Some dog breeds are known for their tendency to talk. They might not have the loudest of barks, but they’re rarely at a loss for woofs.
Which breeds do experts put at the top of the talkative list? We asked 269 veterinary professionals (including vets, vet techs and office managers) for their picks and listed those that received the most votes below. Do you agree with their selections? Which breeds would you add (or leave off)?
No. 10 (tie): Miniature Schnauzer
The
Miniature Schnauzer tends to be lively and active, wanting to participate in everything you're doing
(and alert you to everything else with a sharp bark). As is the case
with all breeds with a tendency toward barking, it is possible
to train her not to lose her mind every time the doorbell rings, but
it's important to realize that her natural inclination is to bark — loudly and proudly.
No. 10 (tie): Dachshund
The
Doxie is
the smallest of the hounds, but don't tell him that! Many are wary
of strangers and won't hesitate to sound off — loudly — if they find
anything or anyone suspicious.
No. 9: German Shepherd Dog
The
GSD
is typically a natural protector, and she'll be sure to alert you to
strangers or intruders. Still, she's usually intelligent enough to follow
your lead, so if you welcome someone new, she probably will, too.
No. 8: Terrier
Although Terrier
is a breed group rather than a specific breed, it's not much of a
surprise that experts used the write-in option to vote the whole group onto the list — they tend
to be talkative across the board.
No. 7: Basset Hound
The
Basset's
melodious, classic hound howl is almost as famous as his short-legged
stature and hangdog face. Even if you find all those traits equally
adorable, you'll want to keep the howling at bay — if a Basset is left
alone in the backyard, his piteous vocalizations can be heard for miles around.
No. 6: Jack Russell Terrier
Digging and barking are two of the
JRT's
greatest loves. The tenacious little Terrier requires a great deal of
patience and training, but with an active and dedicated owner, she
can also be a lot of fun.
No. 5: Yorkshire Terrier
The
Yorkie
has a reputation for being a boisterous little pup, and in many cases,
it's well deserved. He tends to be a natural yapper and, even with
proper training and plenty of distractions, he won't be silenced.
No. 4: Chihuahua
The
Chihuahua
packs a lot of personality into her small size, and her tendency toward
yapping is a personality trait that can be an issue if she's not taught
to moderate her barking.
No. 3: Standard Schnauzer
The smart and mischievous
Schnauzer is considered to be naturally territorial, meaning many are likely to bark at new people approaching their homes.
No. 2: Siberian Husky
The
Siberian Husky
isn't generally much of a barker, but she loves to howl, especially
when she's accompanying a siren. She also loves making other noises,
like whining or even sounds that mimic certain words.
No. 1: Beagle
Fans of the
Beagle call his distinctive voice “musical,” but it's important to remember that not everyone agrees. Many Beagles sing along to sirens, “give tongue” when they are hunting, and
bark when strangers come to the door, but they aren’t usually nuisance
barkers unless they are bored or lonely.
