Glossary

Hearing range

The span of sound pitches dogs can hear, reaching to about 45,000 Hz compared with roughly 20,000 Hz for people.

Also called: dog hearing, canine hearing, ultrasonic hearing, dog whistle range

Dogs hear a much wider band of high frequencies than people. A person hears up to around 20,000 hertz, but dogs hear to roughly 45,000 hertz and are most sensitive around 8,000 hertz. This is why dogs respond to high whistles that people cannot hear. They are less sensitive to very low sounds.

Dogs can also move their ears, which are often large and mobile, to pinpoint where a noise comes from, and they notice sounds from far away.

This sensitivity helps to explain why vacuum cleaners, fireworks and smoke alarms can be uncomfortable or frightening, and why a quiet room can help a stressed dog. Sudden hearing loss, ear scratching or head shaking is a reason to call a veterinarian. Deafness is common in old age and in some breeds.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Noise phobia An intense, lasting fear of sudden or loud sounds such as thunder, fireworks or gunshots, shown by trembling, hiding or panic. Sense of smell A dog's main sense, thousands of times more sensitive than ours by some estimates, with far more scent receptors and a dedicated airflow in the nose. Dog vision How dogs see, which is less sharp than people, with a limited range of colors, but better in low light and at spotting movement. Stress signals Small changes in behavior, such as panting without heat, yawning, shaking off or a tucked tail, that show a dog is uneasy.