When a dog wants to communicate with humans, other dogs, or other animals even, they bark. While barking is a normal behavior observed in dogs, some breeds do so more often than others, and even for no particular reason.
Did you know that a dog’s bark is as unique as their personality? Some are more deep like a yowl, some are quiet, and some are high pitched, almost like a yelp.
As a dog owner, it is useful to know when, and why your dog is barking, as this can be an important indicator of what your pet is trying to communicate to you. In this article, we will be discussing 12 different dog breeds with high pitched barks.
12 Dog Breeds with High Pitched Barks
Although some may bark more often than others, the sheer sound of their bark is what they all have in common. These breeds naturally have a higher octave, so it can be difficult to decipher their needs based on their tone alone.
When dogs let out a higher-tone yelp, this typically means they are in pain, scared, or anxious. However, this is not always the case, as exhibited in the breeds discussed in this article.
1. Border Terrier
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 11.5-15.5 pounds
Coat: short, dense
The Border Terrier is another breed to consider when discussing vocal dogs. While they are smaller in stature, their bark is anything but little, and often surpasses that of its bigger complements.
Border Terriers are quick to alert their owners of anything with their bark, as they are excellent, and sharp communicators. Though sometimes their barking is out of pure boredom, or to obtain attention it is known that they often use their voice for necessary purposes.
2. Australian Terrier
Average Lifespan: 11-15 years
Average Size: 12-18 pounds
Coat: short, rough
Australian Terriers, or Aussie’s for short, are very energetic, spirited dogs, so it comes as no surprise that they have a voice to match their physical energy.
This breed is known to bark incessantly, even when not at work, or play. This may mean letting out a casual ‘woof’ while relaxing. When excited, or feeling playful, their bark is more high-pitched.
Although Australian Terriers tend to bark more often than other breeds, they are easily trainable. These furry friends are eager to please their owners, and due to this, have a more malleable temperament.
3. Cocker Spaniel
Average Lifespan: 10-14 years
Average Size: 20-30 pounds
Coat: long, thick
Cocker Spaniels are quite notorious for their barking behaviors. Barking is their natural first response to stimuli, and various situations, so it is no wonder why they made the list.
Things such as a knock on the door, a bird flying by, or their owner returning home from a day of work are all enough to trigger a seemingly relentless barking episode.
Similar to other breeds, however, Cocker Spaniels are also sharp communicators, and utilize their high pitched barking as a way to signal danger, or to grab one’s attention.
4. Chihuahua
Average Lifespan: 14-16 years
Average Size: 6 pounds
Coat: short, long, smooth
Tiny but mighty would be an ideal way to describe this breed. Chihuahuas are known for having quite a high-pitched, and distinguished bark despite their petite stature.
This breed is certainly a victim of “boredom barking” and utilizes this tactic to get attention from their caretaker, or whomever is within their scope of vision. Similar to other breeds, they also bark when they are excited, hungry, or feel like they are in danger.
Although their excessive barking can be problematic, Chihuahua’s are known for being intelligent, and therefore, easily trainable. Therefore, unnecessary barking can be extinguished with some time, and dedication.
5. Jagdterrier
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 17-22 pounds
Coat: short, smooth, wiry
Jagdterrier’s arguably have the most distinguished bark of all dog breeds with high pitched barks. They love the sound of their own voice, and are not ashamed to show it.
This breed enjoys barking all the time – for attention, for food, when danger surmounts, and just for pure entertainment. So, unlike other breeds, it can be difficult to understand what this particular breed may be trying to communicate. Although this breed is tiny, they sure do have a big personality!
6. Schipperke
Average Lifespan: 12-14 years
Average Size: 10-16 pounds
Coat: medium, smooth
The Schipperke is considered a “barky” breed amongst dog experts. They have a high energy level in all respects – physically, mentally, and vocally, and are not “easy” in their demeanor, or behaviors in comparison to other popular dog breeds.
Possessed of extraordinary tendencies, it does not take much to trigger the vocal cords within this particular breed. The Schipperke is loud, and is often reported barking repeatedly by its owners – even throughout the night.
Due to their mischievous nature, they do best with firm training, and a lot of it. Their barking is not dismissed overnight (pun intended).
7. Bichon Frise
Average Lifespan: 14-15 years
Average Size: 12-18 pounds
Coat: medium, soft, dense
The Bichon Frise certainly makes the list when discussing these talkative dog breeds. Their yelp is very distinct, and most definitely strikes a chord.
However, their barking tends to be more purposeful in action – to gain their master’s attention, to ask for food, or to be let outside. Unlike the other breeds mentioned, the Bichon Frise hardly barks out of sheer boredom.
Partly due to their more laidback nature, and partly due to their more distinguished personalities, the Bichon Frise is most accurately labeled as loud when needed.
8. Brussels Griffon
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 8-10 pounds
Coat: short, long beard, dense
The Brussels Griffon is a unique breed out of those listed here. They certainly have a high-pitched bark, and they are smart enough to know how, and when to use it.
This breed exercises their voice, not only to be heard, but to get their way to benefit themselves. Easily described as having a mind of their own, the Brussels Griffon will raise their voice will make you put in the work and have you wonder who is the real pet here.
9. Lakeland Terrier
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 17 pounds
Coat: medium, dense
Lakeland Terriers are a medium-sized breed with a larger than life, high-pitched bark. Similar to its counterparts, Lakeland Terriers are aggressive barkers, and utilize their voice to influence a situation.
The Lakeland Terrier is unique insofar as their intelligence combined with their above-average barking skills makes for a killer combination. They bark quite a lot, and quite often, and are reportedly difficult to housetrain, as they often have their own agenda.
While their barking is often triggered by meeting other dogs, greeting their owner, or seeing a truck drive by, it doesn’t take much to set off what owners describe as a barking-fit.
10. Löwchen
Average Lifespan: 13-15 years
Average Size: 15 pounds
Coat: long, silky
Barking is possibly the most enjoyable past-time for the Löwchen. Of all the more vocal dog breeds, this breed in particular seems to be most talkative.
They bark when they are bored, when they are hungry, or simply when they crave some attention. Notably, their barking can be so draining, that it annoys neighbors of these dog owners.
The Löwchen does have quite a playful, and sweet spirit, however, and therefore, does require an ample amount of attention.
11. Pomeranian
Average Lifespan: 12-16 years
Average Size: 3-7 pounds
Coat: long, thick
The Pomeranian is another little dog with a mighty bark twice its size. They have a very high pitched yelp, which is described as a ‘yapping’ sound by those who are familiar with this breed.
Besides using their bark to communicate, the Pomeranian also barks to ward off danger, to signal if they are hungry or thirsty, or to demand attention. This breed is a very talkative one, and uses their voice as their first line of defense.
While Pomeranians are intelligent, you must utilize the correct tactics to train them properly.
12. Yorkshire Terrier
Average Lifespan: 11-15 years
Average Size: 7 pounds
Coat: medium, silky
The Yorkshire Terrier may be short in stature, but they certainly are not short on things to say, and are definitely to be included on this list.
This breed is quick to bark, and similar to other smaller breeds, has a high-pitched yelp due to its size. They tend to bark at almost anything, and for any reason. This can make training difficult for communication purposes.
Conclusion
When discussing dog breeds with high pitched barks, it is no wonder the aforementioned furry friends made the list. From what we can see, dogs bark for a plethora of reasons – from boredom, or even to hear themselves bark! But most of the time, they are just telling you “hi!”
