Dreaming of having a toy dog as a companion, but worried about constant barking disturbing your neighbors or waking up the kids? Many apartment dwellers or families in shared spaces give up on the idea of adopting a dog for this very reason.
But wait, don’t cross dogs off your list just yet! Some breeds are naturally quieter than others. While barking is a normal way for dogs to communicate, whether it’s to alert you to animals outside, get your attention, or express boredom, certain breeds are far less vocal.
Even quiet dogs need the right mix of mental stimulation, exercise, and companionship to stay happy and avoid unnecessary barking. To help you find the perfect peaceful companion, we’ve compiled a list of toy dog breeds that are naturally calm and bark the least, perfect for apartment living and shared spaces.
Toy Dog Breeds That Rarely Bark
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was named after King Charles II. These toy-sized spaniels remained favorites among British nobility into the 19th century.
Moreover, the breed has four distinct color patterns such as white with chestnut markings, white with black markings, black with tan markings, and ruby, which is a rich red color. Each color pattern was associated with a British noble family at one time or another.
They make great family dogs, as reported by AKC, and are known to be a tolerant, patient, and affectionate breed with other pets and young children.
Moreover, they are generally considered quiet dogs. However, if they crave attention or feel neglected, they may bark a lot. Expect this dog, or most types for that matter, to become a barking dog when you leave them alone for an extended period of time.
Moreover, what they’re trying to say and depending on their emotions, the Cavalier can change their barks. For instance, protection, alarm, or out of fear or separation anxiety are some of the reasons that make this quiet breed start barking excessively.
2. Japanese Chin
Japanese Chin is another breed that belongs to the Toy group of dogs, which is generally quiet. Its soft coat and delicate steps make it look like a cat rather than a dog.
They are high energy, but comfortable with apartment living, and one of the quiet dog breeds. If you are concerned about dog barks, the Japanese Chin may be perfect for you.
Japanese chins are not prone to barking, unlike many small dog breeds. However, this dog breed can become anxious and may start excessive barking if left alone or lacking attention.
The Japanese Chin is a lively and curious little dog who enjoys leisurely walks with his humans or exploring a secure, fenced backyard. However, due to their stubborn and independent nature, they should never be allowed off-leash outdoors, as they may wander off or ignore recall commands.
3. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is also popularly known as the “Lion Dog”. Because of having a long coat, they make a popular choice as lap dogs. Moreover, they make a great choice for apartment living or other situations, where excessive barking would be a problem. They rarely bark and are considered quiet dog breeds.
Remember, Shih Tzus are social watchdogs. So, they will bark when triggered by a doorbell, a visitor, or something seen outside, like another animal.
It is advisable that Shih Tzu puppies should be socialized at a young age to avoid any anxiety. Otherwise, they might display bad behaviors such as barking excessively or digging in your backyard.
Additionally, they have a stubborn nature, so training a Shih Tzu can be a challenge. They would make house-breaking and trick learning challenging, because this dog breed tends to charm its owner into getting its way.
4. Chinese Crested
Chinese Crested is one of the most popular toy dog breeds that is small, elegant, and playful. It comes in two varieties, i.e., hairless and powderpuff. The hairless variety has hair only on the head, tail, and bottom of the feet. On the other hand, powderpuff has a short double coat over the entire body.
They have a warm personality and are pretty quiet. They are extremely attached to their owner and gentle with children. But their presence with children should be supervised.
Moreover, they get along well with other dogs and household pets. So, you will not face a barking problem if you are planning to adopt them.
They are very alert to their environments and are happy to keep an eye on things for their family. So, they make decent watchdogs.
They are extremely intelligent and very familiar with their emotional environment. They can easily interpret when their owner is happy and when he is upset. So, they would be happier when their owner is happy.
5. Papillion
Papillion has fluttery ears that resemble a butterfly. Due to which they got this French name “Papillion,” which means butterfly. This toy dog breed is considered one of the oldest toy breeds still in existence today.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standards, acceptable coat colors include parti-color or white with patches of any color(s).
These high-energy, happy little dog breeds love to play and explore. Additionally, these dogs are highly intelligent, which makes them easily trainable, and they generally love socialization with other people and animals.
Moreover, they are shy breeds who rarely get aggressive, so expect fewer dog barks. If they do bark, it’s mostly to alert you to something or someone. Most papillon dogs are very calm, and they’re great for people who live in apartments.
6. Havanese
It is classed as a toy breed; they’re usually more serene than other dogs in this class and are more well-known for their peppy walk rather than yappy barking.
Known for its affectionate and bubbly nature, the Havanese is an energetic breed, playful and great with children. While the Havanese is patient to a point, younger kids should be closely supervised.
Fortunately, Havanese dogs are quieter dogs than many other small dogs, though they can have their noisy moments. They may bark at unfamiliar faces or situations to make you alert.
For instance, they’ll bark at squirrels in the yard or a guest at the door; generally, they are calm dogs, which makes them good watchdogs.
7. Brussels Griffon
As per WebMD, these dogs, affectionately called “griffs”, are usually happy, quiet dogs who can adapt to new situations, as long as their owner is nearby. They may also be shy with new people, but as long as their “person” is with them, they will warm up.
One look at the Brussels Griffon, and you’ll notice their almost human-like expressions. They have a sturdy, compact body covered in either a rough or smooth coat. Their large, dark eyes and fringed beard give them a distinctive, endearing appearance.
The Brussels griffon is not a big barker. The dog will bark when someone approaches the door, but not much more often than that. Moreover, they do not do well left alone for long periods and are noisy.
Conclusion
Like humans, all dogs have different personalities. Generally, quiet dog breeds bark the least. But under certain circumstances, they may refuse to stay silent. So, it’s the responsibility of the dog owner to understand the behaviors of the dog breeds and take appropriate measures to avoid such behavior of barking from becoming a habit.
Additionally, stopping your dog breed’s barking will depend on the reason they’re doing it. Some causes of barking are easier to stop than others, and there are different methods to consider. In any case, a calm, assertive, and positive approach is key.
