What are the most popular medium-sized dog breeds, and why?

If you’re looking for a medium-sized dog breed that can live comfortably in all but the smallest of homes, there is a lot of choice out there! Medium-sized dog breeds cover the full spectrum from highly intelligent and very lively through to slow and sedentary and a little less bright, so if you’ve got your heart set on buying a medium-sized pedigree dog, there are plenty of options available.

In this article we will look at the UK’s most popular medium-sized dog breeds based on the number of dogs registered in the UK, and adverts and user searches for dogs for sale here on Pets4Homes. Read on to find out the UK’s most popular medium-sized dog breeds, and why they’re so popular too.

Number 5: The English springer spaniel

The English springer spaniel is a medium-sized dog from the gundog grouping, and this is a breed that was historically very popular as a working gundog, helping to flush out birds and retrieve downed prey without damaging it over both land and water.

Today, they are also hugely popular as pets, thanks to their gentle natures, distinctive good looks and fun-loving temperaments. They do have very high exercise requirements and need plenty of physical and mental stimulation, otherwise they are apt to become bored and restless, and may become destructive within the home.

They are usually great with children and very personable with other dogs, as well as having the intelligence and tenacity to be a good pick for canine sport too.

As well as being the fifth most popular medium-sized dog breed, they’re the UK’s fifteenth most popular dog breed overall.

Number 4: The Border collie

The Border collie is our fourth most popular medium-sized dog, as well as being the twelfth most popular breed in the UK. However, there is one area in which they come in first place, and that’s in the intelligence stakes, with the Border collie holding the distinction of being the world’s smartest recognised dog breed.

Border collies were originally bred as working herding dogs, a role that many dogs of the breed still perform today. This means that they are not only really clever and able to execute a wide range of complex commands on the go, but also that they are incredibly lively, and are also up there at the top of the list of dogs that need the most exercise too.

Border collies are a great choice of dog for lively, active families, or people who want to get involved in canine sport. However, it can be challenging to provide for the dog’s need for lots of exercise within a domestic home unless you have plenty of time and inclination to spend lots of time out of doors walking and exercising your dog.

Number 3: The Staffordshire bull terrier

The Staffordshire bull terrier is a hugely popular breed in the UK, being the third placed medium-sized breed and the tenth most popular breed overall.

They are medium sized in terms of height and they are also very muscular, tending to be quite stocky but not overly heavy given their size. The Staffy is a very popular pet because they are versatile and adaptable, and able to live happily in all types of environments from busy urban cities to open countryside.

Their popularity comes down to a combination of factors including their enthusiastic and fun-loving personalities, kind and gentle natures, and middle-of-the-road exercise requirements, being about average and neither very sedentary nor very active.

They are also relatively easy to care for and live with as they have short, single-layered coats that don’t need a lot of attention.

Number 2: The English bulldog

The English bulldog is something of a national mascot, and this medium-sized native breed is an excellent and very unique pet.

They tend to be fairly short but very heavily built, often having an almost square appearance, and of course, a distinctive flat and wrinkled face. The English bulldog is the UK’s second most popular medium-sized dog breed, and the seventh most popular overall.

They are among the most sedentary of breeds too, and whilst they definitely need a daily walk and will enjoy playing and running around with other dogs, they tend to be very laid back and not keen on doing a lot of walking or physical activity overall, which makes them a good pick for less active dog owners and people who want a rather quiet breed.

Number 1: The cocker spaniel

The UK’s most popular medium-sized dog breed overall is the cocker spaniel, which also holds the distinction of being the sixth most popular across all of the size categories combined. Like their Springer spaniel cousins, the cocker spaniel was originally prized for their working ability, and their soft mouth, which can carry downed game without damaging it.

They also love the water and tend to be keen swimmers, as well as not afraid to splash through the puddles when out on walks! Their exercise requirements are reasonably high and so they are a good choice for people who love to walk, hike or jog, and they are also clever dogs that learn quickly and try hard to please their handlers, which makes them a pleasure to train.

Within a domestic home they make for excellent housemates, and are great with both children and other dogs and live happily in either town or country and with people from all walks of life – which helps to ensure that the cocker spaniel has a strong following of loyal breed enthusiasts.