Why Do Dogs Bark? It's Still Mostly a Mystery.

Real Clear Science ^ | 4-24-14 | Ross Pomeroy

[fanfan]

Because it is too hard for them to quote Shakespeare.

And we wouldn't like it if they did. Can you imagine?

[Pharmboy]

During our tribal time as hunter-gatherers and the dogs' domestication, they barked to make their human buddies aware of strangers and/or danger of any sort. That's why they bark.

They co-evolved with us.

[Ditter]

My dogs bark for all the usual reasons, mostly warning me that something is going on outside. The other day my Black Mouth Cur (hound dog) followed me all around the house whining softly. I knew she was trying to tell me something but I didn't realize what it was until I went to our bedroom.

She went over to her bed in the corner and whined louder.

One of the little Jack Russels had peed in her bed and she wanted it cleaned up. As soon as I took her bed to wash it she never whined again. Cate is a great dog! :)

[americas.best.days...]

My dog is 14 and has been losing his hearing also. Sometimes, not a lot, he just stands out in the yard and barks at nothing. My theory is that his bark is something he can really hear, so it comforts him. But who knows.

[huldah1776]

our australian shepherd mix would lift his upper lip like a smile. hilarious. if you want to know why dogs bark, consider how domestic dogs communicate with each other, then compare that with communication for human hearing. My daughter-in-law’s beagle barks a LOT. My rat terrier hurts my ears. Loved my husky/wolf cause she didn’t bark menacingly unless it was a threat to someone she didn’t like. Only twice in her lifetime. She whined in greeting and howled, of course. Boy do I miss her.

[goodnesswins]

Our dog is probably part aussie...and will smile (only in a.m. now - she’s 13+)...but she used to only bark when strangers came...and especially if they had eye contact...and she can make people scared...now she seems to bark to order my husband to do something...it is a happy bark tho.

[minnesota_bound]

Remember this? Animal sounds.
https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5528382/il_fullxfull.262724919.jpg

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

I’ll take a dog quoting Shakespeare to some of the “yuts” I see on the streets of DC, any day, any time.

PS: My cats can say “out” so clearly you’re waiting for them to say something else, like “dinner”.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Better yet...I Bought Me a Cat. "My cat says fiddle-i-fee." One of my favorites.

[definitelynotaliberal]

Ring ding ding diding diding ding.

[definitelynotaliberal]

Squirrels don’t elicit that response?

I got it....moved by and ruminating on...

[Fledermaus]

Squirrel Warning!

[Osage Orange]

HAHAHAHA!!!!

[BigEdLB]

Rufus sez, “I bark, therefore I am”

[Rebelbase]

I don’t know why they bark but I love howling with them.

[Salamander]

Borderline subsonic or ultrasonic whining?

Mine do both.

I can hear it *just* enough to start twitching.

;D

[ThomasThomas]

Because they can.

[GraceG]

“The Fox”

Dog goes woof, cat goes meow.
Bird goes tweet, and mouse goes squeak.
Cow goes moo. Frog goes croak, and the elephant goes toot.
Ducks say quack and fish go blub, and the seal goes OW OW OW.
But there’s one sound that no one knows...
WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?

Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
WHAT THE FOX SAY?
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
WHAT THE FOX SAY?
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
WHAT THE FOX SAY?
Joff-tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Joff-tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Joff-tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
WHAT THE FOX SAY?

Big blue eyes, pointy nose, chasing mice, and digging holes.
Tiny paws, up the hill, suddenly you’re standing still.
Your fur is red, so beautiful, like an angel in disguise.
But if you meet a friendly horse, will you communicate by mo-o-o-o-orse, mo-o-o-o-orse, mo-o-o-o-orse?
How will you speak to that h-o-o-orse, h-o-o-orse, h-o-o-orse?
WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?!

Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
WHAT THE FOX SAY?
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
WHAT THE FOX SAY?
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
WHAT THE FOX SAY?
A-oo-oo-oo-ooo!
Woo-oo-oo-ooo!
WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?!

The secret of the fox, ancient mystery.
Somewhere deep in the woods, I know you’re hiding.
What is your sound? Will we ever know?
Will always be a mystery what do you say?

You’re my guardian angel hiding in the woods.
What is your sound? (A-bubu-duh-bubu-dwee-dum a-bubu-duh-bubu-dwee-dum)
Will we ever know? (A-bubu-duh-bubu-dwee-dum)
I want to, I want to, I want to know! (A-bubu-duh-bubu-dwee-dum)
(Bay-buh-day bum-bum bay-dum)

[lonevoice]

Dog barking evolved as a means to communicate with humans. Interesting.

[Fire_on_High]

I can imagine that! :-) One of mine communicates, one converses, one demands..and one just squeaks like a newborn because he’s figured out it gets the two leggers in the house to coo over him and the calico to go all momma kitty for him.