11 Dogs that bark the most [2023]

Is it annoying when dogs bark too much? Well, we have gathered here a list of dogs that bark the most! When it comes to purchasing a dog, there are many things to consider. One of the most important things to consider, aside from the time commitment and finances, is how much barking you can tolerate from your canine friend.

Some dogs bark more than others and some dogs are notorious noise-makers. Be sure to consider this list of 11 dog breeds that bark the most before deciding on the breed you want.

Here’s the list of dogs that bark the most!

1. Cairn Terrier

Terriers are most famous for their incredible hunting skills due to their primal prey instincts, but a downside to this is that they bark a lot. This breed is one of the oldest of its kind and is known to be one of Scotland’s first working dog breeds. They’re hypoallergenic which is a plus for wishful dog owners with bad allergies and they’re generally a very happy and energetic breed. This breed is known to weigh between 13 and 18 pounds and yet, despite their small size, they are fearless and tough. Cairns are known to be extremely stubborn and without proper training they can develop behavior problems like excessive barking. If you’re not firm when training them, they will believe that they are the alpha and will bark at you to assert their authority. They’re also very alert dogs so they will bark at any new sight or sound that they come across, adding to their barking problem.

2. Yorkshire Terrier

Another hypoallergenic terrier breed, Yorkies generally live for about 13 years and will bark from the moment they’re born. This is one of the smallest breeds of terrier and they were originally used for catching and killing rats in clothing mills in England during the early 19th century. Since then, the breed has become highly domesticated and makes a great companion despite their noisy nature. Their personality is also one for the books because they are known to be highly intelligent, courageous, and self-confident despite their mere 15 inch height. Like most terriers, Yorkies were bred to bark in order to alert their owner that they found something important. Another reason that Yorkies bark is because they are letting you know what they’re feeling whether they feel bored, excited, or angry.

3. German Shepherd

Little dogs aren’t the only ones who can be noisy. German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds today, especially for their superior watchdog abilities. This breed is also very popular in military and police forces thanks to their intelligence. German Shepherds can get to be between 60 and 90 pounds while standing around 2 feet tall on all fours. They are known for being alert and extremely obedient and are immensely loyal and protective over their owners. This breed usually lives for about 11 years and can be taught to only bark when absolutely necessary. German Shepherds are known to bark at new people, when they feel threatened, when they’re angry, when they hear a noise, if they want attention, if they’re left alone for too long, or if they see a stranger on the street. Overall, a German Shepherd tends to bark at just about everything unless they are trained properly.

4. Basset Hound

This adorable breed is medium sized with short legs and was originally bred for hunting small game like rabbits and hare. Originally from France, this breed usually lives for about 11 to 12 years and can grow to be 50 to 80 pounds and about 2 feet tall when on all fours. They are also known to be a very loyal and devoted companion with a sweet temperament but can revert to their hunting instincts. Be careful about “surprises” on your front porch and be prepared for a very talkative yet gentle companion. A Basset Hound’s bark is actually one of the breed’s defining characteristics. Their bark is known to be powerful, loud, and full of force. The main reason why this breed barks is because they are trying to alert you of something going on whether it’s a stranger outside the house or that they have found something in the backyard.

5. Fox Terrier

Another hunting breed, this terrier was bred to chase foxes out of their hiding places. Thanks to their small size of about 1 foot tall and somewhere between 15 to 20 pounds, this breed was ideal for running in and out of fox holes. With a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years, today this breed is primarily used as a show dog. This is another breed that is known for its intelligence and alert personality, but they also have a tendency to get themselves into trouble. This notorious barker will require a lot of socialization and exposure to many people and dogs if you want to keep their barking at a minimum but they also make great watch dogs. Fox Terriers are the most sensitive alarm you can buy. They are known to bark at every sight and sound and tend to have extremely high-pitched voices. Because they are a terrier breed, they also have a high prey-drive which can initiate their barking.

6. Siberian Husky

This mid-sized breed has an extremely thick coat thanks to its origins in Siberia and usually lives for about 12 to 15 years. They stand around 2 feet tall and weigh somewhere between 40 and 60 pounds. They have an ideal temperament because they are known for being outgoing and alert as well as intelligent and friendly. Although, a major downside to this breed is how much they bark. This breed was originally used as a working dog for pulling heavy loads across long distances in extreme weather conditions. Another popular use for this breed is for pulling sleds as well as showing in dog events. The main reason why a Husky is barking at you is because they want to play. And, because they are a high-energy breed, there is likely to be a lot of barking if you don’t have the time to spend playing with your Husky. Huskies are also known to howl when they are bored or around other Huskies so if you have two, you need to be prepared for the orchestra.

7. Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes are a large breed of dog that, similar to the Siberian Husky, were used for hauling heavy loads and pulling sleds in Alaska. They are known for their strength and agility as well as their loyal, affectionate, and playful temperament. Alaskan Malamutes usually live for about 13 to 16 years and stand at 2 feet tall on all fours while weighing about 75 to 95 pounds. Although they make a great family dog and a loving companion, this breed is known for its independence. They are accustomed to living in harsh environments which gives them a high prey instinct. This breed is often confused with the Siberian Husky, but one of their most notable differences is their voices. They are known for howling like wolves and coyotes which can often sound like they are saying actual words. Some owners have even taken videos of their dogs “talking to them” and posted them saying phrases such as, “I love you” and “I’m hungry.” The reason for their howling and barking is because they are trying to communicate something to you. Most often, they will howl and each howl is a little different depending on what they’re trying to tell you. If they do bark, it’s because they are sounding an alarm to warn you about something.

8. Chihuahua

This breed originates from Chihuahua, Mexico and come in a wide range of sizes, colors, and coats but are most notably one of the smallest dog breeds you can buy. Like most small dog breeds, they have a long lifespan of about 17 years and weigh no more than 7 pounds and are less than a foot tall when on all fours. They are known for being devoted to their owners and very courageous despite their small size. Chihuahuas have a bad reputation of possessing Napoleon complexes which means that they aren’t afraid to pick a fight and because of this, they are very suspicious of most people and other animals that they come into contact with. Because of this personality trait, it’s important to be aware that this breed, while very affectionate and energetic, will be a constant barker. It’s also common that Chihuahuas will bark to receive attention because they are bored or being ignored.

9. Pomeranian

This little fuzzball is another one of the smallest dog breeds you can buy weighing only 4 to 7 pounds and standing at less than a foot tall. They are known for their wonderful personalities thanks to their playful, outgoing, and intelligent behavior. Originally, Pomeranians came from the northern part of Poland and east Germany where their ancestors were a large breed, the German Spitz. This breed was known for having a head like a fox or a wolf, a heavy coat, triangular ears, and a curled tail. This breed is believed to be one of the oldest in existence due to evidence found in stone age fossils. The Pomeranian’s ancestors were arctic working dogs that were generally used for hauling heavy loads, similar to Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes. Since the breed has been domesticated and has shrunk in size, this breed is now known for their adorable, fluffy appearance and talkative nature. They make great companion dogs and are very loyal to their owners. This breed is very protective and vocal when they become excited, nervous, intimidated, or simply entertaining themselves. Thanks to this breed barking at just about everything, you will be alerted anytime a leaf blows in the wind or if they see their shadow.

10. Pekingese

This ancient toy breed has origins in China and usually lives for about 13 years. They’re a larger toy breed that usually weighs somewhere between 7 and 14 pounds and stand at about 6 to 9 inches in height (on all fours). A Pekingese has a very distinct personality with their most notable traits being their stubbornness, affection, and sometimes aggressive nature. Originally, this breed was used as a lap dog for Chinese royalty with its name coming from the forbidden city, Peking, during the Ming dynasty (presently the center of Beijing). This breed has a very confident and proud personality and they are very aware of their favorable appearance. This breed is known to let out with warning barks more often than needed. Anytime they see a new face or hear a new sound they are likely to bark in warning. This breed is also known to bark excessively when they feel intimidated because of their small size. Be mindful not to approach too quickly or suddenly in order to avoid sounding the alarm.

11. Beagle

Beagles can either be small or medium sized but some of the most notable traits of the breed are their floppy ears, intelligent expression, and trademark coloring. Most commonly, they have a lifespan of about 12 to 15 years, weigh about 20 to 25 pounds, and stand on all fours at somewhere between 12 to 16 inches in height. They are a popular family dog thanks to their gentle, intelligent, and friendly personality. Originally, Beagles were used for their impressive scent-tracking abilities when hunters were seeking small game like rabbit, deer, and hare. Thanks to their tracking instincts, this breed is known for being very vocal when they believe they have found something of importance to their owner which can be anything from a long-lost ball or a small animal. Beagles are known to bark at strangers, wild animals, cats, etc. When used for hunting, a Beagle will howl as a signal that they’ve succeeded. But, when not used for hunting, a Beagle will look for any excuse to release their howl like if they want attention, are bored, found something of interest, or because they’re getting attention from you by doing so (even if it’s negative attention).