32 biggest barkers - most vocal dog breeds
A dog’s bark is a form of expression. It could be alerting you to a visitor at the door, they may be excited or nervous – or it may be a warning sign. Training can help you control your dog’s barking so it’s not all on their terms, but there are definitely some breeds that are more vocal than others. Take the Basenji, for example, which almost never barks at all.
Big barkers come in two categories: those that love the sound of their own voice and yap almost incessantly; and those that have a booming bark with an impressive decibel level. And the word “big” can be misleading – it’s often the smallest dogs who shout loudest. Although you may get a few minutes of silence if you give them one of the best dog treats.
Nuisance barking is a problem, but dogs can be trained and managed so that they learn to bark appropriately rather than constantly or nervously. But some barkers are just busy and talkative – terriers, we’re looking at you. And a dog with a seriously loud bark may not choose to use it all the time, just when he means it. This can be quite an asset to dispatch intruders safely and efficiently! All bark and no bite is a boon in many homes.
A big bark doesn’t necessarily tally with an aggressive dog – for instance, the Japanese tosa, which is banned in many countries due to its origins as a fighting breed, fights in silence. Typically it's the watchful pastoral breeds, the busy-body terriers, and the hounds that hunt in packs that tend to be the most vocal.
Whether or not a breed is naturally disposed to being a big barker, it always depends on the individual and how it has been trained. All dogs can be taught not to bark excessively, or to understand the command to be quiet – but it takes more patience and expertise with some than others. If your dog won't stop barking, this vet's guide can help you stop it.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest barkers of the canine world.
32 biggest barkers
1. Golden retriever
As a gundog breed, the golden retriever has been developed never to bark in the shooting field, where it can be a distraction. However, it can be useful in their role as search and rescue dogs. And when they do bark, it’s powerful. The Guinness World Records note a golden retriever named Charlie as recording the loudest of all breeds at 113 decibels.
2. German Shepherd
This versatile working breed has a deep, resonant bark that is very effective in their roles as service dogs for the police, military, and security.
As a pastoral breed, the German Shepherds were bred as guardians of the flock and expected to use this intimidating bark to raise the alarm and scare away intruders or predators.
3. Doberman pinscher
Doberman pinschers have long been bred as guard dogs, and as such they are blessed with a loud and intimidating bark that can be heard from far away.
They are impressively powerful protection dogs, using their bark to warn intruders, and having the imposing presence to back it up.
4. Siberian Husky
One reason to love Siberian Huskies is that they don’t so much bark as vocalize, but they do plenty of the latter. As a working pack animal, they use their full vocal range to express themselves and to communicate, often over long distances.
They tend to prefer howling or whining over barking, but they can make an impressive amount of noise in their efforts to ensure they are heard and understood.
5. Rottweiler
A guard dog par excellence, the Rottweiler is heralded for its strength and protective instincts. While they are gentle with their own family, woe betide any uninvited guests as this is a breed that considers it his duty to keep its people safe!
Bred to drive cattle and other herds, their bark was useful both in controlling livestock and keeping predators away. This deep, sonorous bark will deter any intruder and is underpinned by the confidence of being an imposing dog.
6. Basset Hound
One fun fact about Basset Hounds is that they bay rather than bark, in its purest sense, and they make this yodeling sound very loudly! It tends to be because they have pent-up energy, as they typically bay out of boredom, excitement, or attention-seeking.
Back in the day, when Bassets were used by hunters to help them find the prey, this distinctive barking was useful for location purposes. Even for the domestic pet Basset, it’s written into their DNA.
7. Beagle
Beagles are known to be noisy dogs, like many natural pack animals. It’s their method of communication, and in common with other hounds, they often make more of a baying sound. Even though you may not need your beagle to track or hunt, it’s part of his instinctual ancestral training to emit howls and barks as he tries to convey something to you.
8. American English Coonhound
This breed has a very strong drive to work, sky-high energy levels, and a loud, ringing bark. Perhaps not the ideal house pet! They are known to be among the biggest barkers and howlers in the canine species, so this highly vocal breed is not ideal for those with neighbors in hearing proximity.
9. Australian Shepherd
Like most herding dogs, the Australian Shepherd is prone to barking. They are easily visually stimulated, natural watchdogs, and can resort to testing out the range of their vocal cords when they are either bored or lonely (and they need plenty of activity to tire them out). Give them abundant exercise, though, and you may keep that bark at bay.
10. Border collie
This highly intelligent breed uses barking to communicate, whether it’s excitement, anxiety, playfulness, boredom, stress, or loneliness. Barking is a natural trait for a herding dog such as the border collie, as they control their livestock and ward off predators.
11. Collie
While collies – both rough and smooth – aren’t given to nuisance barking, they are definitely into communicating with you and aren’t shy of using their own voice. This is typical of the specialist herding dogs, who can be extremely vocal at times.
12. Corgi
This diminutive pastoral breed is expected to employ his bark as a useful tool when doing his job. The bark is to command and control the herd, as well as warn of potential predators and threats. While the pet corgi has none of these responsibilities, they often retain these attributes, which may not be quite so appreciated in a cozy home environment.
13. American Foxhound
This is a rare but highly vocal breed, who will bark, bay and howl – the baying is particularly loud and can carry over long distances.
14. Shetland Sheepdog
In their minds, Shelties only bark for good reason. But there are many such reasons, from sheer excitement to perceived threats (rustling leaves may be dangerous) to welcoming in friends and warning strangers. Their ancestral roots make them primed to alert their flock – their family unit – to potential dangers.
15. Bloodhound
A fun fact about bloodhounds is that they have a loud, deep bark – more of a bay – in keeping with their impressive stature. They can also howl and whine. They don’t tend to be excessive barkers, but when they do use their voice, you – and everyone in the vicinity – will know about it.
16. Dachshund
These little hunting dogs are bred to be chasers, diggers, and barkers, and this tenacious spirit has not left them despite the lack of badger to pursue in your home. The dachshund has a unique bark, which is somehow both high-pitched and exceptionally loud, and they are notorious for using it all the time.
17. Jack Russell Terrier
This enthusiastic terrier tends to use his bark when he is excited, which is often. This would include seeing other dogs, visiting friends, going for a walk – any number of joys in his jolly life. This high-energy breed has a reputation for being a loud mouth, and it can become quite annoying so it’s worth trying to keep in check.
18. English Foxhound
Barking and baying are part of the English foxhound’s repertoire. Bred to hunt in packs, this is known as “hound music”; foxhounds “speak” or “sing”, when they really get going. This is their method of communicating any alerts to the rest of their team, including humans.
19. Mini schnauzer
These alert little dogs, with their natty mustaches, are instinctively vocal. They will bark at neighbors, mailmen, deliveries, squirrels and any other visitors on their patch. They love to sit on a window ledge and pass (loud) comments on the goings-on outside.
20. Chihuahua
The world’s smallest dog makes up for its lack of stature by making a lot of noise. The feisty chihuahua is known for being yappy and snappy, and will bark for all sorts of reasons – or none at all. Excitement, potential threats, anxiety, pain, fright, or even dreams, may all precipitate a round of barking, and they may take a while to stop...
21. Yorkshire Terrier
Like many small dog breeds, Yorkies are known for being enthusiastic barkers – a little dog with a big attitude. Despite their delicate and dinky stature, they actually make brilliant watchdogs, quick to alert their people to the slightest movement or sound.
22. Fox terrier
Fun, mischievous and cheeky, the fox terrier is quick to sound the alarm. They are naturally outdoing and curious, and they’d like to you know that they are first when it comes to spotting potential threats. Their excitability and agitation does mean that they are more prone to be nuisance barkers than some other breeds.
23. Poodle
For poodles, their “voice” is their method of communication. They have gained a reputation for being a big barker, although not all of them fall into this category. But overall, they are a sociable and vocal breed, and putting the two together results in a fair bit of noise. However, given their natural trainability, it’s possible to teach them to turn the volume down.
24. Maltese Terrier
Maltese terriers often live in apartments due to their handy size, but this isn’t always ideal for this vocal breed. They aren’t always accommodating to small kids and other pets, preferring to monopolize the attention of their owner, which means they can be fairly yappy – unpopular in close proximity to neighbors. Excitement or anxiety tend to be the key stimuli.
25. West Highland White Terrier
Excitability, happiness or boredom all seem to be contributors when it comes to a Westie barking – which covers pretty much all of their likely moods. In common with many small breeds, this plucky ratting terrier is alert, self-reliant and keen on the sound of their own voice.
26. Pomeranian
Pomeranians have a lively, alert nature and are particularly sensitive to their surroundings, which makes them big barkers. They have an instinct to bark for attention – and they’re pretty good at getting their way.
27. Affenpinscher
While affenpinschers don’t bark as excessively as some fellow small dogs, they are natural watchdogs with a tendency to alert their family to any sound or movement that catches their attention, and they love to guard the front door.
28. Alaskan Malamute
The malamute might not be strictly categorized as a big barker, but they are vocal and will express themselves through howling, and a sort of singing sound. They have a tendency to reactive barking, especially at strangers, but typically their vocalizing is a form of expression.
29. Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz has a very special bark, which sounds most like a yodel. It is a distinctive ringing noise, a series of rapid barks that are unique to the spitz as a way of pointing the hunter towards the game. It’s also known as the “barking bird dog”, and there are “vocalization” competitions in Finland to crown the loudest Finkie as the winner.
30. Sussex Spaniel
For most of the land spaniels it’s a cardinal sin to bark while out on a shoot. However, the Sussex Spaniel is noted for being exceptionally vocal. It was bred to inherit the ability to bark so they could alert the hunter to the game in the dense undergrowth where they worked.
They both bark and howl and make a fine watchdog in the home.
31. Cairn terrier
Like most terriers, barking is part of a Cairn’s nature. They are quick to sound the alarm at every sight and sound, plus they are active dogs with a low boredom threshold and love to make a verbal protest.
32. Pekingese
Pekingese have an inherent protective nature and are likely to bark out of fear, and anxiety and to raise the alarm. A stimulating environment may trigger more barking as they try to keep tabs on the goings-on, although conversely, giving them sufficient physical and mental stimulation will ward off frustration, pent-up energy, and boredom, all of which can be barking triggers.
