Plenty of us decided to welcome new four-legged friends into our homes in the last few years – according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership has soared.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One thing worth considering before making a decision is that some breeds tend to be noisier than others – causing potential issues with neighbours with barking and howling.
So, here are 10 breeds of dog that have a reputation for being particularly vocal – and those that will probably stay quiet.
Moving onto the quietest breeds - if you want to be certain of a non-barking dog then the utterly unique Basenji is the puppy you want. Its name literally translates as 'barkless dog', although it does make some slightly strange low-level noises that sound a bit like yodelling. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
The French Bulldog is the second most popular dog in the UK (behind the significantly noisier Labrador Retriever). It is a particularly good choice for those living in flats, since they rarely bark and don't need a huge amount of room. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
While it's true that some Corgis don't bark, it's a fairly common trait with both breeds - the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Their vocal nature comes from their history of being bred to herd cattle and sheep. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
Bulldogs are one of the quietest breeds out there, spending a good deal of their time napping. They are also very loving and are content in smaller homes. Photo: Canva/Getty Images