If a pet is too noisy, anxious, or aggressive to be a good partner, the dog’s bark will be worse than its bite. Fortunately, many beautiful dogs are quiet, which makes these breeds very suitable for those families who need a quiet environment, for living in a close apartment, or just for those families who like peace.
Some are rare, such as fish in North Africa, or rarely known in the West, such as the Japanese chin. Others are very popular, such as affectionate pugs and friendly golden retrievers. Dogs like Rhodesian Backs tend not to bark. Their reproduction requires them to keep secret and silent when tracking their prey.
The grazing dog is also one of the quietest dogs. Dogs who hunt sheep learn to be quiet, because sheep are easily frightened: barking dogs will create confusion. They often learned more effective ways to get their way than barking, whether it be rounding up wayward livestock or nipping them in the heels. Retrievers had little need to bark, following their nose to find and fetch downed prey.
Indoor dog breeds, such as Pekingese and English toy Spanish hound, are taught to be quiet and behave well in imperial palaces and noble estates. Today, they may curl up on a soft sofa or sit on comfortable knees more often. Others can use their strength or their appearance to perform better than bark. A silent mastiff looks strong – it probably doesn’t need bark at all.
The stacker uses data from the American Kennel Club to rank dogs that are “infrequent” or “when necessary”. These 10 dog breeds are ranked according to their AKC popularity ranking in 2018 released in March 2019. Only dogs registered and ranked in AKC are included in the list.
10. Rhodesian ridgeback
– AKC popularity rank: #41 out of 193
– Temperament: Affectionate, dignified, even-tempered
– Height: 25-27 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
– Weight: 85 pounds (male), 70 pounds (female)
– Life expectancy: ~10 years
– AKC group: Hound group
The Rhodesian ridgeback was bred in southern Africa from the native Khoikhoi, the source of the hair ridge on its back, and greyhounds and terriers brought by Dutch colonists for speed, stamina, and stealth to hunt lions. The first person to breed the dogs in the United States was Hollywood’s Errol Flynn in the 1930s.
9. Newfoundland
– AKC popularity rank: #40 out of 193
– Temperament: Sweet, patient, devoted
– Height: 28 inches (male), 26 inches (female)
– Weight: 130-150 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)
– Life expectancy: 9-10 years
– AKC group: Working group
Giant Newfoundlands, known for having sweet dispositions, long worked onboard ships in the North Atlantic, adept at water rescues and hauling heavy fishing nets. Lewis and Clark took a Newfoundland on their 8,000-mile journey across America, and Robert Kennedy often was accompanied to his office as U.S. attorney general by his Newfoundland Brumus. Newfoundlands rarely bark unless provoked.
8. Miniature American shepherd
– AKC popularity rank: #34 out of 193
– Temperament: Good-natured, intelligent, devoted
– Height: 14-18 inches (male), 13-17 inches (female)
– Weight: 20-40 pounds
– Life expectancy: 12-13 years
– AKC group: Herding group
In the 1960s, the miniature American shepherd was bred to be a smaller version of the Australian shepherd. Known for being good around horses, the dogs were popular at rodeos and equestrian events. Typically they do not bark without reason.
7. Mastiff
– AKC popularity rank: #29 out of 193
– Temperament: Courageous, dignified, good-natured
– Height: 30 inches & up (male), 27.5 inches & up (female)
– Weight: 160-230 pounds (male), 120-170 pounds (female)
– Life expectancy: 6-10 years
– AKC group: Working group
Mastiffs date back thousands of years in Britain, where Julius Caesar encountered them in 55 B.C. In England, the dogs were used for hunting and guarding, and they were taken to Rome to fight gladiators. Only a handful of mastiffs survived World War II in England, and a concerted effort ensued to save the breed. Mastiffs have a deep bark they only use when needed, although they are known to howl.
6. Pug
– AKC popularity rank: #28 out of 193
– Temperament: Charming, mischievous, loving
– Height: 10-13 inches
– Weight: 14-18 pounds
– Life expectancy: 13-15 years
– AKC group: Toy group
Pugs started out in the imperial palaces of China and spread to Europe with sea traders in the 1500s. Pugs may bark, as they are territorial, but are more likely to make noises such as snoring, panting, and gulping.
5. Boston terrier
– AKC popularity rank: #21 out of 193
– Temperament: Friendly, bright, amusing
– Height: 15-17 inches
– Weight: 12-25 pounds
– Life expectancy: 11-13 years
– AKC group: Non-sporting group
The alert, cheerful Boston terrier descends from a dog bred in Britain from a bulldog and an English terrier, now extinct. The original dog was sold to an American in the late 1800s who brought him to Boston, where he became the breed’s patriarch. The state dog of Massachusetts and the mascot of Boston University is typically quiet and not aggressive.
4. Rottweiler
– AKC popularity rank: #8 out of 193
– Temperament: Loyal, loving, confident guardian
– Height: 24-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
– Weight: 95-135 pounds (male), 80-100 pounds (female)
– Life expectancy: 9-10 years
– AKC group: Working group
Powerful guard dogs with a playful streak, Rottweilers arrived with the ancient Roman army to Germany where they were used as cattle herders and later as police dogs. They can be intimidating in appearance but are quiet, not easily excited, and not aggressive.
3. Bulldog
– AKC popularity rank: #5 out of 193
– Temperament: Friendly, courageous, calm
– Height: 14-15 inches
– Weight: 50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)
– Life expectancy: 8-10 years
– AKC group: Non-sporting group
Bulldogs started out in ancient England where they were used for a vicious sport called bullbaiting, in which a bull would fight a pack of dogs. When the blood sport was outlawed in 1835, bulldogs faced extinction until advocates rebuilt the breed with less fierce and more affectionate traits. While they tend not to bark, bulldogs make plenty of noise snorting and wheezing due to their short air passages.
2. French bulldog
– AKC popularity rank: #4 out of 193
– Temperament: Adaptable, playful, smart
– Height: 11-13 inches
– Weight: under 28 pounds
– Life expectancy: 10-12 years
– AKC group: Non-sporting group
The companionable French bulldogs descend from bulldogs in England’s lace-making regions who moved with their owners to France during the Industrial Revolution. The French bulldogs became popular in Parisian cafe society and can be spotted in paintings by Edgar Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec. They don’t bark much but do like to snuffle and make other noises when excited.
1. Golden retriever
– AKC popularity rank: #3 out of 193
– Temperament: Friendly, intelligent, devoted
– Height: 23-24 inches (male), 21.5-22.5 inches (female)
– Weight: 65-75 pounds (male), 55-65 pounds (female)
– Life expectancy: 10-12 years
– AKC group: Sporting group
Golden retrievers hail from the Scottish Highlands of the Victorian era and were bred for hunting game and fowl. They have since excelled as guide dogs and with search-and-rescue teams. They rarely bark, and when they do, it is a sign of friendliness and not aggression.
9. Newfoundland
4. Rottweiler
3. Bulldog
2. French bulldog
