Dogs that rarely bark: the quietest breeds
In an apartment building or with close neighbors, some breeds are much quieter than others. Training and exercise matter a lot too: a bored dog barks.
Ranked using our 1 to 5 ratings on 20 criteria, up to date as of October 13, 2026.
Refine with your own criteria-
Whippet
England · Sighthounds
Medium · moderate energy · minimal coat care
Avoid with cats -
English Bulldog
England · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Small · very calm · low coat care
Demanding to train -
Akita
Japan · Spitz and primitive types
Large · moderate energy · average coat care
Sheds a lot -
American Akita
Japan (developed in the United States) · Spitz and primitive types
Large · moderate energy · average coat care
Sheds a lot -
Basenji
Central Africa · Spitz and primitive types
Medium · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Irish Wolfhound
Ireland · Sighthounds
Giant · calm · low coat care
Not suited to apartment living -
Afghan Hound
Afghanistan · Sighthounds
Large · high energy · very high coat care
High-maintenance coat -
Saluki
Middle East (Fertile Crescent) · Sighthounds
Large · high energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Greyhound
Great Britain · Sighthounds
Large · calm · minimal coat care
Avoid with cats -
Scottish Deerhound
Scotland · Sighthounds
Giant · moderate energy · low coat care
Not suited to apartment living -
Golden Retriever
Scotland · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Large · high energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Staffordshire, England · Terriers
Small · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Labrador Retriever
Great Britain · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Large · high energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
United Kingdom · Companion and toy dogs
Small · moderate energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Brittany
Brittany, France · Pointing dogs
Medium · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Cane Corso
Italy · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · moderate energy · minimal coat care
Not suited to apartment living -
Rottweiler
Rottweil, Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · moderate energy · minimal coat care
Category 2Not suited to apartment living -
French Bulldog
France · Companion and toy dogs
Small · calm · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Bernese Mountain Dog
Switzerland · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · moderate energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Shiba Inu
Japan · Spitz and primitive types
Small · moderate energy · low coat care
Sheds a lot -
Eurasier
Germany · Spitz and primitive types
Medium · moderate energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
American Staffordshire Terrier
United States · Terriers
Medium · high energy · minimal coat care
Category 2Struggles when left alone -
Boxer
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Medium · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Pug
China · Companion and toy dogs
Small · calm · low coat care
Struggles when left alone
