Well ... we have a silent Collie. His breeder took the older dogs away about the time the puppies were finding their voices so they didn't learn to be that vocal, normal Collie breed trait. I have to admit that I was rather excited about learning this. It was one aspect I kind of dreaded was their shrill high pitched bark.
When Teach is in the house or out in public (at the park, store, dog show, etc) he is silent. Doesn't make a peep. Even chasing things in our yard he doesn't bark. He also doesn't make a sound when someone knocks on our door, rings the door bell or walks in. And because of that I'm going back and thinking how I would like to have a dog that barked ... LOL! (never happy are we?).
If, however, he is on our porch and someone walks down the street or drives a 4-wheelers/loud vehicle down the street he will sound like he is going to EAT you up. To the point that I wonder if he really would. You walk in our yard, though, and he is silent again ... you're a friend and he will love you. Strange, strange Collie!!
One story is we had a couple come up to our door soliciting something and he never barked. We opened the door, talked to them and they asked if they could leave their vehicle in our yard. Still ... no bark. As soon as these same people he just met stepped foot on the street in front of our house he went OFF! So funny!
The other time he will make his voice heard is when he is trying to get Roxy to play with him. And let me tell you he does have that shrill Collie bark that we dreaded ... LOL!! He is so loud and will bark right in Roxy's ear. Sometimes I wonder if he will make her deaf. This video is when he was 6 months old.
Our breeder told us that he would find his voice if he was around dogs that were barking. And is around Roxy enough when she is barking that you would have thought he would have picked up on barking when someone comes in. But that hasn't been the case.
So we have a weird, silent Collie. We'll take it ... because for the most part its pretty nice. When I'm by myself though it would be nice that my big bad dog would have a voice to let people know he is in here and beware.
Are you're dogs let their voices heard or are they silent watchers?
German shepherds are also known for being vocal, so we were pleased when we adopted Pyrrha and discovered that she was an uncommonly quiet shepherd. But then we adopted Eden, about a month ago, and she is a very barky little thing! Now Pyrrha likes to join in when they see "suspicious characters" (aka the mailman, neighbors minding their own business) near the yard. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI have two corgis....I'll give you one guess :-)
ReplyDeleteMy first collie, Lad, was a barker. He barked at everything, and everyone. Abby, who grew up with Lad as her "older brother," has never followed his example. She is not a barker, it's rare to hear her bark. But she is a groaner. Pet her, she moans and groans. Disturb when she is sleeping, she moans. (Definitely not a growl). Ryder and Kori must take after their sire, as they are "talkers." But Scarlett takes after Abby, she moans and groans when trying to communicate. So I think it depends on the collie.
ReplyDeleteI want a silent dog...
ReplyDeleteFaolan didn't bark for about his first three weeks with us. It is like he learned how to. Now he won't shut up : )
I definitely let my voice be heard. Ain't nodawg gonna shove post through the door, walk through it, knock or open a gate without the whole street knowing about it.
ReplyDeleteWeird! A silent dog is a good thing. Beamer howls like a hound at a lot of things and it's kind of annoying. Audi is even worse. I never would have pegged pugs as a vocal breed, but my goodness, Audi doesn't shut up!
ReplyDeleteI figure when it comes time to get another Collie we aren't going to be as lucky ... similar to your story!
ReplyDeleteNo guess needed there. After owning 3 Corgis previously I know first hand ... LOL!! I thought it was real cute when we had our first one to teach her to speak (I was 13) ... well my parents said no way I was allowed to teach the other two that trick!! No need in teaching it though ... they come already trained for it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it does depend on the Collie!! Very interesting to hear about your crew.
ReplyDeleteThe silence is nice ... but a part of me does wish he would alert when someone is at the door! Not wait wagging his tail ... LOL!! Guess we can never be happy! :-)
ReplyDeleteGood for you!!! Way to be the guard dog in the family. We certainly don't have that.
ReplyDeleteHonestly never thought of Pugs being vocal ... interesting!! Thanks for sharing.
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