Best dogs

Quietest dog breeds

The breeds rated least likely to bark often, for apartments and thin walls.

A quiet breed barks rarely, but no dog is silent, and barking depends on training, exercise and boredom as much as on breed. These breeds are rated least likely to bark.

The list

# Breed Size Typical weight Lifespan
1 Whippet Medium 25 to 40 lb 12 to 15 years
2 Greyhound Large 60 to 70 lb 10 to 14 years
3 Bullmastiff Large 100 to 130 lb 7 to 9 years
4 Dogue de Bordeaux Large 99 to 140 lb 5 to 8 years
5 Sloughi Medium 35 to 50 lb 12 to 16 years
6 Mastiff Large 120 to 230 lb 6 to 10 years
7 Akita Large 70 to 130 lb 10 to 13 years
8 Saint Bernard Large 120 to 180 lb 8 to 10 years
9 Borzoi Large 60 to 105 lb 9 to 12 years
10 Neapolitan Mastiff Large 110 to 150 lb 7 to 9 years
11 Saluki Medium 40 to 65 lb 10 to 14 years
12 Newfoundland Large 100 to 150 lb 9 to 10 years
13 Irish Wolfhound Large 105 to 120 lb 6 to 8 years
14 Scottish Deerhound Large 75 to 110 lb 8 to 11 years

About the breeds

1. Whippet

The Whippet is a slim, quiet sighthound from England, bred to race and chase rabbits, and a gentle house dog that sprints in short bursts. Read the Whippet profile.

2. Greyhound

The Greyhound is the fastest dog breed, a tall, lean sighthound from Britain bred to chase game and race, and a quiet, gentle house dog. Read the Greyhound profile.

3. Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff is a large, short-coated English guardian, developed to deter poachers, now a calm and loyal companion with a firm but affectionate nature. Read the Bullmastiff profile.

4. Dogue de Bordeaux

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a massive French mastiff with a wrinkled face, a short red coat and a loyal, calm nature that comes with heavy drool. Read the Dogue de Bordeaux profile.

5. Sloughi

The Sloughi is a lean, smooth-coated sighthound from North Africa, bred by Berber peoples to hunt hare and gazelle, and a reserved, sensitive companion. Read the Sloughi profile.

6. Mastiff

The Mastiff is one of the heaviest dog breeds, a massive but gentle English guardian with a calm manner and a short, easy coat. Read the Mastiff profile.

7. Akita

The Akita is a large, dignified spitz-type dog from Japan, loyal and strong-willed, with a thick coat and a reserved, guardian nature. Read the Akita profile.

8. Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is a giant Swiss Alpine dog, calm and good-natured, famed for mountain rescue work and for a heavy build that drools and sheds. Read the Saint Bernard profile.

9. Borzoi

The Borzoi is a tall, silky-coated sighthound from Russia, bred to course wolves, and a quiet, reserved and elegant house dog. Read the Borzoi profile.

10. Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a giant, wrinkled Italian guardian with loose skin and heavy drool, calm at home and deeply watchful of its household. Read the Neapolitan Mastiff profile.

11. Saluki

The Saluki is a slender, deep-chested sighthound from the Middle East, bred to run down gazelle and hare, and a quiet, dignified and independent house dog. Read the Saluki profile.

12. Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is a giant, water-loving working dog from Canada, famous for its sweet temperament, webbed feet and lifesaving swimming ability. Read the Newfoundland profile.

13. Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is among the tallest dog breeds, a rough-coated sighthound from Ireland with a gentle manner and a short lifespan. Read the Irish Wolfhound profile.

14. Scottish Deerhound

The Scottish Deerhound is a large, rough-coated sighthound from Scotland, bred to course red deer, and a gentle, dignified companion with a short lifespan. Read the Scottish Deerhound profile.

How this list was made

Breeds rated 1 for barking, ordered by apartment suitability. The ratings come from the breed profiles on this site, which rate each breed as a whole. Individual dogs differ, so use the list to decide which profiles to read, then meet the breed before you choose.

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