Certain dog breeds tend to bark a lot — usually with good reason though.
Other breeds of dogs have a reputation of barking less.
In some circumstances (such as living in a small apartment or condo where the walls are thin and neighbors surround you on all sides), it may be beneficial to seek out a dog that might be likely to bark less.
So let’s get right to it…
Top 10 Dog Breeds That Don’t Bark Much
- Basenji
- Most Retrievers (Golden, Chesapeake Bay, Labrador)
- Shiba Inu
- Japanese Chin
- Basset Hound
- Clumber Spaniel
- Bloodhound
- Borzoi
- Italian Greyhoundx
- Bulldog
Top 10 Dog Breeds That Bark A Lot
- Chihuahua
- Pekinese
- Most Terriers (except the Bull Terrier which falls into the non-barking list above)
- Most Poodles (Toy, Miniature, and Standard Poodles)
- Collie
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd
- Lhasa Apso
- Pomeranian
- Maltese
Those are just a few dog breeds that usually appear at the top of each list. However, no 2 lists of barking dog breeds are ever alike!
For example, Beagles are sometimes placed at the top of the list of dogs that bark a lot. However, it’s just as common is to see Beagles topping the list of dogs that don’t bark much at all!
These 2 videos of Beagles show Beagles barking (or rather howling, which is more common among Beagles) …or not. Both behaviors are commonly seen among Beagles.
There are many different lists of barking dog breeds, and deciding which dogs to place on which list can be rather subjective. But this is one of the best lists of dog breeds that don’t bark (from the worst offenders all the way down to the quietest dog breeds), as reported in the book The Perfect Puppy: How To Choose Your Dog By Its Behavior and shared by Dr. Craig Mixon.
Dog Barking Isn’t The Most Important Thing
It’s important that you don’t make barking the #1 criteria that influences whether or not you get a particular dog — because all dogs make noise.
While some may not bark as much as others on a regular basis, they may make other loud noises instead.
For example, Shiba Inu dogs have a different sounding bark, but they don’t make this sound very often. Three dogs that don’t bark much, but make other strange sounds quite frequently instead are Beagles, Basset Hounds and Basenji dogs. Basenjis tend to “yodel” or howl loudly while Basset Hounds and Beagles tend to “bay” — which is a long drawn out very deep sounding noise.
Both Dingoes and Basenji are prone to howls, yodels, and other undulated vocalizations over the characteristic bark of modern dog breeds. Source
Also, don’t overlook the fact that each individual dog (regardless of the breed) has his very own unique personality and style, and barking may or may not be his preferred method of communication — just because.
Not to mention the fact that dog breeders and owners can condition their dogs to bark more than others in the same dog breed typically do. This could be a natural outcome of things like crowded breeding conditions, lack of socialization, or the owner’s own personality. These things — and more — can influence a dog’s general personality and tendency to bark.
That’s why barking should be considered among many other factors, including:
- The financial commitment of raising a dog
- The grooming requirements of a particular dog
- The time commitment and the many ways that a dog will interact with your lifestyle
- How the dog acts around children and other dogs.
It’s a combination of all of those factors which ultimately determines whether a particular dog will be a good fit for you or not.
Remember, in addition to tail wagging, barking is simply how dogs communicate!
What breed of dog is known not to bark (or at least not much) when left alone? Answer: It has more to do with the owners then it does the breed of dog. If you fulfill the dog’s instincts the dog, no matter the breed, will be less likely to bark. I know there are some breeds that may have a tendency to bark more than others, but it really has more to do with the human behind the dog. A restless dog is more likely to bark more. A dog who is well exercised, tired and secure is going to bark less. Source
More About Dog Barking
- Top 10 Dogs For Lazy Owners
- Quiet Dog Breeds
- Characteristics Of Barking Dogs
- Dog Barking 101
- Apartment Dogs: Dog Breeds That Are Suitable For Apartment Life
- Dog Barking Statistics
- What A Debarked Dog Sounds Like
- How To Stop Dog Barking In 3 Easy Steps
I’ve been involved in RVing for 50 years now — including camping, building, repairing, and even selling RVs. I’ve owned, used, and repaired almost every class and style of RV ever made. I do all of my own repair work. My other interests include cooking, living with an aging dog, and dealing with diabetic issues. If you can combine a grease monkey with a computer geek, throw in a touch of information nut and organization freak, combined with a little bit of storyteller, you’ve got a good idea of who I am.
