Medium-Small Dogs Weighing Between 20 and 40 pounds

Medium-Small Breeds

These breeds aren't the smallest, but they also aren't very big. For many dog owners, dogs between 20 and 40 pounds make the perfect pet because they are easy to manage when walking, yet strong and active enough to play frisbee in the back yard. Here's a list of breeds that we consider to be medium-small.

American Eskimo

The Eskie is one of the best dogs for children. They are affectionate, playful, charming, and loving. The shape of their eyes and mouth seem to give them an appearance of smiling. The American Eskimo are fiercely loyal and protective, with accounts of some dogs refusing to allow a guest to enter a house without their owner’s signal of approval.

Basenji

The Basenji, also known as the Congo dog, is a primitive breed known for its ability to make a variety of sounds, except for normal barking. Its mood determines if it will howl, snarl, crow, or yodel. This medium-sized breed has an elegant look about it, despite its athletic tendencies.

Beagle

The Beagle is a friendly and affectionate hound that constantly needs to be with humans or other dogs. Its willingness and mild behavior make it an ideal pet and playmate for children. However, given it's autonomous nature and tendency to follow a scent, the Beagle should always be kept on a leash.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Corgis are smart, brave, calm, and form a close bond with its family. This smallish sized breed is intelligent and easy to train but needs a firm hand when it comes to nipping.

Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel is a medium sized and solidly-built dog breed that is known for its long ears and its beautiful dark eyes. They are relatively easy to train, extremely affectionate, and get along with other pets very well. Because of these features, they are still one of the most popular breeds of dog.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a very loving and warm dog that loves to play. It’s also easy to train, as it is a very intelligent breed. They have short, strong legs and are usually longer than they are tall.

English Cocker Spaniel

The English Cocker Spaniel is a sturdy, well-built dog. They also make for effective retrievers, and can hunt even on uneven terrain. However, their hunting gene has been put in the backseat by breeders, as they now make for effective companions, as they are very pleasant dogs.

Miniature Bull Terrier

The Miniature Bull terrier is an active and playful breed that does not like to stay put. It is a fun, loyal pet that’s not quite submissive, as it tends to be autonomous and stubborn. For this reason, this breed needs rigid but gentle training.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed is quite popular for its obedience, intelligence, and loyalty. Having been accustomed to cattle driving, some may nip humans at the heels, though proper training can correct this behavior. It tends to be outgoing and active, and must be given proper socialization while still young to relax its over-protective nature.

Sealyham Terrier

The Sealyham Terrier is described as “the most beautiful union between cheerfulness and courage” because of its loyal and affectionate nature. This medium-small breed tends to bark a lot and is reserved with strangers. However, as pack dogs, they get along with other dogs and members of the family quite well.

Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog has a very gentle temperament, always willing to please and extremely loyal to its owner and its family. It is also a highly trainable breed that possesses exemplary intelligence, which some say, can even rival that of his human owners.

Skye Terrier

The Skye Terrier, while playful and affectionate, requires much attention to keep it happy. It must be trained to socialize with other people because the breed tends to be suspicious of strangers. This small breed can also be anaggressive chaser.

Tibetan Terrier

The Tibetan Terrier, as the name implies, is from the Himalayan country of Tibet. It is an ancient breed originally bred, and kept purebred, by Tibetan monks for 2000 years. This breed was used as companions, lucky charms, watchdogs, and gifts to highly respected individuals as bringers of good fortune.

West Highland White Terrier

West Highland White Terriers are small dogs with a lively disposition - two attributes which makes them ideal family dogs. This breed is very intelligent, highly trainable, faithful, courageous, is good with children and very devoted to its owner. Extreme affection is very evident towards its family though it cannot be trusted with small animals due to its natural inclination towards hunting.

Whippet

A Whippet is a medium sizedl, graceful dog that resembles a greyhound. Whippets are generally calm and gentle dogs that spend most of their day sleeping. They are quite attached to their owners and are good with young children making them ideal house pets.

Wire Fox Terrier

The Wire Fox Terrier is a friendly breed towards humans but tends to be aggressive towards other dogs. It is an alert and highly trainable breed but easily becomes bored with repetition.