If you want a dog, you must be prepared for their barking. Most dogs bark because it is a primary way for them to communicate. However, some breeds are quieter than others and don’t tend to bark as much. Whether you prefer a quiet lifestyle, work from home, or have neighbors who don’t appreciate a noisy dog, the following breeds might be a good choice.
How Are Quiet Dog Breeds Classified?
Almost all dogs bark or make some sort of noise. Dogs bark to communicate and express themselves, like when they want to communicate a need or alert you to something. Some dogs have more tolerable barks than others, but that will depend on your preference.
Dogs can have high-pitched and yappy barks or deep and drawn-out barks that are guaranteed to catch your attention. Dogs that don’t bark much aren’t necessarily classified by how their barks sound but more by how often and for how long they bark.
Relatively quiet dogs only bark when necessary and aren’t entirely silent.
The 9 Dog Breeds That Don’t Bark
1. Basenji
| Origins: | Africa |
| Lifespan: | 13 – 14 years |
| Height: | 16 – 17 inches |
The Basenji is a small breed from Central Africa with a graceful appearance and short coat. They only stand 16 to 17 inches tall and weigh up to 24 pounds. Basenjis are one of the quietest breeds in the world and are sometimes called “barkless dogs.”
They produce a unique type of yodeling sound that sounds more like a soft “baroo” than a typical bark. Most Basenjis do not make much noise at all, but some can become vocal when they want to be. However, their narrow larynx limits the movement of their vocal cords.
2. Whippet
| Origins: | England |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 15 years |
| Height: | 18 – 22 inches |
The Whippet is a medium-sized British dog and a type of sighthound. They are related to Greyhounds and have lean, muscular bodies with small heads. Whippets are one of the fastest breeds within their size range and can run up to 35 miles per hour. Their back legs allow them to run at incredible speeds, which makes them excellent sprinters.
Whippets are not known to be very vocal dogs and don’t bark much. However, they still bark occasionally to get your attention.
3. Shiba Inu
| Origins: | Japan |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 15 years |
| Height: | 5 – 16.5 inches |
Shiba Inus are a type of Japanese breed that originated as hunting dogs. They are recognized for their distinctive fox-like appearance, small size, and red coat. However, Shiba Inus are also available in other coat colors, such as cream, sesame, black, and tan.
Shiba Inus are spirited and well-mannered dogs that can adapt to various environments, whether an urban home or farm. They don’t bark much, and their quietness makes them perfect for apartment living, but you can still expect the occasional bark.
4. Japanese Chin
| Origins: | Japan |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 12 years |
| Height: | 8 – 11 inches |
The Japanese Chin is a toy breed that isn’t known for being much of a barker. Japanese Chins have flattened snouts, long coats, and lively temperaments. They are the perfect lap dogs and apartment-friendly canines that thrive on human companionship. They are quieter than similar-sized breeds, including Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.
When they become vocal, Japanese Chins have a cute, high-pitched bark that is tolerable for most people to hear.
5. Saluki
| Origins: | Arabian Peninsula |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 14 years |
| Height: | 23 – 28 inches |
Salukis are medium-sized sighthounds from the Arabian Peninsula. They were initially developed to hunt using their sight rather than scent. Salukis have an elegant appearance resembling Greyhounds, with narrow, muscular bodies and a short coat. They are not known to bark excessively, so they can be a good fit for people who want a calm dog in a quiet neighborhood.
Interestingly, Salukis are one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, and archaeological evidence of the breed dates back thousands of years.
6. Akita
| Origins: | Japan |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 14 years |
| Height: | 25 – 27.5 inches |
Akitas are an ancient Japanese breed known for their loyal and courageous temperaments. They are a type of spitz-breed developed to herd, guard, and hunt. Akitas look similar to Shiba Inus, but they are the larger of the two and have bigger bones. They are highly intelligent dogs that are protective of their families.
In Japan, Akitas are considered a symbol of protection, wealth, and good health. They have earned a spot on this list because they do not bark much unless they have a good reason to.
7. English Bulldog
| Origins: | United Kingdom |
| Lifespan: | 6 – 8 years |
| Height: | 14 – 16 inches |
English Bulldogs are medium-sized dogs with short, stocky bodies and brachycephalic faces. Their sweet and calm demeanor makes them the perfect lap dogs. They enjoy lounging around in comfy places around the home and have relatively low energy levels. However, the original Old English Bulldog was supposedly much more energetic and protective than the English Bulldogs nowadays.
They do not bark a lot and only do so if they want to alert you to something. However, they have a deep bark and do not bark continuously.
8. Italian Greyhound
| Origins: | Italy |
| Lifespan: | 13 – 15 years |
| Height: | 13 – 15 inches |
Italian Greyhounds are small dogs with a graceful appearance and appealing temperaments. They are originally from Italy and were bred to be herders and hunters. As sighthounds, Italian Greyhounds would track their prey using their sight rather than their sense of smell.
They not only have impressive hunting skills, but they are also fast and can run for up to 40 miles per hour. Another impressive trait is that they are relatively quiet.
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
| Origins: | United Kingdom |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 14 years |
| Height: | 12 – 13 inches |
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a British breed with an even temper and regal appearance. They are not very vocal and keep barking to a minimum. However, like most dogs, they bark occasionally when necessary.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are small, at only 12 to 13 inches tall, and usually weigh no more than 20 pounds. They have long, silky coats, droopy ears, and soft expressions that make them look like royalty. Their quietness and sweet disposition make them perfect for apartments, but they enjoy having a small yard to explore.
Final Thoughts
There are a handful of dogs that don’t bark much but still do bark occasionally. No breed does not bark at all. When choosing a quiet dog, you want to look for one that doesn’t have a reputation for excessive barking. Furthermore, you want to choose one that isn’t known to yap or bark continuously, even if they are trying to alert you to something.
Basenjis seem to be the most silent dog breed on the list because of their unusually shaped vocal cords. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shiba Inu, and Japanese Chins are small breeds that don’t bark often. Larger dogs that don’t bark a lot include the Akita and Saluki.
Featured Image Credit: kate amos, Pexels
How Are Quiet Dog Breeds Classified?
