Quiet Dog BreedsBreeds that bark less than most
Breeds on this list are known for barking relatively little: they tend to vocalize only with good reason and settle easily at home. It helps apartment dwellers, people with close neighbors and anyone who works from home find a dog that keeps the noise down.
Top 10 Quiet Dog Breeds
Frenchies seldom bark without reason, though they make plenty of snorts and snores.
Friendly with everyone and rarely a nuisance barker, the Golden prefers greeting visitors to warning them off.
A confident guardian that typically barks only when something truly warrants attention.
Laid-back and low-energy, the Bulldog spends far more time snoozing than barking.
Unlike many small dogs, the Boston Terrier is usually not a frequent barker.
Reserved and dignified, the Chow Chow is quiet at home and aloof with strangers.
Pugs are rarely yappy, communicating more with grunts and snuffles than barks.
Gentle and calm, the Saint Bernard is a giant that tends to save its deep bark for real events.
The tallest breed is famously gentle and quiet, more likely to lean on you than bark.
Dignified and self-assured, the Ridgeback is known for barking little and only with purpose.
All Quiet Dog Breeds A to Z
What Makes a Breed Quiet?
Barking was often bred into dogs on purpose. Watchdogs, many terriers and some herding breeds were selected to sound the alarm, while sighthounds like the Whippet, Borzoi, Irish Wolfhound and Sloughi hunted by sight and speed, where barking was useless. Large guardian and mastiff breeds such as the Mastiff, Bullmastiff and Newfoundland are often calm and confident enough not to react to every noise.
The Basenji is a special case: it rarely barks but makes a yodel-like sound, so it is quiet without being silent.
Quiet Does Not Mean Low Maintenance
- Livestock guardians such as the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or Slovensky Cuvac are calm indoors but can bark loudly at night if they sense intruders.
- Flat-faced breeds like the Pug, French Bulldog and English Bulldog bark little but snore and snort, and they need care in hot weather.
- Working breeds such as the Dutch Shepherd or Czechoslovakian Wolfdog may be quiet but need a lot of exercise; a bored dog finds noisy hobbies.
- Some breeds howl instead of barking, including wolf-like breeds and some hounds.
Why Any Dog Barks Too Much
Even the quietest breed will bark if its needs are not met. Common triggers are boredom, loneliness, fear and accidental reinforcement, for example when a dog gets attention every time it barks. Daily exercise suited to the breed, mental work such as sniffing games, a gradual approach to being left alone and rewarding quiet behavior work far better than punishment.
For dogs that bark at sounds in the hallway, background noise and blocking the view from windows can help.
Choosing a Quiet Dog for Your Home
If you live in an apartment, size matters as much as volume. A Whippet, Boston Terrier, Coton de Tulear or Japanese Chin combines low barking with a manageable size. In a house, gentle giants such as the Saint Bernard or Newfoundland are lovely but need space, and they drool. Always meet the parents of a puppy: a breeder whose adult dogs are calm and quiet at home is the best predictor you have.
Quiet Breeds and Their Exercise Needs
A quiet dog is usually a well-exercised dog, but quiet breeds differ a lot in how much activity they need. Sighthounds such as the Whippet, Borzoi and Azawakh need a chance to sprint in a fenced area a few times a week but otherwise rest for hours. Gentle giants like the Newfoundland, Mastiff and Saint Bernard are content with moderate walks. Gundogs and working breeds on this list, including the Small Munsterlander, Spinone Italiano, Hovawart and Golden Retriever, need daily walks of an hour or more plus training. Match the dog's energy to your routine, because even a naturally quiet breed will become noisy if its physical and mental needs are not met.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quietest dog breed?
The Basenji rarely barks, though it yodels. Sighthounds such as the Whippet, Greyhound-type breeds and Irish Wolfhound are also known for being very quiet.
Which small dog breeds are quiet?
Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, Pug, Japanese Chin, Coton de Tulear and Pekingese tend to bark less than many other small breeds.
Are big dogs quieter than small dogs?
Often, but not always. Many large guardians and sighthounds are calm, while some large herding breeds bark a lot. Breed purpose matters more than size.
Can you train a dog to bark less?
Yes. Meeting exercise needs, rewarding calm behavior and addressing the cause of barking, such as boredom or fear, usually reduces it a lot.
Are quiet dogs good for apartments?
They can be, if their size and exercise needs also fit. A Whippet or Boston Terrier is a better apartment match than a quiet but giant Mastiff.
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