Muzzle Movement Muzzle Review
- Ella
- Apr 12
- 6 min read
About The Muzzle Movement
The Muzzle Movement is a UK-based company dedicated to creating comfortable, stylish, and functional muzzles for dogs. Founded by Clara Hewson, the company aims to promote muzzle positivity and provide high-quality products that meet the needs of both dogs and their owners.
Different reasons for muzzling
Dogs might need a muzzle for a variety of reasons, usually related to safety, training, or specific behaviour issues. The most common reason is safety—if a dog has a history of being unpredictable around people or other dogs, a muzzle helps keep everyone safe. Fearful dogs, for example, might snap out of anxiety, so muzzles are a handy precaution in unfamiliar environments. They also help prevent scavenging dogs from eating something harmful or dangerous. Muzzles are great in emergency situations, like vet visits or grooming sessions, ensuring everyone's safety. Plus, they can give handlers more confidence when managing tricky situations. In public spaces, muzzles also act as a visual deterrent to people who might otherwise approach your dog.
In the UK, some dogs are now required to wear muzzles in public spaces, regardless of their behaviour. Muzzle training, especially under the Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), ensures your dog can safely navigate public areas while meeting legal requirements.
How to find the right size muzzle for your dog?
There's a lot of debate online about the right size of muzzles for dogs, especially when it comes to how much room they need for panting. Some argue that dogs should have just enough space to pant comfortably, while others question how much pant room is actually too much. One thing is for sure, though and that is that dogs should always be able to pant naturally when wearing a muzzle, particularly if they’ll have it on for an extended period. It's important to find that balance where the muzzle fits securely but still allows for proper airflow and comfort.
For short walks and vet visits, a muzzle that allows enough space for a relaxed, half-pant could be acceptable. However, daily use for prolonged periods of exercise, time or enhanced activities would require a muzzle that allows for more pant room. Ideally, dogs should be able to eat, drink and fully pant while wearing a muzzle. There are specific online groups like Muzzle Up, Pup! on Facebook where you can get advice on muzzle sizing, however, photos can be misleading based on lighting and angles etc.
The sizing of the Muzzle Movement muzzle
The Muzzle Movement currently offers eight different sizes, with two more sizes in development. These muzzles are designed to cater to medium to large-sized dogs, including breeds like XL bullies, especially after the recent ban in the UK. Since the business is still on the smaller scale (for now), the differences between sizes are quite minimal, with their smallest muzzle fitting spaniel-sized dogs. I'm looking forward to the release of the smaller sizes, as they’ll provide a better fit for dogs like Scully!
The Muzzle Movement makes sizing easy with a detailed 'how-to' measurement guide on their website here. It includes clear illustrations showing how to measure your dog, along with an accompanying video for extra help. Plus, there's a convenient form where you can input your dog's measurements, and it will tell you exactly which size muzzle will be the best fit for them.
Each size from The Muzzle Movement is given a name rather than just a number, which makes it a bit more personal. We originally bought a size Neli at Crufts last year. Since we didn’t have Mulder with us at the time and only had his measurements, the muzzle ended up being slightly too big on his cheeks, and could slide off of his nose. Luckily, we were able to swap it for the Rex, which is one size down, and it fits Mulder perfectly now! The size Rex muzzle might look large on Mulder, but it is just big enough to offer full pant room for him. It is, however, slightly too long for his face still and when sniffing a solid surface it has a tendency to move up on his face and hit his eyes. The muzzles are also a lot heavier than most other brands, which some dogs could find aversive.
Additional Extras: Straps and More
The Muzzle Movement offer additional security in the form of both overhead straps and under-chin straps. These both prevent the muzzles from falling off the dog, but the chin strap prevents the muzzle from falling off and getting lost should it come loose in dense undergrowth.
A dog that is appropriately conditioned to a muzzle won't try and paw the muzzle off, but Mulder's muzzle has been knocked off when he's been rolling in grass, or playing roughly with a dog- it does happen! We did end up adjusting the muzzle after this, and it hasn't happened since. Dogs with a slightly unusual head-shape could benefit from the overhead strap as it would hold the muzzle in 'place' on the dog's head better and reduce the chance of slipping.
As well as additional straps, the Muzzle Movement offer different hardware options. We opted for the upgraded Chicago Screws, which was actually super helpful as we had to adjust the biothane strapping for a tighter fit and drill an additional hole in the biothane strapping. There is also an option to upgrade the standard buckle to a quick release strap, which we also opted for and I am glad we did as I didn't want to be fiddling with the muzzle trying to get it on or off with a wriggly dog who is rearing to get going. One feature of the muzzles I particularly like is the treat hole at the end of the muzzle, providing space to reward your dog out on walks, but if your dog is a scavenger and eats a lot of things that they shouldn't the Muzzle Movement also sell scavenging guards that cover this treat hole.
Biteproof Muzzles?
The Muzzle Movement doesn't label their muzzles as 'bite-proof' because what actually constitutes a bite proof muzzle? While the muzzle is made of durable and strong plastic the term 'bite-proof' is subjective and could mean different things for different individuals. Additionally, there is no industry standard for the term 'bite-proof' like there is for crash tested crates, harnesses etc. so labelling a muzzle as 'bite-proof' entirely depends on what an individual would interpret as a bite-attempt. The Muzzle Movement themselves sums up the issues with labelling a muzzle as bite-proof on their website here.
Reshaping the Muzzles
A particularly good feature of these muzzles is their mouldability and ability to hold shape. If the muzzles are slightly too narrow then it is fairly easy to remould them. All you have to do is take off all strapping and hardware, boil the muzzle and mould it to the size you want. They even have a handy guide on how to fit, adjust and remould your muzzles here.
This an be useful for dogs with wider faces (such as XL bullies) that fit every other measurement but just need a few more centimetres in the cheeks.
Muzzle Movement Review
Overall, we much prefer the Muzzle Movement Muzzle in comparison to other brands as you can probably tell in this muzzle review.
Firstly, the overall design offers optimal pant room so this muzzle is perfect for dogs who need to wear it over a prolonged period of time. It is also mouldable, adjustable and has a handy treat hole.
Their muzzle plastic has a lifetime warranty, which is fantastic for dogs that have to wear a muzzle daily due to BSL. If your muzzle is damaged or broken, you can return it to the Muzzle Movement and they will replace the basket and recycle the hardware at a reduced cost, not including normal wear and tear, damage from chewing or intentional modifications (such as reshaping).
One issue with these muzzles is the weight. Due to the sturdy plastic the muzzles weigh a lot more than other brands which dogs could find aversive. Because of the weight, even with the biothane nose strap some people do find that the muzzles rub on the dogs nose.
Another potential problem is that because the Muzzle Movement are a small company, there are limited sizes and the sizes available do cater to larger breeds of dogs. Because of the size of the company, these muzzles are also a lot more expensive than larger brands.
Summary Review
Bite-proof factor: it entirely depends on what you consider as bite-proof. Due to the large holes and treat hole at the front I would hesitate to call these muzzles bite-proof as it is possible to pick items up through the muzzle and therefore, likely possible to nip through the muzzle. I believe it would prevent serious injury from occurring though.
Scavenger proof factor: the large treat hole at the front does not prevent scavenging, however, the scavenger guard that the Muzzle Movement sells blocks the front of the muzzle so dogs are unable to pick things up through the muzzle.
Additional safety features: Muzzle stops that link to collars are available, as are additional head straps and safety straps
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