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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.
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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 account is that certain breeds tend to be noisier than others, particularly if you have close neighbours that may a dim view of continual yapping, barking and howling.
While (with one notable exception, which we’ll come to shortly) you can’t be absolutely certain that a dog won’t bark, these are the 15 breeds least likely to, having what the Kennel Club call a ‘quiet’ barking level.
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5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
As quiet as they are cute, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They may bark to let you know there's somebody at the door, but other than that they are very different from the more yappy-type small dog breeds. | AFP via Getty Images
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6. Doberman Pinscher
Trustworthy and protective of their families, Doberman Pinschers make good guard dogs but are remarkably quiet in normal circumstances. | Canva/Getty Images
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7. Shih Tzu
Another small dog with a small voice, the Shih Tzu would rather curl up on your lap for a good pat than make a racket. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are usually calm, patient and relatively quiet. They may bark to alert their families, but their relaxed nature means they’re less likely to engage in persistent barking than many other large breeds. | Getty Images