Best dogs
Best medium-sized dog breeds
The best of the 25 to 60 pound breeds for family life, training and everyday exercise.
Medium-sized dogs are often the easiest balance: large enough to be sturdy and active, small enough to manage. These medium breeds are rated best overall for ordinary home life.
The list
| # | Breed | Size | Typical weight | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poodle | Medium | 40 to 70 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 2 | Barbet | Medium | 35 to 65 lb | 13 to 15 years |
| 3 | Icelandic Sheepdog | Medium | 20 to 30 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 4 | Spanish Water Dog | Medium | 31 to 49 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 5 | English Springer Spaniel | Medium | 40 to 50 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 6 | Miniature American Shepherd | Medium | 20 to 40 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 7 | Brittany | Medium | 30 to 40 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 8 | English Cocker Spaniel | Medium | 26 to 34 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 9 | Portuguese Water Dog | Medium | 35 to 60 lb | 11 to 13 years |
| 10 | Whippet | Medium | 25 to 40 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 11 | Wirehaired Pointing Griffon | Medium | 35 to 70 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 12 | Boykin Spaniel | Medium | 25 to 40 lb | 14 to 16 years |
| 13 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | Medium | 25 to 38 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 14 | Lagotto Romagnolo | Medium | 24 to 35 lb | 15 to 17 years |
| 15 | Keeshond | Medium | 35 to 45 lb | 12 to 15 years |
About the breeds
1. Poodle
The Poodle is an intelligent, athletic water retriever in three sizes, known for a curly non-shedding coat and strong trainability. Read the Poodle profile.
2. Barbet
The Barbet is a rustic French water dog with a thick, curly, low-shedding coat and a sociable, easy-going temperament, used for retrieving waterfowl. Read the Barbet profile.
3. Icelandic Sheepdog
A cheerful, sturdy spitz-type herding dog from Iceland with a curled tail and a lively voice, valued as a friendly and adaptable family dog. Read the Icelandic Sheepdog profile.
4. Spanish Water Dog
A medium-sized Spanish herding and water dog with a woolly, curly coat that sheds little, known for versatility, stamina and a close bond with its family. Read the Spanish Water Dog profile.
5. English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a friendly, energetic flushing spaniel with a feathered coat, kept for bird hunting and as an active family dog. Read the English Springer Spaniel profile.
6. Miniature American Shepherd
A compact, athletic herding dog developed in the United States from small Australian Shepherds, quick to learn and happiest with a job. Read the Miniature American Shepherd profile.
7. Brittany
The Brittany is a compact, leggy French bird dog with a lively, biddable nature, built to point and retrieve and to cover ground all day. Read the Brittany profile.
8. English Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel is a merry, athletic spaniel with a feathered coat, bred to flush woodcock and now a lively family and field companion. Read the English Cocker Spaniel profile.
9. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is an athletic, curly or wavy coated swimmer from Portugal, known for stamina, intelligence and a low-shedding coat. Read the Portuguese Water Dog profile.
10. Whippet
The Whippet is a slim, quiet sighthound from England, bred to race and chase rabbits, and a gentle house dog that sprints in short bursts. Read the Whippet profile.
11. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a rugged, shaggy-coated versatile gun dog, bred in Europe to point and retrieve in dense cover and water. Read the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon profile.
12. Boykin Spaniel
The Boykin Spaniel is a compact, brown, South Carolina spaniel bred to hunt wild turkey and waterfowl from small boats, and a cheerful family dog. Read the Boykin Spaniel profile.
13. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
A sturdy, long-tailed Welsh cattle-herding dog with a deep chest, big ears and a steady, loyal temperament, larger and heavier-boned than the Pembroke. Read the Cardigan Welsh Corgi profile.
14. Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a curly-coated Italian water dog turned truffle hunter, with a keen nose, a teddy-bear look and a trainable, busy nature. Read the Lagotto Romagnolo profile.
15. Keeshond
The Keeshond is a friendly, silver-and-black Dutch spitz with a plush coat and spectacle markings, known as a watchful family companion. Read the Keeshond profile.
How this list was made
Medium breeds (typically 25 to 60 pounds), scored on children, trainability and first-time owners together, highest first. The ratings come from the breed profiles on this site, which rate each breed as a whole. Individual dogs differ, so use the list to decide which profiles to read, then meet the breed before you choose.