Do Labradors bark a lot, or are they generally a quiet dog breed?

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Labrador Retrievers are incredible dogs that sometimes love everybody. They do not always make the best watch dogs. But, he is still very young, & when he matures, he may become more protective of his home & bark more. Otherwise, remember, people can be very wary of large dogs, & this may be enough to keep people out. Take care.

Labradors are not considered to be a dangerous breed. It should always be remembered that any dog can bite if provoked, or if trained or encouraged to be aggressive. Always supervise children around unfamiliar dogs. For more facts and characteristics about Labradors, visit PetCoach's breed page: www.petcoach.co/breed/labrador-retriever

Labrador Retrievers are an intelligent breed, but they can also be quite "goofy," so you might not recognize their intelligence right off the bat. However, they are highly trainable, and excel at a number of sports and training games because of it. For more facts and characteristics about Labradors, visit PetCoach's breed page: www.petcoach.co/breed/labrador-retriever

Chihuahuas are, by nature, noisy little guys. It's likely that they evolved to become excessive barkers because their small size makes barking one of the few ways they can gain attention. For more facts and characteristics about Chihuahuas, visit PetCoach's breed page: www.petcoach.co/breed/chihuahua

Great question and kudos to you for doing your homework before adopting a new puppy! :-) Some of my favorite smaller dogs breeds that bark a bit less include a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Welsh terrier, or a miniature Australian Shepherd. Any dog will bark from time to time, but these breeds typically are quieter and have gentle temperaments. Another breed, a Shiba Inu, practically never barks but generally speaking, they tend not to be as agreeable. The AKC website has a tool that can help with "breed selection" based upon your lifestyle and needs, if you are exclusively looking for purebred dogs. Otherwise, there are plenty of rescues and shelters (even breed-specific rescues) that may be able to help you find a puppy if you are also open to mixed-breed dogs.

Labrador Retrievers are not "hypoallergenic," because they do shed their coats seasonally. Crossing Labrador Retrievers with Poodles, creating the "Labradoodle" hybrid, seems to create a Labrador-type dog that doesn't shed, or doesn't shed much, and this is one of the factors that has led to the popularity of this crossbreed. To learn more about Labs, visit PetCoach's breed page: www.petcoach.co/breed/labrador-retriever

Lab puppies are very active and need lots of exercise and attention. I would train him to retrieve a ball and play with him a lot and walk him often so he’s tired. You can give him a chew toy when in the house or crate so he’s busy too which should decrease the barking. I have also used a Sonic Egg to decrease the barking. You can buy one at PetCo. It gives off a sound when they bark and that will help also. Remember he’s just a baby and this behavior should improve as he matures. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Scooby.