Why Do Dogs Actually Howl?
In many films, especially in Westerns, you can often hear wolves and coyotes howling. Why do many of our dogs actually howl too, even if not as much as their wild relatives? The ancestors, namely the wolves, howl for very specific reasons. What these are is explained below.
Why do wolves howl?
One reason is to call the pack together for the hunt. This often happens in the early evening or in the morning. Its purpose is to alert the wolves that are still or already asleep. Since our domestic dogs no longer need to worry about this, because they are served their food, they no longer have to howl for this reason either.
But howling also has a certain social purpose. When wolves or dogs howl, the other members come together and join in the howling. Dogs often do it when they are left alone or have been isolated from the family. This is often a howling out of loneliness and an attempt to call together other dogs or the people the dog regards as pack members.
Howling is not always the same as howling
It has been found that howling is not always the same as howling. A distinction is made between the wailing howl and the social howl. The former is performed with a greatly prolonged final note. It often means that an animal is lonely or feels neglected. The second is the classic howl, produced with a sustained long note – sometimes higher first, then lower. To the human ear it often sounds more melodious.
In nature it means that an animal is present and is defending its territory. It is also often uttered in response to another's howling, to show it that one can hear it. In doing so, it can happen that such a situation escalates into a joint, lively chorus. This can go on for quite a while and, with dogs in residential areas, make the neighbourhood prick up its ears – but in the end dogs are simply dogs, and this instinctive behaviour is part of their nature.
- Calling the community together for the hunt
- Social interaction and cohesion within the pack
- Expression of loneliness or the wish for contact
- Marking and defending one's own territory
This article serves as general information and for a better understanding of the natural behaviour of our dogs.
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The content of the articles is for general information purposes only and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. This information does not constitute medical advice and should not be construed as such.
