6 Small Dog Breeds that Don't Bark Much

Written and verified by the biologist Cesar Paul Gonzalez Gonzalez

Written by Cesar Paul Gonzalez Gonzalez

Last update: 21 December, 2022

Dogs are one of the most popular pets these days. Aside from having great charisma and being loyal, many dogs look adorable, and are extremely coveted. However, some dog breeds, even though they’re small, tend to bark too much. It’s a good idea to do some research before you adopt a dog, in order to avoid unwanted behavior such as excessive barking.

It’s almost impossible to completely eliminate instinctive canine behavior. This means that all dogs will bark at some point, no matter what training they go through. Fortunately, there are some small dog breeds that don’t bark much, and this is especially important if you have a small home. Keep reading and get to know these beautiful dogs.

Why do dogs bark?

Even though, for humans, barking is rather loud and often annoying, for dogs it’s a means of communication and non-verbal expression. Because of this, they shouldn’t be prevented from performing this type of behavior (within reason). The most frequent reasons why a dog barks are the following:

• Defense of their territory: They use barking as a warning of an intruder or threat near their home.
• Fear: When they feel in danger, dogs may bark to try to make the aggressor retreat or stop the attack.
• Stress: Some emotional disorders, such as stress, transform the dog into a very nervous animal, and they perceive imminent danger in harmless situations.
• Boredom: When insufficiently stimulated, the dog may start barking for no apparent reason to try to get attention.
• Happiness: Overflowing emotions such as happiness can cause dogs to bark.
• Communication with other animals: One of the fundamental functions of barking is to communicate, warn, or interact with other dogs or animals.

Small dog breeds that don’t bark too much

While it is true that barking is an essential behavior in the life of canines, there are some small dog breeds that tend to vocalize less. Among the most famous are the following:

1. Shiba Inu

This beautiful breed originating in Japan has become famous today for its great charisma and compact size. It has a height of 40 centimeters (16 inches) at the withers and an average weight of 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Although it may not seem so, this dog was developed to be used for hunting, so it has great intelligence and emotional stability. Thanks to this, it only barks when necessary.

2. Chinese Crested Dog

The Chinese Crested Dog is a peculiar breed that comes in two varieties, one with hair and one hairless. As its name proclaims, it’s characterized by a crest on its head in both varieties. In addition, it has an average size of 30 centimeters (12 inches) at the withers and weighs between 2 and 5 kilograms (4 to 11 pounds). It isn’t a very active breed, so it doesn’t bark frequently.

3. Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound is a small, slender dog that doesn’t exceed 36 centimeters (14 inches) in height at the withers. It’s cheerful and calm, doesn’t bark much, and is excellent as a companion for elderly people. Although it’s a charismatic and quite loyal dog, the breed is prone to different musculoskeletal problems.

4. Boston terrier

This dog breed is one of the best for guarding tasks, as they have good emotional stability and wonderful intelligence. Thanks to this, they don’t bark unless they have a good reason to do so. As for their size, they’re a little larger than the previous dogs, measuring between 38 and 43 centimeters (15 to 17 inches) in height at the withers. However, there are some types that can be smaller.

5. French Bulldog

The French bulldog is a small dog with a wide body, so it can have a more intimidating appearance than other breeds. Due to its physical constitution, this dog can’t carry out too many physical activities. Because of this, they prefer to spend most of their day with their owners, sitting or lying down next to them. This very inactive behavior is the main reason why it’s part of the dog breeds that don’t bark much.

6. Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin is the smallest Japanese dog breed in existence, measuring only 27 centimeters (11 inches) in height at the withers and weighing just over 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) on average. Consequently, it has a very restricted physical activity, which prevents it from barking too much unless it’s an emergency.

As you can see, there are several breeds of small dogs that don’t bark too much, and so you’re sure to find one that fits your needs. Regardless of the dog you choose, make sure you give them the best care and offer them the best possible quality of life. Remember that their life will be completely in your hands.