Where To Start

Step 1: Read over the information first

Read through all information in the What Is Well-Fit and Measuring Your Dog section. There are many methods out there that others may use but we can almost guarantee they will not be the same as our methods. If they worked you probably wouldn't be here needing to follow our instructions, we do not believe most are close to accurate (excluding a few but usually they are for custom muzzles). Our methods are for measuring to find a muzzle from ANY brand on ANY dog. 

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Step 2: Your dogs 'profile'

A great starting point when starting to measure your dog, taking a photo of your dogs head/snout from above and the side whilst closed mouth can help a ton when measuring and sizing your dog, you can find all information on how we use profile pics in the Approximating Measurements page.

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If you can't measure it is very important to use your dogs profile pictures to determine the general shape of the dogs snout, is their length longer than width? Do they have a wide snout but a very short nose? This is helpful to know once you start looking at muzzles measurements.

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Step 3: Get the closed measurements needed (not panting)

These are length, width, closed height and circumference. We highly recommend you have someone help and record/take photos of the measurements so you can refer to them later or send in to forms on Sizing & Fitting Help. Take your time to get these measurements as they are the most important (explained Closed Measurements). If these are a struggle work on getting just length or closed height as you can use these measurements to approximate the other closed measurements (explained in Approximating). Make sure you also check out Incorrect Methods to learn about why measuring against the face is important for the right measurement or if taking pictures, why the angle matters if sending it in to us or referring back to them or why we don't need to measure yawns.

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If your dog can be measured but wont sit still, plays with the tape etc you can read over the Pre-Training for more info and a few extra steps for teaching your dog how to sit still and be measured. This is a skill they should know measuring or not as at the vet they should also be comfortable with being still and calm whilst someone is around their face.

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Step 4: Get the panting pictures

As explained in Pant Information a muzzle should allow for a full or regular pant, depending on what you need the muzzle for. Getting your dog out to exercise and taking a picture of them panting should not be an issue for most. Even if your dog has a very small pant or doesn't pant often, it is still important to try get a photo of the biggest pant they have as the muzzle will have to fit that at some point whilst wearing it. Pictures of them panting (not measured) are important to have to make sure you can work out the correct height needed to correctly fit your dog and if your measurements were over/under approximated.

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Step 5: Get the open measurements needed

The measurements are open height and open circumference, these can be taken whilst the dog is panting or while the dog is holding a ball (preferably one that accurately replicates the pant height (more info in Open Measurements), If you can measure them fully panting then you don't need to also use the ball as this is only to replicate a pant you can't measure. Again try have someone help and take a video/pictures to refer back to or send in to Sizing & Fitting Help.

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Step 6: Compiling the information

Once at this step you will hopefully have your dog fully measured with the measurements written down, pictures of the measurements, profile and also pant pictures (that are not measured).