They tested about 70 purebred family dogs by playing back recordings of wolf howls and observing the dogs' reactions in a laboratory. Unsurprisingly, the results suggested that breeds genetically closer to wolves were more prone to reply with their own howls while modern breeds reacted by barking instead.
Due to their genetic relationship with wolves, dogs' reactions towards howling can be homologous to their closest living relatives. However, as the correlations with genetic distance from the common ancestor in the older dogs suggested, domestication impacted dogs' vocal behaviour.
Because howling is a form of communication, dogs may also respond to a human's howl. If your dog howls back at you, you should know it is acknowledging the noise you are making and replying with its own howl.
Communication. Like wolves, dogs howl to communicate with other dogs, especially as a way to send a message over a long distance. Howling can also be used as a signal to others about a dog's presence or location and an invitation to interact.
Vocal Communication
A wolf's howl is its natural way of vocally communicating in the wild. Wolves howl to send a message to their separated pack members, informing them about their presence and current location—this method helps them find each other. Dogs have inherited this behaviour from their ancestors.
Excitement. Sometimes, dogs may be become so excited that they can't stop themselves from howling. This type of howling usually doesn't last very long, and it may be combined with excited barking, happy wiggling, and other signs that your dog is clearly excited and feeling joy about something.
Many dogs respond to accidents and pain by howling. They may also howl if they are scared or sense danger. If your dog's howling is persistent and you can't spot any visible injuries or sources of concern, consider taking your furry friend to your vet to ensure there is no underlying or internal medical issues.
Dogs howl to attract attention, to make contact with others and to announce their presence. Some dogs also howl in response to high-pitched sounds, such as emergency vehicle sirens or musical instruments.
Wolves howl to communicate their location to other pack members and to ward off rivaling packs from their territory. It's also been found that wolves will howl to their own pack members out of affection, as opposed to anxiety. Wolf packs tend to claim large territories for themselves, especially if prey is scarce.
When it comes to a wolf they actually do not have a bark like you would hear from a dog. They will have a huffing sound that they will use. Wolves will vocalize using a howl that is extremely loud. They will use the howl to alert others that they are in the area, when they are hunting and for other reasons.
Dogs may howl to let you know that there is something they want you to notice. It could be a visitor, another sound, a lost toy, or anything else that has their attention. They may be excited, frightened, or frustrated by the situation (it's tough to tell at first!).
Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them! Excessive licking can sometimes be a sign that your dog is anxious, uncomfortable or in pain.
In conclusion, a dog's nocturnal howling can be caused by numerous factors including separation anxiety, the need to urinate, hunger, discomfort in their sleeping environment, hearing other dogs or noises, boredom, diet issues, changes in night routine, and physical pain.
1. Siberian Husky. The striking looks of Siberian Huskies have made them one of the most recognisable canines out there. Their stunning eyes, compact bodies and upright ears remind us of their wolf ancestors, but their playful and friendly personality helps them make fast friends with anyone.
Dogs are normally fearful of wolves.
Sometimes dogs just want to communicate when they hear a siren or another dog howling. If they belong to a certain breed like huskies or hounds, they are genetically predisposed to this behavior. Check out our expert article on separation anxiety if you suspect your pet is suffering when you leave.
If you howl at a wolf, and they feel like responding, they may join in. (I've done it in the wild and in captivity and it's huge fun, although they prefer my husband's howl.)
Wolves generally avoid human interactions, unless they have become habituated to people. Please do your part to keep wolves the way they belong—wild. Keep your distance from wolves. Remain at least 100 yards away when watching or photographing them.
While howling is common among all dogs, some breeds are more likely to howl than others, says Dogster. Those more likely to howl include several hound breeds, including dachshunds, beagles, basset hounds and bloodhounds, as well as huskies, Alaskan malamutes and American Eskimo dogs.
There are genetic tests available. Those tests look at 3-4 genetic markers, depending on whether it is a male or female. According to the testing lab, what the test can tell the owner is whether there has been wild wolf DNA in that domestic dog's lineage in the past three generations.
Dogs howl in response to high-pitched sounds—such as sirens, some musical instruments (like the harmonica), and their owners' singing. Dogs will even howl when you howl.
Dogs are descended from wolves, so howling is an innate behavior that lends itself back many thousands of years. Wolves often howl in the wild to communicate and signal important information to the pack. So, when you howl at your dog, they may be tapping into their inner wolf and responding in kind.
In fact, all dogs can howl, although certain breeds of domestic dogs may be more predisposed to howling, according to Chelsea Murray, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CTDI, trainer and owner of Pawsitive Futures Trainer & Behavior in Atlanta, Georgia.
Why Do Dogs Howl at Night? If your dog is a howler, you may notice she howls most often at night. The simple explanation for this is there are fewer sounds in her immediate environment at night. The hubbub of the day subsides and there are fewer cars, buses, and trucks on nearby roads.