How Loud Is a Dog’s Bark in Decibels (dB)? Facts & FAQ
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View 3 More +Dogs make a variety of sounds to communicate. While it would be nice for them to communicate to us at the same level as conversational speaking, they often bark when they want to get our attention or express their emotions. A dog’s bark can be very loud and easily reach 80 dB, and some dogs can bark up to 100 dB.
Prolonged or repeated exposure to higher noise levels (generally above 85 dB in humans) can contribute to hearing damage over time. Although brief or occasional barking is unlikely to cause harm, it’s important to address your dog’s barking appropriately and promptly.
Can a Dog Bark Damage Hearing?
Prolonged exposure to dog barking may contribute to hearing damage. Loudness is measured by decibels, and the quietest noise that humans can hear is approximately 0 dB. Sustained exposure to sounds above approximately 85 dB is associated with an increased risk of hearing damage over time.
Sounds at around 80-85 dB may pose a risk of hearing damage after about 4–8 hours or prolonged exposure. Sounds that are at 100 dB may cause hearing loss after about 15 minutes of repeated or sustained exposure. Sounds over 120 dB can cause pain and ear injury.
So, in some cases, dog barking can lead to hearing damage. Here’s how a dog’s bark compares to other noises that can harm ears:
| Sound | Decibels |
| Dog Barking | 80-100 dB |
| Normal Conversation | 60 dB |
| Human Shouting | 80-90 dB |
| Wolf Howl | 90-115 dB |
| Lawnmower | 80-85 dB |
| Motorcycle | 95 dB |
| Whistle | 104-116 dB |
| Music Concert | 100 dB |
| Thunderclap | 100-120 dB |
| Siren | 120 dB |
| Jackhammer | 130 dB |
| Firecrackers | 140-150 dB |
Which Dog Breed Has the Loudest Bark?
Not all dogs have the same level of barking, and some are louder than others. Many working dogs, like German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies, are known for vocalizations that can be loud. Hunting dogs, such as hounds and terriers, also tend to have loud barks. In special circumstances, dogs need loud barks in order to be heard clearly. For example, hunting dogs need to bark loud enough for their owners to locate them when they’re off-leash.
Interestingly enough, the dog with the loudest recorded bark is Charlie the Golden Retriever. He holds the Guinness World Record for a bark which measures 113.1 dB.
Which Dog Breed Is the Quietest?
While some dogs are known for their barks, others prefer to live a quieter life. The Basenji is known to be a non-barking dog breed. Basenjis can’t bark due to the unique shape and function of their larynx. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re quiet. They can still make loud noises and are known to yodel rather than bark.
Some dog breeds aren’t known to bark excessively. Greyhounds, Chinooks, Irish Setters, and Whippets are all dogs that have reputations for being quieter than most breeds.
Despite their quietness, barking is a normal part of communication for dogs. So, dogs will bark if they feel like it’s necessary. Dogs can bark for a variety of reasons. Barking is normal behavior when dogs want to get your attention or express excitement. Some dogs will start barking if they’re threatened or feel the need to defend themselves or respond to perceived threats. However, excessive barking is often a sign of underlying factors such as stress, boredom, anxiety, or medical issues, and may benefit from veterinary or behaviorist evaluation.
Can Neighbors Complain About Dog Barking?
Excessive barking can warrant a valid noise complaint from neighbors. Most condominium associations and apartment leases have clearly laid out rules and regulations for disruptive noises. Common rules include respecting building quiet hours and not consistently creating loud disturbances.
So, before you bring home a dog or sign a lease on a new apartment, make sure to get a clear understanding of the pet and noise complaint rules. Evictions due to noise complaints are governed by local laws and lease agreements and can vary significantly by location. Landlords typically have to provide sufficient evidence of repeated violations of rules for evictions to occur.
Summary
Dogs can have loud barks that reach levels of annoyance and irritation for human hearing. Some dog barks may even pose a risk of hearing damage if exposure is close, frequent, and prolonged.
While it is impossible to prevent dogs from ever barking, you can train and teach them to bark less or stop barking on command. If you’re facing noise complaint issues, you can always work with a dog trainer to try to find a way to reduce barking.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: atiger, Shutterstock
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Jessica is a freelance writer who spends bigger part of her day researching and writing while her furry companion Cavapoo, Nora, snoozes beside her. She loves dogs, pets and animals because there’s so much to learn from them, and they do so much for us. As a dog mom, she understands the strong connection that pet parents have with their pets. So, she loves sharing helpful information that pet owners can use to better understand their beloved pets. When she isn't writing, you may find her walking dogs, tending to her plants, or drinking her nth cup of coffee.
