A muzzle is a device that is placed over the snout

Snout

The snout, or muzzle, is the protruding portion of an animal's face, consisting of its nose, mouth, and jaw.-Terminology:The term "muzzle", used as a noun, can be ambiguous...

 of an animal to keep it from biting

Dog attack

Dog attacks are attacks on humans by feral or domestic dogs. With the close association of dogs and humans in daily life , dog attacks—with injuries from very minor to significant, and severe to fatal—are not uncommon. Attacks on the serious end of the spectrum have become the focus of increasing...

 or otherwise opening its mouth.

An Elizabethan collar

Elizabethan collar

An Elizabethan collar or space collar is a protective medical device worn by an animal, usually a cat or dog...

 is a cone-shaped device placed around an animal's neck to prevent biting and sometimes referred to as a muzzle, though its function is more usually to prevent the animal interfering with dressing

Dressing (medical)

A dressing is an adjunct used by a person for application to a wound to promote healing and/or prevent further harm. A dressing is designed to be in direct contact with the wound, which makes it different from a bandage, which is primarily used to hold a dressing in place...

s or medication applied on its body.

Muzzles can be primarily solid, with air holes to allow the animal to breathe, or formed from a set of straps that provides better air circulation and allow the animal to drink. Leather, wire, plastic, and nylon are common materials for muzzles. The shape and construction of the muzzle might differ depending on whether the intent is to prevent an animal from biting or from eating, for example.

Dog muzzles

Muzzles are sometimes used on untrained dog

Dog

The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...

s, large or small, to prevent either unwanted biting or unwanted barking. They can also be used on aggressive dogs or other animal

Animal

Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...

s. They are usually made with a strong buckle

Buckle

The buckle or clasp is a device used for fastening two loose ends, with one end attached to it and the other held by a catch in a secure but adjustable manner. Usually overlooked and taken for granted, the invention of the buckle has been indispensable in securing two ends before the invention of...

 or other fastening device to ensure that they do not come off accidentally. Muzzles are also used on dogs when there is a risk of them taking baits that have been laid for vermin.

Dog muzzles can be found in most pet supply stores

Pet store

A pet store or pet shop is a retail business which sells different kinds of animals. Pet stores also sell pet food, supplies, and accessories....

.

Horse muzzles

Certain muzzles with a wire-like structure are used on horse

Horse

The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...

s and related animals, usually to prevent biting or cribbing

Cribbing (horse)

Cribbing or crib biting is a compulsive behavior or stereotypy seen in some horses, and considered a stable vice. It involves the horse grabbing a solid object such as the stall door or fence rail with its incisors, then arching its neck, pulling against the object, and sucking in air...

. Other types, known as "grazing muzzles", have a small opening in the center and are used on obese horses or on those animals prone to laminitis

Laminitis

Laminitis is a disease that affects the feet of ungulates. It is best known in horses and cattle. Symptoms include lameness, and increased temperature in the hooves...

 or choke

Choke

Choke may refer to:* Choking, obstruction of airflow into the lungs** Choke , a condition in horses in which the esophagus is blocked** Choking game, a schoolyard game involving deprivation of oxygen to the brain...

, to prevent them from eating too much or too fast.

Horses trained for airscenting, for search and rescue

Search and rescue

Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...

 or police work, often are worked in muzzles. This helps to keep them focused on their work, because they cannot easily snatch bites of grass.

Horse muzzles may be purchased in tack shop

Tack shop

A tack shop is an equestrian supply store. Buyers may purchase various pieces of riding equipment and training aids, as well as boots and riding apparel, stable equipment, horse care products, grooming supplies, horse blankets and sheets, model horses, and equine books, magazines, and videos...

s or from equestrian supply companies, and are available as a halter

Halter

A halter, headcollar, or, less often, headstall, is headgear that is used to lead or tie up livestock and, occasionally, other animals; it fits behind the ears , and around the muzzle. To handle the animal, usually a lead rope or lead shank is attached...

attachment, or as a separate piece of equipment.

External links

• Article from ASPCA's Virtual Pet Behaviorist on teaching your dog to wear a muzzle (ASPCA)