Is your dog the neighborhood chatterbox, or do they tend to stay on the quiet side? If you’re wondering how your dog compares to others in terms of vocal activity, our guide to the noisiest dog breeds is the perfect resource. This ranking assesses the most popular dog breeds by how noisy they are, helping you understand where your current—or possibly future—dog stands.
To compile this ranking, we’ve analyzed detailed breed-specific characteristics from the American Kennel Club alongside real-world feedback from dog owners across various forums. This dual-source approach allows us to identify which breeds are the most vocal, providing a clearer picture for both current and prospective dog owners.
Keep reading to find out where your dog ranks in our list of the noisiest breeds.
Dog Barking Habit Rankings
There are many ways to identify the noisiest dog breeds. While you could rank them from loudest to quietest, this method might not provide a complete picture. Some dogs may bark loudly but infrequently, while others might bark often but have a softer bark.
For this reason, we’ve chosen to group them into categories—high, medium, and low—based on their vocal tendencies. This approach offers a more comprehensive understanding of what to expect from different breeds.
Just remember that beyond genetics, a dog’s barking behavior is influenced by a variety of factors including the dog’s environment, training, and individual personality. So, even if your dog’s breed is typically on the quieter side, your particular pet may still be quite vocal.
Dog Breeds Categorized by Barking Habits
High Barking Tendencies
In this section, we highlight the noisiest dog breeds among popular dogs, known for their frequent and loud or high-pitched barking.
1. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are known for their high-pitched and frequent barking, often triggered by strangers, loud noises, or when they feel threatened. Their small size contrasts with their bold and protective nature, leading them to bark assertively in response to perceived dangers or unfamiliar situations.
2. Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzers are known for their loud and sharp barking, primarily used to alert owners about strangers or unusual activities. This breed’s vocal tendencies are heavily influenced by their origins as farm dogs and rat catchers in Germany, where their barking was essential for alerting owners to pests and potential threats. Their breeding has honed a keen watchdog ability, making them quick to sound the alarm in any unusual situations.
3. Dachshund
Dachshunds exhibit a surprisingly loud bark for their size, often driven by their strong prey drive or when they notice something unusual. This vocal behavior stems from their breeding as hunting dogs, specifically bred to hunt badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals. Their loud bark was crucial for communicating their location underground to their owners during hunts, and this trait persists in the breed today, making them alert and vocal watch dogs.
4. Beagle
Beagles are notably loud and frequent barkers, often activated by scents and unfamiliar sights—a trait stemming from their hunting heritage. They are bred to use their bark to communicate during scent tracking, making them exceptionally vocal when they detect new or interesting smells.
5. Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers exhibit frequent and loud barking, often sparked by high-energy activities and perceived threats. Their strong barking tendency is deeply rooted in their breeding as hunting dogs, originally designed to flush out foxes and other small game, which requires sharp, quick vocal reactions to alert hunters.
6. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are known for their high-pitched barking, often triggered by unfamiliar sounds and sights. This breed’s vocal nature is influenced by their origins as rat-catchers and small watchdogs in English mills and mines, where a sharp bark was essential for alerting their owners to intruders or problems. Today, this trait makes them vigilant companions, quick to respond to any unusual activities in their environment.
7. Siberian Husky
We had a hard time deciding where to place Siberian Huskies on this list. They are more likely to howl than bark, with howling often triggered by loneliness or the presence of other dogs. Bred as sled dogs in Arctic conditions, their howling served as a means of long-distance communication. This background makes them prone to howling for social interaction or when feeling isolated, rather than frequent barking.
However, Huskies are known to “talk” by making a wide range of sounds that resemble conversational tones, which is their way of engaging more interactively with their human companions. This vocalizing includes a quirky mixture of moans, yips, and whines, which many owners interpret as an attempt to “speak”. This placed them higher on the list of noisy dog breeds.
8. Poodle
Poodles exhibit varying loudness in their barks, often triggered by alerts or when left alone. Bred for retrieving and assisting hunters, their alertness and intelligence make them responsive to their environment. This historical role contributes to their tendency to vocalize for communication and alert purposes.
Moderate Barking Tendencies
This section explores dog breeds with moderate barking tendencies. These breeds are known for their occasional yet distinctive barks, often sounding alarms only when necessary or during specific situations like play.
9. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers exhibit moderate barking in terms of loudness and frequency, typically barking to alert owners or during play. Their breeding as versatile working dogs, particularly in retrieving and assisting hunters, contributes to their alertness and communication skills, making them effective but not excessive barkers.
10. German Shepherd
German Shepherds have loud and impactful barking, mainly triggered by protective instincts or specific commands. Bred as working and guard dogs, their vocalizations are integral to their role in alerting and protecting. This heritage makes them responsive and authoritative barkers, especially in guarding or police work scenarios.
11. Boxer
Boxers have moderately loud barks, often triggered during play or when sensing strangers. Their breeding as guard dogs and hunting companions contributes to this behavior, as their bark serves to alert and protect. This background makes them vigilant and responsive, especially in social or unfamiliar situations.
12. Havanese
Havanese dogs are not very loud, barking moderately in response to doorbells or new guests. Bred as companion dogs for Cuban aristocracy, their primary role was to be friendly and alert but not overly vocal. This breeding results in a moderate barking tendency, making them responsive yet manageable.
13. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds bark with moderate loudness, typically during herding or when they need exercise. Bred as working dogs to manage livestock, their vocalizations are essential for directing and controlling animals. This herding background makes them responsive and vocal, particularly when they need physical or mental stimulation.
14. Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers have a loud bark, often used for protection or when sensing potential threats. Bred as guard dogs and protectors, their vocalizations are crucial for alerting owners to danger. This protective background contributes to their assertive and responsive barking tendencies, especially in unfamiliar or suspicious situations.
15. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers have moderate barking, typically to communicate or alert, without being overly noisy. Their breeding as hunting and retrieving dogs required them to be responsive but not overly vocal, enabling effective communication with their handlers during hunts. This background makes them balanced in their vocalization tendencies.
Low Barking Tendencies
This section focuses on breeds with low barking tendencies. These dogs are characterized by their infrequent barking, making them ideal for quieter environments or for owners who prefer a more reserved canine companion.
16. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers exhibit low to moderate barking, often becoming more vocal in response to direct interaction or play. Originally bred as companion and fighting dogs, their breeding emphasized a friendly and sociable nature. This background contributes to their tendency to bark more during engaging activities rather than being excessively noisy, making them well-suited for various living environments.
17. Cane Corso
Cane Corsos have a deep and loud bark, but they are infrequent barkers unless provoked or on guard duty. Bred as protectors and working dogs in ancient Rome, their vocalizations are reserved for genuine threats or commands. This heritage ensures their barking is purposeful and effective, primarily for protection.
18. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus rarely bark, preferring to whine or remain quiet, typically triggered by direct interaction. Bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty, they were valued for their calm and affectionate nature. This breeding emphasizes their preference for close, quiet interaction over vocal alerting, making them less likely to bark frequently.
19. Great Dane
Great Danes have a deep but infrequently used bark, usually reserved for necessary situations like alerting owners. Bred as hunting and guard dogs, their imposing presence often deters threats without the need for excessive barking.
20. Bulldog
Bulldogs have infrequent and moderate barking, typically only when provoked or excited. Originally bred for bull-baiting, their need for excessive vocalization was minimized as they relied more on their strength and tenacity. This history contributes to their generally quiet demeanor, reserving their bark for significant stimuli or excitement.
21. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a gentle bark that is rarely loud, typically triggered by the owner’s return or during gentle play. Bred as companion dogs for European nobility, their temperament was refined to be calm and affectionate. This breeding emphasis on companionship over guarding results in their mild and infrequent vocalizations.
22. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very low frequency of barking, typically using their deep bark in response to direct threats. Bred as working dogs in the Swiss Alps for drafting and herding, their role required them to be calm and composed.
23. Greyhound
Greyhounds are extremely infrequent barkers, known for their very quiet nature, making them suitable for apartment living. Bred for speed and agility in racing and hunting, their role did not require vocalization for herding or guarding. This breeding contributes to their calm and silent demeanor, rarely needing to bark.
24. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs rarely bark, and when they do, it’s not very loud, typically occurring during play or when startled. Bred as companion animals for city dwellers, their breeding prioritized a calm and friendly demeanor over vocal alertness.
25. Pug
Pugs are generally quiet, occasionally barking softly during play or when seeking attention. Bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty, their primary role was to provide affectionate company without the need for loud vocalizations. This breeding contributes to their calm and gentle nature, making them infrequent barkers.
We’ve explored the noisiest dog breeds in our “Bark-O-Meter” guide, ranking them from the loudest to the quietest based on various factors. Now it’s your turn! How does your dog compare? Are they a silent sentinel or part of the bark brigade? Share your stories and see how they stack up against these vocal canines.