The quietest dog breeds are a match made in heaven if you’re desperate for a canine companion but would rather forgo all the unnecessary barking and yapping.
While loud and frequent barking is an asset if you live on a large block of land and are looking for a hound that will help you herd livestock, if you work from home or live in a small space, you’ll likely want a dog that isn’t quite so chatty.
It’s true that no breed is ever going to be completely silent and just like us humans, dogs have their own personalities, but there are plenty of breeds that are naturally less vocal than others.
Even though our picks of the quietest dog breeds are the ideal place to start if you’re looking for a peaceful pup, we still recommend you learn how to train a dog with treats to teach them not to bark. Their temperaments will help a lot with this, but early socialization is also key.
PetsRadar’s guide to the quietest dog breeds
1. Akita
Nicknamed the silent hunter, this profoundly loyal breed may be quiet when it comes to nuisance barking, but don’t let that fool you - these natural guard dogs will quickly raise the alarm if they feel it’s warranted.
2. French Bulldog
Playful, bright and affectionate, the French Bulldog is incredibly alert and attentive to what’s going on around him, but the good news is, he’ll likely only bark when he wants to let you know that you have a visitor.
3. Great Dane
When a Great Dane barks you’ll certainly know about it (and so will your neighbors!) but this breed isn’t called gentle giants for nothing. While they’re excellent guard dogs and will bark to defend their patch, overall these friendly and noble dogs are content to sit quietly with their family.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These docile dogs really are the sweethearts of the canine kingdom, they adore company of the two or four-legged variety so they’ll seldom bark. Affectionate, graceful and gentle, the Cavie is a lover, not a fighter and he will stick closely to his owner’s side.
5. Bernese Mountain Dog
Calm, good-natured and blessed with a kind and eager-to-please temperament, the Bernese Mountain Dog is imposing in size but not threatening. They make excellent watchdogs and it’s usually only when someone they don’t know enters their property that they’ll be prone to barking.
6. Cane Corso
Exuding an air of quiet competence and confidence, the Cane Corso is an assertive dog but he’s also highly intelligent, which makes him trainable. This is a wilful breed though, so they need a human who can show them who’s boss.
7. Pug
While they may be loud breathers at times, Pugs are exceptionally quiet when it comes to barking, making the occasional yips when they get excited. Cuddly and quirky, this human-obsessed breed are total lazy logs, so snoring is about the only noise you’ll hear out of these little comedians.
8. Saint Bernard
Utterly charming, friendly and with the patience of a, well, saint! These genial giants are powerful and muscular, while at the same time being placid and quiet and they love nothing more than lazing about with their family.
9. Whippet
When it comes to gentle souls, the Whippet is right up there with the Cavie, in terms of its sweet and loving nature. As long as he has his daily exercise needs met, the Whippet will make for a calm and quiet companion.
10. Shiba Inu
The oldest and smallest of Japan’s dog breeds, the active and alert Shiba Inu is a bold and confident canine who is incredibly faithful to his family. While they’re certainly watchful, this breed only barks when necessary, favoring a sharp and clear form of communication over incessant yapping.
11. Basenji
Basenji are sometimes called "barkless dogs" so you can't get much quieter than that! They only bark in incredibly rare circumstances, and actually make a sound that's more like a yodel. Basenji dogs are considered one of the quietest dog breeds you can get.
12. Greyhound
Greyhounds are notoriously calm and quiet dogs with a sweet disposition. They are very tolerant of children and are considered non-aggressive - they'll walk away from something bothering them rather than growl or bark. They also spend a lot of their time sleeping, which is a very quiet activity.
13. Borzoi
Borzois are gorgeous dogs who are usually well-mannered and quiet. They are calm and dignified, and are sometimes considered cat-like. Once called the Russian Wolfhound, Borzois may look like mythical creatures that would open up their mouths and talk to you, but they won't - and they won't bark much, either!
