We all know that barking is one of the basic ways dogs communicate with us. But, apart from barking, we can often hear other sounds that our furry friends make, such as howling, yapping, baying, and whining.
Every dog will whine from time to time, which can happen for a variety of reasons.
A dog can whine when it’s in pain, when it’s excited or anxious, or when it’s scared or worried. Sometimes, your dog will feel you are not giving him enough attention and will try to show you this by whining.
However, all future dog owners should know that whining might be more characteristic for certain dog breeds.
So, for some dogs, it is much more likely that you will often hear them whine for various reasons. Therefore, below we bring you a list of dog breeds that whine a lot, and we have divided them according to size criteria – into small breeds, medium-sized, and large breeds.
7 Small Dog Breeds That Whine A Lot
First, we will start with cute small dog breeds. Many dogs will intentionally pick smaller dogs since they find them as low-maintenance dogs, that can live in smaller apartments and that do not require much space, or much exercise.
But, is it really so? Do smaller dogs whine more than larger dogs, or is size not a relevant factor here? Let’s find out!
1. Beagle
The Beagle is an energetic and intelligent dog that makes a wonderful family pet and a watchdog. This charismatic dog was bred to hunt small game, such as rabbits.
Beagles are loyal, protective and gentle, but there is one additional characteristic of this dog that future pet owners should have in mind: these are one of the most vocal dogs out there!
Since this dog loves human company, it does not like to be left alone; therefore, many Beagles whine due to separation anxiety. But a Beagle will not only whine when it is left alone; it might also whine when it is stressed, hungry, scared, or just wants to get your attention.
Owning a Beagle means struggling to determine what this small dog is whining about!
2. Chihuahua
You might have heard that Chihuahuas tend to be aggressive, but, have you considered whether a Chihuahua is a dog breed that whines a lot?
These dogs are tiny, adorable, and fragile, but they can also be quite vocal, especially at the beginning of your life together. When you undertake dog training, like potty training and crate training, there might be excessive whining, especially with Chihuahuas.
However, if you have a grown-up Chihuahua that is fully trained, but still whines a lot, this can get quite challenging. In most cases, a whining Chihuahua is a Chihuahua in discomfort for some reason.
So, sharing a life with a Chihuahua puppy means a lot of fun, but also might mean dealing with a whiny dog.
3. Dachshund
The Dachshund is a dog that originated in Germany, and was bred to hunt badgers and rabbits. The Dachshund is a friendly and curious dog of small size, but one vital thing to know about this hunting dog is that he is quite needy.
When you think of whining, you probably instantly think of a dog that is sad or hurt, so, you might be surprised by the most common reason why Dachshunds whine.
Dachshunds are highly energetic dogs with a strong prey drive that always need something to do. So, a Dachshund might whine if it gets bored.
In cases this active dog has nothing to do, it will not only whine, but it also might show such destructive behavior, like digging or chewing its’ owners’ things.
So, you better find your Dachshund some work to do!
4. Miniature Pinscher
Our next whining dog is the Miniature Pinscher, also known as Min Pin. This toy breed is fearless and energetic and loves to be around its human family members.
You can expect this dog to bark a lot, and also to whine. This will happen for sure on the first days you start to leave this puppy home alone.
Housetraining the Miniature Pinscher might be challenging, but, luckily, these dogs are highly intelligent. So, when a dog owner starts training on time, there is a higher chance this dog will grow up to be well-behaved and obedient.
Still, you can not expect this dog not to be a vocal dog, even when adequately trained! You just need to be persistent for whining not to become a main form of communication for your Min Pin.
5. Miniature Schnauzer
There are so many good things about the Miniature Schnauzer; this dog is charming, friendly, loyal, intelligent, and trainable. Sounds like a great family companion, right? Yes, this is totally true!
But, a Miniature Schnauzer might be a whining dog. Some leading reasons these dogs cry are stress, boredom, and attention-seeking.
So, a Miniature Schnauzer requires a lot of exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation. Nobody likes to hear their dog whining, but we should also do our best to ensure our dogs are satisfied and healthy.
A little bit of attention-seeking whining is not too much to handle, but hearing a dog whine for most of the day is not a pleasant experience.
6. Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is the cutest of all of the dogs in our list of whining dogs. According to the Pomeranian growth chart, these dogs do not weigh more than 7 pounds, and their small size and fluffy fur make them irresistible!
This Spitz-type dog is not only cute in looks; it is also loyal, friendly, and affectionate. Many people will find this dog as a perfect family dog, but let’s also take a look into this dog’s tendency to whine.
We already got a basic insight into the reasons why do dogs whine, but, what is the reason why Pomeranians usually whine?
These adorable puppies will usually whine when they want to get your attention, so this can happen when they are hungry, thirsty, afraid, or want to go for a walk.
Hearing a dog whine can be quite unpleasant, but Pomeranians are so adorable that we can even get over their whining and constant need for attention!
7. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, is one of the smallest Terrier dog breeds, and is one elegant, feisty, and loving dog. Yorkies are great companions, but they might be difficult to train, might bark and a lot, and also – tend to whine when they are unhappy.
Yorkies might whine when they need your attention or when they are scared, but mostly, Yorkies whine when they are left alone. These dogs do not like to spend time away from their human family members.
Whining might be a sign of an anxious dog, so, dog owners should not leave their Yorkies alone for too long, especially at the beginning.
These dogs need to go through an adaptive period where, little by little, they have to get used to their owners not being with them every moment of the day.
5 Medium-Sized Dog Breeds That Whine A Lot
Many people find medium-sized dogs as dogs of perfect size; they are not too small so we will not hurt them unintentionally, and are, at the same time, not too large, so we have to keep them in a big yard.
Now, let’s see which breeds among medium-sized dogs are known to whine a lot.
1. Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd, or the Aussie, is a working dog, that is an independent and intelligent dog, and also a dog that forms strong bonds with its family and is especially caring and good with children.
These dogs are generally obedient, but they might whine (a lot!), when they want or need something. All Aussies are vocal dogs, since they were bred to be herding dogs, and excessive barking, and whining, is in their nature.
So, these dogs might whine due to excitement, happiness, fear, illness, or pain. It is not an easy task to decrease an Aussies’ tendency to whine, but proper training and socialization are crucial here, and it is recommended to start with these steps from the puppy’s early age.
2. Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a charming, loyal, adaptable, and relaxed dog breed. This dog is very calm, loves all people, and gets on very well with children; all these characteristics make him a wonderful choice as a dog of low maintenance for first-time dog owners!
Still, a tendency to whine is another trait of this easy-going pooch, and this habit might be pretty annoying and even worrying for dog owners.
However, in most cases, you will not have to be worried, since your Basset Hound might whine just because he is bored or he wants to spend some more time with you.
3. Boxer
A Boxer might be the right breed for you if you like alert, courageous, and affectionate dogs. These dogs are gentle and protective, and get along very well with children. They also make great guardians and will protect their loved ones till their last breath.
But, a Boxer might also be a dog that whines a lot. Many Boxers will whine during their puppyhood; this can express their desire to get something. However, if a Boxer is not appropriately trained, the whining might continue in their adulthood.
A Boxer will mostly whine when he is uncomfortable or anxious, but they might also whine simply to get their owners’ attention. So, a Boxer whining might be serious, but also might be harmless.
All Boxer owners need to find a way to determine whether there is a valid reason for their dog’s whining.
4. Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a working sled-dog of medium size, who is very friendly, dignified, and energetic.
This dog is affectionate with its family, but it also might be independent and stubborn. A Husky is famous for its howling, but this dog also tends to whine a lot.
Huskies are highly vocal dogs – this is in their nature, and there is not much we can do about it. So, having a Siberian Husky means listening to a lot of howling and whining.
5. Vizsla
The Vizsla is a hunting dog of high trainability; this dog is energetic and does well in dog sports, such as agility. At the same time, a Vizsla is gentle, affectionate, and obedient.
But, Vizsla is likely to whine a lot, and having a whining Vizsla can get quite annoying. Vizslas might bark due to boredom, or some basic need, such as hunger, thirst, sleep, or exercise.
Also, these dogs might whine just to show you they want you to cuddle them, or to greet some other dogs they meet while walking.
4 Large Dog Breeds That Whine A Lot
Large dogs are usually stunning and all dog lovers enjoy seeing an elegant, graceful, and big dog. But, some of these dogs tend to whine a lot, even though many of us will connect whining more to smaller dog breeds.
So, let’s see which large dogs tend to whine and why they do so.
1. Alaskan Malamute
Many people will say that an Alaskan Malamute looks like a Siberian Husky, which is not far from the truth. But, this dog is a lot bigger than a Husky; also, it is muscular, strong, and stunning. What we also love about this large dog is that it is intelligent, energetic, and independent.
But, what about whining? These dogs tend not to bark a lot, but they howl and whine a lot. In some cases, whining can be even more annoying than excessive barking!
Some dogs will whine when in pain or in discomfort, but, unfortunately, many Alaskan Malamute dogs will whine as a part of their daily routine.
2. American Foxhound
The American Foxhound is an easy-going dog with a sweet personality. It belongs to the Hound Group of dogs and is a dog that gets along well with children and even with other dogs and cats.
Many Foxhounds whine a lot when bored, but they will mostly whine when left alone. They are likely to develop separation anxiety and will whine even when their owner only leaves a room they are in.
These dogs are great family dogs, but are more suitable for people with flexible schedules with a lot of time on their disposal to dedicate to their pets.
3. German Shepherd
One of the most famous police and military dogs worldwide, is also a favorite pet of many families; a German Shepherd is a versatile dog that everybody loves.
But, a German Shepherd is a dog that barks, howls, and whines often. These dogs were bred to be guard dogs and herding dogs, so sounds they produce, together with their body language, are their way of communicating with their owners and warning them about a particular occurrence.
Having a German Shepherd dog means having an amazing protector of your home and property, but it also means standing a lot of whining.
4. Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is an obedient, friendly, and loving hunting dog. It loves to be around its people and to have a lot of exercise; this working dog does not like to get bored.
This dog tends to whine a lot when it is stressed or excited. Also, if you don’t give enough stimulation or attention to your Weimaraner, be prepared for a lot of annoying whining!
If you have another pet in your household, a Weimaraner might whine if it thinks you are giving more attention to that other pet. Also, whining might be this dog’s way to show dominance.
What Is The Best Way To Stop My Dog From Whining?
A whining dog might be quite annoying; not only that, but all dog owners tend to get worried when they hear their dog whining. What is happening? Is my dog stressed? Or is he in pain? Does he need more food? Or is he just bored?
All dog fanciers should know that every dog will whine sometimes, but whining is also a trait more specific to particular dog breeds. Now, you can still do some things to help decrease your dog’s whining. Let’s take a look at them.
Find The Cause
First of all, we need to determine the exact cause why a dog whines so often. Before you think about hiring a dog behaviorist, you may discover by yourself what your dog is whining about.
You should first check if you have met all of your dog’s basic needs; this means, your dog should never be left without food, water, or left alone for too long. Also, every dog needs to get a daily amount of physical and mental stimulation.
If your dog lacks any of these basic needs, it is more likely to whine.
The Power Of Positive Reinforcement Training
If nothing seems wrong with your dog, but it keeps whining almost all of the time, your dog may have started to use whining as its primary way of communication. To avoid this, it is vital to start dog training on time.
This means that a dog owner must teach its dog basic obedience training from an early age, and a puppy should learn how to distinguish good behavior from unwanted behavior.
If your dog keeps whining, giving him attention is sometimes totally wrong. Believe it or not, in most cases, it is better to ignore the annoying whining!
When your pooch realizes you are not paying attention to his excessive barking, he will likely stop using this form of communication. In a period when your dog is quiet, this is the time to use a positive reinforcement method.
This means rewarding your dog for good behavior; you can use his favorite treat, toy, or taking him for a walk, or any other activity he enjoys. This way, your dog will learn how whining is not a desirable behavior.
The younger the dog is, the better your chances are to start raising him to grow up to be an obedient and well-behaved dog.
Regular Vet Check-Ups
Some dog breeds are prone to whining, and they will whine out of boredom or just to get your attention. However, this does not mean that dogs whine only due to these reasons.
Sometimes, dogs whine because they don’t feel well. You can notice certain conditions in your dog, but there are some underlying causes that you might not be able to notice by yourself.
This is why regular veterinarian check-ups are so vital. When we take our furry friends to vets regularly, we ensure we are giving our best in terms of care for our dog’s health.
A veterinarian is the person who will determine the exact cause of your dog’s excessive whining and will put an end to your worries.
Final Words
Dogs are such a blessing and wonderful addition to any family. Every person who grew up with a dog can confirm this and will surely recommend everybody to go and feel this experience.
Picking a dog that will be a perfect fit for you and your family is a challenging task. There are so many things to think about before getting a dog, such as the breed characteristics, how much space it needs, how much exercise will be enough, what that dog is like with children, etc.
All future dog owners will want to know how their dog will likely behave. This also includes whether the dog is vocal or is more likely not to disturb you with their vocalization.
You should know that all dogs will whine at some point, but there are particular dog breeds that whine a lot.
We still find each of them beautiful in their own way, and we consider that their tendency to whine should not be the deciding factor when it comes to possessing one of these dogs.
Also, there is a way to decrease the whining habit; you just need to be persistent and understanding!
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