- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
For some pet parents, having a dog that doesn’t bark may seem like a dream. But if you’re the human to one of these dogs, you might be surprised, confused, or worried. It can be even more concerning if your previously chatty pup has suddenly gone quiet.
A dog’s bark serves many purposes. Barking can be used to issue a warning, express excitement, and relieve boredom. The reasons that dogs don’t bark are just as varied—and a bit more complex. Personality, age, and breed all play a part in whether a dog barks frequently or at all. Other factors like their health and training can also play a role.
To a degree, a dog’s barking habits may evolve throughout their life. Sudden behavior changes, however, are always a cause for concern. To learn more about why a dog might not bark (and when to be worried), we turned to Alexandra Bassett, a certified dog trainer and the owner and behavior consultant at Dog Savvy in Los Angeles.
Breed and Genetics
Genetics can play a big part in your dog’s barking habits, says Bassett. Many dog breeds have been cultivated for specific physical and temperamental characteristics, including their tendency to bark.
Breeds known for their lack of barking include:
- Basenjis
- Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Borzois
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- French Bulldogs
- Greyhounds
- Newfoundlands
- Shiba Inus
- Whippets
Some of these breeds (including Greyhounds, Whippets, Spaniels, and Newfies) are celebrated for their generally quiet nature. These pups primarily rely on body language or behavior to communicate with their owners and other animals.
Other breeds, like the Basenji, find different ways to express themselves out loud. Basenjis yodel, Shiba Inus scream, and French Bulldogs are enthusiastic conversationalists. Other vocalizations from low-barking pups may include grunts, low growls, howls, whines, squeaks, and even a cat-like purr to show happiness.
A dog’s breed is also just a starting point, says Bassett. There are many other factors to consider in your dog’s potential barking habits, and you can’t assume your pup will be silent based on breed alone.
“It’s the luck of the draw in my experience,” she explains. “A dog who is naturally wary of anything unfamiliar or highly excitable will tend to bark a lot no matter the breed.”
Basenjis are famously “barkless” dogs—though they may occasionally yodel. bruev via iStock
Age
A dog’s barking habits often change throughout their life as they grow from puppies into adults and, eventually, into their senior years. Barking helps puppies explore and communicate with the brand new world around them. That curiosity-driven urge to bark may lessen as they settle into their golden years.
Bassett breaks these changes down into four stages:
- Puppies. Barking increases as they explore their world and learn communication.
- Adolescents. Barking may peak due to increased energy and confidence.
- Adults. Barking stabilizes based on training and environment.
- Seniors. Barking may decrease due to lower energy levels or cognitive decline, though some older dogs bark more due to confusion or sensory decline.
It should be noted that these phases don’t start and stop overnight; shifts should be gradual. Any sudden change in barking may require a visit to the vet.
Temperament
Some humans are more chatty than others—and the same is true for dogs. A high-strung dog might be more prone to barking than a laid-back one. Some dogs are so relaxed that they don’t feel the need to bark, and others simply can’t be bothered with the effort.
While personality and temperament are internal, they can also be influenced by external factors. Dogs that are reactive due to prior circumstances may bark frequently. If a dog has well socialized as a puppy, they may be more confident as a result. Confident pups, says Basset, are likely to bark less.
Personality can also impact the type of bark used in a particular situation as well as whether your dog barks at all. For example, a sociable dog may bark at a visitor because they’re happy to see them, while a territorial pup could bark out of concern. A chill dog may barely even notice their arrival.
Training
If your dog was adopted later in their life, the secret to their silence might be in their education. Retired working dogs, for example, are trained to only bark in certain situations.
“Guide dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs are taught to be quiet in public,” says Bassett. She goes on to explain that guard dogs are often trained to only bark in response to specific stimuli, and hunting dogs learn to be quiet while tracking prey.
Even household pets can learn to stop barking over time. Many dogs who have lived in apartments or what Basset describes as “quiet households” learn, through unintentional or intentional reinforcement, to minimize barking.
Even with the best-trained pup, some situations call for a bark. Whether they’re on the job or hanging out at home, encouraging a quiet dog to bark on occasion can have its benefits.
“Some shy dogs may benefit from learning to ‘speak’ on cue,” says Bassett. Other situations that could benefit from a well-timed bark include keeping the home secure (for unofficial and official watchdogs) and requesting help (as with a service dog).
Working dogs like this German Shepherd are often trained not to bark except at a trigger. Zbynek Pospisil via iStock
Health Issues
Some dogs suffer from health issues that make barking difficult or even impossible. Conditions that can cause vocal changes include:
- Acid reflux
- Excessive barking
- Foreign objects in the airway
- Hearing loss
- Hypothyroidism
- Laryngeal paralysis
- Neurological issues
- Respiratory infections
- Throat injuries
In rare cases, a dog’s inability to bark starts at birth. “Some dogs are born with structural issues in their larynx or vocal cords that limit their ability to bark,” explains Dr. D’Aurelio. These pups are likely to find other ways to communicate.
When To See a Professional
If your normally chatty pup is suddenly silent, a vet visit is in order. Sudden changes in barking (or any other behavior) can indicate an undiagnosed health concern.
You should also consult a vet if your pup “has a hoarse or weak bark that persists, shows signs of illness, or has trouble eating or swallowing,” says Bassett. If your pup is coughing, lethargic, or has trouble breathing, it could be the sign of a respiratory illness. Challenges with swallowing might indicate throat or nerve issues.
In the best case scenario, your dog is just a little quiet. If illness or injury is to blame, a veterinarian can help them get back to their usual, noisy self—and there’s no better sound than the bark of a happy, healthy pup.
