A Staffordshire bull terrier has delighted the internet with his unusual attempts to bark, which sound more like a dolphin or even a dinosaur.
The videos of Enzo the blue Staffie were shared by his owner on social media (@enzothebluestaffodshire on TikTok) showing the unexpected noises he makes. Rather than a bark or even a regular whining sound, Enzo has surprised social media users by showing off his unexpected squeaking noises.
The internet certainly can’t get enough of Enzo’s unique vocalizations, with many people lauding his talent and even joking about what the noises actually resemble. Many of the clips have gone viral, a video posted on January 6 amassing more than 3.2 million views and 400,700 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.
During the video, Enzo’s owner, who lives in Massachusetts, repeatedly asked the pup to do “a real bark.” However, every time she asked, he just responded with his quirky version (which sounds nothing like a bark).
Newsweek has contacted @enzothebluestaffodshire via TikTok for comment.
Indeed, after the videos of Enzo went viral, many TikTok users have lauded the pup and suggested what he sounds like instead. Among the 9,200 comments on the viral TikTok video so far, people have likened Enzo to a dinosaur, a dolphin, birds, and even farm animals.
One comment on the post reads: “Staffies are all a mix between a dolphin and a velociraptor. I always tell mine no other dog can understand her.”
Another person added: “Enzo is hilarious. He’s been a turkey now he’s a goat. I need him to moo next.”
“He sounds like a pterodactyl—so freaking cute,” joked another commenter.
While one TikTok user wrote: “He sounds like a dolphin, so cute.”
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How Can Dogs Communicate?
Dogs choose to communicate in a variety of different ways, and while some prefer barking relentlessly, other dogs like Enzo choose much quieter means. The American Kennel Club (AKC) explains that dogs have an array of sounds they can communicate with, including whining, howling, purring, growling, and even singing. Each sound conveys a different message or feeling.
As explained by the AKC, barking may be the preferred method to alert you to something, or to get your attention. A dog’s bark will often change depending on the context of the situation. If they’re barking because of danger, it’s usually a deep bark with negative body language, while a bark accompanied by a wagging tail might be more playful.
When it comes to howling and singing, the AKC suggests this is an inherent behavior from their wolf ancestors. Dogs learn that making these sounds gets them attention and generates results, so of course they learn to repeat it whenever they want more. Notably, dogs who sing or howl aren’t necessarily in pain, but they might simply enjoy the thrill of making such a raucous noise.
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