Naming Our Dog Muzzles
Have you ever wondered why we name each of our sizes, instead of numbering them? We name them for two reasons! We are continuously releasing new sizes, so what is size 1 now, might be size 3 next year if we were to release two sizes smaller. Naming them helps to avoid confusion and the need to renumber or rename sizes later! We don't want to name our sizes by breed, because breed alone does not tell us if a muzzle will fit. There is too much variability within breeds for this to be an accurate sizing method.
🐶 We are dog lovers first and foremost
We have worked and loved many dogs throughout our time working in rescue.
Many of which have required a muzzle for one reason for another, and we want to tell their stories and help share the wide variety of reasons dogs might need to wear muzzles and show that these dogs were just as loved as any other unmuzzled dog.
🐾 Naming our sizes also helps us to share our own stories with you
Give you a glimpse of the personal experiences we have had that lead us to where we are.
In the hope that you might be able to relate to us if you also have the same shared experiences! Something that we feel is so important when working with challenging dogs, or living through challenging experiences.
🗣️Our sizes are listed in order of release...
...not by physical size, reflecting our ongoing mission to improve dog welfare through ethical, well-fitted dog muzzles.
Tolly’s Story:
The Dog Who Started It All
Tolly was our first ever size that we designed and launched, because Tolly was to me (Clara) a very important part of The Muzzle Movement story.
I adopted Tolly at 7 years old from Dogs Trust Loughborough, after he had lived in a home where he was exposed to domestic abuse. We very quickly learnt that he was fearful of unfamiliar people and dogs, and would use aggressive behaviour in an attempt to create distance.
This meant that in order to keep him and others safe, he needed a muzzle! But I couldn't find anything that I loved, nothing that fit him comfortably. So.. I designed one! Just for him initially, but I quickly released other people had the same problem and were interested in what I was doing!
And so, Tolly was the dog that started this wild journey! Unfortunately Tolly never got to wear the muzzle I designed just for him, because he was euthanised the day after our Kickstarter launched due to an inoperable spinal tumour that caused him to no longer have use of his hind legs, you can read more about our story together in our 'About the movement' page.
Tolly features in all of our branding, and forever changed the course of my life! Let alone the impact he has made on all of the muzzled dogs that proudly wear his size all over the world.
Neli’s Story:
Learning to Love the Dog You Have
I (Clara) adopted Neli from Carla Lane Animals in Need after she arrived in the UK from Bulgaria at just six months old. From the very beginning, she taught me how to truly love the dog in front of me, something that later helped me fully accept and love Tolly for who he is.
At the time, I was a dog trainer and had imagined a life full of agility classes and busy dog environments. But it quickly became clear that Neli was uncomfortable around unfamiliar dogs, and despite my best efforts, that wasn’t a world she enjoyed. If I’m honest, I felt disappointed and frustrated, it wasn’t the life I had pictured, and things felt far more limited than I expected.
Living with Neli, who would bark, growl, and snap at unfamiliar dogs, gave me a deep empathy for others in similar situations. I understand how it feels to grieve the dog you thought you’d have.But over time, everything changed. Neli taught me to embrace the life she loved, quiet walks, new places, scent work, tricks training, and working at a distance from other dogs.
They say you get the dog you need, not the dog you want, and that couldn’t have been more true.
Neli is perfect, and her story matters. It’s okay to feel those difficult emotions, but when you listen to your dog’s needs, you might just discover an even better life together.
Sunny’s Story:
Trust, Boundaries, & Second Chances
I worked with Sunny for many years within rescue, when he arrived he was 18 months old and the abuse he had lived through during this early period of his life had a lasting impact on his ability to trust people, and resulted in the belief that people would only respect his boundaries if he used overt displays of aggression.
Sunny taught me so much about consent, about rebuilding trust, about using space to reinforce low level signs of discomfort and about building a truly safe space that allows an animal to have big feelings without being at risk of a bite.
Sunny had bitten on multiple occasions and would jump to growling and snapping when under pressure. We at the rescue had to be extremely careful about placing him back in a home due to the risk that he presented to strangers. It was a long time before we felt comfortable with the idea, and even longer before the right home came along.
Sunny's story shows that there are amazing people out there, that are willing to not only accept dogs with a bite history, but love them deeply and continue to advocate for them so that they can feel safe and secure.
Sunny never got to try the muzzle I named after him, because he gets to live out the rest of his life with acres of land, loved by his forever family.
Rex’s Story:
A Legacy Behind Every Prototype
This size was a tribute to two people who have been a huge part of The Muzzle Movement journey, Rex's guardians are responsible for making all of our 3D printed prototypes which as you can imagine, is vital.
Without Rex's humans, we wouldn't be able to try and test all of our new sizes, we wouldn't be able to show you sizes before they were released and we wouldn't be able to identify modifications that need to be made before releasing the sizes for pre order.
Rex would sometimes wear a muzzle to aid introductions to new people and this sometimes made him feel uncomfortable. But unfortunately, Rex passed away before we were able to raise the funds to make this size a reality, so on behalf of Rex's guardians, we named this size after him to show our appreciation for everything they have done for us this far.
We hope that seeing Rex's muzzle on dogs all over the world brings them some comfort, as it does for me with Size Tolly.
Harry’s Story:
Compassion, Consent, and Doing What’s Right
Obviously, the first muzzle in our ‘Bully’ range had to honour a very special dog.
I worked with Harry for a long time in rescue. He had spent most of his life in kennels after being abandoned at a boarding facility. Although they did their best, it became clear he needed more support. Harry had several ongoing medical issues, including painful skin and ear infections, but he struggled immensely with handling, especially when he anticipated pain, which made safe veterinary care incredibly difficult.
He was also fearful of unfamiliar people, so introductions had to be managed carefully using a muzzle. Looking back, I only wish he’d had access to one of ours.
I was tasked with helping Harry build new associations with handling and, for the first time in his life, give him the ability to say “no” without needing to escalate to aggression. We made huge progress together, he became muzzle trained, was able to consent to treatment, and his relationship with the vets began to improve.
Sadly, before Harry was ever ready for a home, his cruciates went. As a large dog already in significant pain, combined with his distress around handling and the risks involved, surgery wasn’t a safe or fair option. He was euthanised on welfare grounds, an incredibly difficult but compassionate decision for a dog who was deeply loved.
Harry’s story highlights two things we feel strongly about: every dog deserves to have their boundaries heard and respected, and sometimes the kindest thing we can do for a dog we love is to let them go rather than ask them to continue suffering.
Taz’s Story:
Love, Loss, and a Lasting Connection
Taz is a very sentimental size, and I thought long and hard before choosing this name because I knew if I did I would inevitably talk about her importance to me, which sometimes is a story I'm not ready to tell!
Taz is my 'family dog' - she was so special to each of us, but had an extremely close relationship with my parents. When me and my siblings moved away from home Taz kept my parents on their toes. She was quite a cheeky monkey, even at 12 years old she never lost her ability to cause so much chaos you couldn't help but laugh!
But my Dad found Taz's antics particularly hilarious. They would spend hours together chasing balls into the sea, and we all used to joke that Taz was in fact my dads favourite daughter! At the age of 25, I lost my Dad to cancer. Through the confusion and heartache Taz was the one thing that made me and my family feel connected to my dad.
Taz was rushed to the vets and passed away on my dads birthday the following year, it was our first of his birthdays without him and to say it was traumatic is an understatement.
But something that brings me peace is knowing that they are together again and I imagine them walking together along the coast. Peaceful and calm. Its going to be both heart warming and heart breaking to see the Taz size, but I hope to see her size make it to the seaside someday and I hope you share those videos with me when it does.
I hope that Taz's story helps you get to know me a little better, my dad ran his own business and I have to say, I am my fathers daughter! So everything I have been able to achieve, is because he showed me it was all possible.
Mitzy’s Story:
A Second Chance, A Lasting Impact
Mitzy is a new addition to our muzzle line up, and there was no-one I wanted to name this size after more. Mitzy was a large rottie cross I worked alongside during my time in rescue, she had some ongoing medical conditions there were likely contributing towards her behaviour around dogs and unfamiliar people. Which was often to bark lunge and sometimes snap or growl.
Mitzy wore a muzzle whenever she was meeting someone new or if she was likely to see other dogs. She was an older lady and was by far one of our favourite dogs to work alongside throughout the covid pandemic! Everyone that loved Mitzy (and there was a lot of us!) worried that because she was an older girl, and we were unable to rehome her due to the covid lockdown (because he needed to meet people many times before she was safe to go home with them - which we weren't allowed to do at the time), that she might spend the reminder of her life living with us in kennels..
Mitzy had a few things stacked against her, that made her less desirable for adoption. So as soon as the first lockdown lifted I got to work finding her a suitable foster home, it took us a little while but finally, before the second lockdown Mitzy found her way (after many slow introductions!) into her foster carers heart and snoozed happily on his sofa for the happiest three weeks she had in a very long time!
Mitzy was euthanised on medical grounds shortly after, but not before she had a special sleepover with all of her favourite people in rescue.
I wanted to share her story because her foster carer gave Mitzy the gift of spending the last few weeks of her life comfortable in a loving home, and all of the people that loved her so dearly comfort knowing she didn't spend the last few weeks of her life in kennels.
I want this size to highlight just how important it is for people to consider fostering dogs, particularly if you have a home environment and circumstances that would allow you to foster a more challenging dog. Mitzy's story is so special because someone was kind enough to give her a chance, despite the additional effort it took them to get to know her, and the commitment to regular medication.
There are some truly amazing people out there, giving up their free time to help dogs just like Mitzy - and we cant say thank you enough if you are one of them!
Pippa’s Story:
The Dog Who Helped Change Everything
Pippa’s journey is one of resilience, second chances, and lasting impact.
She first arrived at the rescue centre where Clara, our founder, was working alongside Becky, Meg, and Annie, while also juggling 72-hour weeks building The Muzzle Movement from the ground up.
Initially identified as a Pit Bull “type,” Pippa faced the risk of euthanasia under breed-specific legislation. But Clara knew she deserved a fair assessment and brought in an expert witness to evaluate her properly.
The outcome was life-saving.
Pippa did not meet enough of the criteria to be classified as a Pit Bull “type” and because of that, she was given a second chance.
After some more time in rescue, Pippa found her forever home, where she is now thriving with her loving guardians.
Pippa also became part of something bigger. During the early development of our Harry muzzle size, she helped test our prototype. Although she needed a smaller size, her contribution helped shape a muzzle that now supports countless XL Bullies, especially important as the Bully Ban came into effect soon after.
“Since Pippa has been with us after getting her from Dogs Trust, she has really come out of her shell. She was shy and unsure at first but quickly settled and now loves attention from everyone she meets. She always wants to be close and would happily sit on your lap for hours enjoying back rubs.
She loves treats and toys, although they don’t last long! She couldn’t be a more loving and gentle dog and brings so much joy to our home.”
Pippa’s Guardian
Pippa’s legacy lives on in every dog we help keep safe, and we are endlessly grateful for the role she’s played in our journey 💖
Mia’s Story:
The Dog Who Chose Me
As a teenager, I worked in a breeding boarding kennel during a time when I felt completely unsure about my future. Looking back, there were too many dogs and not enough meaningful human interaction, but at the time, I didn’t know any different. It was there that I met Mia.
Mia was incredibly fearful. She had very little positive human contact and had never left the kennel in her first two years. The boarding kennel owners bred Cavaliers and Westies, Mia is a mix of both, and at the time, Cavapoos were becoming popular. In an attempt to make her more “useful,” she had a litter at just two years old with a miniature poodle.
I had asked if I could take her home, but was told she was reserved for a family member. When her puppies didn’t meet expectations, everything changed, they told me I could keep her, as they no longer needed her.
At 18, it took a lot of convincing to bring her home, but she has been by my side ever since, a true heart dog.
The day Mia came home, she was terrified. Having never experienced a home before, everything was overwhelming. She was unable to be handled by anyone but me for years, and her fear often showed through barking, growling, and sometimes biting if she felt threatened. Fast movements, like children, balls, or even balloons, were especially frightening.
Her early experiences shaped her world. She struggled with strangers, and there were moments where fear led to bites when she felt unsafe. Even now, after 10 years living with my partner, it’s only recently that she’s been comfortable being lifted by him. But through everything, six homes, university, and life changes, one thing has remained constant: me.
Now at 14, Mia faces new challenges, and muzzles have become an important tool, not just for stranger interactions, but also for safe veterinary care and her wellbeing.
Looking back, I only wish I’d known about muzzles sooner. There simply weren’t suitable options for small dogs like Mia at the time. That’s why it means so much that dogs like her now have access to better, safer choices, helping them navigate the world with more support, safety, and understanding.
Jimmy's Story:
Listening to What They Need
Jimmy came into Dogs Trust as a stray and was quickly rehomed, but after just a few weeks, he was returned following an incident in the home. Back in kennels, Jimmy began displaying a concerning new behaviour, frequent full-body shaking. This happened almost constantly, whether he was alone in his kennel, out on walks, or during training sessions. It became increasingly distressing for him, affecting his ability to settle, enjoy walks, and engage with training.
Jimmy was seen regularly by the vets (wearing a muzzle as a precaution), and initially, the behaviour was thought to be behavioural. But something didn’t feel quite right. When this was ruled out, further investigations were carried out, including a referral to an external specialist. It was there that the true cause was identified, an underlying ear condition requiring ongoing treatment with medicated drops.
With the right care and close monitoring over the following months, Jimmy’s condition began to improve. As his discomfort reduced, so did the shaking, and slowly, he started to enjoy life again, rediscovering his love for walks and re-engaging with training. He also continued his positive muzzle training, helping to ensure veterinary visits remained as safe and stress-free as possible.
Once he was medically stable and ready, Jimmy was placed back up for rehoming, and this time, he found his forever home, where he has happily remained 💛
Atlas’s Story:
Atlas’s Story: Why Every Dog Should Be Muzzle Trained
If you follow us on instagram, I am sure you already know who Atlas is! I adopted Atlas at 12 weeks old from Dogs Trust, almost one year after losing Tolly, and to say he is a handful is quite the understatement!
Atlas is a large bully breed cross, and unfortunately likely to be swept up in the UKs XL Bully type ban despite not being an XL Bully at all. Which means Atlas is likely to have to wear a muzzle at all times when out in public. Fortunately Atlas has been modelling muzzles and teaching people how to muzzle train since his very first week in our home!
Atlas's story highlights the importance of muzzle training, even when you don't think that you will ever need one - we chose to make sure Atlas was comfortable in a muzzle because in an emergency we wanted to know that if we ever needed a muzzle he knew what to do and it wasn't another additional stressor for him.
It turns out, we have inadvertently been preparing him for a lifetime of muzzles, and we couldn't be more grateful that we started training when he was a puppy - because it means muzzles are just a normal part of his every day life already and not something scary to be worried about, but just like any other part of his walking gear, he gets excited to see his muzzle because great things happen when its on.
There really is no age too young to introduce a muzzle! At the end of the day even if you never need one, Muzzle training is just a fun game for you and your dog to do together that helps to build confidence, learn more about your dogs preferences and training style and helps grow your relationship. We are pleased Atlas can help highlight this, even if we are so sad about the impact that his appearance will have on the rest of his life.
Signup to our newsletters to keep intouch with new releases and news updates.
Muzzle Sizes We are Working on for 2026-27
You need to sign up to our mailing list to be notified when new sizes are launched for pre-order! We always have new sizes that we are raising funds to be able to make them a reality! 💛
👉Patrick's Story:
A Dog Who Deserved More Time
Patrick was a black Patterdale/Staffy/Lurcher-type we worked with at Dogs Trust.
With people he knew, he was a real snuggle bug, but building that relationship took time. Not because he wasn’t friendly, but because he carried a lot of frustration. He would often express this by grabbing and ragging at clothing or sleeves (and arms if they were inside them), which could be intense and difficult to interrupt. Because of this, muzzles were a normal part of his life from early on.
A lot of Patrick’s frustration came from kennel life, the noise, restricted routine, limited human contact, and the presence of other dogs. Although he was a lovely boy, he was high risk around other dogs, which added to the complexity of managing him in rescue. He lived in a sanctuary setup with access to a secure field, a quiet environment, and a small, consistent team of handlers who gave him predictable walks and met his needs as best as possible.
Patrick had a very obsessive nature. If he saw another dog, his barking and lunging wouldn’t stop even after the dog had gone. When he dug, he wouldn’t stop until he was exhausted. The same applied to his grabbing behaviours, once he started, it was hard to redirect him, even with food. Over time, his team learned his triggers and how to prevent situations escalating, and for a while he became more settled and comfortable.
When he seemed ready, he was adopted, just as the first lockdown began. Sadly, the transition happened faster than ideal due to the circumstances, and he was returned after one night. Back in kennels, he struggled to readjust. Around the same time, he broke a nail on his front foot. What should have been a minor injury became the focus of a compulsive behaviour.
Patrick began obsessively digging at, biting, and barking at his injured foot. Despite pain relief, sedation, protective measures, enrichment, and increased human contact, the behaviour escalated. He stopped eating, focusing instead on his foot, and began causing significant harm to himself.
It was incredibly distressing for everyone who cared about him, especially as he had been so close to finding a home. But with lockdown limiting options and his condition worsening both physically and mentally, the decision was made to relieve his suffering.
Patrick was one of those dogs whose story could have been very different under other circumstances. He was deeply loved, and he’ll always be remembered as one of the ones who stayed with us.
🐾 Galaxy's Story:
From Fearful to Flourishing
Galaxy, a small Bulldog cross, arrived in kennels absolutely petrified. She was a sweet but deeply worried girl, spending much of her time quivering and cowering. It was clear she liked people, but only those who took the time to move slowly, gently, and earn her trust.
Fortunately, during lockdown, we were able to give her exactly that. With more time and consistency, Galaxy began to show us who she really was. Beneath the fear was a bouncy, playful, wonderfully goofy dog just waiting to feel safe.
As restrictions eased, Galaxy spent time in foster homes with the team to help her adjust to life outside kennels. While she struggled with other dogs, it became clear that in the right home, as the only dog, with a patient and understanding person, she would thrive.
Her adopter put in the time. Through multiple visits and a gradual transition over several weeks, they built a strong, secure bond that allowed Galaxy to settle at her own pace. There were setbacks along the way, particularly when new people were introduced into her world, but with continued patience and understanding, she has gone on to flourish.
Today, Galaxy is thriving. Her confidence has grown enormously, she has formed positive relationships with her extended family, and she even has dog friends, something that once felt out of reach.
Galaxy never had access to a well-fitting muzzle, which made introductions to new people more challenging and higher risk than they needed to be. A suitable muzzle could have helped her feel safer and allowed her world to expand more quickly.
Naming this size after Galaxy feels like a fitting tribute, not only to her journey and resilience, but as a reminder of why it’s so important that dogs like her have access to the right tools from the start.
A quick heads-up: Since we’re still perfecting the design, official measurements aren’t confirmed yet. That means this size won’t appear in the sizing quiz just yet, and there’s no size chart available, but trust us, it’ll be worth the wait!
Flexible, Practical Muzzle Support for Force-Free Rescue Organisations
At The Muzzle Movement, rescue isn’t just something we support, it’s who we are. Our team is made up of experienced rescue professionals, including kennel staff, behaviourists, rehoming specialists, and force-free trainers, with over 70 years of combined hands-on experience in animal rescue and rehabilitation.That’s why partnering with rescues is so important to us, so we can do more, reach further, and continue to keep our rescue roots at the heart of everything we do.
Building a Meaningful Partnership: The Muzzle Movement + Birmingham Dogs Home:
At The Muzzle Movement, everything we do is rooted in one simple belief: dogs deserve understanding, safety, and the chance to thrive. That’s why our partnership with Birmingham Dogs Home, one of the UK’s leading dog rescue and rehoming organisations, is so important to us.
Together, we’re supporting dog rescue in Birmingham, dog adoption, and muzzle training for rescue dogs, helping improve welfare and give more dogs the best possible start in their new homes.