If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.
Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
Read more:
There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
One thing to take into consideration is whether a dog that barks or howls could lead to complaints from neighbours, particularly if you live in a flat or apartment.
While all dogs have the potential to bark or howl (with the expection of the Basenji) some breeds - whether by breeding or temperament - are far more likely to.
So, here are the 15 noisiest breeds of dog.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
.jpeg?trim=0,57,0,57&crop=&width=800)
9. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs are intelligent herding dogs with a natural tendency to monitor their surroundings and react to anything they reckon could be of interest. Barking is part of their communication toolkit, and they may get vocally rowdy when excited, playing, working, or if it's a day of the week with a 'y' in it. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken
10. Beagle
Another dog bred to bark is the Beagle - whose ability to communicate an interesting scent proved invaluable at a fox hunt. Beagles have two distinct types of bark - one to alert you to everyday incidents and a long, loud yowl reserved for more special occasions. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Alaskan Malamute
These dogs are similar to Huskies and howl frequently, often to express their emotions or when they feel isolated. Their howling is a way to communicate over distances, like their fairly close wolf ancestors. | Getty Images
.jpeg?trim=0,57,0,57&crop=&width=800)
12. Siberian Husky
Full of energy, the Siberian Husky tends to bark to get attention and let you know they'd like to play a game. Get two or more of this breed together and you can expect howling as well as barking as they enjoy noisily communicating with each other. | Getty Images