24 Quiet Dog Breeds That Don’t Bark Too Much (With Pictures)
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Every dog is an individual and tends to be shaped by the socialization, training, and environment of its youth. This means that while we can predict some characteristics and traits according to the breed, it is also possible that you will end up with a sensible Boxer or a lethargic Border Collie.
But, generally speaking, it is a lot easier to shape a dog according to its breed traits. So, if you want a lively dog that loves to get outside, getting a Border Collie will make it easier to encourage this trait. And, if you want a dog that talks and communicates with you on the regular, get a Beagle or a Border Collie. On the other hand, if you want a dog that is less inclined to make noise, the following 24 breeds are considered those that are least likely to bark.
Barking is a perfectly natural behavior for dogs. It is one of the few ways dogs have to communicate with one another, other animals, and with us. Therefore, barking shouldn’t be completely discouraged, but whether you live in an apartment and don’t want to anger the neighbors, or you just don’t want to listen to the constant yapping of a vocal dog, these breeds offer you the best chance of a quiet life.
The 24 Quiet Dog Breeds
1. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant breed that can stand as tall as 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh as much as 100 pounds or more. The breed is kind and loving, and it isn’t afraid of hard work, having been developed to work farms in the Swiss mountains. The Bernese is a calm dog that is usually quiet but it does struggle in hot weather.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Some small breeds have a reputation for being yappy, but the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not one of them. Good with family, including children, and strangers, the King Charles is a small but regal dog. The Spaniel in its lineage means that the breed is energetic and playful.
3. Basenji
The Basenji is sometimes nicknamed Africa’s barkless dog, which is a good indication that you’re going to get a relatively quiet dog. The breed was born to hunt and is often described as “feline” in its characteristics and movements. While they don’t bark, they do have a voice so they can let you know if they are having fun or need feeding.
4. Great Dane
The Great Dane is the world’s tallest dog, standing up to 36 inches at the shoulders. When standing on its hind legs, the Great Dane will tower over most people, and they have the strength to back up that size. Fortunately, they are typically very friendly and sweet-natured dogs that are especially good with children and even small animals. Despite the name, the Great Dane does not originate from Denmark.
5. Bulldog
The Bulldog might look grumpy but it is a devoted family dog. And while they might look incapable of heavy exercise, they do enjoy and require regular brisk walks. The brachycephalic face is likely the reason that this breed doesn’t bark much and it can also lead to breathing difficulties, especially in hot weather.
6. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is almost a miniature version of the Bulldog, except that it has erect ears that give it an alert appearance, and the Frenchie isn’t as stocky as the English Bulldog. Although the breed is lively and enjoys playing, it doesn’t usually mark this excitement with barking and it is a relatively peaceful pet. But it does require a lot of attention.
7. Greyhound
The Greyhound is the world’s fastest couch potato. It is likely one of the oldest breeds in the world, with an ancestry dating back to ancient Egypt. The Greyhound is a sighthound, which means it uses its sense of sight to detect and hunt prey. It can reach incredible speeds of 40 miles per hour or more, but only in short bursts, and you’re more likely to see a pet Greyhound stretched out on the sofa.
8. Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is effectively a smaller version of the Greyhound. It still can achieve incredible speeds and tends to spend most of its day laying on the sofa on your lap. It is also another breed that is disinclined to bark, although it will use other methods to get your attention. That long nose is an especially effective attention grabber.
9. Whippet
With its slim waist, big chest, and long nose, the Whippet is another sleek and elegant sighthound that looks like a miniature Greyhound. And it is another breed with an incredible turn of pace and an impressive ability to stretch out and fill a sofa. Like the other sighthounds on this list, it also tends to be quiet and doesn’t bark much.
10. Borzoi
Sighthounds, in general, tend to be relatively quiet dogs. When hunting, they would remain silent so they don’t scare off their quarry. The Borzoi, which looks like a Greyhound but with beautiful long hair, is generally a very agreeable dog that loves its family but may not want to engage in too much play.
11. Scottish Deerhound
Yet another sighthound type that is disinclined to bark is the Scottish Deerhound. The Scottish Deerhound has the build of a Greyhound but the coat and size of a Wolfhound. The breed almost became extinct because tight ownership policies meant only a very select few could own the breed. Although still not that common a breed today, these policies no longer exist.
12. Irish Setter
The Irish Setter is a stunning gundog with a striking red coat that is long, luscious, and challenging to care for. The breed is known for being loving and amiable, and an Irish Setter will usually want to make friends with everybody it meets. It especially enjoys playing ball games and can make a great family pet for families with children.
13. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is another breed that hails from Ireland. It is a loving and friendly dog that will form a close bond with its family members. It is also a lively and active pup and will be especially grateful to anybody willing to throw a ball for it. They are prized for their long, soft coat, which is low shedding but does require some care.
14. Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is an ancient breed that originates from Japan and was bred as a hunting dog. Already a very popular breed in their homeland, the Shiba Inu is growing in popularity throughout the West thanks to their bold personality and attractive looks. The breed is independent and tends to do better with older children than younger ones.
15. Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is a herding dog with its roots in Europe but perfected in America. They are rugged, hard-working dogs with buckets of stamina and loaded with intelligence. The Australian Shepherd can make a great pet, as long as the owner has a lot of time and energy to put into exercise.
16. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a small breed that comes from China. It is a fun and active little dog, although its size means that it really doesn’t need too much exercise. Its size also makes it a suitable dog for owners that live in apartments or have confined space. It does require a lot of attention and will be demanding of your time, and that coat does require some maintenance to keep it looking its best.
17. Saluki
The Saluki looks like a Greyhound but has longer hair around the ears and tail. It originates from Egypt and was once used to bring down Gazelles. This is another sighthound breed that can reach staggering speeds. They can adapt to most climates and living conditions, which makes them a good choice of pet for most families and most situations.
18. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a strong, stocky, muscular dog, named for the ridge on its back. This ridge is a line of hair that grows in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. It was bred to track lions, but never to kill them, but the breed has a strong independent streak and it can be prone to chasing virtually any animal so it does take a skilled hand.
19. Newfoundland
The Newfie, or Newfoundland, is one of the world’s largest breeds and one can weigh up to 120 pounds. Their coat is thick and the breed does better in cold climates, rather than hot. As well as being quiet dogs, Newfies are great family dogs and are often described as nanny dogs because they are not only gentle around children but seem to instinctively know to care for them.
20. Shar Pei
The Shar Pei is a Chinese dog that is recognizable for its wrinkled fur and wide muzzle. The general demeanor of a Shar Pei is one of peace but this guardian dog will protect its family fiercely if required. Owners considering this breed need to be prepared to provide lots of early socialization and training to ensure the dog does not perceive strangers or other animals as potential threats.
21. Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is instantly recognizable for its giant size, its jowly face, and its brown and white markings. It has long been used to locate and rescue lost travelers in the Swiss Alps, and it takes this caring role into the home. The Saint Bernard is a nanny dog that is gentle and understanding around children, but its size and tendency to drool probably put a lot of owners off.
22. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is another dog with a wrinkled facial expression. It comes from China and is described as an all-purpose dog. It is most often kept as a companion. While it is aloof with strangers, it has a strong love for its family, and with good socialization, it will not pose a threat to anybody. The Chow Chow is described as being feline in its desire to keep itself clean so while it rarely barks, it does tend to groom itself frequently.
23. Afghan Hound
Afghan Hounds are elegant and beautiful. They are also known for being somewhat diva-ish and they spend a lot of time maintaining their coat. However, the Afghan also enjoys playtime and loves spending time with family. According to some legends, the Afghan Hound was chosen as the dog to represent canines on Noah’s Ark.
24. Akita
The Akita is originally of Japanese descent, but today there are two varieties: the American Akita and the Japanese Akita Inu. Both are big dogs, although the American Akita is the bigger of the two. These breeds don’t bark unless something is wrong, and they are known for being fiercely loyal and devoted to their family.
Conclusion
Choosing one of these breeds does not guarantee that you will get a quiet dog that won’t bark, but it should mean that your dog is less inclined to bark and it should be easier to discourage barking. If you do have one of these breeds and you do hear it bark, it is likely to mean that something is really wrong and you should pay attention.
Featured Image Credit: Vad Len, Shutterstock
