10 Best Medium-Sized Dog Breeds: Active And Alert Pets

Medium-sized dogs often strike the perfect balance for many households. Unlike some smaller breeds that can be full of endless energy or larger dogs that may need more space and rest, medium-sized dogs typically offer a happy mix of playfulness and calm. They’re active enough to enjoy family fun but manageable in size, making them great companions for both apartment living and homes with yards.

They are active, alert, and easy to handle. Yes, you’ll have to give them enough activities for their proper mental and physical stimulation; they would be a great option for an active family.

Let’s check out the best medium-sized dog breeds that have the capacity to fill up your home with a lot of love and joy!

Best Medium-Sized Dog Breeds

1. Australian Shepherd 

• Height: 20 to 23 inches

• Weight: 50 and 65 pounds

Australian Shepherds come with a super athletic build, giving them a sturdy appearance. They wear a double coat, which comes in two shades.

Despite being so sturdy in appearance, they are easy to train and socialise. These dogs have an inherent eagerness to please their pet parents. Hence, they tend to obey the commands and follow instructions efficiently.

As per AKC, this is a cowboy’s herding dog of choice, and rightfully so. The Australian Shepherd is a solidly built dog and can be trusted with eyes closed. This good-natured and affectionate medium dog breed is also a tough ranch dog.

At home, this dog is a loving pet. However, as it is energetic to the core, it is more suitable for active families than lazy ones.

2. Basset Hound 

• Height: 11-15 inches

• Weight: 40-65 pounds

Basset Hound is yet another medium-sized dog breed that is known for its independent streak.

This dog wears a tricoloured, smooth coat. The colors you’ll see on the coat are white, tan, and black. Its soft fur makes this dog a great cuddle buddy.

Compared to their bodies, these dogs have short legs. Their body type makes them easy to recognise.

They love being around their folks, which makes them great family dogs when compared to other dogs. However, as they were originally bred as hunting dogs, they tend to showcase a bit of stubbornness when they are outdoors.

To train these dogs, you may have to gather some patience. This is because they may showcase some stubbornness towards you. The best way to tackle them is by using reinforcers of different kinds, including their favorite treats.

3. Bearded Collie

• Height: 20-22 inches

• Weight: 45-55 pounds.

The Bearded Collie is a medium-sized dog with a distinct appearance.

What really sets this dog apart from other animals is its long, flowing, gorgeous coat. Its head is broad, while the coat it wears is quite shaggy.

PetMD mentions that these dogs are not only extremely intelligent but are also super gorgeous in appearance.

Beauty with brains, I must say!

With their scruffy faces, these dogs make excellent family dogs. If you have small kids at home, you will be amazed at how fast they become besties with the new pet. Thanks to its heavy coat, this dog can play outdoors in all weather conditions.

This herding dog is easy to train, owing to being highly intelligent, and can easily be kept as a family pet.

4. Australian Cattle Dog

• Height: 17-20 inches

• Weight: 35-50 pounds

This herding dog from Australia is known for its strong build and sturdy muscles.

It is a super active dog that is filled with energy. When it is outdoors, it has enough margin to use the energy. However, if it is your family dog, you need to ensure that it gets a high degree of workout and exercise. Be it jogging, running or even agility training, the Australian Cattle Dog would love it all!

They have an average life span of 12 to 16 years. This dog tends to be a healthy breed of dog.

Thanks to their intelligence and smartness, they are considered to be really efficient working dogs.

Fun Fact: These dogs have a white coat when they are born, but it gradually turns either blue-grey or red as they grow up. Hence the name, blue or red heeler!

5. Chow Chow

• Height: 17 to 21 inches

• Weight: 40 and 80 pounds

This dog has a strong, intimidating presence. However, that’s not the only thing that sets it apart from other breeds.

It has a lion’s mane ruff, which gives it a distinguished appearance. Its tail is also ‘more curled’ than other dogs. This dog has a perpetual frowning expression.

Though these dogs are really smart and intelligent, they are not as eager to please others as many other pet dogs are. Hence, these medium dogs will require you to showcase some patience and tolerance while training them.

Each Chow Chow comes with a distinct personality, and it’s up to the trainer to understand its unique traits and then train him accordingly.

These dogs are highly protective of their family members. This is why it is deemed to be a great family pet!

6. Collie 

• Weight: 50 and 75 pounds

• Height: 22 to 26

Collies are medium to large-sized dogs that are known for their active nature and agile temperament.

These dogs, despite being massive in size, are lightly-built. As they are herding dogs, they possess great protective instincts.

These swift and athletic dogs are full of energy. If you want to keep them at home as family pets, you need to ensure providing them enough activities for their mental stimulation.

These dogs are also quite responsive. This makes their training really easy as they respond the the commands positively and learn new tricks quickly.

Quick learners, great with kids, and highly protective, what else could you ask for in a dog?

7. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

• Height: 18-21 inches

• Weight: 35 and 50 pounds

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a dog filled with massive energy! As pets at home, these medium-sized breed dogs are energetic and agile, and you’ll have to make sure they never get bored. If they do, they may end up showcasing their destructive behavior.

This means loads of exercise time and lots of games like flyball. 

They are affectionate, loving, and full of life, as per AKC.

Oh, and here is some good news: these dogs are always eager to please their owners. Hence, if you want to train them, you won’t have to deal with any mood swings and meltdowns. Positive reinforcement works great with them.

8. Vizsla

• Height: 22-24 inches

• Weight: 55-60 pounds

Vizslas are lively dogs that are considered to be a medium-sized breed.

Its body has an oval shape and a lean build, making it look athletic and fit. You could call it a physically sharp and agile dog!

At home, these are moderate barkers. They won’t make a lot of noise but will surely alert you whenever there is something wrong and needs your attention.

If you are going to own a dog for the first time, you need to make sure this dog is well-stimulated with enough physical activities, or else it can wreak havoc!

They are social and love to interact with humans and other animals.

9. Whippet

• Height: 18 and 22 inches

• Weight: 25 to 40 pounds

Whippets have slender bodies and come within the category of medium-sized dog breeds. They are gentle, affectionate, and somewhat independent.

As far as the dog’s body is concerned, it is lean, deep-chested, and has a long neck.

Just like many other medium-sized dogs, they are also active and alert. They love running and playing, no matter indoors or outdoors!

One thing you need to be careful about is that these dogs wear a super thin coat, hence they won’t be comfortable in cold weather. You have to keep your pup indoors when the temperature outside drops.

10. Dalmatian

• Height: 24 inches

• Weight: 45 to 60 pounds

Dalmatian comes with a medium-sized, muscular body and are known for their affection and loyalty towards their folks.

If you are looking for an efficient watchdog for your home, there is no better choice than the Dalmatian.

Hills Pet says these happy medium dogs are super energetic. Hence, if you have an active lifestyle, it would be a great idea to add it to the family as a pet.

They are aloof with strangers. This makes them excellent protectors of the home and a great deterrent for intruders.

Love running and hiking? You can easily count on this dog to be your wonderful partner on all excursions.

Conclusion

Medium-sized dog breeds are a great option not only as watchdogs and hunting companions but also as excellent family dogs. They have various characteristics that enable them to be great at numerous roles.

Apart from the dogs mentioned in this blog, certain breeds like Portuguese water dog, English springer spaniel, Bull terriers, Border collie, English cocker spaniel, and German pinscher are also worth medium-sized dog breeds.