'No Barking' is not going to work for everybody, but while it is not one of my favourites this reviewer still found a huge amount to like.
The repeated gag, for one repeated so often, does vary in execution. Sometimes it's very funny, like when Claude is frightened upwards but at others it does feel too repetitive and a little tedious. Tweety's cameo is very cute and slightly amusing, but doesn't add a huge amount to the cartoon and some may find it on the misplaced side.
However, 'No Barking' is fantastically animated, especially the visually gorgeous beginning and some wildly inventive animation on Frisky. One cannot believe that it was all the work of one man. Carl Stalling's music score fits beautifully and not just adds to the cartoon but enhances it. It's lushly and cleverly orchestrated as always, has a delicious wit and the rhythms are high in energy and character.
With 'No Barking', the highlights are the beginning, especially for the animation, and a very funny ending. The gags with the bluebirds and Claude being frightened upwards also add to the entertainment value. While not laugh-a-minute or completely hilarious, 'No Barking' is always amusing. The story is narratively so-so and not very surprising, but is high in charm and liveliness so it doesn't matter.
Frisky is superbly animated and a balance of amusing, infuriating and adorable is achieved very well here, though understandably he is a very love it or hate it character. One really does feel sorry for Claude too, and their chemistry entertains and drives the cartoon well. Mel Blanc does a fine job as can be expected.
All in all, begins and ends wonderfully and is fantastically animated. Not for everybody, but for me there was a lot to like. 8/10 Bethany Cox