Most muzzles are shaped for a long snout and then sold to everybody, which is how owners of pugs, French bulldogs and boxers end up with something that either slides straight off or presses against the eyes. This one is listed in two shapes, one cut for short-nosed dogs and one for longer muzzles, and choosing the right shape matters considerably more than the size letter does.

The construction is soft cotton rather than moulded plastic or rigid nylon, which makes it lighter on the face and much less alarming for a dog meeting a muzzle for the first time. It fits over the snout to discourage biting, licking at a wound, or scavenging off the pavement, and an adjustable strap sets the fit behind the head. Sizes S, M and L are listed, at a stated 150g.

• Soft cotton rather than rigid plastic
• Two shapes: short-nosed and longer-muzzled dogs
• Adjustable strap to set the fit
• Sizes S, M and L
• Listed weight 150g

Please use this the way it is meant to be used. A close-fitting cotton muzzle holds the mouth shut, so your dog cannot pant, drink or take a treat while wearing it. That makes it right for a nail trim, a dressing change or a short examination, and wrong for a walk or warm weather. Introduce it slowly with treats beforehand, because a muzzle first met in a crisis is a muzzle your dog will fight.

Who it's for: Owners needing a light, unthreatening muzzle for short supervised jobs, especially owners of flat-faced breeds poorly served by standard shapes.