5 Best Muzzles for Shih-Tzus in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
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When trying to find a muzzle for your Shih Tzu, it’s not that hard to get overwhelmed with the many options available. Online reviews can be contradictory and rarely offer much help. Stores often carry a few varieties, and they may not sell the best Shih Tzu muzzle.
We have several dogs, including Shih Tzus, so we often get the chance to try out and review new brands of muzzles. We have chosen five different brands that we have tried out on our Shih Tzu to review for you, so you can see what you like and need in your new muzzle.
We also included a muzzle for Shih Tzu buyer’s guide with an in-depth look at their construction and how they work so you can have a better understanding. Please continue reading for our detailed reviews of each brand of Shih Tzu muzzle, where we compare comfort, fit, durability, and effectiveness, to help you make an educated purchase.
A Quick Look at the Winners of 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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JYHY Short Snout |
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Check Price |
Best Value
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Four Paws Quick Fit |
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Check Price |
Premium Choice
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Canine Friendly Short Snout |
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Check Price |
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Weebo Pets Breathable |
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Check Price | |
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Cozy Quick |
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Check Price |
The 5 Best Muzzles for a Shih Tzu
1. JYHY Shih Tzu Dog Muzzle – Best Overall
The JYHY Short Snout Dog Muzzle is our choice for the best Shih Tzu muzzle overall. This muzzle uses a lightweight, breathable mesh that allows plenty of air to flow around your pet’s face to help keep them cool while they’re wearing it. Soft eye holes let your pet see clearly but won’t scratch or irritate their eyes.
Our dogs didn’t mind wearing these muzzles, and they looked comfortable. Our dogs didn’t pull at them to get them off. It stopped the barking, but they were still able to drink water, and one of our dogs could eat with it in place. It was hard for us to get the size right, though. If you get a size that’s too large or don’t fasten the straps correctly, the muzzle could slide around your pet’s face. All in all, we think this is the best muzzle for Shih-Tzus available this year.
- Breathable mesh fabric
- Eye hole
- Comfortable
- Hard to get the size right
2. Four Paws Quick Fit Dog Muzzle – Best Value
The Four Paws Quick Fit Dog Muzzle is our choice for the best value muzzle for Shih Tzu, and we think you will agree that this is the best muzzle for Shih Tzu for the money. It’s a low-cost muzzle that comes in many sizes. Each size is adjustable, and there are no hard clips. Its durable nylon fabric is machine washable, and it won’t fray or tear at the seams.
This muzzle works excellent to train your dog to stop barking, but it’s uniquely suited to situations when you need to stop your dog from eating. The downside is that there are so many sizes available it can be challenging to find the right size on the first try. With all that said, we think this is the best Shih-Tzu muzzle for the money this year.
- Low cost
- Many sizes
- Adjustable
- Washable
- Hard to pick the right size
3. Canine Friendly Dog Muzzle – Premium Choice
The Canine Friendly Short Snout Dog Muzzle is our premium choice muzzle for Shih Tzus. This brand features a breathable mesh that covers the face and has two padded eye holes. The edging and straps are durable nylon that won’t fray or snap. It prevents your pet from barking, but they can still eat and drink.
The only downside to this Shih Tzu muzzle besides their high-cost is that some pets can get them off, so you will need to use a lot of supervision at first.
- Breathable mesh
- Durable nylon fabric
- Can eat and drink
- Expensive
- Some pets can get them off
4. Weebo Pets Nylon Muzzle
The Weebo Pets Breathable Nylon Muzzle is a small Shih Tzu muzzle that features a simple sheath-style design. The material this uses is durable nylon that’s easy to clean, lightweight, and sturdy. It’s machine washable, and the inside of the muzzle is padded on the inside to prevent it from rubbing on your pet’s face.
We didn’t like that this model only uses a single strap to hold the muzzle I place. Our dogs didn’t need to work very hard to get it off, and their constant tugging on it broke the strap. Overall, it’s just not durable or trustworthy enough to be helpful.
- Durable nylon material
- Machine washable
- Padded
- Single strap
- Not durable construction
- Strap breaks
5. Cozy Quick Muzzle
The Cozy Quick Muzzle is the last brand of Shih Tzu muzzle on our list. This brand is exclusively for small dogs, and it has a comfortable fleece nose pad to help keep your pet warm and comfortable. It’s nice for small dogs like Shih Tzu, but it won’t fit many dogs much bigger.
We thought the fleece padding was a great idea, but in practice, we found that it often got in our dog’s eyes. The sizing was extremely challenging to get right, and we kept buying ones that were too large for our pets. Another problem that we encountered was that our dogs were able to get out of it if they struggled enough.
- Fleece nose pad
- Only for small dogs
- Gets fur in eyes
- Can get out of it
- Hard to get the sizing right
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Muzzle for Shih-Tzus
Let’s look at some things to consider before purchasing your next muzzle for Shih Tzu.
When to Start Training
We recommend conditioning your dog to wear a muzzle from an early age, whether you intend to use one or not. The more accustomed to it they are, the less likely they will be to struggle against it.
When to Use
Dogs should always wear a muzzle when seeing a doctor or when your pet is around unfamiliar people. If you plan on having your pet groomed, you will need to get them used to a muzzle. Also, many dogs are aggressive towards other dogs, and these dogs need to wear a muzzle as well to protect the animals and to protect you against personal lawsuits.
Even friendly dogs bite when they are sick or in pain. Strangers and doctors can increase tension and anxiety for your pet with their fear of being bitten. A muzzle will keep everyone calm and safe during these times.
Any dogs that show aggressive tendencies need to get used to wearing a muzzle very early on. If your dog bites someone, it can raise your homeowner’s insurance, and officials might declare it a dangerous animal and put it down. This situation is terrible for everyone and is avoidable with training and a muzzle.
When Not to Use
Many people use a muzzle to prevent their dog from barking, eating, and chewing things. While the muzzle will work for these things, we recommend only using it very short term and finding alternative methods when possible. Only utilizing the muzzle to prevent biting in dangerous situations helps your dog understand why they are wearing it. It’s not because they are bad dogs, it’s for everyone’s protection.
Get Help
If you find that you are having trouble using or conditioning your pet to use the muzzle, we recommend seeking professional help from experienced dog trainers who can help you come up with and implement a plan that works. Remember that a muzzle is only a tool, and is not a substitute for properly training your dog.
Sizing
One of the most important things you will need to do when choosing your Shih Tzu muzzle is getting the right size and style. It should fit well and be comfortable for your dog to wear. It should allow your dog to pant, or your pet can quickly overheat. They should also be able to drink and eat treats while wearing the muzzle.
Material
Muzzles use many different types of materials in their construction. You want one that’s durable and easy to clean. Preferably a muzzle that is machine washable. Look for a fabric that won’t fray or hold moisture. Some have anti-microbial and anti-mold properties.
Snaps and Adjustments
Most muzzles are fastened and adjusted using different types of snaps and clasps. What’s important to look for first is that these pieces won’t dig into your pet’s face. Once you have checked for comfort, check for the durability. Metal clasps will be more durable than plastic, but they are more expensive and can rust.
Many muzzles are adjustable using sliding straps. These straps need to be secure once in position so your pet won’t loosen them if they paw at the muzzle, which can lead to them getting out of it. We recommend manually inspecting the straps before purchase to make sure they don’t slide too easily and are out of the way of your pet’s paws and claws.
Final Verdict
Thanks for reading over our Shih Tzu muzzle reviews. We hope they were helpful and our buyer’s guide informative. We strongly recommend the JYHY Short Snout Dog Muzzle, which is our pick for best Shih Tzu muzzle overall. This muzzle uses a durable material that won’t fray and is easily washable. It was effective on our dogs and didn’t cause any discomfort or prevent them from being able to see. The Four Paws Quick Fit Dog Muzzle is our choice for the best value and is also an excellent choice for those on a budget.
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- Related Read: 10 Best Dog Muzzles
