Picking the right breed of dog for your family can be quite the task, and one of the biggest considerations for certain households includes how vocal the dog is. Some owners may be fine with a loud and boisterous pup, whereas others want a quieter companion.
Whining, while it is a normal part of dog communication, can be quite irritating to some owners and there are definitely certain breeds that are more prone to whining than others. But what breeds of dog tend to whine the most?
All dogs will whine, but there are certain breeds, such as the Siberian Husky and the French Bulldog, who will whine more due to the breed nature. Other breeds, such as a lot of toy breeds, are unintentionally encouraged to whine more frequently due to common training issues.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the breeds that tend to have a reputation for being very vocal, whether that’s due to the breed itself or as a result of common training misconceptions.
The breeds aren’t in any particular order, and it’s important to remember that how vocal a dog is can also be attributed to their individual personalities, lifestyle, activity level, age, and other external influences.
Dog Breeds That Whine A Lot
When choosing a dog, there are many preferences to take into consideration. Your lifestyle, your living arrangements, your activity level, and so on.
One thing that some future dog owners like to take into consideration when getting a new pup is how much their breed (or combination of breeds) is prone to whining.
All dogs will whine in some capacity as that is a way of communicating with both dogs and people that they want something, they are unwell, or they are anxious or excited. If you’ve got one of the below breeds (or any other type of dog), you’ll want to investigate any unusual, sudden whining even if the breed is prone to being a bit whiny.
Since whining is a form of communication for our dogs, it’s important to pay attention to the situation where your dog whines since whining in the morning can have a different meaning compared to sudden whining in the crate or even whining with a toy.
But there are a few breeds that are just a bit more prone to whining than others, and some of the whining may impact your decision on whether or not to get a dog of that breed.
Here are 14 dog breeds that tend to whine more than others:
14. Weimaraner
As a dog breed that tends to have a goofier personality, the Weimaraner is known for being quite vocal and whiny when they are excited or anxious.
The Weimaraner, which was developed in Germany and is known as the “Gray Ghost”, is an intelligent, enthusiastic, and friendly breed of dog that needs a job to do or else they can develop severe anxiety issues.
Those anxiety issues or a lack of mental and physical activity can build up stress and frustration in the Weimaraner, resulting in long periods of whining, crying, howling, barking, and other destructive habits.
Provided they have something to keep them active and engaged, the Weimaraner’s whining can be kept at bay.
Weimaraners are not a breed for everyone, but those who enjoy an active lifestyle and a dog that loves to be by their side would probably enjoy having a Weimaraner.
13. Yorkshire Terrier
One of the more popular toy breeds of dog, the Yorkshire Terrier or “Yorkie” is also known to be quite demanding. The breed, which hails from England, originally gained notoriety for hunting and catching rats within mines and food mills.
At some point, the elegance of the Yorkie caught the eye of Victorian high society and thus they became the dainty little lapdogs that we often see today.
Despite their small size, the Yorkie can be quite feisty and fun-loving and often expresses this with barks, whines, and cries. They enjoy being around people and tend to be very affectionate with their owners.
Like other toy breeds, though, many owners often give into the Yorkie’s demanding whining, causing an increase in whining at best or a full-blown temper tantrum at worst if the Yorkie’s whining goes unheeded.
12. Miniature Pinscher
Affectionately known as the Min Pin by most, the Miniature Pinscher, or “King of Toys”, is well aware of his stately nature and often likes to announce his presence when entering a venue.
When they are not barking, Min Pins do tend to whine, cry, and grunt to get attention or to indicate they need something. The breed is one of the more vocal toy breeds but are also considered a highly intelligent breed, so it’s important to start training early to help curb the whining and crying and be mindful that you are not unknowingly rewarding your Miniature Pinscher’s whining habits.
Min Pins are an excellent choice for a family who want a big dog in a small package, though they sometimes display the same energy levels as their bigger counterparts!
11. Boxer
The Boxer is well known for being a great family dog with their silly personalities and affectionate nature, but they also make great watchdogs and tend to be quite vocal due to this. They’re also one of the few bully breeds with a reputation for whining.
In addition to their frequent barking, Boxers are also known for being fairly whiny dogs and, like their French Bulldog cousins, the whining is sometimes a result of breathing issues due to their brachycephalic facial structure.
While the exact origins of today’s Boxer breed are obscure, it is generally accepted that they hail from Germany and were created out of two now-extinct European breeds.
Bred to hunt large game and later used as one of the primary police and military dogs in Germany, the Boxer can be tenacious and enthusiastic with their whining and other vocalizations. If trained and socialized properly from a young age, the whining and crying can be managed.
Despite their whining, Boxers make excellent family pets and do well in a variety of environments- at least with the right training. They are social and lovable, and do well with kids if socialized properly.
10. German Shepherd
One of the most popular and athletic dog breeds in the world, the German Shepherd is also notorious for their whining and crying.
The breed tends to be very vocal, and they are often prone to anxiety issues which are expressed as incessant whining, crying, and pacing. They also tend to bond with only one person, which can make the whining even worse whenever “their person” is not around.
Developed in Germany and now found in most countries throughout the world, the German Shepherd is found everywhere from the family home to the front lines of the military and police.
Their vocal nature can both add to their ferocity and tenacity but can also be quite annoying for their owners to deal with if left unchecked.
German Shepherds also tend to whine, cry, and bark while at play but their high trainability and intelligence makes it easy to correct their whining habits.
09. Australian Shepherd
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd that we know and love today actually hails from California. The Aussie is a hardworking herding dog and, along with the Border Collie, is an icon of ranch and farm work through the United States and beyond.
Their working dog instinct has led to them being quite vocal, and they will frequently whine for various reasons, particularly when they are in a state of high arousal or stress.
As a highly active dog with an almost limitless energy level, the whining of an Aussie can intensify if they are not given enough physical or mental activity, and behavioral issues will occur in conjunction with the incessant whining.
Smart, loyal, and energetic, the Australian Shepherd makes a great companion for an active owner who is willing to put in the time and effort to train and socialize them properly and who doesn’t mind a bit of noise every now and then.
08. Basenji
It might be surprising to find the Basenji, which is known as a “barkless” dog, on this list!
While Basenjis don’t bark, they can be quite vocal and will often make a yodeling or chortling sound. Basenjis can also be creative with the other noises they make, and this includes whining.
Hailing from Africa, this small, cat-like hunting dog is highly intelligent but tends to be stubborn when it comes to training, and they can be quite a handful if not trained properly.
They also require a high amount of exercise and activity, and if their needs are not met, they will develop destructive habits which includes high amounts of whining, crying, and yodeling. Like the cats that they are often compared to, Basenjis will be obedient on their own terms!
07. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Affectionately referred to as Staffies by their fanbase, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is small but mighty, and their exuberant personality is often accompanied by whines, cries, and barks.
Don’t let their short and stocky body fool you! This breed is an energetic, fun-loving family dog and they can be quite athletic. The breed is one of the most popular in the world today, and can be found in a variety of dog sports, from agility to nosework.
Staffies tend to be very vocal while playing, but if socialized and trained properly from a young age they are capable of keeping their enthusiasm in check. Of course, regular exercise like running or playing will help.
Staffies can be quite stubborn with the training process, but with patience and lots of good treats, you can teach your Staffie to quiet down on cue.
Like other pit bull-type dogs, the Staffie faces a lot of breed stereotypes when it comes to their sometimes tenacious nature, but the breed as a whole is lovable, friendly, and enjoys the fun things in life!
06. Vizsla
The Vizsla, while not as recognizable as some other gundog breeds, is a popular choice for both hunters and active families due to their versatility and work ethic.
Developed in Hungary, the Vizsla is known for forming extremely close bonds with their owners and they are not a breed that should be left alone.
Due to their insistence at being with their owners, the Vizsla tends to be quite whiny and barky if they are away from their owners for even small moments.
If you are away from the house for long periods of time, this is not the breed for you! If left to their own devices, Vizslas will whine, bark, howl, and destroy the house.
They must have an outlet for their intelligence and their energy. If you are willing to take the time to train your Vizsla and exercise them appropriately, then you will be left with an excellent companion.
05. Doodles
While the popular “Doodle” dogs aren’t truly a distinct breed of dog, their mixed breed heritage has had some interesting effects on their vocalizations.
Because the breeding of Doodles of any kind can be such a mixed bag, it can be hard to determine if a particular mix is whinier than another. That being said, almost all Doodles (no matter their breed crosses, though the Goldendoodle and Labradoodles still tend to be the most popular choice) tend to be very energetic, playful, and boisterous and thus many do tend to bark, whine, and cry fairly frequently.
Doodles of all sorts also tend to require a high amount of training to help deal with their enthusiasm, and if they are not properly socialized or trained from a young age (or they come from poor breeding practices), the dogs will develop anxiety related behavioral issues that can lead to increased whining and crying.
With proper outlets for their energy and appropriate training, Doodles make a great family pet for those who don’t mind the occasional exuberant cry of excitement from their pup!
04. Hounds Of All Kinds!
We must also mention the Hound group of dogs, which contains a huge variety of breeds and all of which have various level of vocalizations.
Certain hounds may be a bit on the quieter side, but a large chunk tend to be very vocal, and they can get to be fairly whiny when they want something.
Because their baying, yodels, howls, or cries are necessary to indicate they’ve located their prey, hounds tend to use their voices whether they are working or not.
They also tend to have higher energy levels and once they set their sights (or rather noses) on something, it’s unlikely they’ll let it go until they’ve gotten bored.
If kept from the object of their desire, they may begin whining, crying, or barking and may even throw a small temper tantrum.
As most hound owners know, these types of dogs need an outlet for their natural breed instincts. If you don’t mind a dog who enjoys singing the song of their people, then a hound of some kind may be the perfect breed of dog for you!
03. New Guinea Singing Dog
A relatively rare breed of dog, the New Guinea Singing Dog is a primitive dog breed from Papua New Guinea and was previously thought of as being extinct. The breed is now found within its native Papua New Guinea, in zoos throughout the world, and in private homes.
The New Guinea Singing dog, as its name suggests, utilizes a wide range of vocalizations to make their distinct “singing” sound. They can string together various whines, cries, howls, and yodels to make a unique song.
As these dogs are considered a fairly wild breed, they do best in homes where they have ample space to exercise (and be as loud as they want to!) and must be trained and socialized from an early age. They are not generally a good choice for first-time dog owners due to their ancestry and general wildness.
With an educated owner and proper training, the New Guinea Singing Dog makes an excellent companion for those who wish to pursue dog sports such as barn hunt work or nosework courses.
02. French Bulldog
Next on our list is the popular French Bulldog who, while not known for being very vocal dogs, do tend to whine quite a bit to communicate. Frenchies are known for having a very particular type of whine that is almost more of a grunt combined with soft sighs and high-pitched cries.
Unfortunately, the way a Frenchie whines can sometimes be attributed to the shape of their skull and their breathing difficulties. Similar to other brachycephalic breeds, such as the Bulldog or Boston Terrier, the squishy nose and face of the French Bulldog can make it difficult for them to breathe which can affect their whining levels and force them to communicate using whines rather than other vocalizations or body language.
As with many toy breeds, the French Bulldog can be spoiled by their owner and will whine for attention, toys, food, walks, or anything else that suits their fancy. If the owner gives in (rather than waiting for the Frenchie to ask for what they want in a more polite manner) and provides the whining Frenchie with what they want, then the whining will continue and potentially escalate.
If properly trained and cared for, the French Bulldog makes a wonderful and feisty companion and are a joy to be around. They are perfect for those owners who want a dog that loves to have fun!
01. Siberian Husky
It’s not surprising that the Siberian Husky is on this list! This iconic breed of dog is known for being quite vocal, and their whining can be intense.
In addition to their whining, which is often due to high excitement levels, frustration, or stress, the Siberian Husky can also make some other rather unique noises including yodels, moans, screams, and generally just being a loud dog.
A lot of their vocal history relates to their use as a sled dog. Developed by the Chukchi people of northeast Asia, the Siberian Husky is well-known for their ability to run fast and hard while carrying a sled full of supplies.
The dogs were harnessed up in packs, and the excitement and adrenaline rush of running was expressed in high pitched whines, barks, scream, and cries. Once the dogs were moving the noise usually quieted down some, but the Siberian Husky is notorious for using their voice to express their feelings.
The Siberian Husky makes a great pet, but they are not for everyone. They require large amounts of attention and exercise, and they become bored quickly which can result in destructive habits (and has led to the breed sometimes being banned in certain places). They are also known for being houdinis and need a secure yard or they’ll find their own adventure.
Closing Thoughts
While these vocal dogs may not be the best option for every household, they all have an appealing characteristics for the right person and the right job.
Training and socialization also play an important role in how much a dog may whine, and even the loudest of dogs can be taught to quiet down!
