In short The quietest breeds rarely bark without reason — calm, even-tempered dogs that won’t disturb the neighbours. Topping quietness are the Greyhound, Pug and bulldogs, happy to lie silently by your side.
How we rated
The lower the “Barking” score, the higher the position. We factored in the tendency to bark at sounds, guests and out of boredom.
1
Basenji
Energy 4.0
Apartment 3.5
4.0
2
English Greyhound
Energy 3.5
Apartment 5.0
4.0
3
American Staghound
Energy 4.0
Apartment 2.5
3.5
4
Lurcher
Energy 3.5
Apartment 4.0
3.5
5
Spanish Galgo
Energy 3.5
Apartment 4.0
3.5
6
French Bulldog
Energy 2.5
Apartment 5.0
3.5
7
Mi-Ki
Energy 2.5
Apartment 5.0
3.5
8
English Bulldog
Energy 2.0
Apartment 5.0
3.5
9
Rampur Greyhound
Energy 4.5
Apartment 2.5
3.0
10
Alaskan Malamute
Energy 4.5
Apartment 2.0
3.0
11
Cretan Hound
Energy 4.0
Apartment 3.0
3.0
12
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Energy 4.0
Apartment 2.0
3.0
13
Saarloos Wolfdog
Energy 4.0
Apartment 1.0
3.0
14
Black Russian Terrier
Energy 3.5
Apartment 2.0
3.0
15
Moscow Dragon
Energy 3.0
Apartment 5.0
3.0
16
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Energy 3.0
Apartment 4.0
3.0
17
Eurasier
Energy 3.0
Apartment 2.5
3.0
18
Akita Inu (Japanese Akita)
Energy 3.0
Apartment 2.0
3.0
19
American Akita (Great Japanese Dog)
Energy 3.0
Apartment 2.0
3.0
20
Bernese Mountain Dog
Energy 3.0
Apartment 2.0
3.0
Basenji
Energy 4.0
Apartment 3.5
4.0
2
English Greyhound
Energy 3.5
Apartment 5.0
4.0
3
American Staghound
Energy 4.0
Apartment 2.5
3.5
4
Lurcher
Energy 3.5
Apartment 4.0
3.5
5
Spanish Galgo
Energy 3.5
Apartment 4.0
3.5
6
French Bulldog
Energy 2.5
Apartment 5.0
3.5
7
Mi-Ki
Energy 2.5
Apartment 5.0
3.5
8
English Bulldog
Energy 2.0
Apartment 5.0
3.5
9
Rampur Greyhound
Energy 4.5
Apartment 2.5
3.0
10
Alaskan Malamute
Energy 4.5
Apartment 2.0
3.0
11
Cretan Hound
Energy 4.0
Apartment 3.0
3.0
12
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Energy 4.0
Apartment 2.0
3.0
13
Saarloos Wolfdog
Energy 4.0
Apartment 1.0
3.0
14
Black Russian Terrier
Energy 3.5
Apartment 2.0
3.0
15
Moscow Dragon
Energy 3.0
Apartment 5.0
3.0
16
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Energy 3.0
Apartment 4.0
3.0
17
Eurasier
Energy 3.0
Apartment 2.5
3.0
18
Akita Inu (Japanese Akita)
Energy 3.0
Apartment 2.0
3.0
19
American Akita (Great Japanese Dog)
Energy 3.0
Apartment 2.0
3.0
20
Bernese Mountain Dog
Energy 3.0
Apartment 2.0
3.0
How the ranking is built
order: Barking (lower is better) → Energy → Apartment → breed · list composition as on the site, order by this rule
FAQ
Can a dog be trained to stop barking?
Barking can’t be removed entirely (it is natural communication), but with consistent positive training and by removing the causes (boredom, fear) it can be reduced to a minimum.
Which breeds barely bark?
Greyhound, Pug, English and French Bulldog, Basenji, Maltese.
Does quiet mean calm?
Not always: some quiet dogs still need activity. See also the apartment and smartest rankings.