Medium Dog Breeds

The delightful Tzu Basset is a charming blend of Shih Tzu and Basset Hound. These loving companions generally fall within the small to medium size range, standing between 9 and 13 inches tall and typically weighing under 40 pounds as adults. Their coats can vary widely, from short and smooth to long, silky, and straight, and they are available in various colors, including white, brown, and brindle. Many Tzu Bassets display bi-colored or tri-colored patterns. With moderate exercise needs, they are well-suited for urban environments and apartment living. However, due to their Basset Hound lineage, they possess a strong tracking instinct, which means they may wander off if not kept on a leash or secured within a fenced area.

The Rus-A-Pei is a meticulously developed designer breed, emerging from the deliberate combination of the ancient Chinese Shar-Pei, historically recognized for its role as a guardian and protector, and the spirited Parson or Jack Russell Terrier, celebrated for its determination as a fox hunter. This breed is marked by its lively disposition and independent nature, along with a keen intelligence that can occasionally manifest as stubbornness. Consequently, it is recommended that Rus-A-Pei owners who are inexperienced in training consider enrolling their dogs in obedience classes and seeking advice from experienced trainers. Although training these dogs may present some challenges, their high level of intelligence means that, with the right mix of exercise, attention, and mental stimulation, they can grow into loyal, charming, and well-behaved companions.

The Italian Greagle is a mixed breed that emerges from the crossbreeding of an Italian Greyhound and a Beagle. Although the exact history of this small dog is somewhat ambiguous, it is widely believed that the initial Italian Greagles were developed by Kelly and Angela Easley in their residence in Great Falls, Montana. These dogs are known for their strong prey drive, a characteristic inherited from both parent breeds. They possess the sharp vision typical of the Italian Greyhound, along with the remarkable scent detection skills of the Beagle. This powerful combination necessitates keeping the Italian Greagle on a leash unless in a secure area, as they are prone to chasing moving objects or following enticing scents. Renowned for their loving disposition, these dogs create deep connections with their owners and display a high level of intelligence. Generally categorized as medium-sized, Italian Greagles typically stand between 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh around 20 to 40 pounds.

A Dusky is a hybrid dog that results from crossing a Dachshund with a Siberian Husky. The specific traits of a Dusky can differ significantly, depending on which parent breed's characteristics are more dominant. Dachshunds are small, typically weighing between 16 and 33 pounds, while Siberian Huskies are medium-sized, with weights ranging from 35 to 60 pounds. The coat colors of a Dusky can be quite diverse, including options like black, black and tan, chocolate, cream, blue, white, silver, copper, brown, agouti, sable, and grey. Siberian Huskies are recognized for their thick fur, which consists of a dense undercoat and a longer layer of straight guard hairs. In contrast, Dachshunds can have either smooth or wiry coats. Both breeds are known for their intelligence and loving disposition. For families with young children, it’s important to prioritize socialization and training for the Dusky during its puppy stage. Since both parent breeds are generally easy to train and require moderate care, it’s likely that a Dusky will inherit these qualities as well.

The Husky Jack is an energetic hybrid breed created by crossing a Siberian Husky with a Jack Russell Terrier. Renowned for their spirited personalities, these dogs exhibit traits of boldness, loyalty, and affection. Generally, they are medium-sized, weighing between 30 and 40 pounds and standing 17 to 19 inches tall, with a lifespan of approximately 11 to 16 years. Their coats are short and smooth, showcasing a variety of colors, including white, black, gray, red, sable, and agouti, often highlighted by markings in shades of black, brown, tan, cream, or even tri-color combinations. While the Husky Jack has become increasingly popular since the late 20th century, it is not officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) due to its ongoing development and lack of standardization.

The Shockerd is a hybrid breed that emerges from the union of the purebred English Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel. While the Cocker Spaniel enjoys considerable popularity, the English Shepherd remains relatively obscure and is not recognized by the American Kennel Club in the United States. Both parent breeds are celebrated for their affectionate demeanor, loyalty, and ease of training. Typically, the Shockerd displays a gentle nature, leaning more towards sensitivity than aggression. Although some may exhibit shyness, with appropriate socialization and attentive care, they can overcome any initial reluctance. This hybrid is not in high demand, likely due to the limited acknowledgment of the English Shepherd in the U.S. Currently, the breed is officially recognized by only two organizations: the Dog Registry of America and the International Designer Canine Registry.

The Spanish Greyhound is an exceptionally athletic and dignified breed, known for its somewhat reserved disposition. These dogs may display shyness in the presence of strangers, often preferring to maintain a safe distance from those they do not know. Nevertheless, they are incredibly loving towards their families and can also develop strong connections with familiar individuals outside their immediate home. Renowned for their gentle nature, Spanish Greyhounds are especially good with children, including younger ones. To ensure they adapt to new situations with ease, early socialization is crucial. Training is generally uncomplicated, especially when positive reinforcement methods are used, as they do not respond well to harsh commands.

Mini St. Bernards are available in two distinct sizes. The smaller variant, known as the Micro, typically weighs around 25 pounds, while the larger Nehi averages about 50 pounds. Their coats can differ in texture, ranging from dense and wavy to silky and straight, with a medium length that displays a diverse palette of colors such as black, brown, red, cream, fawn, brindle, blue, silver, and white. Renowned for their gentle and affectionate demeanor, Mini St. Bernards are eager to please and generally respond well to training. However, they may show a bit of stubbornness, making it important to maintain consistent firmness during training sessions. These dogs are friendly and sociable, getting along well with everyone, including children and other pets, which makes them excellent companions for families.

The Miniature Bull Terrier is a smaller version of the modern Bull Terrier, with its origins linked to a mix of the Bull-and-Terrier and Spanish Pointers. This breed actually predates its larger relative, having been developed from the Old English Bulldog and the now-extinct White English Terrier to create the Bull-and-Terrier. Originally bred for rat-catching and pit-fighting, the Miniature Bull Terrier has evolved into a cherished companion, excelling as a family pet and a skilled earth dog. Renowned for its lively and friendly disposition, this breed is often likened to a playful clown. One of its charming yet sometimes troublesome habits is its tendency to chase its own tail, a behavior that can be challenging to manage.

The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is somewhat lesser-known, even in its home country of Germany. These dogs are usually sought after for their skills in work rather than as household pets. Nevertheless, they can be excellent companions if given sufficient mental stimulation and physical activity to flourish. Overall, they are well-rounded dogs that can enhance a home environment. Although they typically develop a deep connection with one primary owner—showing loyalty and affection to their trainer—they are generally friendly with other family members and tend to be wary of strangers.

The English Setter has its origins in England, dating back to the 1300s, and has been employed in the pursuit of game birds since the 1500s. Typically, these dogs reach a height of about 25 inches and weigh around 60 pounds, categorizing them as small to medium-sized. As part of the Setter family, which also includes the Irish and Gordon Setters, they are celebrated for their athletic build and elegant demeanor, featuring long legs and a slender body that make them excellent runners. Their medium-length coat is adorned with feathering on the tail, legs, abdomen, chest, and ears, and is available in five distinct color variations: blue belton, blue belton with tan, lemon belton, orange belton, and liver belton. Although they were initially bred for hunting, the English Setter has become increasingly popular as a family companion, thanks to its amiable disposition and eagerness to please. The breed received official recognition from the American Kennel Club in 1884 and is currently ranked as the 102nd most popular dog breed.

The Cocker Pug is a mixed breed created by deliberately crossing a Cocker Spaniel with a Pug. As a designer breed, it showcases traits from both of its parent breeds. The Cocker Spaniel is considered a medium-sized dog, while the Pug is smaller, resulting in the Cocker Pug typically being classified as small to medium in size. Its coat can range from smooth to wavy and is generally medium to long, requiring regular grooming to maintain its appearance. Cocker Pugs are known for their loving and sociable demeanor, making them adaptable companions who cherish time spent with their families. They are intelligent and tend to learn quickly, although their Pug heritage may bring a touch of stubbornness. This breed is especially good with children, making them wonderful family pets. Furthermore, Cocker Pugs can comfortably live in apartments, as long as they receive daily exercise to fulfill their activity requirements.