How many dog owners here muzzle their dog(s) while they are out in public?

I don't feel the need. He is always on his lead and will not cause any trouble unless provoked.

I don't need to muzzle any of mine so no muzzles here.

noooooooo.
i have 3 dogs and 2 of them are dog aggressive but as i live where there are plenty of places to walk dogs and they are always on their leads anyway i dont feel the need to.

No need to, but I would muzzle a dog that was non furry friendly( ie Sighthounds) or if the dog was aggressive, if I had one.

Nope... I have done in the past when resocialsing my eldest purely because I didn't know him very well when I got him.

I wouldn't use one as a matter of course I think it can be absolutely detrimental to the dog and completely unfair to remove the use of their mouth - something they use for exploration, defence and play.

I absolutely disagree with the idea that all dogs regardless of temperament should be muzzled how this society expects well behaved, sociable dogs whilst refusing them their right to socialise from a young age and learn good manners is inexplicable.

no need to muzzle the dobermutt except for brief periods if we have a delivery at home and she refuses to SHUT UP barking for no reason, that is - sometimes just the mention of the 'MIKKI' (the brand of soft muzzle we bought) is enough to shut her up but not always.

Nope. Never.

never have and never would. Mind you they ahve no noses have they :)

I think it may have been useful to have another section on the poll - no but i would if i needed to.

Lots of people seem to be anti-muzzle due to the fear they have of leaving their dog vulnerable to other dogs, despite it having dog to dog agression or dog to human aggression or a dog that will hunt and catch furries. I personally would not hesitate in using a muzzle even though my dog would be less able to defend itself i could not cope with knowing or winessing it hurt/kill something else if i knew it was agressive or a hunter.
I am lucky though i have no need to use a muzzle with my 2. I would love a grey in the future or something more lurchery and will not hesitate about using a muzzle.

i muzzle my lurcher if were down the park giving her excersize she isnt aggresive at all but if she was to see a cat she would kill it without a doubt

That's one good thing about using a head harness - it isnt a muzzle but it does give you more control when walking your dog and if a not so friendly dog or person approaches, you can steer your own pooch away.

Nope... I have done in the past when resocialsing my eldest purely because I didn't know him very well when I got him.

I wouldn't use one as a matter of course I think it can be absolutely detrimental to the dog and completely unfair to remove the use of their mouth - something they use for exploration, defence and play.

I absolutely disagree with the idea that all dogs regardless of temperament should be muzzled how this society expects well behaved, sociable dogs whilst refusing them their right to socialise from a young age and learn good manners is inexplicable.

Agree with you totally, our GSD hasn't had the chance to socialize with other dogs and this is now becoming a problem as he gets older. Have used a halti and this worked well at first but irritated him, we now strive towards heel training with the collar and it is sometimes a battle to distract him when other dogs walk past but muzzling is too extreme I think.

why to extreme?
You are obvioualy being a good owner and you have taken steps to help your dog develop and progress as far as possible in socialisation which is wonderful.
My concern is around those owners who are not as aware who let there off lead dog approach yours because in their naive mind all dogs are well socialised and non-aggressive. This leads to a horrendous incident. I am not going over the top we all know it happens i have heard horror stories about dogs being mauled. Not being mauled by a devil dog that no-one has ever been able to train but a dog who has lots of training but for some reason (there are many) they are dog aggressive. You know they are and you have tried to deal with it but on this one time it all went wrong.

Is it really worth risking it. I personally would never want to be responsible for the death of another dog or a cat if i can possibly help it. Accidents do happen and i get that, but if there is a way of stopping it because you know there is a problem surely you wouild go that extra step.

Basket muzzles for instance still let your dog smell, drink and play. I go on alot of sighthound forums and so many of the dogs are muzzled due to their breed characteristics i.e. prey drive, the way they course each other during play which can lead to over the top nipping which causes damage on thin skin.
Don't get me wrong i know damage can be caused by a muzzled dog and i know a small animal can still be killed by a muzzled dog but the actual bite damage during a dog fight is greatly reduced and it is easier to seperate the dogs. I realise a muzzled dog is less able to protect itself and this is a huge reason why people will not use them but i at least would know my dog was less able to hurt or kill in the same way. Also as far as the law goes i have shown i have taken steps to reduce the risk should something occur.

Lottie i agree with you. I don't think all dogs should be muzzled but i feel the way we view them is to negative. I wouldn't want us to become a place where noone trusted their dog and i certainly wouldn't want dogs to not have the opportunity to play and socialise.

Just another perspective to add to the debate :)

Most certainly do not!

why to extreme?
You are obvioualy being a good owner and you have taken steps to help your dog develop and progress as far as possible in socialisation which is wonderful.
My concern is around those owners who are not as aware who let there off lead dog approach yours because in their naive mind all dogs are well socialised and non-aggressive. This leads to a horrendous incident. I am not going over the top we all know it happens i have heard horror stories about dogs being mauled. Not being mauled by a devil dog that no-one has ever been able to train but a dog who has lots of training but for some reason (there are many) they are dog aggressive. You know they are and you have tried to deal with it but on this one time it all went wrong.

Is it really worth risking it. I personally would never want to be responsible for the death of another dog or a cat if i can possibly help it. Accidents do happen and i get that, but if there is a way of stopping it because you know there is a problem surely you wouild go that extra step.

The other side of the coin in that scenario is that should a dog approach off the lead and start to cause problems, i.e. attack my dog, with a muzzle on my dog would be totally unable to defend himself. Whilst the last thing I want is to have my dog involved in a fight I don't want him to be seriously hurt or worse.

I know exactly what you are saying gatecrasher3 and to a certain extent i agree i suppose it's a choice you have to make. I personally would rather know that i am protecting other dogs and preventing my dog from being classed as a dangerous dog or a killer should i know that they have aggression or behavioural issues.

I would never want to put my dogs at risk ever and anyone who knows me see's how much i adore my dogs and live for them. But i would never risk an aggressive dog without a muzzle or a dog who's breeding and history suggested that it could be a potential risk to other dogs and animals i.e. a greyhound who has raced with a high prey drive or a ex-worker of some type.

I know of 2 dogs that we occasionally come across (i am not going to disclose the breed but not sighthound) and they are both muzzled due to aggression. They are allowed to run offlead muzzled but still run up to other dogs and have a go with their paws etc. if they weren't muzzled it would be carnage. Personally i would not have them off lead apart from in a enclosed dog free environment but these owners are not as conscientious but thankfully have realised their dogs must be muzzled. I know if they weren't muzzled and slipped the lead or my dog lost it's recall and went over a dog would die simple as that.

I think half the problem is we view muzzles so negatively and aren't used to seeing them on dogs. We therefore view them as an extreme and something that should only be used on the worst case scenario dog. Alot of accidents could be avoided and people would feel more comfortable socialising their unpredictable dog if they were willing to give a muzzle a go.

I have an old whippie type she is nearly 14. she goes off lead but is keen when it comes to furries. luckily for me but not her the wonky legs don't allow her to catch owt. If she stood even a chance of catching anything i would have her muzzled so she could enjoy her offlead time but not catch anything, i don't think there is anything wrong with that.