Ancol Plastic Dog Muzzle Black Red Size 7 Basket Muzzle

Ancol Obedia Basket Muzzle – Size 7

Ancol's figures for size 7 are chin 12.7cm, nose 7cm, muzzle 27.5cm and end 24.5cm, which makes it the large-breed fit in the Obedia range — the size a labrador, a german shepherd or a boxer usually lands on. Buying the right one is the easy half of the job. The harder half is teaching the dog that a basket over its nose is a good thing rather than the thing that arrives before bad news.

Ancol's own instruction is to build up wearing time slowly, and it pays to take that literally. Several days of the dog pushing its nose in for a piece of cheese and getting it straight back out; then a few seconds with the strap fastened; then a walk to the gate and home again. A fortnight spent that way and most dogs offer their own nose. Forced on in one go, it gets fought every time after.

Performance & Benefits

• Open basket design. Ancol confirm the dog can pant, drink and accept treats while wearing it.
• Pre-moulded rigid basket that holds its shape rather than collapsing onto the nose.
• Helps manage biting and scavenging, and makes vet visits and busy places workable.
• Airflow through the basket on all sides, which is what makes longer wear possible.
• Nine sizes in the range, so a proper fit is achievable rather than approximate.
• Washes with warm water and mild soap, no special products needed.

Suitable For

• Dogs whose four measurements sit at or just inside chin 12.7cm, nose 7cm, muzzle 27.5cm, end 24.5cm.
• A large-breed fit, covering labradors, german shepherds and dogs of similar head shape.
• Vet and groomer visits, public transport, busy pavements, and reactive-dog training work.
• Dogs that scavenge or eat things they should not on walks.
• One step down is size 6 (12.5 / 6.7 / 25 / 21.5); one step up is size 8 (14 / 8 / 31.5 / 26.5). Of the sizes either side, we stock size 5 and size 9.
• If your measurements fall between size 5 and size 7, take size 7; between size 7 and size 9, take size 9. A roomy basket still allows panting; a tight one does not.
• Too large for a spaniel, collie, working cocker or similar mid-size dog — the Ancol Obedia Basket Muzzle Size 5 is the one for those, and we stock it.

How to Use

• Measure first, with a soft tape, and compare against all four of Ancol's figures rather than one.
• Introduce it gradually and positively — Ancol's own instruction is to build up wearing time slowly. Start with the dog putting its nose in for a treat and nothing more.
• Fit it so the basket clears the end of the nose and the dog can open its mouth fully to pant.
• Check the dog can reach water through the basket before you rely on it on a walk.
• Clean regularly with warm water and mild soap, and let it air dry fully before use.
• Ancol publish a fitting video for the basket muzzle if you want to see it done.

Specification

• Size 7. Ancol's figures: chin 12.7cm, nose 7cm, muzzle 27.5cm, end 24.5cm.
• Ancol's published size chart, in centimetres. Chin / Nose / Muzzle / End: size 1 — 9 / 5 / 14 / 12. Size 2 — 9 / 5 / 16 / 15. Size 3 — 9.5 / 5.8 / 18 / 16. Size 4 — 9.5 / 5 / 20 / 18. Size 5 — 11.3 / 6 / 23 / 20. Size 6 — 12.5 / 6.7 / 25 / 21.5. Size 7 — 12.7 / 7 / 27.5 / 24.5. Size 8 — 14 / 8 / 31.5 / 26.5. Size 9 — 14 / 8 / 33 / 29.
• Ancol label the four columns Chin, Nose, Muzzle and End but do not define how each is measured, so compare all four against your dog rather than relying on one figure.
• Open basket construction. Ancol product code 196700.
• Sold by Ancol under the Obedia brand as the Basket Muzzle.
• Ancol publish no material specification, no colour specification and no strap detail for this muzzle, so none is stated here.

Care & Caution

• Never leave a muzzled dog unattended, indoors or out, and never leave one muzzled and crated or tethered.
• Never use a muzzle that prevents panting, and think hard before using any muzzle in warm weather. A dog cools itself by panting; restrict that and you risk heatstroke.
• Introduce it gradually with positive association over days or weeks, not minutes. A muzzle forced on will be fought every time after.
• A muzzle manages a risk. It is not a substitute for training or behavioural help, and it is not a substitute for meeting any legal requirement that applies to your dog.
• Check the basket regularly for cracks, splits or distortion and replace it if you find any.
• Confirm the dog can drink through the basket, and carry water on any walk longer than a few minutes.