Dog Breeds That Bark A Lot And That Don’t
Dog Care Tips · Dog Behavior

10 Dog Breeds That Bark A Lot And 10 That Don’t

Last Updated/Info Checked on February 10, 2023 by Linda Michaels

Barking is a dog’s innate behavioral characteristic that serves many different purposes but is also a double-edged sword.

Some breeds are supposed to bark as they have been adopted to be guardians or flock herders for their owners like German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Terriers, etc.

However, many others are adopted for their calm and silent persona so that they won’t disturb their community. These include breeds like Basenji, Saluki, Bulldogs, Borzoi, etc.

10 Dog Breeds That Bark A Lot

Here is a list of 10 dog breeds that are vocal enough to become annoying to people. You may need to train them to curb their barking habits after you adopt them.

10 Dog Breeds That Bark A Lot

1. Yorkshire Terrier

Don’t go for their small sizes, Yorkies are energetic and can be quite fussy. They take their genes from Terriers bred to help coal miners kill rats but Yorkies of today have become a toy breed owing to their cuteness.

This is a breed of moderate intelligence that can be trained to communicate and perform minor tasks easily such as those on a fashion show. You can’t expect much from these as it is a miniature breed.

Relative to their sizes, Yorkies are way too energetic and require loads of physical activity throughout the day to function normally. Otherwise, they would become quite irritating and would bark a lot, which can be a nuisance.

Having said that, after being trained well, Yorkshire Terriers are one of the most family-friendly dog breeds and they adore their owners thus making them ideal pets for families.

Read also. How to stop Yorkies from barking?

You can learn more about this adorable breed at Dogtime.

2. Pomeranians

Pomeranians are small dogs that actively partake in agility and obedience training. These are highly intelligent dogs that can be easily trained into many behaviors and made to compete in competitive sports. Pomeranians are also considered as one of the best breeds for college students.

Although they are friendly with adult family members, they may not be particularly great with kids. This means you will need to keep an eye on them when they are near children.

With low to moderate energy levels, Pomeranians need some activity every day to keep them sane. This can be in the form of walking, running, or dog sports like fetch, etc

Their tendency to bark makes them somewhat annoying at times. But overall they are harmless and only respond when infuriated consistently. Anyhow, you might consider behavior training for your pooch when its barking becomes too annoying.

3. Chihuahua

This breed is known for its variety of coat colors and vibrant personality. Chihuahuas are small dogs with big hearts that get along well with humans.

If you ever have been with a Chihuahua, then you’d know that this is a couch-loving breed with low energy. These do not require much exercise daily so it is easy to have them in smaller households.

But with that comes a loud mouth; Chihuahuas bark a lot and become trouble for the communities they live in. But the good news is that they are intelligent enough to be trained to bark less and only when it is necessary.

Apart from that, Chihuahuas are family-loving dogs that go equally well with children and their smaller sizes make them harmless as well. You would love to have them in a household with kids.

4. Beagle

Going through this list, you may wonder, why is it always the smallest dog that barks the most? Well, maybe they overcompensate for their sizes. Beagles are yet another smaller breed that loves to bark and does it quite often.

Beagles will top any chart for friendliness as they do great with all members of a family, be they adults, children, or even guests. They are compassionate and care a lot for their families.

Whatever a Beagle does, it does so with intensity and it is well reflected by its energetic demeanor. Unlike other smaller dogs like the Pomeranian, Beagles need a lot of exercises daily to have a fresh mind and not be fussy.

Also, these are notorious for being resistant to training and will have their own ways of getting things done that may not align with yours. So will face a tough time training them but you would need to be very patient to get the best results. 

5. Dachshund

They may look like an anomaly but Dachshunds are pretty useful in hunting foxes, rabbits, and other tunneling animals due to their cylindrical bodies. 

Owing to their kind and caring nature, Dachshunds have secured a special place in the dog world as household pets. They get along well with the families of their owners and are fairly good with other pets too.

However, they can be a little arrogant when it comes to behavior training and you might have a tough time training them to bark less. Their barking is pretty helpful when they’re out hunting but it becomes a little irritating at home when it’s done for no reason.

They are a highly intelligent and playful breed. They understand the ins and outs of a relationship with humans and other dogs and try to do their best to please their masters. 

More about them here.

6. Alaskan Malamute

One of the oldest dogs breeds to exist, Alaskan Malamutes are now seen as great human companions with sheer love and responsibility towards their families.

Malamutes are highly intelligent and easy to train. You will see them adapting to your household rules and regulations pretty much instantly. This also means that their bad barking habits can be removed through behavioral training.

You should know that it is one of the most energetic breeds in the dog world so it can be restrained in small houses or apartments. They need some open space to run around and drain their energies.

7. Siberian Husky

Perhaps the most famous dog breed out there, Siberian Huskies are known for their wolf-like appearance and their striking blue eyes.

Whether it’s the kids or grown-ups in a family, Huskies will love and care for them all. They are full of life and cheer everyone up through their playfulness.

This also means that they have bigger exercise requirements that you will have to meet daily otherwise you’d see them behaving differently. This also exaggerates their barking potential. 

Plus, they are also a bit hard to train due to their resilient nature. So be ready for a hard time but love in return is worth all the effort.

You can consult Britannica for further information about Huskies.

8. Rat Terrier

As you have guessed by their names, Rat Terriers are rodent killers that have adapted themselves to modern human life. These are small, adorable, and full of energy which they sprinkle everywhere they go.

Rat Terriers adore their families, especially the kids whom they entertain through their playful nature. Their smaller sizes and intelligence makes them harmless to kids and they understand they can’t get too rough with them. 

With their easy-to-train nature, you will not have a hard time getting them out of any bad habits if they adopt one. This is also true for their barking which can be easily dealt with. 

They would behave nicely at home when you drain them out properly through exercises that match their higher energy potentials.

9. Australian Shepherd

This is a true shepherd breed that isn’t native to the Australian peninsula (hence a misnomer), Aussies are smart, strong, and caring.

Australian Shepherds can adjust in any given household provided that it has some open space for them to roam around. They don’t have any problem with the kids or the adults and love them all equally.

They are a great help when it comes to herding flocks. With sharp brains and a trainable personality, they can be made to do almost anything.

However, you will not like their barking tendencies which they have evolved as a working breed. The good news, they are open to changing that as well. A few months of training and viola! You get a calm Aussie that only barks when it is supposed to.

10. Miniature Pinscher

Miniature Pinschers are regarded as the ‘king of toys’ due to their composed personas. 

They love their families but need to be looked out for when dealing with kids as they are not so good with them. 

Pinschers have big energy reserves relative to their sizes so will need to be taken out for exercise quite often.

They may have a small body but their barking habits are not small. You can get easily annoyed but thanks to their trainable nature it won’t be long before you make them behave. 

You can learn more about this breed here.

10 Quiet Dog Breeds

Now we will discuss some shy dog breeds that chose not to bark much and make their presence almost unnoticeable.

10 Quiet Dog Breeds That Did't Bark

1. Basenji

Basenji was originally used to hunt small game in the African continent but now it thrives equally well in modern societies. They adapt well to apartment living and get along well with all the members of a household.

Although smart enough to perform any task at hand, Basenji is stubborn when it comes to training and will give you a tough time.  

With their higher prey drives and energies, you will need to take them out regularly for walks. Dog sports would be even better to drain them out.

Surprisingly enough, they have the least amount of barking potential despite having such an energetic nature. This makes them perfect for people who want calm and silent pets.

2. Bulldog

This breed was originally bred to be used for bull baiting hence the name. Fortunately enough, they have now attained a good place as human companions. 

Bulldogs love and adore their families and tend to look after them a lot.

Their barking potentials vary a lot within the breed but their low intensities and energy reserves mean they will be more so on the calmer side for most of the day.

Bulldogs are not a very intelligent breed but they are very playful and keep their families entertained.

3. Shih Tzu

The literal translation of their names is little lions. Shih Tzus are average-sized dogs that are easy to pet due to their docile nature.

They have smaller energy potentials so don’t need much exercise. You will love how silent they can be with only their visual presence in the household.

Shih Tzu adapts well to apartment life. They are moderately trainable as well. However, they are not so easy to groom and require a lot of effort to keep them shining. This should be kept in mind before you adopt them.

4. Irish Setter

This breed is adored for its beautiful mahogany coat and loving personality. Irish Setters were originally bred as gun dogs but have now become quite famous as a companion breed.

Once you adopt them, you will fall in love with them. The care and attention that you receive in return are also unmatchable. Setters will look after not just you but all members of the family as well.

However, you will have to take care of their exercise needs which are a lot so you can’t just make them sit at home. If you want to learn more about this astonishing breed, you can do that at AKC.

5. Shiba Inu

This is a native Japanese breed that was used to hunt small game. They have adapted well to modern life and turn out to be great human companions. 

Inus gets along fairly decently with family members albeit they would need some time for it. 

They have moderate energy levels and do not require too many activities to get them going. Their stubbornness to training can be a hurdle but with a little patience and training, they can be as good as any other breed.

6. Saluki

Saluki enjoys a special place in the middle-eastern Muslim culture, being symbolic of a divine gift.

It is hard to find a breed more gentle than a Saluki. They are an adorable breed but at the same time are robust in their actions. Being a long-legged dog breed, they have great speeds and can be used to catch prey. But their affectionate nature makes them good family pets as well.

Although it is easy to groom a Saluki, don’t go for this breed if you’re an inexperienced owner. They can be a bit hard for novice masters who don’t know the ins and outs of keeping an exotic dog breed.

7. Scottish Deerhound

Bred originally to hunt Roe deer, Scottish Deerhounds have now settled down as companion dogs. One of the reasons is how easy it is for them to get along with people. You can get an idea about their friendliness by watching their good behavior with total strangers.

Their silent nature also makes them a good candidate to be adopted as household pets.

However, they are not easy to train and require long hours of exercise daily or otherwise they get irritable. 

8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Looking for a sporty breed the size of a toy dog? Then go no further as CKCS is just that breed. These are enthusiastic dogs with moderate energy levels and love to accompany their owners on walks, runs, or hikes. 

Their adorable nature makes them a great choice as family pets as well. They get along with all sorts of humans and are very playful in human company.

CKCS are very amenable dogs and do not resist any training. They are also very easy to groom so they won’t need a lot of time and attention.

9. Borzoi

Do not get deceived by their seemingly athletic body as Borzois aren’t an energetic breed. These tend to remain silent and relaxed most of the time. This makes them perfect for owners that are looking for peace-loving pets.

Also, they adapt well to apartment living and are good with new owners as well. You will not face many issues with their training as well.

You can read more about this breed at Dogtime.

10. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Being famous as ‘the breed that can kill lions’, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are natural hunters from the African Sahara.

But nowadays, you are more likely to see them as companions. They will accompany their owners on walks and compete in some dog sports. Also, they are fairly good with the families of their owners.

Also, you’d find them pretty easy to groom. But they can be a little stubborn when it comes to behavior training so you would need to be a little patient with them.

If you’re interested in Ridgebacks, you can learn more about them at AKC.

Why do dogs bark?

A dog barks for several different reasons. It can be due to a danger that the dog might be facing so it is a call for help or it could be that it needs food or water. Sometimes, a dog barks to mark the presence of intruders so its owners prepare themselves.

Dogs often bark at other animals as well whom they find to be their enemies. These can be other dogs or smaller animals like cats, squirrels, and other rodents, or larger animals like horses, etc.

Other times, a dog’s barking can reflect its sheer boredom and many dog breeds have been known to bark when they have nothing else to do.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking?

If your dog has a habit of barking at other dogs or strangers, you can easily stop it from doing so. Now that you know why a dog barks, here are a few things you can do to make it stop this habit.

Drain Their Energy

This is as simple as it gets, dogs that are physically drained throughout the day are least likely to bark a lot. 

The best way to tire your pooch out is to take it out for a walk regularly. If it is one of the more energetic breeds, then you may want to engage it in dog sports like fetch or hide and seek, etc.

Thus, when the dog returns home after such activities, it won’t have the energy to bark and would rather choose to spend the rest of the day on the couch.

Keep Them Mentally Engaged

As mentioned before, many dogs chose to bark to kill boredom. Here you can engage them in games to keep them mentally occupied. 

The best way to do so is via dog puzzles. These are specially designed puzzles aimed at dogs that contain a treat when the pooch can sort them out. 

Some dog sports like obstacle courses are good at hitting two birds with one stone. They capture the dog’s mental faculties while keeping it physically involved as well. These are very effective in reducing a dog’s barking sessions.

Ignore The Barking

Dogs that bark to get their owner’s attention should be ignored to make them realize that this won’t work. If you attend to them every time they go on a barking spree, then you are positively reinforcing this bad habit of theirs.

Using Shock or Bark Collar

When nothing works, you have the opportunity to take technology’s help. There are anti-bark training collars or shock collars available out there that trigger a stimulation automatically or manually on the dog’s neck when it starts barking.

The stimulation could be tone, vibration, or shock, depending on the capacity of the collar you’ve chosen. I prefer one with all three features because it helps you gradually up the game from tone to shock if the dog doesn’t relent.

I talked about auto and manual triggering mechanisms. In auto, the collars have sensors to detect the level of barking or the times a dog barks. You could easily set the levels, telling the equipment to fire when the animal barks two times.

In manual training collars, you’re provided with a remote control with all the features laid out conveniently. Here, you have to be vigilant to note when the dog barks and then press the stimulation button.

Some users deem doing that cruel because they think the shock may be unbearable for a dog, and thus, it may be hurting it. This is only true in cases where the owner uses the collar to punish his pet. 

You are supposed to select the level above which the dog starts jumping, which alludes to the fact that the level isn’t bearable. Selecting anything above it will surely cause harm.

Besides this, do not leave the collar on the dog during the night. It should be left for a few hours to condition or train it. Leaving it on for long could potentially harm its skin.

To sum up, anti-bark or shock collars are excellent tools to control the dog’s incessant barking but they can turn into ruthless devices when not used according to their safety protocols. So, train yourself first before using the collar on your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Following are some of the questions that I have recevied from the reasers.

What dog breeds bark the most?

When it comes to barking, Chihuahuas are sometimes regarded as having the highest barking potential. However, many other breeds like Dachshunds, Huskies, Pomeranians, Terriers, Pitbulls, etc also bark a lot.

Is it normal for a dog not to bark?

Yes, not all dogs are zealous when it comes to barking, some just see it as too much effort and choose to be quiet. So don’t panic if your dog is a shy one and remains silent most of the time.
However, you may want to have your pooch checked by a vet if it suddenly becomes silent with a prior history of barking.

Conclusion

Barking is an innate behavior in dogs that serves many different purposes. However, some dogs bark a lot like the Chihuahuas, Huskies, Aussies, Terriers, Malamute, Beagles, etc while others like the Basenji, Borzoi, Shih Tzu, Rhodesian Ridgeback, etc tend to keep silent.

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