Category_Dog Knowledge
Lifestyle
Why Do Dogs Howl? How to Interpret This Common Canine Behavior
The Roots of Your Dog's Howl
Howling in dogs, like many of your canine companion’s behaviors, has ancient ancestral roots. The forefathers of the domestic dog, the wild wolf, used howling as a form of communication to "talk" with their other pack members. Wolves may have also used howling to warn other wild animals to stay out of their territory. This kind of communication is still seen in wolves today — wolves howl regularly in order to communicate with their family members and other animals. Remember: Our modern-day dogs are still pack animals, it's just that their pack consists of you and your family. So, your dog's howling is truly an instinctual behavior, just like walking and talking is for you. Aside from barking, howling is the main form of vocal communication your dog uses to interact with those around him or her, human and canine alike. Some dog breeds are known in particular for their howling prowess, including:- Beagles
- Alaskan malamutes
- Coonhounds (bluetick, redtick, black-and-tan, treeing walker, and others)
- Foxhounds
- Bloodhounds
- Basset hounds
- Shetland sheepdogs
- Dachshunds
- Huskies (Siberian and Alaskan)
- American Eskimo dogs