Dogs bark to communicate various things, including excitement, need for attention, and informing about danger. Some breeds are more sensitive to environmental changes than others. In response to these changes, they vocalize to alert their owners.
Barking tendencies of some breeds are higher than others. For instance, the Basenji, a hound dog, rarely barks. On the other hand, herding breeds are more alert and tend to bark more. It is worth mentioning here that dogs who bark more are not necessarily aggressive.
Sometimes, it can be the smallest dog that barks the loudest. While some breeds have a natural tendency to bark more, frequent barking in other breeds may be a destructive behavior. It may be due to several reasons, such as a lack of adequate exercise.
Here are the top 7 dog breeds with high sensitivity that love to bark.
Dog Breeds With High Sensitivity That Love To Bark
1. Dachshund
The Dachshund is a little scent hound with a strong nose and floppy ears. It was originally bred in Germany to hunt rabbits and foxes. Recognized by their short legs and elongated bodies, Dachshunds are known for being too vocal.
Doxies bark more than your average dog, which might be attributed to their hunting background. Their big dog bark, intelligence, and alert nature make them effective watchdogs. However, they have an independent streak and can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training, explains the AKC.
They are sensitive and do not respond well to harsh commands and punishments. That is why Dachshund owners should use positive reinforcement methods for training their dogs. Their keen sense of smell enables them to detect subtle changes in their surroundings.
2. Beagle
Beagles are cute and lively pooches who use their voices to respond to their owners’ emotions and environmental changes. Apart from communicating with their body language, Beagles are known for their unique vocalizations, like a “bay.” A bay is a prolonged, loud noise that merges into a howl.
These hunting dogs are blessed with impressive vocalizations as they need to communicate with their pack members over long distances. A Beagle may bark to express its excitement, seek attention, or alert its owner during hunting and play.
According to Hill’s Pet, Beagles are cheerful pups who are loving towards children and other pets. These great family pets are quite affectionate and thrive on human companionship. Beagles may also become prone to excessive barking when they are left alone for extended periods.
3. Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies were bred to work in packs, so they have a natural tendency to communicate with their fellows. The same goes true for their human companions. Huskies are very vocal. They not only bark, but they also love to howl, sing, and even try to talk like humans.
A Husky will never hesitate to let you know what’s going on in its mind. The American Kennel Club explains that Huskies are sensitive to tones and frequencies of human speech. They are too good at even imitating those sounds.
For example, if they hear “I love you,” they may respond in a tone that almost sounds like “I love you.” Sometimes Huskies howl to respond to the external sounds, such as a siren or a crying baby. They may also try to “sing” along with the music.
Studies reveal that Huskies’ DNA is 99.9% similar to wolves. This may be the reason why their vocalizations are similar to their ancestors.
4. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are small and sassy dogs having a tomboyish nature. These sprightly doggos bark a lot. They make wonderful watchdogs because they tend to bark at any unfamiliar sound or movement. Despite their petite size, these bold pooches will let you know what’s going on in their mind.
Yorkies bark to protect their territory and loved ones. You may have a hard time eliminating this habit while training. These bouncy little dogs are well-suited for apartment living due to their size. But their noisy nature might bother your neighbors.
Yorkies are feisty canines with strong hunting instincts. According to PetPlan, they are quite playful but more suitable for families with older kids who know how to treat them respectfully. Yorkies enjoy indoor and outdoor games alongside their daily walks.
5. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are probably the noisiest dogs alive! These working dogs were bred for guarding and herding and are blessed with an excellent sense of smell. GSDs would use their keen noses to smell predators from a mile away. Then they barked to alert their owners about the potential threat.
German Shepherds use different vocalizations such as barking, whining, howling, and growling to convey their emotions to their human owners. Apart from these, GSDs also use their body language to communicate with their handlers. Sometimes they use a tail wag to express their happiness.
Your German Shepherd may also groan and sigh when they do not get enough exercise. These agile and muscular dogs have been used in police forces and for search and rescue missions due to their high trainability and sharp protective instincts.
German Shepherds can analyze their surroundings and assess their environments to sense potential threats. These sensitive dogs should be trained using positive reinforcement methods.
6. Cairn Terrier
You may recognize the Cairn Terrier as Toto from the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” Cairn Terriers are active and alert dogs who bark at any changes in their environment. They will readily bark when they sense something out of the ordinary. However, their high-pitched bark may sometimes annoy your neighbors.
Cairn Terriers are independent and mischievous. They may try to test your limits, so training them is a bit difficult, but not impossible. Cairn Terriers can also become barky and destructive if they do not get adequate exercise.
Therefore, it is important to provide proper exercise and mental stimulation to these smart dogs. These cute lap dogs make wonderful walking companions. Cairn Terriers are playful and loyal companions known for their friendliness and affection towards children and adults.
7. Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzers are active and vocal dogs with a guarding instinct. Miniature Schnauzers love to bark, and it can be controlled with training to some extent. But you cannot completely get rid of their wariness towards strangers.
Their barking tendencies may also be attributed to their history as working dogs, as they were originally bred to guard the farms and catch rats and other vermin. Miniature Schnauzers are very territorial. They may also bark when they see another person or dog inside their territory.
Miniature Schnauzers are lively and eager to please, pooches who love people. These spunky canines are quite alert and lively. Mini Schnauzers are sturdy little dogs who enjoy vigorous play. These tough and muscular fellas make wonderful watchdogs.
Conclusion
Certain breeds like Yorkies, Beagles, and Huskies love to bark. They are sensitive to subtle changes in their environment due to their keen senses and respond to them by vocalizing. These talkative doggos will melt your heart with their cuteness, but may annoy your neighbors.
You can overcome this excessive barking with proper training and socialization. Providing regular exercise and mental enrichment can also help reduce barking tendencies in the vocal breeds.
