Which size baskerville muzzle for a lurcher

[BadDucks]

So Ddog who is three and never shown a prey drive before (positively terrified of the neighbours cat) has this week manage to catch a rabbit so I thinking a muzzle for off lead jaunts might be the way forward? He’ll hate it so it’s going to take some time to build up using one but I don’t want to keep him on lead and I don’t think the dog walker wants the trauma of it all again and is feeling nervous about taking him in the fields again.

The Baskerville muzzle seems to be the most recommended but looking at the sizing I can’t tell which would be best for a lurcher.

Also if anyone has any experience of muzzle training I’d be grateful. Ddog is a sensitive soul and will basically look at me like I’ve broken him if I use one but I’m not sure what the alternative is. He has recall skills but well he’s a lurcher...

Sometimes you just have to try the two closest sizes to see which seems better. A too big muzzle can be as uncomfy as a to small one - because it rides up into the eyes - so it's worth getting it right.

Do not try to put the muzzle on the dog. Ideally you want to start before the dog has any experience at all with a muzzle. Another reason why getting a couple of sizes makes sense - because you don't really want to 'try one on' for size as that is likely to be a worrying experience for the dog and sets up a negative association with a muzzle right from the off.

This video is a great example of how to do the thing right:

The Lurcher Link forums have good advice.

We trained our lurcher by starting off just having it around, then showing it to him and giving him a treat (it helps if he's reward driven). Then place it on without strapping it up - and giving him a treat through the muzzle - then taking it straight off again. All these stages took lots of time, but he learned to tolerate it, even though he doesn't like it and will sometimes try and scrape it off. We don't use it much now as he's a very chilled out old boy and we're not so worried about him snapping at people (as a rescue he had some issues, and responded teeth-first to being startled).

Thanks for the advice and good tip about getting two sizes!

Can get sighthound specific muzzles & Fiona will help find best fit for your lurcher.
www.themuzzleshop.com/

The rabbit may have been ill so wouldn't worry too much, the muzzle stops biting but not the chasing, tumbling or whacking of another animal in frustration so some care still has to be taken, it possibly would've just made it a slower ending for that rabbit but be easier for walker to remove. Muzzles are very useful for variety of situations & so its well worth taking the time training a dog to comfortable wearing one.

For running it needs to allow the dog plenty of airflow & ability to open their mouth wide for panting, especially important for sighthounds that tend to go full throttle and are more prone to heat stroke/exhaustion.

I use the ones like Scatty has linked to above. Very lightweight and perfect for pointy noses. I like to think that it’s saved many a squirrel 🐿 as ddog is very fast!

Thanks for the link that’s really helpful!

Another Lurcher owner here - I got one from Scatty's link too. Great service and fits perfectly. Not that she ever wears it - needed one for Italy holiday for public transport!
Re training, dead easy as per weaverspin as long as yours loves treats. Was so easy, I think she would have been happy to wear it after a couple of days!
Also as per Scatty, the rabbit may have had Myxi - my lurcher never bothers catching anything but the ill ones are just there on a plate...poor things.

Thank you I do think from the dog walkers description the rabbit wasn’t in good form so maybe it did have myxi?

If it was easy for your dog to pick up (it didn't really run away) it had Myxi. If there was a proper chase involved it did not!

Yes no chase at all by the sounds of it. He’s a bit dense the only things he chases are birds that are already airborne and way out of reach. He’s a bit of a joke among the local pigeons who like to hang out on the fence to taunt him

It's the myxi time of year so it's likely your dog put the rabbit out of its misery.

As others have said, the Muzzle Shop's sighthound specific muzzles are the type to go for. Baskervilles are ok, but are quite bulky by comparison and never look quite comfortable to me.

I don't have a lurcher. However o think most dogs would do the same if off leash. My dogs are always on leash yet regular get mice ,rats and pheasants. I don't muzzle though.