Can you guess which dog breeds tend to be quieter than others? And is there such a thing as a dog that rarely barks? At first, that sounds like the ideal breed to choose for apartment living or residences in close proximity to each other. But before we get too excited, perhaps we should look into how these dogs communicate instead of barking in order to determine just how quiet they are.
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Is There Such a Thing as a Barkless Dog?
Yes, there are dog breeds that are known for being relatively quiet or for barking less frequently compared to others. However, no dog breed is completely silent, as barking is a natural form of communication for dogs. Some breeds are just less inclined to bark excessively or have been selectively bred for traits that result in less barking.
Dogs that tend to bark less than others usually communicate in different ways. For example, you might find them making any one or more of these sounds or noises:
- Howling – There are some dog breeds that have the ability to bark but often choose to make a howling sound instead. You can find this tendency in Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes.
I found it very interesting that some breeds howl as early as puppyhood.
- Baying
- Growling
- Whinng
- Yelping
7 Dog Breeds That Bark Less Than Others
Now that we have established that dogs need to communicate, if not by barking then via other sounds, let’s look at which breeds are less inclined to bark than others. Wherever we use the term ‘barkless’ we mean a dog that uses other forms of communication and thus tends to bark less than other dogs.
A Quiz That Reveals One ‘Barkless’ Dog Breed
If you love quizzes, then I have a beauty for you. It can be found at rover.com and is titled: Name That Dog Breed. So, am I digressing here? Not at all. When you make your way through the quiz questions, you will come to the dog breed that I am referring to here, a breed that is commonly described as ‘barkless’.
If everyone else in the house is sleeping when you start the quiz, then it might be a good idea to turn the sound down a touch. True to form, the dog in the video clip doesn’t bark but, oh my, how he can howl.
And by the way, if it makes you feel any better, I scored poorly on this quiz too. But it was a lot of fun and I particularly liked seeing the mini video clip that followed each answer.
Yes the breed featured as non-barking was the Basenji. This breed is often referred to as the ‘African Barkless Dog‘. If you went through the quiz, via our link in the previous section, you will have heard their howl-like sound or some refer to it as a kind of yodelling. Alternatively, you can listen to the Basenji howl or yodel in this video:
So, if you are looking for a dog breed that isn’t inclined to yap all day long, or bark through the night, then it would pay to look at the Basenji. But keep in mind that other sounds, sometimes noisy, are typical of this breed,
Our Choice of Quiet Dog Breeds
Let’s now look at our list of dog breeds have earned the reputation of quiet companions for high density living areas.
- Whippets are less inclined to bark than many other breeds. They are more interested in their role of watch dog. Similar to Greyhounds, Whippets are generally quiet dogs but may bark on occasion when they deem it necessary. Therefore, this breed is easier to manage in high density living arrangements.
- Bulldog – quiet by nature, they tend to be good companions.
- Newfoundland – in addition to their reputation as rescue dogs, this beautiful breed is usually very quiet. However, you have to be prepared for considerable shedding.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – this very affectionate breed is more likely to seek out your lap than stand at the fence waiting to bark at the neighbours. If they do bark, then you know they are trying to tell you something important.
- Boston Terrier – a very placid breed.
- Shiba Inu – this Japanese dog breed is not characterised by the typical bark but is more known for a type of scream but only when alarmed.
- Basenji – and of course we have already discussed the beloved Basenji, the so-called “barkless” breed. Of course, some mixed-breed dogs that include Basenji ancestry may inherit their quiet traits as well.
It’s important to note that individual dogs within any breed can vary in their propensity to bark; training and socialization also play significant roles in a dog’s behavior.
Non-Barking Dog Breeds Barking
What to Do If Your Dog Starts Barking Unexpectedly?
Let’s look at the situation where you have wisely chosen a relatively quiet dog breed. What do you do if for some unknown reason, your previously quiet dog now starts barking?
I had a friend who found herself in this very predicament. Her previously docile canine companion had developed a different personality. Barking all of a sudden had become the norm. Coming home to notes under the door from angry neighbours was unpleasant to say the least. Her problem ended up being easy to solve with a comfort toy:
But there are any other barking-deterrent aids and devices that can help in such a situation.
Solutions for Dogs that Bark (affiliate link)