog involves a lot more data than you might expect (just like insuring your dog). You’re not just looking at fit – you’re looking at the materials of which the dog muzzle is made, how you put it on your dog, and even the way that you keep the dog muzzle closed. If you’ve never bought a dog muzzle before, you might get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options out there and find it tough to differentiate the best dog muzzles from those that won’t work. Fortunately, that’s where this guide comes into play.

Our goal is to help you to find the best dog muzzle for your needs and show you the best place to purchase it. With a little bit of luck and the dog muzzles listed here, you’ll be able to find the muzzle that’s the best fit for your pooch and that will help control barking of your dog and chewing (or worse), all while maintaining a comfortable fit.

Best Dog Muzzles in 2021

When you are looking for a dog muzzle, it’s important to remember what’s best for others isn’t necessarily what’s best for your pet. That’s why this list of today’s best dog muzzles includes a few different options, helping to ensure that you’ll find something that fits your needs.

Baskerville Ultra Dog Muzzle

There are a few main factors that tend to separate out the best muzzles from those that aren’t quite as useful. One is strength – pet owners want a dog muzzle that’s not going to come flying off any time their pooch moves too much. The other, though, is comfort – after all, no pet owner wants his or her pup to feel uncomfortable while wearing their dog muzzle. Fortunately, Baskerville has made an excellent dog muzzle that manages to be strong enough to do its job while still being comfortable enough that it isn’t going to cause your pup distress while it is worn. For this reason, we can say with confidence that the Baskerville Ultra is the best dog muzzle on the market today.

If you’re like many pet owners, the first thing at which you are going to look at is the strength of the dog muzzle. While this muzzle is made to be soft and lightweight, it’s still strong enough to stand up to your pup. It’s even ergonomically designed to ensure that it’s not going to fall apart when your pup moves or pulls, so you’ll have relatively few worries knowing you’ve purchased a high-quality muzzle made of durable materials. It may not be the most solid-looking dog muzzle out there, but its pooch-friendly design really does hide the kind of strength that will keep most pet owners feeling comfortable whenever the dog muzzle is in use to prevent your dog from barking and biting.

In addition to being strong, the dog muzzle is also surprisingly comfortable for your four-legged friend. There are a few extra little touches that help the experience of wearing this dog muzzle be a little easier on your pet, ranging from the extra padding that keeps it secure to the two-point attachment that helps to make sure your pup can still move with a fair degree of freedom. These basket muzzles are even designed so that your dog can still eat a treat while wearing them, making them an excellent design for those who want to use the dog muzzle in conjunction with other behavior training methods (such as using a remote training collar).

Four Paws Walk-About Quick-Fit Dog Muzzle

Sometimes the feature that you need the most in a dogs muzzle has less to do with how the dog muzzles are made or what their various features are and much more to do with how easy the muzzle may be to use. In truth, many pet owners pick up muzzles to use with their dogs and end up ignoring them soon after because they’re just too hard to get on and off their dogs. If you know that have an energetic dog with muzzle needs, but you also know that they might give you a hard time with a typical muzzle, then this quick-fit solution from Four Paws might be the best dog muzzle to solve many of your problems.

One of the best selling points of this muzzle is the fact that it’s very easy to use. You can very quickly slip it onto your dog without worrying about hurting him or her and taking it off is just as easy. The design, however, is such that it’s going to be virtually impossible for most dogs to remove the device on their own. It’s a neat little piece of work that really does take most of the hassle out of using a muzzle, allowing owners to use the device much more regularly without having to invest much time.

There’s more to this muzzle than just being easy to use. The muzzle is made of durable nylon so it’s very hard to destroy but it still won’t irritate your dog while it is worn. The design of these dog muzzles also still allow your pet to breathe easily and even to drink, making it a humane training solution about which most pet owners can feel good. These dog muzzles are even available in different sizes, ensuring that you will always have a chance to use this fantastic tool no matter what size or breed that your dog happens to be. If you’re looking for simple but effective, this might be the best device for you.

PetSafe Dog Muzzle

Some of the best dog muzzles are really the simplest. While there are always cool features that can be added to the device, the truth is that most pet owners just want something that’s going to work well and that won’t cause their dog distress. PetSafe makes an excellent muzzle that might be a little light on the features but that does an admirable job of doing everything that actually needs to be done. This is one of the best basic muzzles on the market today and it’s easily one by which you can judge the competition.

Utility seems to be the main focus here, with most of the big features relating to how well it’s going to work for any given dog. Both the snout and the neck are adjustable, for example, which not only makes this a good fit for multiple dog breeds but it also makes it useful for those dogs that tend to go up and down a bit in weight, or those who have a short snout. At the same time, these dog muzzles are designed to have some extra room for panting, ensuring that your pooch won’t suffer any health problems if he or she gets distressed wearing the muzzle.

The best news is that this muzzle isn’t just useful, it’s also safe. The muzzle is strong enough to stand up to virtually any dog while still having little extras like a breathable mesh to ensure that your dog won’t come to any harm while wearing the muzzle. An ideal tool for taking more aggressive or skittish dogs to the vet or to training, it’s simple enough that anyone can use it while still being strong enough that you can feel comfortable trusting the device. This is a great muzzle to pick up if you know that you’re going to need something on which you can always depend.

Heele Dog Muzzle Nylon Soft Muzzle

If you’re looking for a good muzzle to help train your dog, a few things are going to be important. First, it has to be easy enough to use that you’ll continue to use it even when your dog isn’t in the mood to train. Next, it needs to be strong enough that you won’t need to worry about your dog breaking the material. Finally, it needs to be comfortable and safe enough that it’s not going to hurt your dog and maintain a proper fit, even if they have a short snout. These dog muzzles from Heele manage to check off all of those boxes with ease, making them a great fit for many pet owners.

Ease of use is a pretty important factor in dog muzzles, one that’s going to have a lot to do with how often and how well the muzzle gets used. This muzzle is fairly user-friendly, secured through a simple plastic buckle that won’t easily break. It’s no harder to secure than a seatbelt, so you can quickly take it on and off your dog as necessary, even if they have a short snout. This may not seem like a big feature, but it’s something that matters if you are going to have to remove and adjust the muzzle multiple times every day. Feeling comfortable with how the product works really does matter in the long run.

The same things that make the muzzle easy to adjust also make it both strong and safe for your pet. This isn’t a muzzle that comes off easily even if your dog has a short snout, and most dog breeds will have a lot of trouble even causing damage to the mask. Fortunately, though, most dogs won’t want to – it’s designed to be very comfortable, with an adjustable mesh design that makes breathing easier and plenty of room for your pup to pant while maintaining a proper fit. If you want something that’s going to be as safe as it is strong, this muzzle may be the right choice for you and your pet.

Mayerzon Breathable Basket Muzzles

If you’ve ever had to train an aggressive dog before, you know that you don’t just need a muzzle that’s safe – you need a muzzle that looks safe. There’s something particularly reassuring about a basket muzzle, with the story design that just feels like it does more to curb a dog’s worst tendencies that other types of muzzles. If you’re looking for a basket design that’s not only going to prevent a dog from biting but that will be gentle on your dog while wearing it over long periods of time, this might be the basket muzzle for you.

A lot of what makes this basket muzzle work comes down to the design. Though many types of muzzles are quite effective, there’s no denying that the construction of a basket muzzle just feels a little sturdier. Though it’s made of rubber, this is actually a very strong build that can keep all but the strongest of dogs from breaking through no matter how mad they get. Despite that, the rubber construction itself is soft and designed not to harm your dog’s skin, so it manages its primary function without causing any real problems for the dog wearing the muzzle – even if they have a short snout.

This might look like a tough piece of gear, but the truth is that this is also one of the muzzles that can grant a dog the most potential freedom. Your dog will be able to eat, drink, and pant as freely as possible while wearing this muzzle – the only limitations really have to do with the dog’s ability to lunge and bite. The muzzle is also designed to be easy to take on and off, allowing pet owners to feel comfortable breaking out the muzzle when necessary and putting it back on just as quickly. If you’re looking for a high-quality basket muzzle, this might be the choice for you.

Four Flags Quick Muzzle XL Blue

While many dog owners do choose to use a muzzle in order to train their dogs, others are just looking for something that can be used on rare occasions or for short periods of time. These are the owners that just need a muzzle to get their dog and to and from the vet or for other short-term problems. If you find yourself in this group, you might be better served by choosing a muzzle like this one from Four Flags – a muzzle that’s more about ease of use than about long-term training benefits.

A quick glance will show you that this muzzle really is all about convenience. It lacks most of the extras that you’ll see in the muzzles that are used for training, but it has everything you need to keep both your dog and others safe while you use the device. The muzzle secures with a plastic buckle, making it very easy to take on and off and you can adjust the straps on the fly – a great feature for those who might not use the muzzle too often. It’s not the most glamorous muzzle out there, of course, but it does manage to do its job quite well.

The good news is that this temporary muzzle really is meant to stand up to a lot of usage. It is very durable and dirt resistant, so a quick cleaning will let you use the muzzle for years to come. While your dog won’t be eating and drinking while wearing the device, he or she won’t be in any pain – it’s still relatively soft and gentle on your dog, exerting only the minimal amount of pressure needed to ensure that your dog won’t be able to bite. If your muzzle needs to run more towards the temporary, this is likely the best fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do muzzles make dogs more aggressive?

Muzzles absolutely do not make dogs more aggressive. Remember, if you see an aggressive dog wearing a muzzle it is usually because the dog’s aggression requires the muzzle. A muzzle is generally a tool used to teach a dog not to bite or attack or treat everything as a dog bone, so it’s actually generally found on dogs that have control problems but who have owners who are willing to work with them to solve those issues.

Remember, seeing a muzzle isn’t even necessarily a sign that a dog is aggressive. Instead, it could be a sign that the dog’s owner is trying to calm the dog down in specific situations. If you’re worried about a dog’s reasons for wearing a muzzle, it’s generally a good idea to talk to the dog’s owner.

Is it cruel to muzzle a dog?

Muzzling a dog isn’t cruel, especially when muzzling is done for a specific reason. Muzzles can be invaluable tools for helping a dog maintain control and learn how to stop doing problem behaviors. In many cases, muzzles are a sign that a dog’s owner cares enough about the dog’s safety to ensure that the dog isn’t forced into an untenable situation.

It’s also wise to remember that modern muzzles really are made with comfort in mind. Most of them have a fair bit of padding and breathing room to ensure that the muzzles won’t feel too uncomfortable and that the dog can freely breathe. Some even provide enough room that a dog can eat food or drink even while being muzzled.

Why muzzles are good for dogs

Muzzles are good for dogs because they provide an easy way to keep untrained dogs from making mistakes that could have serious long-term consequences. A dog bite can not only cause a great deal of harm to the person or animal bitten, but it can actually lead to dogs being put down in some situations. It’s no wonder then that so many dog owners turn towards muzzles to help keep their dogs calm.

Muzzles are simple tools that provide the least possible restriction in order to keep dogs safe. They’re great because they don’t force a dog to do anything unnatural – the dog must simply refrain from opening his or her mouth wide enough to bite.

How long can a dog wear a muzzle?

Typically speaking, a muzzle isn’t a device meant for long-term use. Because there are many different models, though, the amount of time that a dog can wear a muzzle does vary quite a bit. If you’re using a simple muzzle that holds the dog’s mouth closed, you won’t want to keep it on your pet for more than around fifteen minutes without giving him or her a break. If it’s a looser muzzle or a basket muzzle, though, you can safely keep it on your pet for up to an hour. The more freedom that the dog has to eat or drink, the more confident you should feel in keeping the muzzle on him or her.

Muzzle Buying Guide

While we’ve reviewed some of the best muzzles on the market, it can be tough to decide exactly which one of them is actually the right fit for your dog. Instead of looking just at a brand name, it’s important to stop and think about what features you’ll want to see in order to keep your dog comfortable and safe. Below are some of the key factors that can make or break a muzzle.

Style

The first thing you’ll want to look at when shopping for muzzles is the style. There are two major styles that you’re going to encounter – the models that hold a dog’s mouth shut and the basket models that go around a dog’s snout. The former tend to be easier to use when you’re transporting a dog and need to make sure that he or she can’t bite, while the latter tends to be better when you’re looking for something that can be left on for a longer period of time.

While these are the two basic categories, there’s a lot of variation within each of them. Take some time to consider all of the other factors listed below before you marry yourself to the idea of buying one or the other. You may find that either one of them has more utility than you had assumed when married with other features.

Strength

For most dog owners, strength is one of those key factors that can’t be ignored when looking at a muzzle. While everything else on this list is incredibly important, you’ll absolutely want something that your dog can’t rip off at the end of the day. It’s important, though, to remember that the strength of the product doesn’t lie in just the part that goes over your dog’s snout.

Just like finding a sturdy dog harness, pay careful attention to the construction of the muzzle straps and buckle before you buy. Your dog’s breed will have an impact on this. Weak straps are much easier to tear than you might think, and once they are gone the muzzle will absolutely come off. If you’re dealing with a stronger or cleverer dog, you’ll want to make sure that the material of the muzzle is as strong as possible before you make a purchase. If you have a smaller dog, however, strength may not play quite as important of a role in your choice.

Durability

Durability is the counterpart to strength and it tends to be defined by the amount of punishment that a muzzle can take while still functioning. If the strength of a muzzle is how well it will hold up to your dog trying to take it off, durability is the length that it will last after repeated usage.

Finding a durable muzzle tends to come down to looking at how the product is made. Muzzles that use a durable nylon or rubber tend to last for a fair bit, while those that are simple cloth are more prone to ripping and tearing. Cloth does, however, have the benefit of being easier to clean so some cloth models may be able to be used for longer before they get too dirty for you or your dog to stomach having around.

Ease of Use

No matter how great a muzzle is, you’re not going to use it if you can’t get it on your dog’s head. While most of the other features on this list have a lot to do with how your dog feels about the muzzle and how he or she will react, this one is all about the human factor. The best muzzles on the market also tend to be the muzzles that are easiest to get on a dog’s snout without a problem, so it’s a good idea to get a high-quality muzzle with adjustable straps and a quick release for easy removaly. Alternatively, you could find a muzzle that comes in different sizes to fit your dog perfectly.

If you’re looking for a quick-transport muzzle, you’ll want something that goes on and off as quickly as possible – again quick release systems can be particularly helpful here. If you’re more drawn to something like a basket muzzle, though, you can feel a little more confident with slightly more involved straps that provide a more secure fit, despite the lack of a quick-release system. Only you know your own limits, so make sure that you pick a muzzle that’s not going to be too frustrating for you to use.

Comfort

Comfort is a huge factor when it comes to your dog’s muzzle and it is ultimately the most important from the dog’s standpoint. It’s unlikely that your dog is going to like wearing the muzzle at first and your dog may never move beyond the point where he or she simply tolerates the device, so it’s always a good idea to make things as pleasant as possible. Neoprene padding is a good sign of a high-quality muzzle, and a muzzle designed to allow your pet to eat and drink while wearing it but still preventing your them from biting is likey a better design.

Comfort is usually a matter of making the muzzle padded and as soft as possible, and preferably equipped with adjustable straps. If your pup has a short snout, this is of particular importance. In addition to adjustable straps, putting as little weight on your dog’s snout is a good idea, especially when you can ensure that it doesn’t chafe against the neoprene padding. If you are looking at a basket model, it’s also a good idea to think about weight – the heavier the product, the more of a burden it will be for your dog to wear.

Freedom of Movement

Accompanying comfort is the concept of freedom of movement. While a muzzle is necessarily going to stop your dog from opening its mouth wide enough to bite, there are many muzzles that provide a dog with plenty of room to do other things. As a rule, more room means more chances for accidents but more comfort for your dog. Adjustable straps can help ensure a snug and quick fit on your dog’s snout.

Even if you want to make absolutely sure your pet can’t move his or her jaw too much and start barking or turning your furniture into a chew toy, it’s a good idea to make sure that you give the dog enough room to pant – especially if they run around in the yard. If you are planning on keeping the muzzle on your dog for more than a few minutes at a time, providing enough room for the dog to eat and drink is a must. You definitely need to restrict the dog’s movement, but having a little room can make wearing the muzzle less of a hassle for your dog. Otherwise, you’ll want to consider an alternative such as putting them in the best dog crate you can find while they eat.