One of the features a lot of people who are looking for a guard dog want is a scary bark. If that’s on your list of charracteristics for a pet dog, then you’ve certainly come to the right place.
We have here a list of 13 dogs whose barks will make you reevaluate where you are standing and make you plan an escape route, you know, just in case. Let’s begin.
Labrador
This is a breed that is known to have one of the scariest barks of all the breeds. There is research to show that about 46 percent of English people thought that it was a Rottweiler because of the bark.
The same research also showed that 84 percent of them thought that having a dog with a good bark would help scare away burglars. And a lot of dog parents in general believe that their dogs have actually done that.
There is also research to show that theft analysis revealed that 7 percent of individuals are not likely to put in a claim if they own a dog. Interesting, isn’t it?
Now, before you take this data at face value, you should know that Brits do love themselves a good Labrador. And they also think that a lot of Yellow Labradors actually have a terrifying bark for such a loving dog.
Weimaraner
Here’s another breed of dog which has a really scary bark. If you are planning to get one of these, you should know that there are things about their barking habits that you should know beforehand.
You need to know, in general, how much a dog barks before you pick a breed. And this one is naturally a big fan of barking.
So, if you are living in a condo or an apartment a Weimaraner might not be one for you. Because not only is it generally not a peaceful dog, it is most likely to cause problems for you with your neighbors for no real fault of its own.
But if you’re looking for a dog that is alert and will come to get you whenever there is something unusual going on in its vicinity, this is the one for you.
A lot of people assume that dogs that bark are lot are just talkative. And even though you might enjoy it or not care so much, your neighbors will.
There are ways to manage the barking by training them well enough such that they don’t cause trouble. But that is a problem if you want your canine to be a guard dog.
Sometimes, these dogs are not friendly when they sense danger or see strangers approaching them. That’s something to know before you get one of these.
Also Read: 15 Dog Breeds That Can Jump High
Rottweiler
You don’t need anyone to tell you that Rottweilers can look scary to some people. They are also guard dogs and will bark quite a bit.
Unsurprisingly, for this very reason, they do have a bark that is generally considered to be quite scary. So, if you are trying to make a list of dogs with a scary bark, well, there is no list that does not have a Rottweiler on it.
These dogs are big and most of them have black fur. Their bodies are muscular and impressive.
Rottweilers are also very suspicious of strangers which is why they tend to bark furiously when they suspect foul play. But they are great companion dogs too and don’t like to be separated from their humans for too long.
That’s one of the reasons why Rottweilers are great pets. But they are not the best choice for people who haven’t had a pet in the past.
German Shepherd
Here’s another ferocious dog that is also quite the looker. German Shepherds are a common choice for police and military personnel.
That’s because they are very intelligent, diligent and make for excellent watchdogs. They also have a powerful presence, which you will know if you’ve ever seen one, and they are absolutely fearless which will make you very proud as a dog parent.
Every once in a while, you will see a German Shepherd that is about 100 pounds heavy. But typically, they weigh between 80 and 90 pounds.
They look very big and have a long and thick coat. Their ears are large which makes them look even bigger.
If you are looking for a dog with good protective instincts, you can’t go wrong with a German Shepherd, that’s for sure. With or without its bark, this is a pretty intimidating dog breed.
But when it does bark, yes, you will be a bit scared unless you’re used to being around one.
English Bull Terrier
Then there is the English Bull Terrier, a dog that doesn’t really bark all that much. Whether you have a miniature dog or a standard-sized one, that holds true.
But you need to train and socialize your particular canine to ensure that it sticks to its nature of not barking a lot. If that doesn’t happen or if it’s constantly sensing trouble, these dogs will certainly bark and that’s not going to be a pretty scene.
They do have quite the pair of lungs on them when it comes to barking and some English Bull Terriers are more prone to this vocalization than others. So, you want to keep a close eye on your little guy.
Of course, sometimes it’s the circumstances that make them release their frightening bark and that’s fair. Make sure your canine doesn’t get triggered if you don’t want to experience this.
That might mean making sure that they’re not lonely or feeling separation anxiety or bored or scared.
Springer Spaniel
This is one good-looking dog and it is active all through the day too. The Springer Spaniel is known to have a lot of energy so it’s a great pick for those who like to be active themselves.
If you’re going on outdoor adventures, it might not be a bad idea to take your Springer Spaniel along. And they like spending time with their humans, so it’s a bonus.
But cut out any of these from their routine and they will bark in a way that will make you feel their feelings. The bark is not pretty and they really do experience FOMO like Gen Z kids.
Luckily for you, these dogs are good with kids too. So, there is a lot you can do to keep them occupied, happy and well, not barking.
But it’s good to remember that they are prone to what is called Rage Syndrome in dogs. It makes them very aggressive very suddenly and it’s hard to tell what really caused it.
The only good news might be that they also calm down quite quickly. It is very rare, but it’s something to know.
Bloodhound
This is a very recognizable dog because you often see it in cop movies. They use it to catch the bad guy a lot and that makes it a scary dog.
And the name sure doesn’t help that image.
But in reality, bloodhounds are quite sweet. They drool an awful lot and the nature of their bark matches the ferocity in their name,
But otherwise, they are nice dogs. They are best known for their talent when it comes to following a trail no matter how tough the conditions are.
Bloodhounds also have a very loud and thick bark. You have to train them well if you don’t want them barking out of boredom.
Also Read: 17 Popular Dog Breeds That Whine a Lot
Beagle
Beagles are another dog that will bark with their might and unfortunately, there are a lot of reasons why they might do this.
Here’s the laundry list.
- They might be lonely, bored or be feeling separation anxiety.
- It might be time for their meal and oops, someone forgot to deliver.
- The beagle might’ve seen someone coming to the door and want to notify you. But this can be fixed with training.
- They may want to play with someone in the house.
- Or maybe they saw another animal and just got started on it.
Bullmastiff
If you didn’t know it already, this breed is a cross of the Mastiff and the bulldog. And it has some qualities that will remind you of a Rottweiler.
So, that’s one hell of an experience for any dog parent. And their bark is, of course, quite noticeable.
Their weight, height and age will remind you of a Rottie but they aren’t as stubborn and love more than a Rottweiler.
These dogs are known to be aggressive and they observe situations quietly. That actually makes some people more nervous.
They have a very thick bark that feels like it comes from their stomach (like a theater-trained actor). But the good news is, they don’t howl or bark as much as a Rottweiler.
Also Read: 61 Velcro Dog Breeds That Are Extra Clingy & Loyal
Rhodesian Ridgeback
This dog breed is originally from Zimbabwe. It’s also called the African Lion Hunter and is generally considered to be a good-looking dog.
These dogs are independent and have a unique nature which is fascinating to anyone who spends a little time with them. They have a face that makes them look very clever.
And they have a wide and flat head with bright and round eyes. Interestingly, these dogs have noses that are the same color as their eyes which makes them look quite cool.
They are medium-sized dogs that are powerful and muscular physically, too. The bark is absolutely scary because they have a deep thorax.
This is exactly the kind of dog you want if you are looking for a pet that will scare intruders away with a couple of barks.
But that’s generally an intimidating thing, so you might want to keep them indoors and on a leash, especially when you’re having company over.
Tosa Inu
This dog is originally from the Shikoku island in Japan. That’s an important detail because the dog actually brings in some cultural attributes from Japan.
It has a lot of capacity to bark and is generally known to be very energetic. So, professionals tend to compare it with a Rottweiler.
Its health situation and lifespan are also quite close to a Rottie, which might make the comparison apt. The bark of this dog will actually remind you of the bark of a Polish Tatra Sheepdog, if you’ve ever heard one.
It is super scary and deep, so you might want to feel lucky that this dog almost never howls. That is also a good thing because the Tosa Inu is stronger and bigger than a Rottweiler.
And they start barking this way right from the time they are puppies.
Also Read: 30 of the Most Popular Asian Dog Breeds
Saint Bernard
Then there is the Saint Bernard. It is a muscular and good-looking dog that has a rather scary bark.
It is a stout dog, but it is also one of the largest breeds in general. Otherwise known to be a very loving breed, these dogs can be really calm except for when they think their humans are in some kind of trouble.
And when they do bark, you will see how intimidating it is. Their tendency to bark is medium and they are sure to scare intruders right away.
Great Dane
Here we are finally, at the very end of the lane. And we thought we’d end it with a bang, so we got the giant dog that can comically be referred to as a mini horse.
These are huge dogs that can be about 3 feet tall. So that right there is already scary enough.
But if you’re looking for a scary+ option, then these guys have a bark that will make you want to look for shelter, if not start running then and there.
But they are actually quite affectionate as a breed. It is very safe to call Great Danes “gentle giants” even though their look and sound is terrifying.
You just need to make sure that they are well trained and socialized from a young age. If you don’t, that can lead to a lot of problems considering their size and temper.
That’s what makes them a bad choice for first-time dog parents.
