How to choose a muzzle for a pug?

Pugs are a completely non-aggressive breed of dog, so many breeders have a question, do they need a muzzle when walking in the yard, if they do not attack a person and can only bark.

Most breeders agree that a muzzle is not needed for a pug, but if you rely on social rules for walking an animal, then such an accessory should be in your arsenal. In adulthood, even such a small dog looks quite massive from the side, so it can scare both a child and an adult.

A muzzle will not hurt if you have a person in your yard who has a phobia and is afraid of dogs. In this case, the presence of an accessory on an attractive face will help to avoid unnecessary problems in the future. Moreover, this breed is friendly by nature and can express a desire to meet a stranger.

In addition, the muzzle also helps to protect the dog, as most of them like to pick up rot and other objects from the ground.

The entire range of dog muzzles can be divided into several types.

• Police officer or training. Used to train pets. What is remarkable about this type of muzzle is its durability and safety. The product is made of leather in the form of a dense basket on the face to protect the dog's mouth when it tries to attack or knock down an enemy. Since the skin is soft and pliable, the blows are not so painful, and this design allows you to breathe often and not choke.Pugs rarely get this muzzle as it doesn't quite fit their muzzle type.
• Designer. Quite often, this option is similar to the previous one, but it lacks some elements. The type of muzzle in question is suitable in order to keep only from being bitten. Its design provides wide gaps through which more air passes, you can give a treat.
• Jafco. Made of durable plastic with a solid construction. The advantages include low weight and good fit on the face. They do not chafe the skin and are available in different colors. A dog cannot bite with such an accessory.
• Occlusal. Made from mesh or nylon. It can completely cover the dog's face, of the advantages - softness. Takes up a minimum of space in the bag, since when folded it is only a small piece of fabric. The described muzzles also have their drawbacks, for example, they do not allow the dog to breathe normally after exercise. They are only recommended for visiting a veterinarian.
• Silicone. The design differs from traditional dog muzzles. Since the muzzles are made of silicone, the product can be shaped to fit perfectly on the animal's face.

In order for the muzzle to fit perfectly on the animal, it is necessary to comply with the dimensions. To do this, you need to measure the muzzle and choose the right fit.

• First, the length of the dog's muzzle is determined. To do this, you can use a cloth tape measure to determine the distance from the pet's eye line to the tip of the nose.
• The second indicator that is required is the circumference of the head. Begin to measure from the top of the muzzle, wrap the tape measure around the dog's cheeks, down under the chin, and back to the top of the head.
• Now you need to determine the distance from the line of the eyes to the back of the animal's head behind the ears. This will give the length of the strap that should be on the muzzle.
• And the last dimension is the neck circumference. To do this, you just need to wrap the tape measure around it.

The ideal option for a pug would be a muzzle made of soft mesh with a denser frame, which has a small gap for the nose. Even while running, the animal will be able to breathe freely, and if desired, it can be treated with a delicacy.

It is also recommended that you find an accessory that is easy to adjust. Such a product allows you to maintain the necessary comfort during use, even if the animal is growing. The adjustment option depends on the product design. Metal and leather muzzles have a fixed shape, only the position of the straps can be changed.

If possible, you can buy several options, each of which will meet the needs of the animal at one time or another. The presence of a soft pad in the area of ​​the nose will prevent rubbing against the skin of the animal, therefore, protect it from damage.

A pug muzzle can harm your dog, so experts advise paying attention to the following important points.

• Do not use a muzzle for an extended period of time. Despite the fact that some manufacturers claim that you can wear the accessory for as long as you like, this is not the case.
• Never leave your dog unattended if it is muzzled. Firstly, it can get confused, secondly, the muzzle, under certain conditions, can tighten its nose and block its breathing, and thirdly, the dog will try to remove the product and seriously scratch itself.
• Before using the accessory outside the home, the animal is trained for several minutes a day with an increase in the time spent in the muzzle.One of the most common mistakes that most pug owners make is that they tighten the product on their muzzle too much. So you can easily injure the animal, which will lead to further aggression on the part of the dog if you try to touch its mouth.
• It is difficult to say at first glance whether this or that muzzle is suitable for a pug, so it is better to take the animal with you. The distance between the edge of the accessory and the dog's nose should be at least 1-1.5 cm. The mouth should also open slightly, and there should be a finger gap between the strap and the neck.

For information on how to choose a muzzle for a pug, see the next video.