15 dog breeds known for barking less than most

All dogs bark but there are some breeds known for barking very little.

This makes them perfect for apartment dwellers or anyone wanting a canine and a bit of peace and quiet.

While these breeds don't tend to bark a lot, all dogs are individuals so there is no guarantee they will be infrequent barkers.

Meanwhile, some that don't bark much make other noises like snoring so don't expect them to be completely silent.

Here are 15 dog breeds that don't bark much:

Cavalier King Charles spaniel

Known for their luscious coat and floppy ears, this breed isn't much of a barker.

They are considered calm dogs but can bark if someone is approaching the door, stressed, anxious or bored.

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Bernese mountain dog

This gentle giant will bark if someone is approaching, like any watchdog, and may also bark to say hello to you until you greet them back. Other than that, they're not big barkers.

Basenji

Unlike the other breeds on this list the Basenji can't actually bark at all because its larynx is shaped differently to most dogs. Instead of a bark they make a yodel-like sound.

Shiba inu

Bred in Japan for hunting, shiba inus tend not to bark excessively but do make other sounds like yodels and howling. They will bark if scared, bored or perceive a threat.

Shih tzu

With a loving temperament shih tzus are companion dogs that love to be the centre of their owner's attention. They are known for not barking much and will mostly only bark when someone approaches the door.

French bulldog

A quiet dog breed, if your Frenchie does bark it's likely because they're bored or to let you know someone is at the door. They do have a tendency to snore and grunt though, so can still be noisy in a way.

English bulldog

Like the French bulldog, English bulldogs also tend to snore and grunt a lot because of their flat-faces but they aren't big barkers. If they do bark it will have likely been prompted by seeing other people out the window, boredom or stress.

Chow chow

The chow chow is considered to have a reserved temperament and won't bark often unless there's a reason, such as alerting you to a problem.

Whippet

One of the best apartment dog breeds, whippets rarely bark except sometimes when playing, excitement or boredom.

Greyhound

Greyhounds generally have a calm and composed temperament and tend to be quiet dogs that aren't vocal. When they do bark it's usually out of boredom.

Newfoundland

This breed typically doesn't bark excessively but when it does it will be a deep loud sound. Like other quiet dogs, they can bark if bored or anxious.

Saint Bernard

The breed best known from the movie Beethoven is a moderate barker that will most likely make noise out of separation anxiety.

Great Dane

They do have a loud bark but you won't hear it often. Great Danes are known to be gentle and affectionate and usually only bark to get your attention or out of excitement.

Pug

While a lot of small breeds get a reputation for being 'yappy', this is not the case with pugs. They aren't excessive barkers but can bark out of boredom or excitement. Pugs do make a bit of noise though but it will be more grunting and snorts.

Akita

Generally quiet, Akitas tend not to bark unless they feel they really have to, such as for potential threats.