Popular Medium-Sized Dog Breeds

By Theresa Miller • November 3, 2023

Theresa is a tenured PuppySpot employee and breed expert. She is currently the manager of our Profile Approval department and interacts with our breeders daily. Theresa has been involved in the pet industry for over 20 years and has hands-on experience with many dog breeds. Theresa is also the proud pet parent of Marta, a German Shepherd Dog who is a trained service dog, a miniature Labradoodle named Eleanor, and her two cats, Bonnie and Katie!

Reviewed and fact checked by Bruce Whittle, DVM

Medium-sized dog breeds are the perfect size: not too big, not too small. Medium-sized dogs are often great for families since small children sometimes aren’t gentle with small dogs and some large dogs may not be gentle enough for small children! Medium-sized dogs can easily ride in your car, sleep in your bed (if you let them), and snuggle up with you on the couch when you’re watching a movie. Many of these breeds have high energy levels, so they’ll need daily exercise.

Popular medium-sized dog breeds include:

	Australian Shepherd Good for families Smart dogs Active dogs, used for herding, agility, and search and rescue Loyal companions Browse available Australian Shepherd puppies for sale by breeders
	Basset Hound Good apartment dogs Bred to scent track game Loyal and good natured Good with cat, other dogs, children, and strangers Smart and independent Have a tendency to bark and howl Shed a lot Browse available Basset Hound puppies for sale by breeders
	Border Collie Smart dogs Easy to train Driven with a lot of stamina Need mental and physical stimulation
	English Springer Spaniel Sporting dog with a lot of charism Friendly, playful, and excitable Willing to please and easy to train Enjoys playtime (especially fetch!)
	Standard Poodle Allergy-friendly and low-shedding Smart dogs Easy to train Good for families Browse available Poodle puppies for sale by breeders
	Siberian Husky Good for families Social Energetic Loyal Stubborn and can be difficult to train Shed a lot (including shedding their undercoat at least once a year) Browse available Siberian Husky puppies for sale by breeders
	Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Allergy-friendly and low-shedding Good for families Get along with kids and other pets Affectionate Browse available Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppies for sale by breeders
	Bulldog Good for families Good for apartments Low energy Gentle and affectionate Loyal Browse available Bulldog puppies for sale by breeders
	Boxer Good dogs for families Athletic, energetic, and happy Love kids Quick learners Do best when occupied by a mental challenge (such as obedience or agility) Browse available Boxer puppies for sale by breeders
	Shiba Inu Good family dogs Good for apartments Loyal and loving Independent and confident Quiet Browse available Shiba Inu puppies for sale by breeders
	Pembroke Welsh Corgi Good family dogs Good for apartments Smart dogs Agile and requires daily exercise Easily trained Loyal and good guard dogs Browse available Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies for sale by breeders
	Cocker Spaniel Good family dogs Good apartment dogs Smart dogs Low energy Gentle and playful Browse available Cocker Spaniel puppies for sale by breeders
	Dalmatian Muscular and energetic with lots of stamina Come in a variety of spotted colors (not just black) Good family dogs, especially with older children Intelligent and easy to train

Medium-Sized Short Haired Dog Breeds

Short-haired dog breeds are popular (many have easier grooming requirements and some may shed less). From the list above, the breeds with short hair are:

Browse our available puppies today and find your newest family member!