Chopo Biothane physiological basket muzzle - American Cocker Spaniel

The Chopo physiological basket muzzle is a model matched to the shape of the dog's head. "Physiological" means the dog can open its mouth freely in the muzzle - to drink, pant, breathe under exertion and take treats - which matters during longer wear, in the heat and during training. In this version the fastening straps are made of biothane instead of leather.

Which snout shape

This model is designed for the American Cocker Spaniel - a breed with a shorter, more rounded snout than the English Cocker. The low, short basket is matched to that build, so the muzzle sits well and doesn't press.

Biothane straps

Biothane is polyester webbing coated in plastic. It doesn't absorb water, so it won't soak up rain or a swim in the lake, won't go mouldy and won't hold odours. It cleans with a damp cloth or under running water, without the care that leather needs. Leather that is regularly soaked and dried hardens and eventually cracks, and biothane doesn't have that problem. The straps are adjustable and close with a metal buckle, and the strap behind the head is routed so the dog can't paw the muzzle off.

What it's made of

The base is a galvanised wire basket coated in a rubber-plastic compound - it protects against corrosion and damage, cleans easily and won't freeze to the snout in winter. The metal doesn't touch the dog's skin directly, so the muzzle is friendly even for dogs with sensitive skin or a metal allergy. The base of the snout is padded with neoprene, which cushions pressure and prevents chafing. Chopo muzzles are handmade and used by uniformed services in many countries.

The breed is a starting point, the measurements decide

The breed names in the title are a guide, not a rule. Two dogs of the same breed may need different models, because fit is decided by the actual measurements, not the breed itself. So it's worth measuring your dog before buying.

How to measure your dog

To choose a muzzle we need three measurements: snout length, snout width and snout height. The graphic below shows how to measure. These measurements decide whether the right size is Male or Female.

Two sizes

The muzzle comes in two sizes. "Female" has a basket measuring L 5.5 × W 7.0 × H 8.0 cm, and "Male" L 5.5 × W 7.0 × H 8.5 cm. It's the dimensions, not the sex, that matter here - if your female dog has a larger head, the "Male" version may fit, and the other way round.

Not sure which size to choose?

Measure your dog's snout - length, width and height - and enter the three numbers into the sizing tool on our site. It gives you a size straight away, free of charge.