TOKYO, March 21 (UPI) -- A survey by Japan's Ministry of the Environment has found some barking dogs can be as loud as some factory noise.

The survey of 26 canines at a distance of 16 feet found Labrador retrievers and American cocker spaniels were the loudest, emitting barks at around 92 decibels -- higher than the 90 decibels recorded from a metal press at the same distance, the Mainichi Daily News reported Sunday.


German shepherds, golden retrievers and miniature dachshunds barked louder than the 86 decibels of a heavy truck passing by at a distance of about 50 feet.

The bark of a dog about a yard outside an apartment decreased by only 15 to 20 decibels, indicating the barks of several dogs could drown out the average 67 decibels emitted from a television set during the daytime.

"Even if dogs' barks aren't noisy for owners, they can be a bother for those around them," a ministry official said. "Owners should train their dogs so they don't bark needlessly and use kennels designed to block out noise."