We rescued what I was told was a beagle from the shelter. I was a little hesitant, because I knew that they were barkers! They are, after all, used to hunt! Well the more I looked at her, the more I realized there was more then beagle in her. I believe she is mixed with Bassett. Oh, great, there is a nice quiet combination! Well, for the first 3 days, we didn't even think this dog knew how to bark. I thought she may even be deaf. (now we know it was just her stubborness!!!) We finally heard her bark when she "saw" another dog. And she barked, and barked, and barked. The only time she really barks is when she actually "sees" something. If her nose catches scent of something, she just wimpers. She does cry when we are leaving, if we don't take her with us. But, for the most part, she is one of the quietest dogs I have ever owned. And...an AWESOME family pet. (aside for the minimum one hour a week we spend chasing her down if she gets out, so many deer to chase here in the middle of the woods) We have only had her 3 weeks, so she is getting better at the running away, and actually comes when I call her. I spent my whole life with larger breeds, and am now certain that if we were to ever get another dog, it would be a beagle!!!