Likewise, am going to think about it somemore before I vote. Initial thought was, yes, they would probably get used to it....but then I remembered that my dogs spend all their time when we're out playing with balls/sticks.
If they couldn't play retrieve, they won't get half the excercise/stimulation they need. Although I have a reasonably sized garden (for a new house), it isn't nearly big enough to play fetch at full pelt...I never thought this would be a problem as I never thought I might not be able to play with them elsewhere!

I dont think I can answer this one I am not sure that all dogs should be muzzled because of few who do/can/will attack children/other animals maybe it should be compulsary for dogs running free in public areas but I am not sure I wouldn't like to have to muzzle mine, they are always on the lead in public and I have firm control of them although I have never been in a situation where one of mine wanted to attack anything. I also see that it would be good if all dogs were muzzled it would reduce the attacks but again see like Ramble that there would always be people who think they are an exception to the law and I dont think I would like my dogs to be unable to defend themselves in such an instance. A tough question Dawn, I too will have to have a think about it although if it was the law I would comply.

I don't think it would reduce dog attacks on children but it may reduce some dog on dog attacks...

I think it would help public perceptions. My dogs want to say 'hi' to any kids that are around and have a play....thanks son!!! Anyway, they have fantastic recall so it isn't a problem most of the time, but sometimes, when they are in the park with us with my son, they will get to a child or sniff a child that walks past. If they were muzzled, parents would be less twitchy...that can only be good, it may even stop a lot of kids growing up petrified of dogs because of their parents reactions to them....

I agree with Kirsty... Max is well behaved and well socialised, so I don't see why he would have to be muzzled.

Also, as other people have pointed out, the responsible owners would muzzle (and pick up poo, and train their dogs) and the irresponsible owners would not do it...

Well said, i think its another case of responsable owenrs doing thing that are not in their or their dogs best intrests becasue of an idiot minority.

I think it would take a long time for parents who are worried by dogs to stop being worried. Dogs wearing muzzles are seen as "vicious" or liable to bite in today's society and I think that image would take a long time to disappear - even with ALL dogs being muzzled.

No. I would have a big problem with muzzling all dogs.
I think it would only add more to the hysteria out there. If you see a muzzled dog, many think why is it muzzled, it must be nasty and keep away. Totally the wrong message.
The dogs who have attacked recently have either been dodgy in temperament or not under control by the owners.
Why should the majority of dogs have to be punished because of this?
A well tempered dog with a responsible owner poses no threat to the public.
To muzzle all dogs is just a quick fix and not dealing with the problem which is the owner Those that allow their dogs to run amuck, poo everywhere and not clean up and do not keep their dogs under control will ignore such a rule anyhow.
Why should I muzzle my well behaved dogs because others are not so responsible.

By "all" dogs, do we assume this would involve working dogs too?

How would police dogs, gun dogs and herders do their jobs properly if they had to be muzzled?

Imagine a muzzled guide dog!

Nope, I don't like this idea one bit

I agree with Megan57 100%. It will be the responsible abiding by the rules and those who have the problem dogs not, so you will have a bunch of well behaved muzzled dogs being attacked by those owned by the idiots of society.
Becky

Excellent post, and one I agree with wholeheartedly