As a pet owner, you know that dogs can get loud, but did you know that some dogs are more vocal than others? There are a few reasons that some dogs are louder than others. It could be the breed’s personality or the fact that some dogs were bred to be hunting or herding dogs, which means they must bark to alert the hunters or herd the animals.
It’s important to note that the word “loud” can mean several things. It could be that the dog barks often or that it has a deep, loud bark. We’ll discuss 12 of the loudest breeds and why they’re considered noisy dogs below.
The Top 12 Loudest Dog Breeds
1. Basset Hounds
Basset Hounds are adorable dogs that are typically very patient and gentle. However, they are well-known and famous for their howling. Of course, they were bred to be hunting dogs. That means they were bred to be louder and to communicate with humans. It’s also said that Basset Hounds tend to be louder when left alone, which could be because this breed suffers from separation anxiety.
2. Beagles
The Beagle was bred to hunt hares and rabbits and is a bit louder than some other breeds. However, on top of having a tendency to bark, the Beagle breed has a tendency to howl as well, and that howl can carry quite a distance, so be careful if you own a Beagle and don’t want to bother the neighbors.
3. Yorkshire Terrier
When you talk about a yappy dog, you must add the Yorkshire Terrier to the mix. While this breed is absolutely loving and adorable, they tend to bark frequently. The Yorkshire Terrier’s bark is high-pitched, meaning you can’t ignore this pint-sized pet, even if you want to.
However, if you’re looking for an energetic, feisty, intelligent pet that’s always ready to go on an adventure, this is the right pet for you. They make excellent pets, but because of their tiny size, they’re suited for families with older children.
4. Rottweilers
While the Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny dog with a high-pitched bark, the Rottweiler is a larger dog with a very deep bark. While this breed does get a bad name, Rottweilers are actually friendly, strong, loyal, and super affectionate dogs if they are trained, socialized, and treated the right way.
They make great guard dogs and are protective of their pet parents. According to the AKC, the Rottweiler isn’t a frequent barker, but you must socialize and train them early on to control their loud barking, which no one can ignore.
5. Doberman Pinschers
Speaking of large dogs with loud barks, the Doberman Pinscher fits into that category with ease. This breed was bred to be a guard dog, so it’s no wonder their bark can fill up a room. Dobermans are fiercely protective and will instantly alert their owners with loud barks if a stranger enters the property.
Miniature Pinschers are the same way. They may be smaller, but their bark is just as mighty.. However, it’s best for Miniatures and Doberman Pinschers to go to a family who is experienced enough to handle the dog’s extremely willful ways.
6. Siberian Huskies
The Siberian Husky dog breed is a gorgeous animal with a loud bark. In fact, they are said to be the most vocal of the loud dog breeds because they aren’t afraid to let their voices be heard. They have been known to howl in a way that sounds like they are singing, which is a treat to hear if it doesn’t go on for too long and disturbs the neighborhood.
The Siberian Husky is genetically similar to wolves, which you know are very vocal with their howling. They are a different breed than a wolf, however. It’s also thought that their loud vocalization comes from being bred as sled dogs to work in packs. This breed is intelligent and loving, likes to interact with its humans, and is known to be extremely territorial.
7. Golden Retrievers
If you’ve ever had the chance to be around a Golden Retriever, you probably quickly fell in love with the dog. They do, however, have quite a loud bark. In fact, the record for the loudest bark by a dog goes to an Australian Golden Retriever named Charlie. On October 20, 2012, Charlie’s bark was found to be 113.1 decibels. Now that’s a loud bark!
However, according to the AKC, Golden Retrievers usually only bark to alert their pet parents to something. If you’re looking for a loyal pet that’s intelligent, loving, and makes a great family dog, the Golden Retriever is all of that and more wrapped up in one loving package.
8. German Shepherds
German Shepherds are ranked as the second loudest barker in the world. They are also a high-energy breed that tends to use their bark to alert their pet owners that something is amiss, or at least that they think something might be amiss.
Though they make excellent guards and watchdogs, they may also bark a lot if they feel that they are being ignored or aren’t physically and mentally stimulated. German Shepherds were bred to be herding dogs and often have jobs with the police force because of their alertness, intelligence, energy, and fondness for training exercises.
9. Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is the smallest of the Spitz breed and is a feisty little package. If you’ve never met a Pomeranian, it is hard to imagine how loud they can be, but this little dog has a powerful voice. Their voices aren’t intimidating, but they are persistent barkers. On the other hand, they love to snuggle and play and have a lot of energy for little dogs.
10. Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute, while usually a friendly dog, often howls like a Siberian Husky. This is thought to be because they were bred as sledding dogs to hunt seals and polar bears. The howling alerted humans and other dogs in their pack to the presence of seals and polar bears. With proper training and early socialization, the Alaskan Malamute can learn to minimize its barking and howling.
11. Chihuahua
The AKC ranks the Chihuahua at the top of the very vocal dog list. This pretty dog will let you know when it’s bored, excited, or when someone comes to the door because they are territorial, have boundless energy, and get excited easily.
Chihuahuas can be high-strung, which can lead to biting and nipping if they get too excited or are scared. However, Chihuahuas that receive enough exercise and attention from their owners are typically more well-behaved.
12. Miniature Schnauzer
Last but not least, the Miniature Schnauzer is also a very vocal little creature. It is a small dog, but it comes with a larger-than-life personality. You can count on this tiny creature to let you know when someone shows up at your door, whether they are a friend or a stranger.
The Miniature Schnauzer is also friendly, athletic, energetic, and fun to be around. Though they can be aggravating with their tendency to bark at everything, if you train and socialize them as puppies, the tendency to bark can be curbed a bit.
Final Thoughts
From the Chihuahua’s high-pitched, high-strung barking to the Golden Retriever that holds records for the loudest bark, there are quite a few options to choose from if you’re looking for a dog that has a loud or frequent bark. It’s best not to keep these breeds in apartments or in neighborhoods where they can disturb the neighbors. However, as with any dog, if you socialize and train them to curb their barking, you’ll have better results. These are all gorgeous breeds that any pet owner should be happy and proud to give a forever home.
Feature Image Credit: Shchus, Shutterstock
