As every year, the Société Centrale Canine draws up the list of the most popular dog breeds, given the number of entries recorded in the French Book of Origins. Among them are many medium-sized dogs. I suggest you list here the top 12 of the most popular medium-sized dog breeds of the moment and those that are potentially less popular but which, in my opinion, would benefit from being more popular.
The Australian Shepherd
The male Australian Shepherd measures between 51 and 58 cm at the withers and the female between 46 and 53 cm at the withers.
This is the big winner, all categories combined, of the favorite dogs of the French. It has indeed for some years taken its place in the most dynamic homes to meet its significant need for spending.
Unfortunately, its great notoriety and its undeniable beauty push the least experienced masters to adopt dogs of this breed without taking into consideration either its needs or its instincts.
This then results in subjects that are less balanced and stable than they should be. This is often the case with highly prized dogs, the German Shepherd has also paid the price a few years ago and has been given a bad reputation because of the abuses of certain breedings and masters unaware of the real nature of the dog they had just adopted.
Otherwise, he is an intelligent sheepdog, ideal for driving and guarding herds, but also a faithful companion, ready to follow his masters in all their activities.
With it, you can practice disciplines such as agility, obedience, treibball, mantrailing or canicross without any problem.
The Belgian Shepherd
The male measures about 62 cm at the withers and the female about 58 cm at the withers.
It is THE working dog par excellence, whatever its variety. There are 4 in the Belgian Shepherd: the Malinois, the Tervueren, the Groenendael and the Laekenois.
However, it cannot be adopted by just any master. It is important to take into account his spending and work needs as well as his sometimes assertive character.
Overall, he is a very active, athletic dog, always vigilant and sometimes even impulsive if he has not been properly educated and socialized.
To read: How to educate a Malinois?It is both an excellent guardian of herds but also of the property and the inhabitants who host it.
Very intelligent, the Belgian Shepherd Malinois (the most common variety) is very often used as a service dog by the police because its abilities and instincts are so precious.
If he is well spent and makes himself useful on a daily basis, he is a very good family dog. However, be careful with subjects who are bored because they can develop serious behavioral problems if necessary.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
He measures between 35.5 cm and 40.5 cm at the withers.
In 2018, he entered the podium of the ranking of the favorite breeds of the French. Some would say it's a miniature American Staff and yet, the Staffie, as it is nicknamed, is beautiful and a breed in its own right.
He is a brave, tenacious and extremely intelligent dog. Sometimes intrepid, it is nevertheless a dog in which one can trust and, against all odds, which gets along wonderfully with children.
We often tend to attribute the unique function of fighting dog to these dogs with their muscular physique and strong jaws, but we must never forget that the Staffie is first and foremost a terrier.
The Beagle
He measures between 33 and 40 cm at the withers.
Very appreciated, the Beagle dog is always in a good mood. It is both a very efficient hunting dog (for hunting with hounds, in packs) but also, and much more now, a very pleasant companion dog.
He has boundless energy, incredible vivacity and a determination worthy of the greatest hounds. Although he is one of the hounds of small stature, some subjects can be much taller than others, depending on their lineage.
It has a very fine sense of smell that it would be a shame not to exploit, even if it is not used for hunting. Thus, for this breed, all tracking activities are strongly advised, mainly to meet its needs and channel its instincts.
He's a pack dog, so it's best to adopt him with another dog so that he can fully develop. Loneliness is clearly not made for this sometimes sticky dog, even if he shows himself, in certain situations, to be quite independent.
The Border Collie
He measures between 45 and 60 cm at the withers, the desired size being on average 53 cm for a male and slightly lower for a female.
It is currently the only sheepdog that requires a working test to obtain its confirmation. Although, unfortunately, the SCC is currently in the process of questioning this waiver.
He is considered one of the most intelligent dogs of his species, but that does not necessarily mean that his education is easy.
To read: How to educate a Border Collie?Indeed, as with all working dogs with good learning abilities, it is important to be very consistent because if this is not the case, it is very difficult to obtain the dog's cooperation.
In addition, he is a herding dog who, if he comes from a purely working line, must absolutely “herd”.Although it is possible to make a Border work other than by herding, if the dog in question has genetic abilities to drive, it is very important to do everything so that he can express himself through this means.
Otherwise, Border Collies often excel in sports such as agility, treibball, obedience or even flyball if they are well trained.
The Shar Pei
He measures between 44 and 51 cm at the withers.
He is part of the molossoid group, in fact, he also has characteristics such as calm, independence, loy alty and affection.
It is very compact and has many folds which make it totally atypical but also fragile: its skin must be monitored regularly, and regular maintenance is essential.
Despite his bad reputation as a fighting dog, if the Shar Pei is educated and socialized from an early age, he is a balanced companion.
Far from being the most robust of mastiffs, it is quite sensitive to cold and humidity and therefore particularly appreciates living indoors, whether in a house or apartment. It requires little physical exercise but daily walks should not be neglected.
The Brittany Spaniel
The male measures between 48 and 51 cm and the female between 47 and 50 cm at the withers.
" It is a breed made in France of pointing dog, type Spaniel. Despite its average size, the Brittany Spaniel is the smallest pointing dog."
He is a very versatile working dog that adapts quite easily to the different conditions imposed on him (terrain and game). He is particularly sociable, docile, intelligent and balanced. In this, it is therefore naturally a very good companion dog for the whole family.
The Cocker Spaniel
The male measures between 39 and 41 cm and the female between 38 and 39 cm at the withers.
More and more popular, the English Cocker Spaniel is a cheerful, vigorous, gentle and affectionate game-raising dog.
He has a very communicative joie de vivre that delights young and old alike. He quickly becomes an accomplice friend for anyone who knows how to take care of him.
His sweetness and kindness can however hide a very assertive character that should be mastered from an early age. Moreover, despite a very marked attachment to his master, he is of a rather independent nature.
He can live both indoors and outdoors, but he should not be isolated from family life. He needs regular contact with his master to flourish.
The Siberian Husky
The male measures between 53.5 and 60 cm at the withers and the female between 50.5 and 56 cm.
He is one of the most famous sled dogs. He is distinguished by his kindness and his very gentle character.
However, the Siberian Husky is not the most demonstrative of dogs: if you are looking for a dog to cuddle for hours on the couch, this is not the breed to choose.
Particularly sociable, he is not a good goalkeeper because he does not tend to be wary of humans, quite the contrary. However, he can be reserved if he senses a threat, like many dogs.
It's a very good choice for sports masters who want a tough and reliable teammate for activities such as canicross, cani-MTB, etc.
Besides, ancestral pack dog, if he lives alone he can quickly get bored and do the worst possible damage. It is therefore important to offer him regular stimulation to avoid behavioral problems.
The Whippet
The male measures between 47 and 51 cm and the female between 44 and 47 cm at the withers.
This little greyhound (which is not so small after all) is an incredible racing dog that deserves to be as well known and widespread as its larger siblings.
The whippet is truly the ideal companion, whether for a sporty person, a couple with children or not or even retired people. He adapts easily to the lifestyle offered to him and proves to be a balanced, gentle and affectionate dog, although quite rambunctious when he is still a puppy.
As comfortable in the city as in the countryside, he is a dog who may seem fragile at first glance but who ultimately proves to be quite resistant, enduring and determined when he is in action.
With this dog, it's hard not to join a PVL (Lure Sight Pursuit) or coursing club in order to best spend his great energy and especially meet his almost vital need to run.
Basenji
The male measures about 43 cm at the withers and the female about 40 cm at the withers.
Is it really a dog? The Basenji has everything of a cat: it is very clean and is groomed very regularly. In addition, although he is affectionate, he has a very independent temperament.
Another feature that characterizes this primitive dog is its cry. It's not a bark, it's more like vocalizations, similar to those of Tyrolean singers.
The Welsh Corgi
He measures between 25 and 30 cm at the withers.
There are two varieties of Corgi: the Pembroke and the Cardigan. The latter is a little higher because its ideal height is 30 cm at the withers.
These are incredible dogs, with long backs and short legs, made famous by the Queen of England Elizabeth II who have owned Welsh Corgi Pembroke since her childhood following a gift from her father , King George VI.
Initially sheepdogs, it is more as companion dogs that they are adopted today. They are particularly sociable, friendly and fearless dogs. Well educated and socialized, they are very pleasant life companions.