Having a dog as a companion can be an incredibly fulfilling experience, as these loyal and loving animals often become our closest friends. However, dog ownership does come with challenges, especially when it comes to incessant barking. If you’re looking for a quieter canine companion, this article explores dog breeds that are known for their calm demeanor and tendency to bark less.
Shiba Inu
The Japanese Shiba Inu dog is a great dog to own if you live in an apartment. They’re compact in size and rarely bark, so they won’t disturb your neighbors. They do, however, have an infamous scream, but this is usually when they’re extremely provoked.
Whippet
American Kennel Club, describes a whippet as a playful, calm, and low maintenance dog. Whippets can live in cozy apartments as they rarely bark, but they do require exercise. These affectionate dogs are great with children and make good family dogs. Just be careful when walking them, as they’ll chase anything.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are well known for their lower energy levels. They don’t like to do a lot of exercise, and they rarely bark. Because of their personalities, it makes them the perfect apartment dog. Although quiet by nature, they’re very affectionate and love human interaction.
Basenji
According to Country Livings, “Basenjis are often described as ‘barkless’ dogs. Due to the shape of their larynxes (voice boxes), they actually can’t bark in the traditional sense like other breeds.” Instead of barking, Basenjis are known for communicating through yodeling, often when they’re happy.
Greyhound
Greyhounds are dogs that are known to be more reserved. They’re very gentle and affectionate, making them great as family dogs. You’ll rarely witness a greyhound bark unless they’re extremely provoked. Greyhounds are known for their athleticism and require a lot of exercise to maintain their happiness.
Bulldog
Due to the way they look, bulldogs are often misunderstood. They’re very relaxed and rarely bark, as they prefer a calm environment. Their nature makes them great around children, and they’re relatively easy to look after. They’re not the biggest fans of exercise, so you need to monitor their weight.
Borzoi
Borzoi have a reserved nature and will rarely bark, even in the presence of strangers, so they don’t make the best guard dog. This is due to them originally being bred for hunting, so they’ve become used to using their sight over their sound.
Akita
Akita dogs originally originated in Japan and rarely bark. This is because they’re selective with their communication and will only bark when necessary. They’re very loyal and protective dogs, so if you do hear them bark, it will be in your best interests to pay attention.
Saluki
Saluki dogs are known for their calm and gentle demeanor. Due to their laid-back personalities, you’ll rarely hear them bark. They come from a hunting background, so they require a good amount of exercise to burn off their high energy levels.
Scottish Deerhound
If you’re tired of your dog constantly barking at everything, then a Scottish deerhound might be best for you. Holidays4Dogs reports, “They rarely bark and are not known for their guarding abilities. They are more likely to remain snoozing whenever anyone knocks on the door.”
Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback originates from southern Africa. They’re tame by nature and rarely bark unless they need to alert you. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very intelligent dogs who enjoy independence. Due to their strong and large build, they require large amounts of exercise to stay healthy.
Bernese Mountain Dog
With their mountain life background, many believe Bernese Mountain dogs to be boisterous in nature. However, they rarely bark as they have a calm temperament. They do love the outdoors, and this is where they are at their happiest, getting plenty of exercise.
Chinese Shar-Pei
The Shar-Pei originates from southern China and is best known for it’s unique but adorable wrinkles around the face. They were originally bred as guard dogs, and due to this, they rarely bark to ensure that when they’re barking, you’re aware of any present danger.
Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is known for its calm demeanor. You’ll rarely witness them barking; instead, you’ll enjoy their loyal, affectionate nature. They make a great family dog and love exercise and spending time outdoors to burn off the excess energy they have.
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Soft-coated Wheaten Terriers don’t tend to bark excessively. Instead, they prefer to communicate by going to find you. They’re full of energy, enjoy stimulation from humans through playtime, and are also great around children. They require a lot of exercise to burn off their energy.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
As mentioned by the Spruce Pets, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not known for their barking as long as their needs are being met. If they’re being neglected or not getting the attention they require, then they may bark to make you aware of how they feel.
Great Dane
Great Danes are great in nature, but not when it comes to barking. They prefer to stay composed rather than make unneeded noises. They’re a very large dog that requires a lot more space to live in than other dog breeds. They make great family pets due to their friendly nature and tendency to be patient around children.
Japanese Chin
The Japense Chin are known for their loving companionship. They tend to be very quiet in nature, rarely being vocal, so barking is not common. This is generally a healthy breed of dog that enjoys a good amount of exercise, despite being relatively small.
Pug
Cuddle Clones reports that “Pugs were originally the curious companions to Chinese emperors and once a treasure that only a select few could acquire. Today, pugs make for the ideal house dog due to their quiet nature.” They love human interaction and are stimulated by playing with their owners.
Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are a great family dog and have been described as the perfect nanny dog due to their protective nature around children. They’ve got a very calm and collected demeanor, which rarely sees them bark. Due to their large size and thick coat, they require a lot of maintenance when it comes to grooming.
