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Why Do Dogs Howl?
By Emily Gutarra MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Read on for our guide and learn why do dogs howl.
Howling is one of the different vocalizations dogs use to communicate. It has been passed down to them from their canine ancestors, although it serves different purposes today. If you’re the owner of a howling dog, read on to find out why it happens and what you can do when it becomes excessive or when it seems to be an indication of an underlying problem.
Where does howling come from?
Howling in dogs is rooted in their ancestral lineage. Dogs, particularly those of certain ancient breeds, are direct descendants of wolves. Wolves howl to communicate with other members of their packs and other wolves at long distances as well as to establish their territories and more.
Why does my dog howl?
Wolf packs use howling as a form of communication over long distances, among other things. However, a 2023 study on dogs’ reactions to howls found that, unless your dog comes from an ancient breed — those that are genetically more closely related to wolves — howling no longer serves the same purposes. More modern dog breeds will most likely use howling for other things as a result of domestication. Some of the most common reasons dogs howl include:
- Responses to loud noises or high-pitched sounds
- Attention-seeking
- Separation anxiety
- Expressions of emotions (stress, excitement, sadness, fear, etc.)
Excessive howling
If your dog is howling constantly, they might be trying to communicate that something is wrong. Just as they can howl to express emotion or excitement, they can do it to convey pain or discomfort. Pet parents that are worried their dog might be howling because of medical issues should see a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM).
If you’ve discarded any medical issues and the howling persists, the issue might be behavioral. If that’s the case, you might need the help of a dog trainer or animal behaviorist that specialize in canine behaviors.
Dog breeds that howl the most
Certain domesticated dog breeds are more likely to howl than others because of how closely related they are to their wolf ancestors. These are called ancient breeds. Others do as a result of selective breeding, as is the case with hounds or hunting dogs. Some of these breeds include:
- Siberian huskies
- Basenjis
- Chow Chows
- American eskimo dogs
- Beagles
- Dachshunds
- Basset hounds
- Alaskan malamutes
- Bloodhounds
Why Dogs Howl FAQs
Why do dogs howl when you leave?
Are dogs crying when they howl?
Why do dogs howl at sirens?
Summary of Money’s Why Dogs Howl Guide
- Howling is a normal dog behavior that they inherited from their ancestors, the wolves.
- Although it is a natural instinct, some howling dogs might be trying to communicate an underlying issue to their owners.
- Certain dog breeds are more likely to both howl and respond to howling than others.
- When howling becomes an issue, pet owners can consult animal trainers or behavioral experts to find out why the behavior is happening and how to approach it.
- Dog owners can correct excessive howling through training with positive reinforcement.
Emily Gutarra is a Staff Writer at Money Group, where she writes and edits articles on personal finance topics as well as comprehensive company and product reviews. Emily holds a Bachelor’s in English-language Literature from the University of Puerto Rico and is currently completing her Master’s in Translation. After graduating in 2020, she embarked on a journey as an editor and translator. Her interest in personal finance was heavily influenced by her experience with learning how to handle her own. She awkwardly navigated the complexities of financial matters during her college years due to the lack of preparation she’d received before becoming independent. This experience has shaped both her purpose to provide readers like herself with the information they need and how she does it. She approaches each article and review keeping in mind what she found and still finds helpful when researching these topics. Prior to joining Money, Emily contributed significantly to content creation for courses at NUC University and all of its academic divisions as part of the institution’s editing team. In this editorial role, she collaborated with experts across a range of academic areas, requiring her to immerse herself in each field. These ranged from business and finance to mortuary sciences, culinary arts, emergency response and more. As an independent translator, Emily leverages her research expertise to provide accurate translations in diverse subject areas.