Medium Dogs
If you are looking for the perfect breed that fit your personality just right, you need to consider all factors of your lifestyle. For instance, how active are you? Where to you live? If you are looking for a in-between dog that is not too big and not too small, these medium sized breeds (classified according to the American Kennel Club‘s guidelines) and weighing from 25 to 60 pounds, may be just the right thing for you.
These dogs are normally more active than their bigger counterparts and more robust than smaller dogs. They make excellent family pets and guard dogs in some instances, but do not take up the whole couch!
American English Coonhound
The American English Coonhound, also known as the Redtick Coonhound, originated and is bred in the Southern United States of America. This dog as the unique ability to climb trees.
These dogs are sweet, mellow dogs which is highly sociable. They get on well with other dogs, but do need a lot of exercise. Read more about these dogs here. The American English Coonhound is a pack animal and bond closely with its family. It gets on well with children. They can, however, mistake small dogs and cats for prey. It is therefore best to socialize them with other household animals when they are young.
American Foxhound
The American Foxhound is one of the oldest of the American breeds. George Washington was a breeder of these dogs. He kept a pack of them at mount Vernon.
The American Foxhound is docile, sweet natured and gets on well with other dogs and the members of its family. They do, however, needs lots of exercise and are very vocal (they love to howl!). This makes them not suitable for somebody living in a flat.
American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier can make good family dogs, provided the family is always consistent towards it. You must also be able to cope with a boisterous dog. They are not suitable for people with little experience with dogs though. Enthusiasts of this dog claim that they are loving with children.
The American Staffordshire Terrier will protect house and home. They accept cats and other household animals provided they became acquainted with it when young. Some examples of this breed can be rather eager to fight with other dogs.
American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel is a lovable, gentle and playful dog that are intelligent and obedient. Training the Water Spaniel rarely leads to any problems.
The American Water Spaniel is very sociable and consequently they get along well with their own kind and with other household pets. Because they will meekly accept virtually anything, it is sensible to protect them from children’s play which can become very rough.
They love to play and frolic. Provided you keep that in mind, there is no reason why they cannot be kept in a flat. Most of them are mad keen on swimming and retrieving.
Appenzeller Sennenhund
The Appenzeller Sennenhund (Mountain Dog) is a tough, sober, brave, intelligent and lively dog which makes a good watchdog. They like to bark.
This dog learns quite quickly, in part because it is so bright but also because it really wants something to do. The Apenzeller Sennenhund generally gets on well with other dogs, livestock and household animals. The dog must just get used to them when younger. They are rather unsure of strangers but greet family and friends effusively. A healthy and well brought up Appenzeller Sennenhund is fine with children. It is loyal to the family, but tends to bond with one person.
A dog such as this does not belong in a busy urban environment. It likes to be out of doors, and will get sufficient exercise living on a farm.
Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, astute, eager to learn dog that is level-headed, alert, active, tough and very loyal. It has ample stamina and bonds closely with the family.
Training is very easy as the Australian Shepherd learns so quickly and eagerly. In addition to a certain level of regular exercise, this breed also requires to be kept occupied. It is sensible to involve it in agility skills training, fly-ball or obedience competitions.
Provided it has been well socialized, the Australian Shepherd causes no problems with other dogs and pets. They are also generally good with children but they can be a bit shy with strangers.
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound has a mind of its own but is lovable, sociable, calm, playful and patient. It enjoys companionship, has a sense of humour and a real personality which can be influenced positively by its owner.
These dogs have a mind of their own, so they will not exactly jump to your command. The Basset Hound do make superb playmates for children and also get along fine with their own kind and with other animals. They are friendly towards strangers but if they sense danger, you will certainly hear their loud barking. They do not like to be left alone.
This breed does not require much exercise and will be quite content with three trots around the block each day. Make sure that your garden is adequately fenced, as they love to explore.
Bearded Collie
The Bearded Collie is a high spirited, cheerful, clever dog that is eager to learn, lovable, sociable, companionable and extremely independent. They are intelligent dogs that learn very quickly.
The Bearded Collie gets on very well with children, household pets and other dogs. Even strangers are normally greeted exuberantly.
Because of its gentle nature, the Bearded Collie is most ideal for those with little experience of bringing up a dog. With its great adaptability it fits in just as happily in town as in the country. Bear in mind that its coat requires extensive grooming.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is famous throughout the world for its tremendous intelligence and its desire to please. They quickly learn new commands and almost all of them have a natural aptitude for herding sheep. They are very eager to work, intelligent and astute, a quick learner, attentive, lively and alert. They form a close bond with its owner and are very determined and brave.
Provided it gets sufficient activity to keep it occupied and ample exercise, the Border Collie will get along quite happily with other dogs, pets and children. The idle Border Collie becomes extremely badly behaved and even aggressive. Physical exercise alone is not sufficient for them – they must also have work to do. They do extremely well in agility sports, obedience and sheepdog trials.
Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier is very hard on themselves and almost without any sensitivity to pain. They are affectionate, stubborn and with a mind of their own, lively and boisterous. The Bull Terrier are loving with children, spontaneous and cheerful. Some Bull Terriers are rather keen to fight other dogs.
Bull Terriers usually gets on well with children and provided that they had social training when young, will not present any difficulties with cats of other household animals. Some Bull terriers are rather dominant towards other dogs. When they get enough exercise, they will be very calm indoors.
Bulldog
The Bull Dog is an animated, spontaneous, uncomplicated dog. They are equable, gentle-natured with a good sense of humour. The Bull Dog is sensitive, demanding of itself, intrepid if necessary, intelligent in a thoughtful way and calm in the house.
Mixing with other dogs and household pets is usually problem-free. They make ideal friends for children and are very tolerant. Some Bull Dogs are extremely wary, while others are friendly with everybody.
The Bull Dog is an ideal dog for less active people, as they will be quite happy with three short outings per day.
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is an attentive dog with a mind of its own. They are peaceful and noble, independent, reasonably active, dominant, vigilant, brave, quite demanding of itself and full of character.
Most Chow Chows are fairly dominant towards other dogs. In contrast, they are quite good with children. Provided they are acquainted with cats and other household animals early in their live, problems can be prevented. In the company of strangers they are rather reserved.
The Chow Chow does not require a great deal of exercise but like to be out of doors.
Collie
The Collie is among the most recognizable and beloved breeds in the world. These happy, very intelligent dogs are eager to work, sociable, cunning, protective, energetic, attentive, lovable, watchful, sensitive, affectionate and bonds very closely with their family.
The Collie learns very quickly and is best trained with the intonation of your voice. Most Collies get on well with other pets, their own kind and with children. Visitors you wish to see will be enthusiastically welcomed.
They are very adaptable, but you are hardly fair to your dog if you expect it to suffice on a quick turn around the block three times a day. Allow them to run and play off the lead. Most of them are fond of playing with a ball and retrieving.
Dalmatian
The Dalmation is a high-spirited dog with lots of stamina. They are friendly, affectionate, intelligent, vigilant, curious, equable and sociable.
Dalmations are excellent playmates for children, although they can be too boisterous for smaller children. With other dogs and household pets, there is generally no difficulty. With visitors they either act very vigilantly or rather half-heartedly, depending on the character of the individual dog.
The Dalmation will adapt to your family circumstances, but you do it an injustice if you limit this dog to three little outings per day. Running alongside a cycle, swimming, playing and running through the open countryside will all be good for this dog.
Dutch Shepherd
The Dutch Shepherd is an affectionate dog that is eager to learn, intelligent, obedient and sober. It is very loyal to its owner and family, incorruptible, active, lively and alert.
Dutch Shepherds enjoy the company of their own kind and get along fine with other animals. Provided children allow the dogs to have peace, they can also make good play-mates for children. Unwanted visitors are halted in their tracks, while known family friends will be greeted enthusiastically.
It is good for the Dutch Shepherd to run alongside a cycle, or being taken into the woods or open countryside where it can run to its heart’s content.
English Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel is a cheerful, lively, gentle and affectionate dog. They are intelligent, pliable dogs which grasps what you want it do you.
These dogs usually get on well with other dogs, pets and children. Make sure that the children are not too rough with them, as these dogs will allow themselves to be used as toys.
This dog is reasonably content with three quick turns around the neighbourhood, but do not overlook its need for regular opportunities to run freely in the countryside. Most of them love to swim.
English Setter
The English Setter is a friendly, gentle-natured, sensitive dog that bonds with its family. It is lively, intelligent, sociable and cautious.
This breed is not difficult to train, but they do tend to have a mind of their own and this needs to be taken into account.
The English Setter are naturally happy with other dogs and household animals. Companionship with children will never lead to problems. These dogs are friendly to all people and will greet everyone as a friend.
The English Setter needs quite a lot of exercise. Take it for regular long walks or let it run alongside a cycle once grown.
English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a gentle, friendly, sociable dog which are intelligent, cunning, pliable, obedient, equable and very active. The training of this breed is usually trouble free. They are intelligent and eager to please and learn.
The English Springer Spaniel are renowned for their friendly nature. They live in harmony with other dogs, pets and children.
In general they adapt effortlessly to the family situation, but it is not fair to limit them to three short outing a day. They love to retrieve and swim.
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a lively, temperamental, equable and brave dog which will not easily be led astray by bribes and makes a good watch dog. It is also high-spirited, intelligent and keen to learn.
The family comes as priority number one with these dogs. The Entlebucher Mountain dog will warn you when there is trouble. They tend to be rather uncertain with strangers and will certainly announce their presence. Mostly they will be good with children and rarely cause problems with household animals and livestock.
Eurasier
The Eurasier is a calm, equable dog which is alert, friendly and can have a mind of its own. It is reasonably obedient, intelligent and very loyal to its family. The Eurasian does not bark much.
Eurasiers get on very well with children, but is rather reserved towards strangers. Contact with other dogs does not normally cause any problems. Get them used to other animals when they are young.
The Eurasian needs a fairly substantial amount of exercise. An hour per day walking with the dog is a minimum.
Flat-Coated Retriever
The Flat Coated Retriever is an intelligent, friendly, equable dog that are happy to work for their owner. They are pliable, mad about swimming, have tremendous stamina but can have minds of their own. Most of them are not particularly vigilant and they rarely bark.
Mixing with other dogs and animals never presents difficulties for the Flat-Coated Retriever. They make reliable playmates for children provided they do not pester the dog.
The Flat-Coated Retriever needs lots of exercise and they find it enormous fun to swim and retrieve. If you miss a day in exercising them, they will accept it without a fuss but if this is longer, expect them to be very badly behaved.
German Short-Haired Pointer
The German Short-Haired Pointer is a tractable, intelligent, eager to learn, loyal, active, spontaneous, brave, vigilant, playful, friendly dog and have a good scenting nose.
Because they are intelligent and eager to learn, Short-Haired German Pointers are not difficult to train. They like to be busy and they enjoy working for their owner. German Pointers get on well with their own kind, other animals and with children. Although they tend to be friendly with everyone, they can be vigilant.
The Short-Haired German Pointer is best suited for a sportive family. Bear in mind that this is a hunting dog that like to be kept busy.
Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a high-spirited and friendly dog. They are sociable, equable, intelligent and eager to learn. The Icelandic Sheepdog is affectionate, attentive, vigilant, hard on itself, brave and can be stubborn. They like to bark.
This delightful family dog needs quite a lot of exercise to keep it happy. Take it regularly for longer walks, giving it a chance to run and play off the lead. The Icelandic Sheepdog likes to be part of the family. They regard being left on their own as severe punishment.
Japanese Spitz
The Japanese Spitz is a high-spirited, intelligent and playful dog which is vigilant and obedient. The Japanese Spitz is not difficult to train although it is important to be always consistent. They learn quickly and derive much pleasure from sports such as agility skills training and fly-ball.
In general the Japanese Spitz is good with children. The majority of them tend to be rather reserved towards strangers. The company of other dogs and household pets does not usually lead to problems.
To keep the dog healthy in body and soul, take if for three walks every day and also let it regularly run and play off the lead.
Karelian Bear Dog
The Karelian Bear Dog is very loyal to its family and makes a good household companion. They are dominant but also sensitive, independent, intelligent, cunning, tough on itself, energetic and has a good sense of humour. They can be rather anti-social towards other dogs.
With regards to other dogs the Karelian Bear Dog display dominant behaviour and do not go out of their way to avoid a fight. They are quite affectionate towards people making them quite unsuitable as watch dogs. Both welcome and unwelcome visitors will be announced, but that is an end to it. The Karelian Bear Dog can live with other household animals if the training is properly handled.
Keeshond
The Keeshond are boisterous, loyal to their owner, vigilant, not easily led astray by bribes, intelligent and eager to learn. These dogs quickly know what is expected of them; training is therefore very easy. Keeshonds are often successful in dog sports such as agility skills trails.
The Keeshond are naturally good with other dogs and children, but they need to be introduced to cats when they are young. Strangers approaching will always be noted with barking. The Keeshond has an average need for exercise and will usually adapt to family circumstances.
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
The Nederlands Kooikerhondje (or Dutch Duck Hunter’s Dog) is a cheerful, friendly, brave dog that is attentive, intelligent, self-confident and not a friend to all-comers. They seldom bark. They bond closely with their own people and can be a good watch dog if called upon. The Kooikerhondje is very sensitive and can be rather touchy. This makes them not a suitable playmate for children.
The Kooikerhondje gets on well with dogs and cats provided they meet when young. This breed is not a friend-to-all and they are reserved towards strangers. In contrast, family and friends will get an enthusiastic welcome.
They like to run around and frolic. Most of them also like to swim and retrieve.
Norwegian Elkhound
The Norwegian Elkhound is tough on itself, straight forward, equable, friendly and gentle-natured. However quiet indoors, it will be a bundle of energy outdoors.
Like other Arctic dogs, the Norwegian Elkhound has a mind of its own and is fairly independent. It is important to be firm with them but show your affection as well and make sure that you are fair with them.
The Norwegian Elkhound is somewhat reserved with strangers but will greet family friends it knows with enthusiasm. They can be dominant towards their own kind but this is rather the exception than the rule. They usually get on with each other and reasonably well with children too, provided they do not pester the dogs.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a high-spirited, friendly, attentive, intelligent dog that is obedient, lively and sociable. Training does not present a problem, because these dogs are fast learners which quickly remember new instructions.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are excellent family pets which get on well with other dogs and animals. They are very patient with children. They bark when they sense danger but that is likely to be all.
These dogs needs quite a lot of exercise and like to swim and retrieve.
Poodle (Standard)
The Standard Poodle are extremely intelligent, high-spirited dogs which are lively, affectionate, sociable with other dogs. They are loyal to their owners. Most of them like to swim.
The Standard Poodle is fairly easy to train because they learn so quickly. They can win the attention of the top people in various dog sports such as fly-ball and agility skills.
These dogs get on well with their own kind and with other household pets. There is also unlikely to be any problem with children. You will always be warned of visitors.
Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog are high-spirited, friendly, obedient, sociable dogs. They are keen to work, intelligent and quick to grasp things. They also have a good nose for scents.
Provided you understand the dog’s character, training is not difficult. They like to work hard, are intelligent and understand quickly. These dogs are sensitive to the intonations in your voice.
The Portuguese Water Dog will accept the companionship of dogs and other animals without difficulty. They get on very well with children. These dogs lives to swim – there are no greater pleasure you can give it than to throw sticks or a ball for it to retrieve from water. They are also suitable for agility skills trials and numerous other dog sports.
Samoyed
The Samoyed is a dog of contradictions. It is friendly and cheerful, intelligent and reasonably obedient. They however, never follow your orders slavishly and can be extremely stubborn. They are sensitive and gentle-natured but also dominant and vigilant. They are affectionate, but not obtrusively so.
The Samoyed loves to wander, has considerable stamina and remains playful into old age. They love to hear themselves and can be very noisy.
The Samoyed is gentle-natured and patient with children but can be rather dominant towards their own kind. Do not forget that the Samoyed is a hunting dog which enjoys chasing something if it gets the chance. Social training with cats and other pets are very important.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is independent with a mind of its own, is very intelligent, full of energy, cheerful, loves to wander and is very fond of its family. Because they are friendly with everyone, they are not ideal watchdogs.
Most Siberian Huskies do not fill the role of family pet very well, although they could get on well with a very sportive family. The Husky is a sledge dog in heart and soul. A Husky will only obey a command in which it sees any point.
The Siberian Husky generally get along with their own kind but the contact with other household animals needs careful handling and training. Fortunately children are not a problem. These dogs finds it hard to be left on their own, so its is advisable to have more than one Siberian Husky.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The American Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a brave dog which is loyal to its family. They are tenacious, tough on itself, will make good watchdogs, is boisterous with tremendous stamina and is dominant.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not suitable for people with little experience of dogs. This breed can learn a great deal if well trained with a consistent approach.
American Staffordshire Bull Terriers can make good family dogs provided the family is always consistent towards it and can cope with a boisterous dog. Enthusiasts of these dogs claim that they are loving with children. This dog will protect house and home. They will accept cats and other household animals provided they became acquainted with them when young.
Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgeback is a vigilant, intelligent dog with a mind of its own. It has considerable stamina, is lively and active but reserved in the company of strangers.
The company of other household animals does not cause any problems provided the dog grows up with them. They are rather reserved towards strangers.
This Thai breed needs a lot of exercise. Running alongside a bicycle or regular long walks are certainly necessary to keep the dog fit.
Vizsla
The Vizsla is a equable, affectionate, loyal, intelligent dog that is eager to learn and sportive. They like to retrieve and have a good scenting nose and considerable stamina.
Generally the Vizsla is not difficult to train, because they like to please. It is important to be consistent with them.
The Vizsla get on well with its own kind, with other household animals and with children. They will bark at the presence of strangers but that is usually all. Most Vizslas love water and to retrieve.
Whippet
The Whippet are usually very good with children but they tend not to be too fond of strangers. They will invariably warn you of visitors. They are very tolerant of other dogs and there are rarely any difficulty. The tendency to chase everything that moves quickly, is inborn in them. If they grow accustomed to the family cat, they will leave it alone.
The Whippet is a small Greyhound, meaning that its entire body is built for racing and hunting. Understandably they need plenty of exercise. in some countries they may not be allowed to run freely off the lead. This is common with dogs that hunt by sight.