Which Dog Breeds Howl?
Have you ever seen an image of a dog howling at the moon? This image has been comically used in TV and movies for several years. The truth is, there are certain dogs that will howl and some that will not.
Which dog breeds howl and what causes a dog to howl? We’ll take a closer look at howling today.
Why Dogs Howl
Answering why dogs howl means going back to the past. It’s well known in the scientific community that dogs and wolves share a similar ancestor. Wolves are also well known to howl. This can be for several reasons though.
As a pack animal, wolves will howl to warn their pack-mates about possible danger. They can also help to set pack boundaries, or it can be a way to call wolves back home. A wolf’s howl is much louder and carries for much farther than a typical bark. So, a howl is just an efficient way to communicate with friends or possibly enemies.
Howling can also be used to express joy though. It can be thought of as a bonding experience. Even today, most dog breeds that howl most closely resemble wolves and live a pack life. Or dogs that howl may have a use for that howl, like getting a hunter’s attention.
Do All Dog Breeds Howl?
If a howling dog is something you can’t stand, rest assured that not every dog breed will howl. There are some dogs that hardly make a peep at all. Even certain dogs of breeds that are known to howl will not necessarily howl. Whether a dog howls or not is mostly left up to their individual personality.
Which Dog Breeds Howl?
Since we know not every breed is going to be a howler, we can look below at the breeds who are known to be a bit more vocal than others.
Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is one of the few dogs that are much more known to howl rather than bark. Coming from a pack mentality, they do have vocalizations like yipping and snorting to goad on members of their pack. But they specialize in the howl. In fact, if you get two in the same room, you had better get some earplugs because they will keep a howl going for a good while.
Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog is a very vocal breed. They are known for their howling prowess, but it doesn’t stop there. They’re certain to give you an earful with their barking as well.
The Shetland Sheepdog comes from a harsh and rugged terrain. There was a need for small dogs who could keep an eye on their flock. This sheepdog would use their big voice to keep livestock safe, even if they were not quite as large as their voice would lead on.
Bloodhound
The Bloodhound is a breed that has been prized by hunters for its incredible sense of smell. This has landed the Bloodhound use in military and police squads. But the Bloodhound was originally used by huntsmen. The dog would call back to let hunters know where their prey was, and howling would be one of their main methods.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a pulling dog. They were trained thousands of years ago to pull sleds for the Chukchi people of the north. But one dog isn’t strong to pull for long. This means a pack would be needed.
The Husky’s howl has a strong social component. They can show excitement or joy, but they can also lament missing a friend with their strong and piercing howl.
American Eskimo Dog
These dogs don’t quite have the size or stamina to be pulling sleds in the arctic. But they do still retain the primal howl that their larger brothers and sisters have. The American Eskimo Dog is known for their watchful eye, and their howl is certain to let their pack know what’s on their mind.
Is Howling Something I Should Be Concerned About?
Howling is just one mode of communicating, so really it shouldn’t be concerning. The only time you might worry is if you live in very close proximity to others. If you are an apartment dweller, these might not be the best breeds for you. If you live on a large plot of land, you’ll have plenty of room to let your companion sing to their heart’s content.
Hopefully, you’ve gained some insight into dog breeds that howl. They might be something to avoid or seek depending on your living circumstances.