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How to Size Your Dog's Muzzle

This article is a quick overview on how to measure your dog's snout. Leerburg has a short but in-depth online course on How to Measure Your Dog for a Muzzle. This course will ensure you properly measure your dog's snout to find the perfect muzzle for your dog, regardless of breed. The methods demonstrated in this course are how we approach measuring our own dogs for a muzzle.

It's important that customers measure their dogs to determine what size muzzle is needed. Some muzzles are identified as breed-specific but this is not an accurate way to determine what muzzle your dog needs.

Dogs within a specific breed can have a wide variety of head measurements. It is impossible to say that one muzzle size fits all Rottweilers or one muzzle size fits all Dobermans, etc. View how our muzzles look on customer dogs of all breeds and sizes.

The only true way to determine what muzzle fits your dog is by measuring your dog's snout in the manner in which we detail below.

Measuring Your Dog's Snout

Step 1: Measure the length of the snout.

Measure the dog's snout length. This should be from the tip of the nose to 1/2-inch below the eyes. This should be taken along the top of the dog's nose as shown below.

This dog's snout is 4 inches in length.

Step 2: Measure the circumference of the snout.

Measure the circumference of the snout. This should be done 1/2-inch below the eyes, wrapped all the way around the snout with the mouth closed.

The circumference of this dog's snout is 11.5 inches.

Plastic JAFCO Muzzle

Muzzle Size Muzzle Length Muzzle Circumference Muzzle Nose Width Muzzle Cheek Width Muzzle Height
02.25"7"2.5"3.25"2.5"
12.75"9"3.25"4"2.875"
23"10"3.25"4"3.25"
33.25"11.5"3.5"4"3.875"
3X3.75"13"4"4.75"4.25"
44.2"13"4"4.75"4.25"
54.25"16"5.875"7.125"5"

Note: Muzzles in the Clear color may have varying widths and height because it is much more bendable/pliable.

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

  1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
  2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Shop Plastic JAFCO Muzzles

Ultra Baskerville Muzzle

Muzzle Size Muzzle Length Muzzle Circumference Muzzle Width Muzzle Height
12.25"7.5"2"3"
22.75"9.5"2.75"3.75"
33"10.5"3"4.25"
43.25"12.25"3.25"4.5"
53.75"14"3.75"5.25"
64"15"4.25"5.75"

The Ultra Baskerville Muzzle is bendable/pliable so width may adjust some.

Sizes are available in 1 - 6 and are for typical adult dogs. Juveniles may need a size smaller. The circumference must be large enough to allow the mouth to open for panting. Length must have 1/2-inch clear from the end of the nose.

Due to the muzzle shape and size of some breeds, it is not recommended that those breeds use the Ultra Baskerville Muzzle, as it will not fit them correctly. These breeds include: Boston Terrier, Bulldog, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, St Bernard, Pug, and the Shih Tzu.

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

  1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
  2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Shop Ultra Baskerville Muzzles

Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzle

Muzzle ID Muzzle Length Muzzle Circumference Muzzle Nose Width Muzzle Cheek Width Muzzle Height
81C2"9.75"2.75"2.875"3.25"
10C2.25"8"2.75"3.375"2.5"
82C2.25"10"2.75"3"3.25"
11C2.5"10.25"2.75"2.875"3.25"
12C2.5"11"3"3.375"3.25"
13C3"9.75"2.5"3.25"3.125"
15C3"12"3.5"4"3.875"
24C3.25"14.25"4"4.25"4.75"
37C3.25"14.5"4.25"5.25"4.5"
21F3.25"14.5"4.75"6"4.25"
14C3.5"10.75"3"3.625"4"
29C3.5"16.5"4.75"5.75"5.25
30C3.5"17.25"5"5.75"5.75"
16C3.75"13"4"4.5"4.25"
38C3.75"15.5"4.5"6"5"
65C3.75"18.25"4.75"5.5""5.5"
40C4"15"4"5.5"5.375"
35C4.25"13"3.75"4.125"4.75"
25C4.25"14.25"3.5"4.75"4.875
39C4.25"14.5"4.25"5.5"5.25"
28C4.25"15.5"3.75"5.125"5.5"
64C4.25"20.5"6"5.625"6.125"
31C4.5"14"3.5"4.25"5.125"
26C4.5"14.5"3.5"5"5"
20C4.5"16"4.5"6.125"5.375"
21C4.5"17"5"5.75"5.75"
66C4.5"19.5"5.5"6.125"6.25"
36C4.75"13.5"4"4.25"4.5"
32C5"15.75"3.75"4.75"6"
22C5"18.5"5.75"5.75"6.25"
60C5.25"18.25"5.25"6.5"6.625"
68C6"21"5"6"6.5"
  • Muzzle Length: Measured from end of felt on noseband to inside metal.
  • Muzzle Circumference: Competely around the inside of the muzzle, starting at the noseband.
  • Muzzle Nose Width: Measured from inside metal to inside metal, just past the noseband.
  • Muzzle Cheek Width: Measured from inside metal to inside metal, at the cheek bars.
  • Muzzle Height: Measured from end of felt noseband to inside metal at bottom.

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

  1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
  2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Shop Polymer-Coated Wire Basket Muzzles

Wire Basket Muzzle

Muzzle Size Muzzle Length Muzzle Circumference Muzzle Nose Width Muzzle Cheek Width Muzzle Height
AA2.25"6.25"1.5"None2.5"
A2.5"14.5"4"None5"
J3"17"4.5"Adjust6"
H3.25"13"4"None5"
G4"11"2.5"None3.5"
I4.25"13"4"None4.75"
M6"18"5.125"None6.5"

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

  1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
  2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Shop Wire Basket Muzzles

Lightweight Leather Muzzle

Size Length *Circumference (inches)
EB 2.25" 14.25"
P 4" 10.5"
R 4" 15"
GSD 4.25" 13.25"
D 5" 11.25"
M 5" 12"
D1 5.25" 13.75"

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

  1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
  2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Shop All Leather Muzzles

Heavy Duty Police Fighting Leather Muzzle

Size Length *Circumference (inches)
#2 3.5" 14.5"

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

  1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
  2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Shop All Leather Muzzles

Police Basket Leather Muzzle

Size Length *Circumference (inches)
#1 3" 12"
#2 3.5" 12.5"
#3 4" 13"

*It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart are the actual measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size:

  1. The muzzle's length should be 1/2 an inch longer than dog's actual "snout length". If the muzzle is more than 1/2 an inch longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. But if the muzzle is too short, the muzzle will touch the front of your dog's nose.
  2. The muzzle's circumference should be 1 to 3 inches larger than your dog's "snout circumference". If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, your dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Shop All Leather Muzzles

Cloth Muzzle

Size Dog Weight *End of Nose Circumference (inches)
XXSmall Up to 5 lb 3.5"
Large 45 - 60 lb 7.5"
XLarge 60 - 80 lb 8.5"
XXLarge 80 - 100 lb 10"
3XLarge 100 - 120 lb 11"

Dogs wearing a cloth muzzle cannot pant or drink water while when wearing this muzzle. Cloth muzzles are designed for short-term use. They should only be used as a temporary restraint. Use only with direct supervision and never leave your dog unattended while wearing a cloth muzzle. Failure to do so could result in inhibiting the dog's panting (it's natural cooling mechanism) producing a life-threatening situation. You should also be aware that most dogs can still bite while wearing an open-faced muzzle.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, we advise that you measure your dog and then call our office. We will help you decide the best style and size of muzzle for your dog.

Shop Cloth Muzzles

Leerburg carries several different muzzles in a variety of sizes. If you need more information on sizing, please view the product description of the muzzle you plan to purchase. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact us for help with sizing your muzzle. We have also created an excellent video on sizing your dog's muzzle. You can view it below:

You can also enroll in my free online course on How to Measure Your Dog for a Muzzle. It is a short course that will ensure you properly measure your dog's snout to find the perfect muzzle for your dog.




About Author
Ed Frawley
Ed Frawley is the founder of Leerburg. He has been training dogs since the 1950s. For 30 years, Ed bred working bloodline German Shepherds and has produced over 350 litters. During this time, Ed began recording dog training videos and soon grew an interest in police service dogs. His narcotic dogs have been involved in over 1,000 narcotics searches resulting in hundreds of arrests in the state of Wisconsin. Ed now solely focuses on producing dog training courses with renowned dog trainers nationwide. If you want to learn more about Ed, read about his history here.

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