With the growing demand for quieter dog breeds, particularly by apartment dwellers or those living in shared housing, the search for low-noise dogs becomes quite the challenge.
Noisy canines can be a source of contention between neighbors, sometimes even leading to extreme measures to quieten the constant barking. However, it’s important to remember that barking or making noise is fundamental to a dog’s nature. It’s their primary mode of communication, and completely ‘barkless’ dogs simply don’t exist.
That being said, there are certain breeds known for their quieter demeanor, and the search for such low-noise dogs isn’t entirely in vain.
It’s noteworthy to mention that smaller dog breeds often tend to be more vocal. Breeds like Bichons, Miniature Schnauzers, and Cairn Terriers are examples of dogs who might make their voices heard more often.
The unique African Basenji is often referred to as a ‘non-barking’ dog, but that doesn’t mean they’re entirely silent. Rather than traditional barks, these dogs express themselves through unique sounds like howls, bays, or even grumbles.
In this pursuit of quieter companionship, here are a few dog breeds that are known to be on the quieter side:
The Basenji, a breed with roots in Africa, is known for its unique non-barking trait. Instead of the typical bark or bay, it communicates through a low, infrequent howling or gurgling sound. With a need for regular exercise, the Basenji fits well with active owners. However, its reserved nature makes it less fond of other dogs, pets, strangers, and even excessive displays of affection. A low-shedder, the Basenji surely qualifies as one of the quieter dog breeds.
The Basset Hound is the epitome of laid-back. This slow-moving, easy-going breed is a quiet addition to any family, getting along well with children and fond of leisurely explorations by sniffing around. The Basset Hound is usually friendly with other dogs and pets, and it tends to bay when excited but is generally a quiet, barkless breed.
The Bloodhound, a gentle giant, is a calm, quiet, and easy-going breed. Known for its mournful expression, this breed adores belly rubs, is great with children but might not be as playful as some kids might wish. As a watchdog, it’s fair, but it’s not a guard dog, making it far removed from the barking dog category.
Originating from Russia, the elegant Borzoi breed is a loyal pet that loves outdoor runs. This sighthound is exceptionally fast and can travel significant distances. In the home, it tends to be quiet and reserved, barking seldomly, even outdoors.
The Bouvier des Flandres hails from Belgium. Known as a natural watchdog, it maintains a calm and quiet demeanor both indoors and outdoors. While it can be wary of strangers and show aggression towards other dogs, it fits well into a family dynamic, especially with a bit of vigorous exercise. It’s not a fan of unnecessary barking.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most amiable toy breeds. Quiet and affectionate, it gets along with everyone – from other dogs and strangers to children. Weighing up to 18 pounds, this breed makes a perfect family pet.
The Clumber Spaniel is a rather unusual breed in its hunting group, known for its relaxed, easy-going temperament. Despite being a sporting dog, its exercise needs are lower than most of its peers. The Clumber Spaniel is an excellent family pet and often forms a strong bond with one family member. Its barking is short-lived, reinforcing its status as one of the quieter dog breeds.
The English Bulldog is an exceptional house pet. Known for its quiet demeanor, amusing antics, and love for its family, it offers a fun, compact package. Its trainability and obedience, coupled with its entertaining silliness, make it an appealing choice. The Bulldog generally gets along well with children, although it can be wary of unfamiliar dogs.
The English Toy Spaniel is the ultimate loyal lapdog. Despite being small at just 12 pounds, this breed packs in a calm temperament with plenty of energy for play and park walks. It typically gets along well with other pets but can be cautious around strangers. Its occasional stubbornness is balanced by its quiet demeanor, keeping it away from the group of high-barking dogs.
The French Bulldog, affectionately known as Frenchie, is a family dog that knows how to have fun. Known for their quiet and goofy nature, Frenchies are experts at clowning around. They’re typically good with kids and other pets, and they’re usually not aggressive towards strangers. However, their training might pose some challenges.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a loyal, gentle, and calm family pet. Known for getting along well with children, this breed also tends to be protective of its family and home. Although it may bark while guarding its family, its overall laid-back nature makes it another member of the quiet dog breeds.
The Greyhound breed, with its relaxed demeanor and quiet nature, makes for an exceptional family pet. They’re known to be obedient and devoted to their families, though they’re not necessarily great watchdogs. Greyhounds are raced until they’re about three years old, at which point they’re retired. So, you could get a well-behaved, house-trained three-year-old. They’re quite affectionate, moderately playful, and generally get along well with people and other dogs, solidifying their place among the quieter dog breeds.
The English Mastiff, a sizable breed reaching up to 190 pounds, is essentially a born guard. While his energy and exercise needs are minimal, his protective instinct is strong. If properly socialized and trained from as early as four weeks, this breed can transform into a calm, quiet, easy-going, and well-behaved pet. Despite being a guard dog, he can be quite affectionate.
The Neapolitan Mastiff, an Italian variant of the Mastiff breed, has a unique role in the working dog group. This ancient breed, primarily a guard dog, stands out for being a friendly and quiet protector of the home. Weighing in at around 150 pounds, this formidable guard dog tends not to bark much when not on duty.
The Pug, a delightful member of the toy breeds, isn’t part of the high-barking dog group. This little breed can often be found entertaining with its playful antics and silly behavior. Despite being stubborn and self-confident, Pugs are generally quiet and relaxed, happy to settle onto any available lap. They’re decent watchdogs and require only a minimum amount of exercise.
The Saint Bernard, weighing up to a colossal 200 pounds, is known for its calm, quiet, and gentle temperament. Originally used to pull sleds and carts in the Middle Ages, they’ve since evolved into companions and family pets. They’re very patient with children, although there’s a risk of accidental injury due to the breed’s considerable size and weight. Their friendly nature means they’re not the most effective guardians, but they’re a part of the quieter dog breeds.
The Tibetan Spaniel, a breed with a fair amount of energy but surprisingly low exercise needs, is known for its independent and somewhat stubborn nature. However, these little house dogs can also be very affectionate, coexisting peacefully with other pets and dogs. They’re not particularly fond of strangers, and while they might bark at a doorbell or unfamiliar people, their barking isn’t incessant, separating them from the category of persistent barkers.
On the other hand, the Whippet is incredibly sensitive, both physically and emotionally, requiring ample exercise and playtime. This breed makes a fantastic family pet, demonstrating patience, tranquility, and a high level of tolerance, along with a good dose of affection. While Whippets serve as fairly effective watchdogs, they aren’t really cut out to be guardians. This breed is one friendly canine.
That wraps up our selection for quiet dog breeds. There are other dogs out there that bark on occasion – sometimes, perhaps, more often than some may prefer. But it’s important to remember, a completely barkless dog is a rarity.
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