Best Medium Sized Dog Breeds

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. You’ll find the smallest ones like Chihuahuas that are as small as 5-8 inches and weigh not more than 5 lbs. to the large ones like Great Danes and Mastiffs that are more than 30 inches tall and can weigh up to 250 lbs. Some of you may have a thing for the cute tiny ones and others may like those strong and built giant dogs that make you feel like a gangsta! 

Between these 2 types, we can find a sweet spot of medium-sized breeds that are neither too small like a teddy bear nor too big like a life-size teddy bear. This is the world of Collies and Poodles of the dog kingdom. We can call them medium-sized dog breeds. These dogs have a height of around 18-25 inches, and they weigh around 50 – 70 pounds. These aren’t the defined sizes for a medium dog, but most will lie in these ranges. 

If you’re planning to get a four-legged buddy home and are confused about the size, here are some great medium-sized dog breeds to consider – 

Best Medium-Sized Dog Breeds

With a luxurious coat and soulful eyes, English Cocker Spaniels are among the best medium-sized dog breeds for you. These spaniels grow up to 15-16 inches tall and can weigh around 29 – 32 lbs. They are energetic, intelligent and fun to play around with. You can get these in black, liver/brown, red/golden, blue roan, liver roan, orange roan, black and white, etc. An American version of this breed is available in the U.S. with a few distinct features. ⁽¹⁾

2. Standard Poodle

One of the most recognizable dog breeds out there, the Poodle comes in 4 sizes – standard, medium, miniature and toy. The standard ones are around 18-24 inches tall and weigh around 44-71 lbs. They are obedient, athletic, and highly intelligent. Their thick curly coats with harsh fur have been awarded at multiple avenues. Not just that, they have served in the military as well. ⁽²⁾

3. American Bulldog

The muscular and popular dog breed of the canine world, the American Bulldog, is a farm dog that originated in the US itself. If you get one of these, your name will be added to the list of proud owners adjacent to stars like Adam Sandler, John Legend, Hugh Jackman, Beckham, and many more. With an average height of 20-24 inches and weight of 75-110 lbs., this breed is available in white, black, red, brown, fawn, and all shades of brindle. They are friendly, smart and highly energetic. They may not tolerate other dogs of the same sex though. 

4. Australian Shepherd

Australian by name but American by origin, these dogs are renowned for their intelligence, energy, and loyalty. They are eager to please and hence easy to train. This makes them excellent family companions, especially with kids. They have an average height of 18-23 inches and weight of 40-65 lbs. The herding instincts kick in even today as American ranchers highly favored them for their exceptional herding capabilities. 

5. Collie

Originating from Scotland, Collies are known for their sensitivity and awareness of emotions in people. You’ll find many versions of Collie including Bearded Collie, Border Collie, Scotch Collie, German ‘Koolie’, etc. These are extremely intelligent dogs. With an average height of 22-26 inches and weight of 45-75 pounds, they come in 2 types of coats - rough and smooth. Black, white and tri-color are the most common colors available here. Their high energy levels require a lot of physical and mental stimulation.

The list doesn’t end here. There are several other medium sized dog breeds that can make it to the top. These include – 

You could consider them as well. 

Best Medium-Sized Dogs for Apartments

Most people, when they think of dogs for their apartments, tiny breeds like Shih Tzu, Toy Poodle, Chihuahua, etc. come to their minds. It may be because of the size of the apartment. However, there are some mid-sized dog breeds as well that can adjust very well to that lifestyle and give you great companionship. Some of them are – 

A great dog breed for not just apartment-style living but also for active pet-parents who love to run or hike. They are intelligent, fearless, and friendly. 

2. Shiba Inu 

The popular dog breed, owing its fan base to the crypto family, Shiba Inu, is a clean, attentive and friendly one. They can be easily house-trained as well.

3. Beagle

The compact size of these dogs itself is one of the biggest reasons why they can be perfect for apartment-style living. Fun-loving, gentle and energetic, Beagles are great with kids and require very little grooming. 

Some other great dog breeds that can suit for apartment living are – 

Are There Medium-Sized Dogs That Don’t Shed?

We understand the problems with dogs that shed a lot, especially if you have an apartment lifestyle. Having said that, no dog is completely non-shedding, but some shed less than others. Your list for medium-sized dogs that don’t shed ‘much’ includes – 

Some of the dogs that we covered in the lists before this can also be a part of your almost non-shedding dog breeds. They include – 

Terrier vs Working vs Gundog Dogs

Terriers - These were originally bred to hunt and kill vermin, such as rats and foxes, and to dig them out of burrows. They usually come in small-medium size and are known for their tenacity and boldness. They are often described as having a "big dog" attitude in a smaller body.

Examples: Jack Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Bull Terrier, Airedale Terrier.

Working dogs – These dogs were bred to perform specific tasks, such as guarding, pulling carts or sleds, and protecting livestock. Most of them come in medium to large sizes as the size matters here. They are very protective, intelligent, trainable and muscular. They come with very high physical and mental stimulation needs.

Examples: Siberian Husky, Rottweiler, Boxer, Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane

Gundog dogs – Also known as sporting dogs, these were bred to assist hunters in finding and retrieving game, particularly birds. Mostly medium-sized, these are very friendly, outgoing, and eager to please. They are among the best fetch players because of their natural retrieving instincts.

Examples: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, English Springer Spaniel, Pointer, Cocker Spaniel.

Who Are Medium-Sized Dog Breeds Best Suited For?

Medium-sized dogs are typically versatile and can be a great fit for a variety of people and lifestyles. Breeds like Labrador Retriever and Cocker Spaniel can be a great fit for families with children. An Australian Shepherd or a Beagle can be great for active individuals or couples who love to hike or run. A French or an English Bulldog can be great for apartment dwellers because of their small size. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be great for first-time owners as they come with a balanced temperament. 

For seniors, a Basset Hound or a Shiba Inu can be a great fit because of their easygoing nature and moderate exercise needs. And lastly, we have breeds like the Australian Cattle Dog, Portuguese Water Dog and Dalmatian that can participate in various dog sports, enjoy outdoor adventures, and still be content to relax at home.

Health Issues for Medium-Sized Dogs

While medium-sized dogs can give you a perfect balance of size, energy, companionship, etc. they come with their own risks for certain health issues.

Some other common health conditions in dogs are arthritis, cataracts, patellar luxation, cancer, etc. Even a healthy dog needs a vet visit for routine check-ups. If diagnosed with one of these medical conditions, the treatment can sometimes put a severe dent in your savings. Some conditions require medications, alternate therapies, prescription diets and even surgery in some cases to be treated. Apart from these, our four-legged buddies can injure themselves by getting in an accident, falling from a height or eating something they’re not supposed to. Pet health insurance can help you save up to 90% of the costs for all these conditions. 

Health Issues for Medium-Sized Dogs

While medium-sized dogs can give you a perfect balance of size, energy, companionship, etc. they come with their own risks for certain health issues.

Some other common health conditions in dogs are arthritis, cataracts, patellar luxation, cancer, etc. Even a healthy dog needs a vet visit for routine check-ups. If diagnosed with one of these medical conditions, the treatment can sometimes put a severe dent in your savings. Some conditions require medications, alternate therapies, prescription diets and even surgery in some cases to be treated. Apart from these, our four-legged buddies can injure themselves by getting in an accident, falling from a height or eating something they’re not supposed to. Pet health insurance can help you save up to 90% of the costs for all these conditions.

How Can Pet Health Insurance Help?

Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:

To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.