10 Small Dogs Who Tend to Bark and Howl

Barking in dogs is a way to let other animals know the dog is around and generally communicate with other dogs.

There are three reasons why dogs bark. The first reason is territorial. Barking is an alarm system. When a dog barks, it is letting other animals know not to come into its territory.

The second reason dogs bark is to get attention. When a dog barks at someone or something, it tries to get the person or thing to interact with it. The third reason dogs bark is to communicate with other dogs.

It is a given that some small dog breeds tend to bark and howl more than others.

From the Chihuahua to the Yorkshire Terrier and the Maltese Terrier to the Shih Tzu, small dog breeds are more prone to vocalizing their discontent in a certain tone. This is not a bad thing if you are prepared to deal with it.

As you probably know, dogs are pack animals by nature, and their bark is a good way to alert you to any approaching strangers.

While it’s unlikely that your dog is much of a vocalist, you might still be looking for ways to reduce the amount of noise he makes.

1. Chihuahua 

The Chihuahua is a very small dog breed that can be as small as 6 pounds when fully grown. The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dogs in the world. This is the smallest of the toy dog breeds.

Their size makes them desirable pets for many people. They have a very outgoing and brave personality and are very loyal to their owners.

Their size also makes them easier to handle, and they do not require as much space as larger dogs. Chihuahuas come in a variety of colors, with black and tan being the most common. The Chihuahua is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

2. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire terrier is one of the small dogs who tend to bark and howl. This does not mean that the Yorkie cannot listen and obey its owner.

They can be trained to be quiet if the owner is very consistent in enforcing the rules. It is very important that the owners set rules straight away; the Yorkie is a very active dog that will test its boundaries.

3. Maltese Terrier 

The Maltese Terrier is a dog that is very protective of its owner and its home. They are very alert to everything that is going on around them.

They will let you know if they hear a sound or see something that they don’t recognize. Maltese Terriers bark to let you know that they have seen or hear something.

4. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a dog that is known for its small size and long hair. (This breed of dog was developed in Tibet, China, and has been in existence since the 14th century.

This is truly a dog with a long history, and it has even been said that Marco Polo took the Shih Tzu with him on his famous trip to the Orient.) The Shih Tzu is a spirited and intelligent breed and is known for being playful and spunky.

As a small dog, the Shih Tzu has a lot to bark about. Unlike larger dogs, the Shih Tzu barks due to excitement, not fear. So, that cute little puppy barking at you is more likely to be a sign of affection than of aggression.

Some dogs even bark due to loneliness or boredom, which means you could end up with a barking problem if you’re not careful!

5. Fox Terriers

Fox terriers are great dogs and tend to be good with children. They are very good with children and will often be the first to defend them if needed.

They also tend to get along well with other household pets but cannot be trusted to play with smaller animals, such as hamsters and birds, as they may hurt them.

Fox terriers were bred to get rid of small rodents, and they will often bark as well as dig at the ground, or anything that they think is a rodent, to get it to come out. This is a common trait in the breed.

With their razor-sharp teeth and charmingly bold attitude, you’d be forgiven for thinking that perhaps all terriers are equally loud.

However, this assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. There’s one breed of terrier that barks more than most of the others—the Fox Terrier.

6. Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkshire Terriers are a small dog breed of terriers, originated in Yorkshire county in Northern England. The breed is commonly referred to as simply the Yorkie or Yorkie-poos in North America.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a typical representative of a modern dog breed and one of the most popular breeds in the United Kingdom. 

A Yorkshire terrier is an energetic and playful dog, but it is also a barker. The small dog is also a yodeler, so the breed is also known as the Yorkshire yodeler.

Yorkshire terriers bark to alert you to a stranger at the door, but they also bark to express excitement or tell you that they want something, like going outside to play or being fed. Yorkshire terriers also bark when they are bored.

7. Miniature Schnauzer

Minis are known for being little barkers, a product of their watchdog ancestors and their territorial natures.

• They bark at strangers because they’re not sure what’s going on.

• They bark at people and other dogs they don’t know because they want to let everyone know they’re still in charge.

• They bark at other dogs because they want to tell them that they’re in charge of that dog.

• They bark at you because they like to hear the sound of their voices.

(This is especially true of older Mini Schnauzers; most puppies outgrow their barking phase.)

8. Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terriers are small dogs who tend to bark and howl a lot. If you are looking for a small dog who doesn’t bark a lot, you would have to look in another direction.

The Cairn Terrier is a dog that loves to bark and howl. It is the kind of dog that would be the perfect watchdog and would give a little warning if someone was at your door.

Cairn Terriers are smart dogs that will learn some commands from you and take a little time to learn them.

It’s a well-known fact: Cairn Terriers are known for their incessant barking. This may be because they’re small dogs, but it’s also related to the fact that they’re terriers.

Cairns is known for being very energetic, intelligent, and curious dogs, as well as protective. When a Cairn is left alone, he will bark (and bark, and bark) until his human returns, or until the Cairn has worn himself out.

9. West Highland White Terrier

West Highland White Terriers are a small, white, Scottish breed of dog known for their long white coats and feisty, playful personalities.

This breed is highly intelligent and typically lives well into his mid-teens. However, a Westie that is not properly socialized or trained may be difficult to live with.

Westies often bark, howl, and carry on for hours if left alone or not given a job to do.

The West Highland White Terrier is an intelligent, active dog with a strong personality and a long life expectancy.

They are compact, strong, and sturdy, with a hard, wiry coat. Not a couch potato, this dog needs both physical and mental stimulation.

If you do not keep this dog busy, he will bark and howl, digging, chewing, and escaping to find something to do.

The Westie is very affectionate towards the family but can be reserved towards strangers. They are a very clean breed and need regular baths.

10. Beagle

Beagles are one of the most popular breeds in the United States, and with their adorable floppy ears and big eyes, it’s easy to see why.

They’re known for being happy-go-lucky dogs, and they’re also known for being loud. While they’re not the kind of dog you’ll want if you live in an apartment or condo, they’re the perfect dog for active families looking for a good-natured friend.

In an ideal world, all dogs would be as adorable and as friendly as cats. However, in the real world, even the most loving, well-behaved dog might have its days when it’s too rowdy or too hyper to be around.

Some dogs tend to bark a lot, and that can be particularly annoying. When Beagle barks a lot, it can be especially annoying because his barks are loud and shrill. What are the reasons why Beagle barks so much?

Do you have small dogs that bark a lot? Are they mentioned in the above list?