17 Popular Medium Sized Dogs

If you're looking for a farm dog, this is it. A herding breed that cowboys love, the Australian Shepherd will herd anything, including other pets, wild animals, and kids. Smart as a whip and full of energy, this breed needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to stay happy.

Often mistaken for Australian Shepherds, Border Collies have similar looks and personalities – they're smart, exhaustingly energetic, and made for long days of outdoor activity. To keep this dog entertained, you'll want to get familiar with agility training, scent work, or an endless list of tricks to teach them.

Yep, Cocker Spaniels are just as sweet as they look. Easily trainable and kid-friendly, but energetic enough to go on long walks or even hunting, this is a breed as well-suited to apartment life as it is to adventure.

Although they've only been in the U.S. since 1931, the Brittany Spaniel has been showing up in family portraits since the 17th century — that's a long time in dog years. Runners, hikers, or busy families who are always darting around outside will be perfect for the Brittany Spaniel.

Bred for birding in the 1800s, German Shorthaired Pointers are still considered excellent hunting dogs. Male dogs can get up to 70 pounds, but most are smaller. Fast, agile work horses that can go for miles, there's no slowing this dog down. Not to mention, they've got show-stopping fur — reddish brown or a marled mix of red and brown. These pups are happier with a good, hard run than a cuddle session.

Barely more than a foot tall at shoulder height, the basset hound isn't going to win any speed contests. But their large, floppy ears, and droopy eyes are beyond lovable, and their ability to follow scents is second only to the Bloodhound. Loyal, easy to be around, and a little bit stubborn, they tend to be more independent than other dogs and less prone to following their humans around.

The ancestors of the Siberian Husky were originally bred by the Chukchi people in northeast Asia to carry weighted sleds over long distances. Modern dogs still take part in sled races around the globe, although they're known as friendly companions, too. Their eyes can be a striking blue, and males top out at around 60 pounds.

For people looking for a chill dog who's always down for a cuddle, you couldn't ask for a better choice than the bulldog. Most likely bred to fight bulls in the 13th century, the bulldog enjoys a much better quality of life these days. However, the shape of their face makes them prone to tooth problems, according to Dr. Mahaney. Thanks to their naturally stocky bodies, they need regular walks to maintain their weight and happiness.

No one's exactly sure when the beagle breed was first created, but they became popular in the U.S. as rabbit hunters during the Civil War. While they're still used as hunting dogs, most people know them as silly, fun-loving pets that are great for families. Short, stocky, and rarely more than 30 pounds, beagles prefer to burn their energy on vigorous playtime.

The playful, bat-eared French Bulldog was once a symbol of Parisian café culture before it became popular with apartment dwellers. Known for their exuberant personalities, these dogs don't get bigger than 28 pounds and they're fairly quiet — you won't get much barking, howling, or growling out of them.

Perhaps best known as Queen Elizabeth's favorite dog breed, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has short legs, big ears and a long torso. You might not guess it, but this short dog — they stand at a max of 12 inches high — was bred for herding, which explains their deep bark and focused attention. Despite their strange build, they still need a good bit of exercise.

Unlike the miniature poodle, which only reaches about 15 pounds, the standard poodle ranges between 40 and 70 pounds. While cartoons might have you think of poodles as chic, aloof pets, they're actually smart, athletic dogs who come with an added bonus of shedding very little fur. You will need to make friends with a groomer, though, as that low-shed fur still requires regular maintenance.

Most recently made famous by President Obama's dog, Bo, the Portuguese Water Dog was bred to help fisherman gather fish into nets and dive after lost gear. They're so good at swimming, and still used to aid in water rescues. Suffice to say this is a dog who would prefer to live somewhere with lots of open water.

Originally used to as bird hunting companions, Springer Spaniels were also beloved for being fabulous company once they returned home. Total people-pleasers, this is a dog that is easy to train and happy to perform, but needs a lot of attention from their humans. That makes them great for families, and hard to handle for solo owners.

Nope, you're not looking at Lassie (who was a Rough Collie.) The Shetland Sheepdog, also called a Sheltie, is much smaller and hails from Scotland. That said, the Sheltie is a great herding dog and happiest when they've got a job to do, like agility training. While they're affectionate with their families, they tend to be shy around strangers and may bark to ward of unfamiliar faces.

The Viszla's distinctive red-colored fur and floppy ears makes them easy to spot among fans. Avid runners or cyclists would really put this dog's talent for athletic endurance to good use. No, really — it was a Viszla that was the first dog to win five AKC championships in different sports back in 2000.

The square-bodied Wheaten Terrier stands apart from other terriers thanks to their silky, wavy coat. Once primarily farm dogs in Ireland, they're now known as companionable family-oriented pets with lots of energy. But it would be a mistake to put a limit on this breed. Case in point, a Wheaten beat out retrievers and specialized water dogs to win a diving competition in 2016.