Breeds of medium-sized dogs: general features, types with description, choice, care

Medium-sized dogs are popular because they can be kept not only in the yard, but also in the apartment. Most of these breeds have a friendly disposition, but they require careful care, especially nutrition.

Depending on the breed, the weight of a medium-sized dog is 9-22 kilograms. At the withers they reach 50 centimeters, and in length - 80 centimeters.

Such animals are the most popular in many countries, as they have several advantages:

• have good health;
• emotionally stable;
• take up little space;
• require less feed;
• active and friendly.

In terms of disease, medium-sized dogs have virtually no joint problems, including arthritis and dysplasia of the hip or elbow. Less often, the owner has to deal with an upset digestive tract, an expansion of the stomach and a volvulus, which are characteristic of large dogs.

Among these breeds there are both good hunters and excellent shepherds, athletes. If enough time is given to the pet, then it can be easily trained, and at home it becomes not only a friend, but also a guard and defender.

There are many friendly breeds that can be classified as medium sized dogs. Among the most beautiful:

• spaniel;
• beagle;
• basset hound;
• collie;
• bulldog;
• sharpei;
• Dalmatian
• lapphund;
• Finnish Spitz;
• pincher;
• terrier;
• retriever;
• shepherd dog;
• Husky
• Schnauzer

Consider the most popular breeds for home content.

The Airedale is one of the most versatile dog breeds in the world. He is famous as a wonderful hunter and has a good-natured disposition.

Among the existing types of terriers, this is the largest. Males at the withers reach 58 centimeters, females are slightly smaller. The dog is covered with dense brown coat with black markings. Long muscular legs give the animals a royal posture, and a long head with a beard and mustache, dark eyes and neatly folded ears make it especially attractive.

At the withers, these dogs reach 66 centimeters. These are great athletes who can develop great speed. Their heads are wide with a domed skull, low hanging ears and dark brown eyes.

American English raccoon dogs possess soft naturewhen out of service but they are very tenacious and stubborn in the pursuit of their prey. They are overwhelmed by energy, but at the same time they possess the necessary patience, therefore they are easily trained. In some countries they are used for hunting raccoons.

Smooth-haired hunters, known for their speed, stamina. One can distinguish the American Foxhound from its British cousin by the length of the legs. In an American, they are longer and thinner. Also a distinctive feature is the slightly curved lower back of the American.

This dog needs constant load, training, walkingotherwise, she may become depressed or begin to bully.

Stocky, muscular animals with a wide head, a clearly defined jaw, pronounced cheekbones, dark round eyes, which are widely spread on the muzzle.

The animal moves gracefully possesses a springy gait that demonstrates innate confidence.

Spaniels are medium-sized muscular dogs that are not distinguished by their outstanding appearance or performance, but are recognizable by their wavy coat and long ears.

Bred for hunting, therefore they are ideally adapted even to weather conditions. They have a dense waterproof coat. In some species, the limbs are short, thick, the fingers are webbed, and the body is quite small so that the dog can jump into the water after the duck without rocking the boat.

Beautiful shepherd breed. They are cheerful, confident, reliable and fearless helpers. These are excellent watchdogs that cannot be bribed with a treat.

The high intelligence of the breed makes its representatives very capable students.

An Australian dog is often used as a shepherd, as it can monitor cattle. She has a strong muscular body, great strength and agility. Puppies are born with a light color, then it changes to gray or brown. There are spots in both colors.

Their limitless energy and flexible gait make dogs excellent running partners. These animals are loyal friends, smart and watchful watchmen.

As a shepherd dog, Australian kelpies are very dedicated and always fulfill the task assigned to them. They have a natural instinct and ability to work with sheep in open fields and pens. The breed came from a collie brought from Scotland, but was changed by crossing to allow animals to withstand the heat and lack of moisture in Australia.

This is a good medium sized guard. Representatives of the breed always have a very piercing look. Their color may vary depending on the species.

Dogs demonstrate irresistible desire to take care of someonetherefore they can be entrusted with the protection of the child or animals. They are surprisingly smart, quite capable of tricking an unsuspecting owner.

A distinctive feature of a small dog is thick curly hairthat covers it from the top of the head to the tip of the curved tail. It can be black, gray, brown or fawn, sometimes with white marks.

This is a strong, well-built dog that has been bred for several centuries. The result was a confident hunter and a tireless swimmer.

Around this dog, it was believed that she has special bloodthirstiness and aggressiveness. In fact, this is not so, although isolated cases of attacks on people were, however, like other breeds. If you take up the upbringing of the animal correctly, then it will be obedient, affectionate and peaceful.

Dog need constant, intense training; if not properly fed, animals can suffer from obesity.

Calm dogs that are truly royal in nature. They are lazy, stubborn, but calm. It is quite difficult to get a representative of this breed from yourself.

Animal It does not tolerate high humidity, extreme cold or heat. They don’t like to walk long sleep most of the time. They don’t need special care, enough to bathe a dog from time to time. Even if the owner absented for a long time, the animal will sleep, and not suffer from expectation.

This breed was brought to our country from Switzerland, where it was used for many centuries as a shepherd for livestock. Dogs cannot be found more faithfully, but it is important to educate her correctly, otherwise she will become lazy and demanding.

Also a good hunter who can withstand difficult conditions. He is well versed even in unfamiliar areas, has a sensitive scent. If we talk about health, these dogs are resistant to disease.

Animals of the breed fearless, They have a special devotion to the owner, can get along well with other animals. Their coat is short.

These athletically built animals have short legs. The breed belongs to the hounds. Of the unpleasant qualities of their character, stubbornness can be distinguished. Dogs are difficult to train, so it is better to give them to a professional.

Other disadvantages include flatulence, heavy salivation. If the dog remains in the house alone, begins to howl loudly in the apartment, many neighbors do not like it. When walking, you can not let the animal off the leash, because it can smell and run away.

She needs walks every dayotherwise the dog will become uncontrollably fat.

Representatives of this breed are able to adapt to any weather conditions, this is their advantage. In addition, they are easy to learn and are happy to learn new teams. It is interesting to run with such a partner, as the dog is ready to frolic for hours and play.

This dog loves children very much and can be friends with other animals, but not with strangers. Squirrels, alien cats and birds must flee. The animal will not live on the chain, it prefers to spend more time next to the person.

One of the most good-natured breeds, which also has a funny appearance. The dog’s body is quite muscular, the coat is thick, soft, there is a dense undercoat. On the face there is a small beard.

Dogs are very attached to humans, like to play and have a good-natured disposition. They interact with the child carefully and if they suddenly harm him, then not on purpose.

This dog should be kept by that person who is confident in his abilities and can raise it correctly, since dogs are very stubborn and masterful. If an animal is held by someone with a weak character, then it grows as an aggressive dominant in the family.

It is not worth keeping such a dog in a house where there is a child, as the dog will not control its physical strength.

Due to the lack of long hair, the animal freezes in the cold, therefore it is necessary to walk it in winter in special clothes. Often you can see a small rash on the dog’s skin - this is an allergy that appears from insect bites.

Bold and hardy hunters reach the withers from 45 to 60 centimeters, while their maximum weight is 27 kilograms. Their coat is short, smooth.

They are not aggressors by nature, they easily learn new teams and always listen to the owner. A guard cannot be made out of a dog, because even towards strangers she is friendly. When there is only a threat to the life of the owner and his family, the animal turns into a furious quarterback.

With this dog you need to remember that she loves freedom and can not be long in a closed small space. As soon as she remains alone for a long time, she begins to bark loudly. Loneliness in a husky causes a state of stress, so it is often a bully.

In a relationship with owner, the dog will always feel the mood of a person. She is smart enough to learn the rules of behavior in a short time. Due to her wayward character, she cannot be completely subjugated, but she remains good-natured and not aggressive.

The animal rarely dies due to illness, because it has excellent health.

Very energetic dogs that are distinguished by courage, intelligence and devotion. They can play with a child for a long time, which gives them great pleasure. If the owner is resting, then the animal will simply lie nearby.

If the dog is bored, then it becomes harmful, it may even show aggression. It is best to keep the dog in a private house where he can walk. High-quality care involves combing wool, quality nutrition.

This is not just an animal, but a real treasure of the northern people, because it helps a person in everyday life and hunting. In relation to the wild beast, it is ruthless, fearless, aggressive, but with the owner remains affectionate, good-natured. To strangers is with great suspicion, with a walk will sniff everyone.

This is a wonderful hunter and protector of a private house., but the person will need to carefully care for the animal.

The animal was brought from Ireland, where it played the role of a rat-catcher and a good shepherd. Of the positive qualities of a dog, one can single out the mind, the quick development of teams, and good nature. These animals get along very well with children, do not show aggression, but they cannot interact with other dogs and are often provocateurs themselves.

When choosing the right breed for the home, you need to rely on several factors. How responsibly a person approaches this issue depends on the emotional state of the animal and the safety of the residents of the house.

Some people find tiny dogs cute, but they are very fragile and difficult to train. If the breeder does not have enough time and patience to raise and care for a tiny dog, it is better to start a medium-sized individual.

Large animals grow slowly, require a lot of food, and it is almost impossible to manage them. Unfortunately, when large breed puppies grow up, their bodies quickly age and they develop serious health problems by the age of 6-10.

Some breeds require minimal care and do not molt very much, and sometimes they do not lose wool at all. This usually applies to short-haired dogs. Other animals have a long, luxurious coat that needs regular cleaning and grooming.

This factor must be taken into account when it comes to buying a dog. If it is incorrect to care for a medium-sized long-haired dog, then rolled lumps will begin to appear on the surface of its body, ulcers will form under them over time, as a result, the animal is sick and may even die.

The dog must walk, train, otherwise its body will quickly become unusable, the muscles will atrophy, and obesity may occur. The inability of a person to meet the needs of the animal in physical activity is still one of the most common causes of behavioral problems in dogs.

Some breeds, such as German shepherds or pit bulls, cannot psychologically develop without complex exercises. Hence the instability of the nervous system, aggressiveness towards the host and others.

Purebred dogs are generally quite predictable - for example, poodles are very emotionally sensitive. Almost all dogs love to howl or bark, frolic. Likes love to seek adventure and often run away, get lost, Weimarians are nervous and timid.

Each breed of dog has its own specific features that must be taken into account when buying an animal.

When choosing the right breed you need to ask a few questions.

• Is there time to socialize a breed that has antisocial tendencies?
• If there are children, does this breed tolerate their games well?
• When there are other dogs, is this breed compatible with other animals?
• How stubborn is the breed and does the breeder have the necessary experience in dog training?
• How strong is the breed, can it be physically controlled?
• How often will the animal remain alone and will it calmly endure it?

The dog is usually turned on as a guard, friend, assistant. This must be taken into account, since each of the breeds is the best in only one quality.

Shepherd dogs are excellent defenders, they get along with children and make sure that outsiders do not approach them. In addition, they instantly react to the mood of the owner and without fear rush to his defense.

Labradors and retrievers are good friends. They are not aggressive, get along with children.

It will be difficult for low-income people to keep a dog that needs a lot of care. Such an animal needs to buy expensive food, do timely vaccinations, haircut, buy clothes, toys.

All dogs molt, but fluffy leaves their hair on furniture, the palace, and the floor. Animals such as Golden Retriever, Newfoundlands, Dalmatians, spend a lot of time cleaning.

Caring for a dog is much like caring for a child. It takes time, patience, love and understanding. The first thing to do is to make sure that all the basic needs of the animal will be satisfied in the future. Regardless of the breed, you will need to put two containers for it: one for fresh water and one for food.

At first, when the puppy's teeth will be cut, you need to provide him with chewing toys, tendons, otherwise slippers and upholstered furniture will suffer.

Accustoming to a toilet is a separate moment. You can use first tray and special napkins. For walks, a leash and a collar in size are acquired.

A domestic thoroughbred dog requires special care. In the first place in this matter is a diet with a high protein content, since medium-sized animals are very active and spend a lot of energy.

A healthy medium-sized adult dog requires 922 calories per day. Those who have been sterilized or are in old age, a little less.

Puppies of medium breeds are undemanding to food, it should be just well balanced. It is worth avoiding prepared feeds of poor quality, as they negatively affect the health of the animal. It is important to regulate the portion and not give too much food at a time, because then there will be food that will disappear after a while.

For medium-sized dog breeds, there is a list of common health problems that may arise during the life of the animal. Most often, breeders have to deal with elbow dysplasia. Often there are problems with the eyes, such as progressive retinal atrophy, autoimmune thyroiditis. In shorthair animals, allergic reactions, itching from insect bites are observed.

Dogs that are prone to bloating are best served with natural ingredients. This will improve the animal’s immune system. Food should not contain soy and wheat, which irritate the intestinal wall. Often, breeders have to deal with pet food allergies, which most often occurs on gluten.

Medium sized dogs can be prone to skeleton problems. The breeder is required to monitor the nutrition of the animal and prevent the pet from becoming obese. Too much weight of the dog creates an additional burden on its bones and joints, and this, in turn, leads to arthritis.

Proteins and fats are the main nutrients in the diet of dogs. Ideally, you need to choose a food in which there are two or three types of meat protein. In this case, meat dishes are best suited for feeding. If possible, then in the dog’s diet Be sure to include beef, lamb and fish.

Dogs also need in a good source of fat. You can use fish oil, in which there are many useful substances. Puppies need docosahexaenoic acid, which is a specific form of fatty acid with omega-3s. This component has a positive effect on the development of the brain and eyes.

It is equally important to know which foods are toxic to dogs. Potatoes, tomatoes and chocolate top this list. Unfortunately, all breeds love sweets and semi-finished foods as well as people, and willingly chew pizza, spaghetti and french fries, but there is no benefit from them, but only obesity in the future.

Sugar-free chewing gum contains an artificial sweetener that can be fatal for dogs even in small quantities. Unlike chocolate, it really has high toxicity. Dogs are generally not attracted to chewing gum, but it's best to keep it aside just in case.

From time to time, representatives of some breeds of medium height begin to bully in the absence of a host. This is because they do not like to be alone. Shouting at a dog or, even worse, beating it will not save such incidents. Getting an animal you always need to be prepared to calmly deal with some of the inconveniences. Better not to spare money and buy at a pet store special bone made from tendons. Such a toy will take an animal for a long time. Dogs usually choose her, not shoes or a pillow, if they have a choice.

Experts advise to be very careful about indoor plants. Some of them are very toxic to animals, although they like to chew on their leaves. Usually dogs like to eat lemon balm and sometimes geraniums, but they are always sick of them. therefore it would be better if the animal would not be able to reach the flower.

About the features of the Staffordshire Terrier breed, see below.