12 Best Medium-Sized Dog Breeds — our top picks
Vizsla
Vizsla: medium-sized, very high energy and very high trainability — the middle ground — substantial without dominating a household. Elegant Hungarian pointer known as the "Velcro dog" for their close bond with owners. Athletic and affectionate. Worth knowing before you commit: the Vizsla needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Brittany
Brittany: medium-sized, very high energy and very high trainability — the middle ground — substantial without dominating a household. Compact, athletic gundog with boundless energy. Eager to please and excellent family companion when properly exercised. Worth knowing before you commit: the Brittany needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
English Springer Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel: medium-sized, very high energy and very high trainability — the middle ground — substantial without dominating a household. Athletic, medium-sized spaniel with excellent flushing ability. Energetic and devoted family companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the English Springer Spaniel needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherd: medium-sized, very high energy and very high trainability. Versatile herding dog with striking coat patterns. Intelligent and energetic working companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Australian Shepherd needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
English Cocker Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel: medium-sized, high energy and high trainability. Merry, active spaniel with beautiful coat. Smaller than American Cocker but with more hunting drive. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the English Cocker Spaniel needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Portuguese Water Dog
Portuguese Water Dog: medium-sized, high energy and very high trainability. Curly-coated Portuguese fishermans dog. Intelligent, athletic, and excellent swimmer. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Portuguese Water Dog needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Keeshond
Keeshond: medium-sized, medium energy and high trainability. Dutch barge dog with fox-like face and spectacles markings. Friendly spitz breed with moderate exercise needs. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Keeshond needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Aussiedoodle
Aussiedoodle: medium-sized, very high energy and very high trainability. Australian Shepherd and Poodle cross combining herding instincts with intelligence. Active and trainable. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Aussiedoodle needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Beagle
Beagle: medium-sized, medium energy and medium trainability. Small to medium scenthound with gentle temperament. Excellent family dog with moderate exercise needs. Worth knowing before you commit: a strong prey drive makes off-leash recall a long project for the Beagle.
Border Collie
Border Collie: medium-sized, very high energy and very high trainability. Supreme herding dog with intense work drive and intelligence. Often considered the most intelligent dog breed. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Border Collie needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Samoyed
Samoyed: medium-sized, high energy and medium trainability. White Arctic spitz with smiling expression. Gentle, friendly, and excellent family companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Samoyed needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Pit Bull Terrier: medium-sized, high energy and high trainability. Athletic, medium-sized terrier known for strength, confidence, and zest for life. Loyal and affectionate with proper socialization and training. Worth knowing before you commit: the American Pit Bull Terrier needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that decide this particular question — the same trait ratings shown on each breed's own guide page, so you can check the reasoning rather than take a ranking on faith. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking based on your own answers.
Popular breeds that are a poor fit for medium-sized-dog homes
Chihuahua (Long Coat)
The Chihuahua (Long Coat) is a popular choice, but very small-sized put it at odds with medium-sized-dog homes. On top of that, the coat is real work — the Chihuahua (Long Coat) needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Chihuahua (Smooth Coat)
The Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) is a popular choice, but very small-sized put it at odds with medium-sized-dog homes. On top of that, the Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) is vocal, which matters if you share walls.
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is a popular choice, but very small-sized put it at odds with medium-sized-dog homes. On top of that, the coat is real work — the Yorkshire Terrier needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- What is the best medium-sized dog breed?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the Vizsla ranks as the top choice for medium-sized-dog homes, followed by the Brittany and English Springer Spaniel.
- How was this list of dogs for medium-sized-dog homes chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for medium-sized-dog homes — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.
- Which popular breeds are a poor fit for medium-sized-dog homes?
- The Chihuahua (Long Coat), The Chihuahua (Smooth Coat), The Yorkshire Terrier all rank near the bottom for medium-sized-dog homes despite being widely chosen — usually because the traits that make them appealing elsewhere work against them here.