18 Dog Breeds So Quiet, You’ll Forget They’re There

Written By Jill Taylor

There’s no doubt that some dog breeds can be loud and always let you know exactly how they’re feeling – especially when the mailman comes to the door! But others are much more calm and peaceful. In this post, we’ll go through 18 quiet dog breeds perfect for calm living environments.

Basenji

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Out of all of the dogs on this list, the Basenji is unique in that it doesn’t bark – instead, it yodels. The American Kennel Club calls the Basenji “Africa’s ‘Barkless Dog’” and describes the sound they make as “something between a chortle and a yodel.” Most tend to be fairly quiet, cat-like dogs.

Greyhound

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Greyhounds might have a reputation for being speed demons on dog racing tracks, but they’re calm, gentle dogs in the home. They lounge around and will rarely make a sound unless they feel it’s absolutely necessary. They make good pets for laidback, relaxed households.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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These little dogs are affectionate and friendly and don’t usually act aggressively towards strangers. That means that the chances of random barking will likely be low, and they can be easily trained if it does occur. They’re also excellent dogs for families with children, and they’re suitable for apartment living.

Bulldog

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There are definitely different definitions of ‘quiet’ when it comes to dogs. A Bulldog is unlikely to bark loudly all the time, but they do make a variety of quieter noises, such as snoring, panting, and snorting. However, they’re unlikely to keep the neighbors up at night.

Shih Tzu

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A Shih Tzu might be the perfect companion dog. They don’t bark very often and have gentle and loving personalities. The perfect day for a Shih Tzu is one where they’re sat quietly by their owner’s side, getting some attention and pampering.

Great Dane

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Great Danes are probably best known for their immense size, but Pet Health Network describes them as “the gentle giant of the dog world.” They’re affectionate and calm dogs that will only be protective when they need to be, so their loud ‘voices’ are rarely heard.

Scottish Deerhound

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They might be slightly intimidating dogs, but Scottish Deerhounds are an elegant and easygoing breed. It would be quite out of character for a Scottish Deerhound to bark often, as they like to live in calm environments and don’t usually alert their owners to strangers or visitors.

Bernese Mountain Dog

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This large breed might need a lot of outdoor time and exercise, but it’s typically quite quiet. Families will love the Bernese Mountain Dog, as it has good-natured personalities and gets along amazingly well with children. However, it can be quite aloof towards strangers.

Japanese Chin

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The Japanese Chin is sometimes called a cat-like dog due to its independent and quiet behavior. It’s an excellent dog breed for anyone living in an apartment, as it’s small and won’t upset any nearby residents with its barking. They will often use body language to show their owners how it’s feeling.

Borzoi

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Borzois are also often described as cat-like since they can be quite stubborn and like to try and work things out on their own. But they’re also gentle and quiet dogs as long as they’re exercised regularly and trained well. They can be highly sensitive and need a gentle touch during training.

Newfoundland

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These big dogs prefer to be silent and will only bark when necessary. A Newfoundland lounging around the house will easily go unnoticed thanks to their calm demeanor. However, they still need quite a lot of space and likely won’t thrive in a smaller environment like an apartment.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

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Although they can be strong-willed and independent, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also usually quite reserved. Britannica notes that “Ridgebacks are capable of high levels of obedience,” so they can be trained to be quiet dogs. However, they need an active lifestyle and plenty of stimulation otherwise, they might become noisy when bored.

Whippet

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While they might be smaller and slightly slower than Greyhounds, Whippets share their personalities with the larger breed. They’re usually laidback dogs that like to lounge around the house and generally don’t bark too much, but they do need regular exercise.

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

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Terrier dogs can be very, very noisy and vocal, but if you want a quieter terrier, then the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier might be the dog for you. They’re friendly and playful like other terriers, but they’re a bit more sensitive and don’t tend to bark as much.

Shar-Pei

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PDSA states that Shar-Peis are “fairly quiet, reserved dogs who would rather stand back and assess what’s going on first rather than making a noise about it straight away.” They’re well-known for their loyalty and independence and usually only bark when they realize that danger is near.

Irish Wolfhound

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Similar to the Scottish Deerhound, Irish Wolfhounds look like they could be threatening but are actually very gentle and patient. As long as they get lots of long, leisurely walks, they should be happy in a peaceful home atmosphere and don’t bark very often.

Australian Shepherd

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As you might expect from such an intelligent working dog breed, Australian Shepherds are highly responsive to training. They will usually only bark when they’re trying to alert their owners to something important. However, they need lots of mental and physical stimulation to keep them satisfied.

Alaskan Malamute

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Unlike their Siberian Husky cousins, Alaskan Malamutes are generally quiet dogs. They’re more likely to vocalize at you with noises that sound like ‘woo-woos’ than bark, but they can be challenging dogs to train. You’ll also need to be active, as the Alaskan Malamute’s high energy levels will keep you on your toes.

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