There are so many different types of medium dog breeds. One of the reasons why medium dog breeds make great pets is because many of them can live happily in apartments and in the city. They also have wonderful personalities.
Here are 17 medium dog breeds with different personalities and physical characteristics!
1. Shetland Sheepdog: a graceful and elegant breed
The Shetland Sheepdog is a graceful, intelligent, and elegant dog. Originating from the United Kingdom, this dog looks a lot like a Collie, even though nowadays these two breeds are very well-differentiated. The breed is believed to have come from a cross between a Scottish Sheepdog and a Collie. This dog breed is often used to herd sheep because they are very intelligent and hard-working dogs. In addition, the Shetland Sheepdog has a long coat, which makes them look like they have a lot of grace and poise. They weigh between 7 and 10 kg (≈ 15.4 and 22 lb).
The Shetland Sheepdog is a well-balanced dog. They can become very attached to their owners and are quite affectionate. It is important to note that these very intelligent dogs should be trained so that they do not become too stubborn. Because this dog gets along with children and can live with a couple, the Shetland Sheepdog can suit many different types of households.
They can live happily in the city and in the countryside. It is just important to make sure that they go on long walks or participate in activities such as sports, canicross, or agility.
Like many other medium dog breeds, this dog is robust. The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is between 12 to 14 years.
2. Beagle: an intrepid hunter
The Beagle is a medium-sized dog breed that comes from England. With that being said, the origins of this breed are still unclear. It is believed that this breed came from a cross between English dog breeds and the Harrier, which comes from France. The Beagle is known for its skills as an intrepid hunter. Their coat is short and they weigh between 12 and 18 kg (≈ 26.5 and 39.7 lb) depending on the sex of the dog.
The Beagle is a very affectionate dog breed. They are outstanding pets with many great qualities. For example, they are protective, loyal, intelligent, and get along well with children and other dogs. Beagle must be trained regularly and must start when they are still young they are rather stubborn dogs. These dogs have an incredible sense of smell, which is why this dog is an outstanding hunting dog. With that being said, it is important to be careful not to overfeed this dog. In addition, as the Beagle is a hunting dog, they have a tendency to run away.
Life in an apartment suits the Beagle well. However, if you have a small garden or a small outdoor area, it is ideal for them. It is important to note that these dogs hate being alone and their favorite place is the countryside. They love bonding with their owners during long walks. If you are adopting a dog for the first time, this dog breed is not recommended. However, if you do want to adopt this dog breed as a first dog, it is best to take training classes while they are still young.
When it comes to this dog breed’s health, the Beagle can suffer from several types of health issues like other medium dog breeds. Notably, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and herniated discs. Also, keep an eye on problems related to their eyes and ears. On average, the Beagle can live between 12 and 15 years.
3. French Bulldog: an affectionate dog breed
This dog is a molosser type dog breed that is an incredibly affectionate pet. Originating from France, the French Bulldog is a dog breed that is loved for its well-balanced behavior. They have a short coat and weigh between 7 and 14 kg (≈ 15.4 and 30.9 lb) depending on the sex of the dog.
The French Bulldog is easy-going, cheerful, and playful. In addition, they get along well with children and people in general. With that being said, they can develop certain fears of other dogs, but this can be solved with training. As these dogs are very well-balanced, the French Bulldog can suit many different types of households: families, people who live alone, and seniors. As long as this dog is not left alone for too long, any type of household can suit this dog.
This dog does not enjoy being alone. They can quickly develop separation anxiety if you and your dog are very close. It’s important to teach your dog how to spend time alone when they are still young. In addition, it’s important to note that this dog is not very obedient. To help your dog become more obedient, you can train them daily through games.
Similar to the Pug, the French Bulldog, is an apartment dog. These dogs do not like extreme weather conditions. They enjoy spending time outside and playing, but never excessively because they can suffer from respiratory issues. As these dogs are quite fragile, a quiet daily life is ideal for this dog.
Like other medium dog breeds, it’s important to keep an eye on this dog’s health. Because these dogs are prone to respiratory issues, they are unable to handle high temperatures and being exposed to the sun. They can also have problems related to their back (herniated disks), their muzzle (brachycephalic), and their eyes which should be cleaned regularly. The French Bulldog lives around 9 to 11 years.
4. Basset Hound: friends with everyone
While this dog is larger than the dogs that were previously presented, the Basset Hound is still considered a medium dog breed. They weigh between 25 and 30 kg (≈ 55.1 and 66.1 lb) and come from United Kingdom. Their coat is short. Originally a hunting dog, this dog is now a pet that is well-known for its friendliness These dogs are gentle, friendly, playful, and intelligent. Such great qualities! In addition, Basset Hounds are very friendly with other animals, loyal to their owner, and love spending time with their family. These dogs are also very comfortable with other people around them, beyond their family. Apartments and cities can suit this dog breed well, but they are much more in their element in the countryside.
When it comes to their training, it is important to be firm with them. It is not too complicated to train a Basset Hound, however they can be quite stubborn. To ensure that your Basset Hound is trained well, be consistent, socialize your dog as early as possible, and spend time teaching this dog new things.
When it comes to the health of the Basset Hound, there are a few issues to keep in mind. It is important to keep an eye on this dog breed’s spine. It is also best to watch out for any eventual weight gain. Pay attention to this dog breed’s eyes and problems with their skin. With all of that being said, the Basset Hound, can live on average between 8 to 12 years.
5. Swedish Vallhund: a lively and powerful breed
Also called the Swedish cow dog, the Swedish Vallhund is a Nordic dog that was used as a hunting dog and herding dog in the past. They are very affectionate dogs. These dogs weigh between 9 and 14 kg (≈ 19.9 and 30.9 lb) and have a coat is medium-long and rough.
They Swedish Vallhund is playful, clever, intelligent, and loves children. It is important to note that this dog breed is not very calm and needs to exercise daily. These dogs are pleasant to train because they learn very quickly. In addition, the Swedish Vallhund can become incredibly attached to their owners and do not enjoy being left alone for too long as well. If you do need to have you dog spend some time alone, it is important to find things for them to do to keep themselves entertained
City life does not really suit this dog breed, unless they are able to pracitice activities regularly with their owner.
It is difficult to find Swedish Vallhund dog breeders outside of Nordic countries.
One advantage of the Swedish Vallhund is that it is robust. Their origins and the quality of their coat make this dog rarely get sick. They live on average 13 years.
6. English Cocker Spaniel: an intelligent and affectionate breed
Also called the Cocker Spaniel, this dog breed is very popular because they are well-balanced. They are one of the oldest dog breeds in England. Their medium-long coat is absolutely magnificent and their coat can be several colors. They weigh between 12 and 14 kg (≈ 26.5 and 30.9 lb).
The English Cocker Spaniel is a very intelligent and affectionate dog. In addition, they are always cheerful—you can often see their tail wag. It’s important to note that this dog is very playful, which makes them great pets for families with children. In addition, the English Cocker Spaniel loves to roam around, exercise, and run around. For this reason, it is important to avoid leaving these dogs inside for too long.
There are no specific problems when it comes to training the English Cocker Spaniel. The only constraint would be to learn how to channel your dog’s energy. The excitement and enthusiasm of these dogs can sometimes lead to them preferring to do other things rather than their exercises. To ensure that your dog is not too excited during training sessions, train your dog when they are still young. Get them used to the command “stay” to help channel their energy.
As explained earlier, the English Cocker Spaniel is easy-going. City life suits them even though they need big areas to exercise. If you live in a city, it is important to go on long walks daily.
The English Cocker Spaniel’s health is rather robust. However, keep an eye on their weight if they do not get enough exercise. Their ears are also rather fragile, so it is important to clean them regularly. The average lifespan of the English Cocker Spaniel is 13 to 15 years.
7. English Bulldog: the homebody
The English Bulldog is a dog breed that originated in England, as the name suggests. It was once used for “bullbaiting”, a sport that pitted dogs against bulls. Their coat is rather short and they can weigh between 18 and 25 kg (≈ 39.7 and 55.1 lb).
The English Bulldog is a really affectionate dog breed. They have many qualities! For example, they are calm, independent, and get along well with children.
When it comes to their training, it is important to be rigorous and positive. The English Bulldog is quite stubborn and sensitive. You can, therefore, hurt their feelings if you are too authoritative. To train your English Bulldog successfully, it’s important to be consistent with your choices and stick to them. The English Bulldog is a dog breed that needs a lot of attention from their owner. These dogs like being taken care of and affectionately returns the love and affection fivefold.
Short walks are important for the English Bulldog. However, these dogs are very sedentary and are very comfortable indoors. They love cuddling with their family and being hugged for hours.
Regarding their health, the English Bulldog is a dog that does not tolerate extreme temperature variations (neither too hot nor too cold). Similar to the French Bulldog, they have a hard time having developed physical activities. Their average lifespan is between 8 to 10 years.
8. Australian Shepherd: a remarkably intelligent breed
The Australian Shepherd is very popular and has many qualities. Once used to herd lifestock in the United States, it is nowadays a dog that is very well-loved in France. As this dog breed is affectionate, intelligent, with a great ability to adapt, the Australian Shepherd is the ideal pet. Their medium-long coat is a real eye-catcher. These dogs weigh between 19 and 34 kg (≈ 41.9 and 75 lb) depending on the sex of the dog.
As explained earlier, the Australian Shepherd has a personality that is really sought after since they are affectionate and remarkably intelligent. You can also entrust them with missions because they are loyal. They will do their best to support you in many situations. They know how to get along with other dogs, as well as with all of the members of their family, including children. Positive training takes on a whole new meaning with the Australian Shepherd. This dog responds really well to rewards and encouragement. The earlier you start their training, the more intelligent and gentle they will be. However, be careful with socialization with other dogs and their daily activity.
It is not recommended to adopt an Australian Shepherd if you live in an apartment because they really like nature and exercise. Nevertheless, if you are someone who enjoys spending lots of time doing athletic activities daily outside, you can take your Australian Shepherd with you. They would really enjoy this. It is recommended to participate in athletic activities with Australian Shepherds.
Regarding their health, watch out for eye problems, hip and elbow dysplasia, and epilepsy. The Australian Shepherd can live between 12 and 15 years.
9. Border Collie: the hyperactive one
Also very popular, the Border Collie is a dog breed that is loved for its elegance and intelligence. They come from England, where they were used as herd dogs. They have a medium-long coat that is black and cream. The Border Collie weighs between 18 and 28 kg (≈ 39.7 and 61.7 lb).
The Border Collie is really easy-going. They are intelligent and protect their family and their home. They can live very happily with children, as well as other animals. These dogs are very active and need to exercise. It’s important to give these dogs lots of attention and to call on them regularly for training sessions, playtime, and walks. Because of this, it is not recommended to adopt this dog breed if this is your first dog.
When it comes to their training, they are very intelligent. The Border Collie learns very quickly! They know how to respond well to exercises. Successful training will allow you to know how to channel your dog’s energy, which can quickly become overwhelming if nothing is put in place.
As you might have guessed, life in an apartment is not suitable for a Border Collie.
Regarding this dog’s health, it is a very solid dog. With that being said, it is important to keep an eye out for hip dysplasia and even retinal atrophy. Be careful with medicine as well, their digestive system does not like them. The average lifespan of a Border Collie is between 10 and 14 years.
10. Shar-Pei: a calm and independent breed
The Shar-Pei is a very recognizable medium dog breed. This dog needs a lot of attention and care. Originally from China, the Shar-Pei was once used as a guard dog or hunting dog in the southern regions of China. They have a short coat and weigh between 18 and 25 kg (≈ 39.7 and 55.1 lb).
Regarding their behavior, the Shar-Pei is a very calm dog. These dogs are very gentle and kind. In addition, they are quite independent. With that being said, they can still get along well with children. It’s important to note that this dog knows how to guard their territory, and barks when it’s necessary to warn their family members. The Shar-Pei knows how to spend time alone, but that does not mean that they do not need attention from their owner.
It is relatively easy to train the Shar-Pei. It is an easy-going dog, but it is best not to punish them or be too authoritative with them. Similar to other medium dog breeds, prioritize positive training, which they will respond better to.
Life in an apartment is suitable for this dog breed. It’s best to avoid letting this dog go out in the deep countryside because they are fragile when it comes to their skin. This is a rustic breeds, however, their skin folds can cause them to suffer from infections and different types of irritations. Similar to the Bulldog, be careful with regions where there are great temperature variations. The Shar-Pei lives around between 8 to 10 years.
11. Samoyed: the white teddy bear
This stunning dog is an outstanding pet that is very cheerful and attentive. The Samoyed is a very old breed, originating from Russia, where they were used as sled dogs. Their fur is long and they weigh between 15 and 30 kg (≈ 33.1 and 66.1 lb).
These dogs show a lot of affection, even though they are far from being calm dogs. They are rather independent, and love discovering new places. In addition, Samoyeds love playing, running, and bonding with their owners and other medium dogs. They also get along very well with children.
It is recommended to adopt a Samoyed if you live in a house close to large green areas. However, it is important to avoid regions that are too sunny because this dog is not suited to it.
Lastly, when it comes to this breed’s health, the Samoyed is robust. They rarely get sick and are not prone to any hereditary diseases. On average, these dogs live between 10 and 12 years.
12. Whippet: incredible speed
The Whippet is a graceful medium dog that is known for its speed. They are friendly and affectionate pets that comes from the United Kingdom. They were once used to hunt rabbits, thanks to their incredible speed. The Whippet has a short coat and weighs between 12 and 13 kg (≈ 26.5 and 28.7 lb).
These dogs are well-balanced and can live happily with a family. In addition, this is an easy-going dog breed when it comes to their grooming. They are robust and know how to accommodate to the way of living of their owners. They are loyal to their family but do not show their sensitivity easily.
Regarding their training, you will need to be patient and gentle. “Recall” will be an essential skill to master if you want to be able to let your Whippet out safely in the countryside. Positive training is also very beneficial for this highly intelligent dog.
When it comes to the Whippet’s health, they are very robust dogs like many other medium dogs. Be careful of the cold, you will need to have regular check-ups on their ligaments. However, outside of this, there is nothing special to report. On average, they live between 12 and 15 years.
13. Shiba Inu: a loyal and dominant breed
This Japanese dog breed is very intelligent and has a strong personality. They have existed for thousands of years, and in the past, people used them as hunting dogs in the Japanese mountains facing the sea. They have a short coat and weigh between 6 and 10 kg (≈ 13.2 and 22 lb).
Shiba Inus are independent dogs that are still very affectionate with their owners. They are close to the members of their close family, which makes them very protective. They are often dominant with other dogs, unlike other medium dog breeds. Their training is key to developing their personality, and notably their affectionate and friendly side.
It is not recommended to have a Shiba Inu if you live with children, because their character is rather primitive. However, this can be handled if you train them from a young age. You will need a lot of patience, rigor, and without a doubt be accompanied by a behaviorist educator to ensure firm and consistent training for your Shiba Inu. This breed has not undergone many modifications compared to the wild breed of the past, so the dog has many instincts that are difficult to adapt to city life. Always be positive with them, never violent with the Shiba Inu—or with any other breeds for that matter.
The Shiba Inu needs regular outings, whether you live in an apartment or a house. They are very active dogs that need to exercise.
When it comes to their health, they do not have any particular diseases to take note of. The breed is robust and does not suffer from any genetic diseases. The Shiba Inu can live between 12 and 15 years.
14. Pug: the clown of the family
The Pug is a very well-loved medium dog breed. This dog breed originated in China and has a short coat. They weigh between 6 to 8 kg (≈ 13.2 and 17.6 lb).
The Pug is a gentle and loyal dog to their owners. They are the ideal pet because they have a very easy-going personality. Pugs get along well with strangers, children, and other animals. They can also make everyone laugh when they snore or fart. However, keep in mind that the Pug does not like being alone for too long. For this reason, it is necessary to be firm but gentle with their training.
The Pug is a very sensitive dog that can quickly become offended and pout. Training this dog through games is the best option to have a harmonious relationship with them in your household. The most important thing with this dog is patience!
The Pug is clearly an inside dog. They do not like extreme weather conditions whether it be too hot or too cold. Therefore, be careful, depending on the region you live in. In addition, the Pug is not very athletic, they simply need to go outside to to stretch their legs, relieve themselves, and sniff out new scents.
When it comes to their health, the Pug is rather sensitive like a lot of other medium dog breeds. They often have respiratory issues and can suffer from eye problems. Their average lifespan is on average between 12 and 15 years.
15. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: the jolly one
This medium dog is graceful and affectionate. Their fur is long, and they weigh between 5 and 8 kg (≈ 11 and 17.6 lb). The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes from the United Kingdom. They were very well-loved by King Charles II, which is what their name references.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is such a cheerful pet. They love playing and are very friendly—whether it be with animals or humans. Their personality is also well-balanced, which makes this dog well-suited to several different types of households: people who live alone, couples, families, seniors. If you are adopting a dog for the first time, you can adopt a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
When it comes to this dog’s training, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is also easy-going like many other medium dog breeds. They are obedient but be careful not to let their charming eyes take advantage of you.
Regarding the health of this breed, it is important to note that this dog breed is prone to heart diseases and many other diseases, such as cataracts, epilepsy, diabetes, incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle, and certain skin problems. For this reason, it’s important to keep an eye on their health. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can live between 9 and 14 years.
16. Bull Terrier: a unique breed
The Bull Terrier is well-known for their atypical physical appearance. This dog has often had a bad reputation, and wrongly so, because it’s a very pleasant pet. It comes from a cross between the White English Terrier and an English Bulldog. Originating from England, this recognizable dog is amongst the dogs that are the easiest to care for. Their coat is short and they weigh between 20 and 40 kg (≈ 44.1 and 88.2 lb) depending on the sex of the animal.
Life with a family suits this dog breed well, but they also live happily with a single person. Their relationship with other animals can be complicated, but they are always adorable with humans. All you have to do is socialize this dog from a young age in order to not have problems later with other dogs. It is clear that the Bull Terrier does not handle solitude very well. However, they are loyal dogs that are devoted to their owner. They need attention and let you know if they are not getting enough. This dog loves playing, going out, running, and learning—they are truly great pets.
Regarding their training, you must be patient. The Bull Terrier is quite stubborn and has a well-developed character. You need to be firm so that this dog does not develop bad habits that will become part of their daily life. Positive training, learning how to spend time alone, and socialization are key to living harmoniously with a Bull Terrier.
The Bull Terrier has solid health but several hereditary issues. Notably deafness and certain heart diseases. Dogs with white coats also have an issue with their skin. It is also important to note hip dysplasia issues and dislocation of the patella. Lastly, the Bull Terrier lives on average between 11 and 14 years.
17. Basenji: a rare and sweet breed
The Basenj is an exceptional pet that is very easy-going. They come from Congo and are a very old breed. Their coat is short and they weigh around 9 and 11 kg (≈ 19.8 and 24.3 lb).
These medium dogs are very affectionate. The Basenji is a rather calm breed, even though on the outside, their hunting instincts make this dog very active. They rarely express themselves through barking, and are very protective of their family. As this dog breed is intelligent, they know how to adapt to different ways of living. However, it is not recommended to adopt this dog if you live with young children.
Their training needs to be very strict. You’ll need to be very careful to master the “recall”, as their instinct can quickly push them to run off to hunt. Outside of this, their training is quite simple. Start with small exercises when they are young consistently and regularly to train them gently.
The Basenji is prone to a few diseases. Notably Fanconi syndrome, hip dysplasia, or even inguinal hernia. Be careful when it comes to negative temperatures for this dog, as much as they love the sun, they do not handle the cold very well. They live on average between 12 and 14 years.
