Which Dog Breeds Are the Quietest?
📝 Summary
Barking is how dogs talk, but some breeds are naturally hushed — Basenji, Golden Retriever, Shar-Pei, Japanese Chin, Greyhound, Newfoundland, Whippet, Deerhound, Cavalier, and Bulldog among them. For any dog, find why it barks: boredom needs play, fear needs security.
1 Quiet Dog Breeds
Facing this, we wonder: are dogs all such barkers? Barking is one way dogs talk to the world, but some breeds are quieter than others. Some are born calm, some born vocal.
Let’s look at the quieter ones.
Basenji
The Basenji, often called the ‘barkless dog,’ is an African hunting dog. Mostly quiet, it makes some sound when excited but not much. Overall it suits city dwellers well — very quiet.
The Golden Retriever is polite and draws attention; it’s usually a quiet breed.
Shar-Pei
China’s Shar-Pei is aloof with strangers but loyal to family. It barks only when worried or playing, not at random.
The Japanese Chin is a lovely companion dog, known as gentle, affectionate, sensitive, and quite silent.
Greyhound
The Greyhound is friendly and social, polite and quiet at home. It watches its surroundings with its eyes; barking breaks concentration, so it rarely barks for no reason.
Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is easygoing by temper, so it barks little.
Whippet
Beyond friendly, affectionate, and gentle, the Whippet is quiet and versatile. Its calm manner makes it quieter than many, yet it’s also fast and athletic.
Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound is brave and tenacious, known for good manners, loyalty, and eagerness to please. It needs enough exercise in a roomy fenced area to stay healthy and happy.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier is a small dog also called the ‘comfort spaniel’ for soothing its owner. It needn’t make much noise — it stays with its person and spends lots of time on the lap.
English Bulldog
The English Bulldog looks comical and cute, walks with gentlemanly poise, is steady, doesn’t bark randomly, and is extremely friendly, kind, and trustworthy — gentle with kids.
If your dog barks nonstop, quiet breed or not, a few things help it settle. Work out why it barks in the first place — sometimes from boredom, sometimes from feeling threatened. Finding the source is key. If bored, play with it; if threatened, give it security.
Want to learn more about pet health?
Explore our pet health channel for more science-based care guides
Read More Articles →