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.