13 Most Quiet Dog Breeds
By Vetstreet.com Staff
Whether your desire for a dog who doesn't bark (or, at least, doesn't bark much) stems from the fact that you share a thin wall with your neighbor or you just like a fairly quiet place to call home, we've got you covered. Vetstreet surveyed 218 veterinary professionals to get their take on the quietest dog breeds around.
As is often the case with these types of surveys, there were a couple of surprising omissions. (Where is the Basenji? He's the "barkless" dog! And what about the Greyhound? This breed is known to be very fast and very quiet.) But one thing that wasn't surprising was that a couple of these relatively quiet breeds also made the list of 18 best dogs for new owners.
No. 1 (tie): Great Dane
The breed that tied the Newfoundland for the quietest is also one of the biggest: the Great Dane. He's a gentle giant with a calm nature, and while he doesn't bark often, when he does, his voice will be louder and deeper than just about any other breed.
No. 1 (tie): Newfoundland
The docile Newfoundland takes the top spot on this list of quiet breeds. He's a courageous and intelligent dog, known for his love of children, his loyalty and his desire to be a lap dog despite his enormous size.
No. 3: Great Pyrenees
Like the first two breeds on this list, the Great Pyrenees is a large dog with an equally big heart. When properly trained, he's calm, gentle and protective, but you'll have to do your homework in order to get this strong-willed dog to that point.
No. 4: Italian Greyhound
(photo credit: Anna Pozzi, Animal Photography/vetstreet.com)
Tiny, intelligent and a bit fragile, the Italian Greyhound can be rather defiant, but barking is rarely an issue. Housetraining, however, may be another story.
No. 5: Whippet
This keen sighthound is sleek and athletic. The Whippet can be found chasing cats and swiping food from the kitchen counter, but he's also a calm and quiet companion who loves to snuggle on the sofa.
No. 6: Mastiff
The Mastiff is known to be very loving but somewhat stubborn. He's protective of his family, but his size (often over 200 pounds!) is generally all that's needed to deter would-be troublemakers, so he rarely sees a need to raise his voice.
See Also: 7 Most Affectionate Lap Dog Breeds
No. 7: Bernese Mountain Dog
(photo credit: Sally Anne Thompson, Animal Photography/vetstreet.com)
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a handsome Swiss dog bred to pull carts, drive livestock to fields or market, and work as a watchdog. These days, though, he's better known for his tranquil temperament, although as a puppy he can be active and mouthy, nipping and chasing in play.
No. 8: Bullmastiff
Strong-willed and incredibly loyal, the Bullmastiff isn't a big barker, but he is not always good with other dogs (especially those of the same sex) or cats (due to a high prey drive).
No. 9 (tie): Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The increasingly popular Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small, playful dog who loves his people and hates to be alone. His temperament can range from sweet and placid to straight-up stubborn, but with consistent, positive training, you should be able to housetrain him as well as any other breed.
No. 9 (tie): Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is a member of the Mastiff family. He can be sweet, shy and stubborn, but with proper training and socialization, this quiet breed can be fantastic for families or for use as a therapy dog.
No. 11: Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a real people-pleaser who's always ready to make a friend or chase a tennis ball. While he's not known to be a barker, he is an active breed who will be at his best (and his least destructive) when his energy is channeled through walking, swimming, playing fetch and brain games.
No. 12 (tie): Rhodesian Ridgeback
(photo credit: Nick Ridley, Animal Photography/vetstreet.com)
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, impressive dog with expressive eyes and a sensitive spirit. He's quite protective but will put his body between his family and a perceived danger before barking, snarling or attacking.
No. 12 (tie): Chinese Shar-Pei
Confident and quiet are words often used to describe the Chinese Shar-Pei. He's intelligent and devoted to his family, but he is also known to be stubborn. He's a great watchdog who generally only barks when worried or playing.
More on Vetstreet.com:
* How to Teach Your Dog to Stop Barking
* 7 Signs You Should NOT Own a Dog
* 5 Most Intelligent Dog Breeds
* Top 5 Most Laid-back Dog Breeds