More
    HomeNewsAug 5, Quiet Small Breed Dogs: Top Ten Choices

    Aug 5, Quiet Small Breed Dogs: Top Ten Choices

    Quiet Small Breed Dogs   By Janice Jones  |Updated 06-18-2021

    Ask a large dog owner, and they may tell you that quiet
    small breed dogs are an oxymoron—they simply don’t exist. 

    Many people love small dogs. 

    Right? 

    You would not be here right now if you didn’t have some affinity for
    smallness.  And, many small dog owners
    live in apartments and condominiums where a barking dog could be construed as
    being a nuisance. 

    There are many small breed dogs that don’t bark much and to
    prove it to you; I have researched and located ten breeds of small dogs that
    are quiet. 

    By quiet, I mean they are not
    considered yappy—barking every time a leaf falls from a tree two miles down the
    street. 

    Do They Bark?

    Quiet Small Breed Dogs Graphic

    Of
    course, all dogs bark with perhaps the exception of the Basenji who makes other
    types of communicative sounds. 

    Barking
    is one way that dogs communicate.  Most
    dogs will alert you to someone at your door or wandering on your property. 

    The difference between these barks and those
    that are just plain annoying is in degree and purpose. 

    The worst offending barkers can’t help themselves.  They bark and bark.  A purposeful bark alerts the owner to
    something out of the ordinary. 

    Many on my list of quiet small breed dogs still make excellent watch dogs.  I equate
    yappy dogs to the boy that cried wolf. 
    It is too easy to tune them out.

    Isn’t Barking Just a Training Issue?

    Some trainers say that barking is all a matter of
    training.  People who have dogs that bark
    are somehow responsible for training them and encouraging them to bark. 

    There is some truth to that, but it does not
    tell the whole story.  Some breeds are just
    more excitable and impulsive than other breeds are.  

    Barking is part of their nature. Not all quiet small breed dogs calm and lazy.  In fact there is a wide range of temperament types in these dogs. 

    Top Ten Quiet Small Breed Dogs

    First, let’s look at the top ten quiet small breed dogs.  There will always be people who know at least
    one example on our quiet dog list that were noisier than #%^&*!  

    There will always
    be exceptions to the rule.  but, here is
    my recommendation for the quietest small breed dogs.

    Basenji

    The Basenji is a primitive type dog originating in
    Africa.  Mischievous and energetic, these
    dogs are known as the barkless dogs
    of Africa. 

    Rather than bark, these guys
    like to scream, growl, even yodel in a canine sort of way. 

    They need plenty of exercise and mental
    stimulation, but require little in the way of grooming. 

    Not the smallest of the small breed dogs, but
    probably the one least likely to bark. 
    If you are a first time dog owner, this may not be the breed for you. An experienced dog owner who wants one of these quiet small breed dogs will find this dog to be very special.

    Basenji

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Sweet and docile, these dogs get along well with
    everyone.  They are one of the larger of
    the toy breeds, weighing in at between 13 and 18 pounds. But they are still considered a quiet small breed dog.

    Fiercely loyal, they will follow you
    everywhere. 

    Some think of them as lazy,
    lounging around in your most-comfortable chair, but they are also playful and
    enjoy walks and activities as long as it involves their owners. 

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Bolognese

    If you are looking for small, fluffy, and quiet, then the
    Bolognese might be a perfect match for you. 

    They are related to the other little white dogs of the Mediterranean
    (Coton, Maltese, Bichon) but certainly more quiet than their cousins. 

    Easy to love and spoil, if you do not watch
    out with these dogs, you might have a problem with Small Dog Syndrome on your
    hands.  Training and socialization will be
    needed early on, but you will not have to be worried by an overly yappy canine.

    Learn more about the Bolognese

    Italian Greyhound

    The Italian Greyhound (IG for short) may need a few
    reminders from time to time that he is a small dog and not the same as his
    bigger cousin the Greyhound. 

    Energetic
    and playful, he will keep you going and happily amused for years to come.  His grooming needs are minimal, but extra
    effort might be needed when training. 
    You will need to convince him that what you want him to do is what he
    wanted to do all along.

    Learn more about the Italian Greyhound

    Japanese Chin

    Smart, mischievous, and playful are just a few words that
    describe these entertaining dogs.  They
    don’t need to be extremely vocal to get your attention, so they make a great
    choice for someone who prefers quiet dogs. 

    They are tiny, weighing in at less than 9 pounds, but are very athletic,
    and almost cat-like in their antics. 
    Even though they do not bark much, they have been known to “Sing” and
    even carry on conversations with their owners.  Overall, though, they are definitely one of our quiet small breed dog choices.

    Learn more about the Japanese Chin

    French Bulldog

    Sweet, charming, and clever, the French bulldog is
    increasingly becoming more popular each year. 
    They are an excellent choice for apartment living, as they don’t bark
    much. 

    They do just as well in the country
    or suburbs.  They are comical and will
    keep you entertained, never bored, but don’t do well when left alone for long
    periods of time. 

    If you are looking for
    a quiet breed, with low grooming needs that will keep your couch warm, then
    this could be the perfect choice for you.

    Learn more about the French Bulldog

    Related:  Why is the French Bulldog so Popular?

    Chinese Crested

    Here is a very distinct look that you can’t confuse with any
    other dog.  The Chinese Crested comes in
    two varieties, the Powder Puff and the Hairless. 

    They are not known to be barkers, but early
    training and socialization will prevent any inappropriate behaviors from
    becoming established. 

    They are happy,
    playful, snuggly dogs that prefer to be close to their owners.  As highly sensitive dogs, they don’t like
    being left alone for long.

    Learn more about the Chinese Crested

    Related:  Chinese Crested Powder Puff

    English Toy Spaniel

    Similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but a separate
    toy breed, the English Toy Spaniel is calm and quiet.  They are a loyal companion, but not as well-known
    as their cousin, the Cavalier. 

    They are
    affectionate and adaptable to all lifestyles, but do best when they are near
    their owners. 

    They are an excellent
    choice for those living in an apartment or condo.

    Learn more about the English Toy Spaniel

    Norwegian Lunderhund

    Norwegian Lunderhund Dog BreedNorwegian Lunderhund

    The Puffin Dog as this breed is sometimes called is
    relatively rare in the US.  Bred
    initially to climb cliffs and catch puffin birds on the Norwegian islands, his
    anatomy is somewhat different from other dogs. 

    He has six digits on his paws and neck that is so flexible that he can almost
    bend it backwards.  He is loyal and
    energetic, curious and stubborn.  These
    dogs are probably not a good choice for a first-time dog owner. 

    Learn more about the Norwegian Lunderhund

    Shih Tzu

    While every dog is unique the breed is generally considered to be a relatively quiet one.  Do they bark?  They do when they have something to say and that is generally when they see something different or unique in their environment. 

    They make excellent watch dogs, and will bark to alert you to a visitor or even a passing squirrel, but they are not considered to be a yappy breed.

    Learn more about the Shih Tzu

    What About Small Dog Hybrids?

    It’s often difficult to know whether a hybrid will be a barker or quiet until you bring him home and live with him for a couple of weeks.  Here’s what our readers are telling us.

    Shorkie lying on a pink bedShorkie (Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier mix)

    Carla from Ohio writes…

    “I have a female Shorkie (Shih Tzu/Yorkie)and thankfully she takes her barking habits from the Shih Tzu side because she is almost always quiet & will only bark now and then at something catching her attention out the window but even then it is only a bark or two and finished or not at all.

    She has the hair texture of the Yorkie & the hair coloring of the Shih Tzu and is non shedding. She is small like a Yorkie but longer body after the Shih Tzu. She’s friendly with everyone of all ages and playful. Never yappy or snappy.”

    Small Dogs, Big Barkers

    Your favorite breed not on our list of quiet small
    breed dogs? 

    Some big barkers can be trained and conditioned to bark
    less.  In all fairness, I thought I
    should let you know which breeds I think are noisy, perhaps yappy?  With that said, here is my list of noisy but
    extremely lovable small breed dogs.

    Pekingese

    Pomeranian

    Beagle

    Shetland Sheepdogs

    West Highland White Terriers

    Maltese

    Toy Fox Terriers

    Chihuahua

    Miniature Schnauzers

    Poodles

    Cairn Terriers

    Stories about Quiet Small Breed Dogs From Our Readers

    Willow is a miniature YorkipooWillow is a miniature Yorkipoo

    From Karen Sayers, (Newport UK)

    She is adorable, very loyal and loving. She can run and run and really likes a good exercise. She loves cuddles and being close to you, is protective and territorial and very intelligent. Unfortunately this breed tends to be a barker for the slightest sound, if anyone passes the house or there’s a sound in the distance. She is still the most wonderful dog.

    Lhasa ApsoSarge, a 13 year old Lhasa Apso

    From Susan Buslett from North Carolina

    Sarge is a 13 year old Lhasa. Over the years I have owned several. They are not yappie dogs. He lets me know if someone is outside, but otherwise doesn’t bark for the sake of barking. They do require a firm hand but are definitely worth it. They are extremely loyal.


    Midge is now 8 years old and we have had her since 8 weeks old.  She is not a barker, or tapper like our neighbor Terriers but does like to carry on when the neighbor’s dog comes to the fence and barks at her.  The other time she barks is when someone comes to the door.  

    She is definitely part of the family and reminds us of that when its bedtime as she goes back to the bedroom and gives us one bark to remind us of that.  By nature, she would like to take charge of the household if we would allow, but that’s only because she likes to be with us.  Loveable and currently the only pet we have in the home having lost our Lab a couple of years ago.

    Gene from McAlester, OK


    Perfect lady who never barks and loves everyone.  At 76 I have had many dogs and she is the best.

    Dennis from Dayton, Texas, USA


    Cici, a Havanese

    This is Cici, a Havanese from Hershey.  Jill, Cici’s owner writes, “I had a Havanese for 15 years who never barked. At all. Only if the doorbell rang.  Now I call that a very quiet small breed dog.

    Care to Share Your Quiet Small Dog?

    Do You Have a Quiet Small Breed Dog?

    If you have or have had a quiet small dog, that is, one who is not fond of barking too much, we’d love to hear about him or her

    What Other Visitors Have Written About Their Dog

    Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page…


    Does This Article Deserve Your Thumbs Up?

    We always appreciate your support and encouragement.  Your thumbs up means so much to us.  Please like this article.

    <!–

    –!>

    If you find this page or any page on Small Dog Place Helpful, or Useful in anyway, I’d love it if you would click the small heart found on the bottom right of each page.

    You can also share or bookmark this page — just click on the:


    10 Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Dog Breed

    Free Monthly Newsletter

    Sign Up for Our Free Newsletter and get our Free Gift to You.

    my  E-book, The Top 10 Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Dog (and how to avoid them)





    This article was originally published by Smalldogplace.com. Read the original article here.

    Must Read

    spot_img