Do Whippets Bark a Lot & Are They Noisy?

Do Whippets make good guard dogs? Are they noisy? Do Whippets bark even?

Some people like having a dog for an extra level of security at home. This might not mean a large frothing beast of a dog to deter trespassers! More likely it means letting people know there’s a dog in the house to deter burglars looking for an easy target.

For the most part, “guard dogs” not only look fearsome but they have a bark that makes the hair on your neck stand up on end. This ability to make a terror-inducing noise is what makes such dogs ideal for guarding properties.

Traditionally Whippets are not at all noisy, but that doesn’t mean they don’t bark. In this post I’m asking if Whippets are good guard dogs by addressing the following topics:

The Whippet Temperament

As any owner will tell you, the Whippet temperament is highly appealing. Whippets are generally calm (though they can be a bit bonkers in play or chase mode) and extremely loving.

As a rule, Whippets are sociable and friendly… though early socialization and training can help to make these traits more forthcoming. They can be a little aloof around strangers, which can of course be a benefit for guarding the home.

That said, a Whippet is not a Rottweiler and many people believe that Whippets don’t bark.

Do Whippets Bark?

It’s said that Whippets don’t make much noise and that they never (or at least rarely) bark.

As far as I understand from other Whippet owners this does seem to be the case. Someone I know tells me she has never heard her Whippet bark, though she has heard it growl!

I can say with some certainty though that Whippets do bark.

It seems as though my Whippet Misty is an exception to the norm. Whenever someone approaches our front door Misty barks, growls and scratches at the window. Here she is in full voice…

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We see (and hear) the same vocal behaviour whenever she sees someone walking by our house with a dog or if a cat enters our garden: it’s worth noting that Whippets and cats that don’t live in the same home often don’t see eye to eye!

Whippets are sighthounds and as such they have a strong instinct to chase things. My feeling is that my Whippet Misty becomes especially protective of her home and frustrated if she sees other animals in proximity to her home that she can’t chase.

Hence she barks!

Are Whippets Good Guard Dogs?

I think most Whippet owners would agree that Whippets don’t make great guard dogs. As a general rule, although Whippets can be a little wary around strangers, they’re usually very friendly dogs.

Whippets are also not aggressive. Although the prey drive is strong in all sighthounds, as a rule Whippets are very loving and far from aggressive. Of course there are always exceptions, and in the right circumstances any dog can be aggressive.

However, on the whole, Whippets are not known as an aggressive dog breed.

Furthermore, and as I’ve outlined above, Whippets don’t bark very much… well, mine does, but in general Whippets aren’t famous for barking. Most owners rarely hear their Whippet bark, with most only ever hearing growling, whining or yelping if they hurt themselves.

Any dog in a home is likely to provide some level of a deterrent to would be intruders. That said, I would say that if you’re looking for a dog to guard your home, you may want to consider a breed other a Whippet.

Summary

Whippets are most often a very calm and relaxed when they’re at home. They can be absolutely bonkers when they’re outside running around after their favourite toy or playing chase with other dogs.

But even when they’re in chase mode, Whippets very rarely bark.

Although they can be excitable when something catches their eye while at home (a case in point being my Whippet who gets very agitated when she sees animals from a window), most are relatively calm at home, which makes Whippets great family dogs.

As a consequence, if you’re looking for an effective guard dog, you might consider a Rottweiler over a Whippet!

Related Posts

• Are Whippets Good Dogs for Apartment Living?
• Do Whippets Make Good Pets?
• A Whippet Owner’s Starter Kit
• A Guide to Whippet Mixes
• Are Whippets Lazy?
• How Much Do Whippets Sleep?
• Caring for a Whippet’s Teeth

Does your Whippet bark or otherwise make a lot of noise? Or is your Whippet very quiet? Please let me know in the comments section at the bottom of the page.