Is barking really related to the breed of dog?
Yes and no.
With this answer, you are well on your way! Actually, it's a bit more complicated than that.
The breed of the dog can indeed have an influence on its more or less "talkative" character. It is enough to look at the purpose of the breed (to know for what task the breed was originally created) to have a small idea. Thus, dog breeds designed for hunting or guarding may indeed have the bark a little easier than others!
Barking to warn the household of the arrival of an intruder will be instinctive for a guard dog like the German Shepherd.Giving voice will also be quite spontaneous in dogs that have been selected for hunting such as the beagle whose characteristic bark was very useful for hunters to spot game from afar.
But when it comes to barking, a dog's breed isn't everything! Far from there ! Barking is above all an essential means of communication of the dog so that all dogs, whatever their breed, bark! Barking is therefore the intentional behavior of the dog and is not solely conditioned by its genetics and breed.
A dog thus chooses to bark to communicate excitement, to attract attention, to express frustration and/or anxiety, to let off too much energy, to threaten an enemy or even to ward off danger. Barking is therefore natural in all dogs and must be present.
Barking can nevertheless become a nuisance for dog owners and the neighborhood when it becomes excessive and/or untimely.This can be the case in dogs who are underspent, who manage frustration poorly, who suffer from anxiety or a lack of self-control. As you will have understood, in these very specific cases, excessive barking is absolutely not linked to the breed of the dog but to a deep state of discomfort of the animal.
Often this malaise has its origin in a mismatch between the dog's living environment and its needs. For example, there is nothing surprising in the fact that a dog that is left locked up all day at home starts barking inopportunely, just to occupy itself, to satisfy its need for activity. or to express anxiety related to his great loneliness.
Before adopting a dog, whatever its breed, it is therefore essential to make sure that you can devote time to meeting your dog's needs and in particular his activity needs. This is the key to avoiding unwanted behavior, including nuisance barking!
15 dog breeds that don't bark much
- The Basenji
- Newfoundland
- The Akita Inu
- The Rottweiler
- The Labrador
- The Great Dane or Great Dane
- The Pug
- The English Bulldog
- The French Bulldog
- The Shar Pei
- The Cavalier King Charles
- The Shiba Inu
- Coton de Tulear
- The Saint Bernard
- The Rhodesian Ridgeback
That being said, here are the breeds, not who don't bark, but those who have the reputation of being the "least talkative" , shall we say, and if their needs are well met, you you'll understand.
1-The Basenji
Certainly the dog best known for not barking much, if at all.In fact, even when the Basenji, of African origin, "barks" it is absolutely not like a classic bark. Some even equate its "bark" with a burst of laughter or a turkey cluck, which may come as a surprise if you're not expecting it.
2-Newfoundland
Real rescue dog, the heart on "paw" , the Newfoundland is also known to bark very little. Clearly, the Newfoundland is as big as it is calm.
3-The Akita Inu
The Akita Inu, originally from Japan, also has its place perfectly in this ranking since it is one of the races that are not very talkative. Moreover, the rare barking of the Akita Inu will not be taken lightly because if he barks it is because he has a real reason to "warn" .
4-The Rottweiler
It is quite surprising to see it here because we imagine the Rottweiler as a good watchdog who barks to warn of danger. And yet, against all odds, the Rottweiler is rather renowned for its discretion. On the other hand, like the Akita Inu, its rare barking will be taken into account.
Furthermore, the Rottweiler is a dog that needs a lot of spending and is often confined to the role of caretaker in a house and goes out very little. So that's when he might bark excessively, simply because he's not spent enough.
5-The Labrador
Certainly one of the most popular dogs in France, the Labrador, in addition to being a faithful life companion, also has the characteristic of barking very little.
6-The Great Dane or Great Dane
You could say that the Great Dane is as big as it is discreet. It may seem paradoxical but the Great Dane is not a dog that stands out for its vocalizations.
7-The Pug
The Pug is a small dog that also has its place in this ranking. The Pug is a real companion dog, quiet and pleasant to live with.
8-The English Bulldog
English Bulldogs are generally quite quiet dogs. Not needing a lot of exercise, they won't be among the dogs that bark for your attention or because they're bored.
9-The French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is one of those little dogs that bark little but snore! You can't have it all!
10-The Shar-Pei
Known for his wrinkles and folds all over his body, the Shar-Pei is quite calm and composed with his family. On the other hand, it is not the most sociable with its congeners and must be socialized correctly!
11-The Cavalier King Charles
It's hard to resist the big soft eyes and fluffy ears of the Cavalier King Charles! This adorable little companion dog has a reputation for barking little except in cases of separation anxiety which he may be prone to.
12-The Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is a breed of dog originating from Japan. Generally independent and undemanding of cuddles, they are not used to barking for attention from their master.
13-Coton de Tulear
With his white coat, soft as cotton, the Coton de Tulear is a happy little dog who also knows how to stay calm, if his needs are well met.
14-The Saint Bernard
A native of Switzerland, the Saint Bernard is known to be a big affectionate and loyal teddy bear. His drooping lips produce more drooling than barking. Protective of his family, the Saint Bernard is a quiet force that does not have the reputation of barking indiscriminately except in the event of intrusion.
15-The Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback can be recognized by the band of hair that grows in a ridge on its spine. Selected to track lions in Africa, they are sporty, independent and reputed to be “little talkative” dogs.
Again, keep in mind that each dog is unique and despite characteristics that differ depending on the breed, it is also, and above all, your attitude, your education, your commitment and involvement in the response to your dog's needs that will make him a rather barking animal or not.