What super barks are

WHILE some are quieter than others, all dogs bark, including wild canids. Wolves, coyotes and jackals, for example, will woof to tell others they’re about to cross into their territory, to attract attention, and so on.

However, wild canids tend to bark once or twice, keeping it short and sharp. They don’t go in for that loud continuous barking that we hear from our pets.

That super barking where you hear a volley of loud continuous barks, is strictly domestic dog behaviour. Ironically, this common cause for complaint in urban areas is probably a trait we’ve bred into our pets.

We love our dogs for many reasons. However, there is no denying that one of the major benefits of living with man’s best friend is that they guard our homes. As we have a long history of selecting dogs for their guarding behaviour (barking at intruders), domestic dogs have become a lot noisier than their wild relatives.

How noisy is said to vary across breeds. While you might have a noisy Husky or a quiet Chihuahua, breeds are associated with a rating for noisiness. Among the most famous for being particularly yappy are the Silky Terrier and the Miniature Schnauzer. Quieter breeds include the Shar Pei and the Saint Bernard. Some claim the Basenji doesn’t bark because it has a yodel rather than a woof. However, the noise carries!

So, if you’re looking for a pet, and sound is a factor, do take that into consideration when you adopt a dog.

A Chihuahua looking rather wary during an international dog show, in this AFP file pic. Different breeds have varying levels of noisiness, and the Chihuahua is less vocal compared to the Husky, for example.