17 Quiet Dog Breeds That Don’t Bark Much (With Info & Pictures)

Although it is impossible to find a breed that doesn’t bark at all, certain breeds are quieter than others. This fact makes those breeds ideal for apartment living or for people who simply don’t like much barking to begin with.

If you are looking for a quiet dog breed, you have come to the right place. In this article, we recommend our favorite dog breeds that don’t bark much. Although these dogs still bark to some degree, they are much quieter than many other breeds.

The 17 Quietest Dog Breeds That Don’t Bark Much

1. Basenji

The Basenji is easily one of the quietest breeds to consider. Although these dogs are not completely mute, they are often known as “the barkless dog” because their larynx is shaped differently from that of other dogs. This makes it more difficult for them to bark.

When this breed does make noise, it doesn’t sound like most other barks. It sounds more like a yodel.

2. Bernese Mountain Dog

Although large in weight, Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle giants. They tend to have an even-keeled nature, and they become quite loyal to their owners. Since the Bernese Mountain Dog was a working breed originally, they don’t bark much.

3. Great Dane

The Great Dane is a giant dog that doesn’t make much noise. Even though they can look a bit scary due to their size, Great Danes were bred to please people first and foremost. As a result, they are great family dogs and easy to train, and they don’t make much noise.

4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small breed that doesn’t bark much. They love people and have a more even-tempered personality than many other small dogs. However, they can have separation anxiety, which can cause them to bark when you aren’t home.

5. Glen of Imaal Terrier

Many people love the energy and spunk of terriers but can’t handle the excitability and barking. The Glen of Imaal Terrier offers the best of both worlds. They love to play but don’t bark much, and they don’t get quite as unruly as many other terriers.

6. Bulldog

The Bulldog is a favorite breed for many reasons, with one being how quiet they are. Whether you are interested in an English Bulldog or a French Bulldog, Bulldogs as a whole are incredibly quiet breeds.

7. Scottish Deerhound

The Scottish Deerhound has a shaggy look and gentle personality that makes them stand out from many other breeds. Although this breed is not small, it barks very little. They also have average amounts of energy, meaning you can take them out to play or nap with them.

8. Shiba Inu

Even though Shiba Inus cause a great deal of laughter due to being a popular meme, you won’t likely hear this breed make much noise themselves. This dignified and quiet breed is known for being incredibly loyal and calm.

While they can make noise, which is often called the “Shiba scream,” it is infrequent.

9. Shar Pei

The Shar Pei is easily one of the most adorable breeds with their wrinkly face. In addition to being super cute, they are incredibly quiet, calm, and collected. Although they may be a bit standoffish around strangers, they love family and are incredibly gentle.

10. Greyhound

Many people do not know this, but Greyhounds were originally bred to silently chase prey. As a result, they are incredibly quiet, as well as gentle and sweet. This makes them one of the best breeds to have inside an apartment.

11. Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is one of the most affectionate and loyal breeds out there. Although they have a protective and serious streak for their family, the breed is incredibly quiet. The only time that you can expect to hear a Saint Bernard bark is if someone new enters the home.

12. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rhodesian Ridgebacks have quite a unique look. You can identify this breed by looking at the stripe of hair that grows down their spine. This breed is also incredibly calm and quiet. They were bred to track lions down in Africa, meaning they know how to stay silent while searching for prey.

13. Borzoi

Borzois are less popular than many of the other breeds on this list. This tall and skinny breed is incredibly quiet and calm. They rarely bark and maintain an affectionate and loyal demeanor toward their owners. They are also agile and athletic, with the ability to run up to 35 mph.

14. Chow Chow

Chow Chows have a rather mysterious history. Some people believe that they were bred because of their calm and quiet disposition. As a result, modern Chow Chows are generally quiet, until they want something or an intruder enters the home. This dog’s bark is incredibly loud and a bit scary.

15. Irish Setter

The Irish Setter has elegant features, complete with feathery ears and a beautiful red coat. They are also active, intelligent, and incredibly quiet. Even though this breed is known to be a bit rambunctious, their barking is kept to a minimum.

16. Coton De Tulear

Few dogs are as cute as the Coton De Tulear. As their name suggests, their coat is white and soft as cotton, making them a great lapdog. This breed is fun to hang out with, even though they can get into a bit of mischief.

They also don’t bark much, making them a great option for people looking for a quiet companion.

17. Mastiff

There are many varieties of Mastiffs, but Mastiffs as a whole tend to be quiet. Whether it’s an English Mastiff or a Rottweiler, this breed is muscular, serious, and quiet. Whenever they do bark, they’re likely to get your attention.

Which Breed of Dog Barks the Least?

As a whole, Basenjis bark the least of all dog breeds. Although individual Basenjis may bark more than others, the breed is known as being barkless because of how rare it is to hear the dogs of this breed bark.

The reason this breed barks so little is that they have an unusually shaped larynx. This makes it nearly impossible for the dog to bark in the way that other dogs bark. Basenjis can make other noises, though, which is often called the “Basenji yodel.” That said, the dog doesn’t make this noise frequently.

How Do You Calm an Anxious Dog?

One of the leading causes of excessive barkers is anxiety. Many of the small breeds on this list are generally quiet when with their owners, but they can get loud whenever their owner leaves. It’s important to calm an anxious dog in order to keep barking to a minimum.

Before you leave your dog, make sure to exercise them and give them adequate physical contact beforehand. This will tire out the dog, allowing them to sleep while you are away, thus keeping barking at bay. You may also want to invest in a calming coat or T-shirt for your anxious dog, as they may find these articles of clothing comforting when you are gone.

If your dog is anxious when you are present, music therapy, a calming coat, and physical contact are ideal methods of quickly soothing an anxious dog.

Conclusion

Dogs come in all shapes and weights. Additionally, some dog breeds tend to be more or less vocal than others. The breeds on this list tend to be quiet, though they will still bark occasionally.

If you are looking for the absolute quietest dog breed, you can’t go wrong with the Basenji, a virtually barkless dog, but any of the other options on this list would be great too!

Featured Image Credit: Benkai, Pixabay