For first-time owners, choosing a dog can be a tough nut to crack! They don’t want a massive dog that would be tricky to handle in a small apartment, nor do they want a small dog that would run around the house and wreak havoc with its never-ending energy. They are confused and can’t really decide on an appropriate dog to have!
Well, the good news is, they don’t really need to make this trade-off. There are many balanced mid-sized dog breeds that are easily adjustable in small living spaces and are not bursting with energy.
These medium-sized dog breeds also come with a long lifespan. Hence, if your kids get attached to the pet, it will stay with them for a long period. Let’s talk about some of the most faithful, balanced-sized dogs that will bring a whole lot of joy, love, and convenience to your life!
Balanced Mid-Sized Dog Breeds with a Long Lifespan
1. Australian Cattle Dog
One of the longest living dog breeds is definitely the Australian Cattle Dog. This dog can stay alive for as many as 12-13 years, which is pretty impressive.
But, it can live even more than that. As per Britannica, the longest living Australian Cattle Dog was Bluey from Texas, who had a super long life span of 29 years and 5 months.
Alongside this, its size is pretty appropriate to be a perfect family pet.
It mostly weighs around 35-50 pounds while its height measures at 17-20 inches. For a household with kids, this can be the best pet to have!
However, one thing you need to be considerate of while owning this dog as a pet is to ensure giving it enough opportunities for physical activity. This is an energetic dog! If you bore it, it may showcase its destructive side, which you wouldn’t like!
As per this Reddit Thread, these dogs rarely develop any life-altering health conditions.
This strong dog doesn’t need regular vet checkups as it is super healthy. Nonetheless, you need to make sure they get healthy nutrition to stay active. Being alert, they are wonderful watchdogs and will bark rarely, mostly when they think something is wrong!
The American Kennel Club says they are super loyal dogs, but with strangers, they are a bit aloof.
2. Beagle
Beagles, with a weight of around 20 pounds and a height that averages at 13 inches, are a medium-sized breed of dogs that are active and healthy.
They are generally happy in nature. With an average life span of around 12-15 years, they tend to stay with their pet owners for a very long period.
To ensure their healthy life and a truly long lifespan, you need to give this dog healthy meals and regular exercise.
As per some studies, the most common health issue that leads to death in Beagles is cancer. Unfortunately, this breed is also genetically predisposed to lymphoma.
Also, pollen and molds may cause allergies to these great family pets! Make sure you take them for walks in cleaner places so their chances of inhaling these elements are close to minimum.
These are low-maintenance dogs. If you are a busy owner with lots of stuff to take care of, this dog’s maintenance is something that will give you the much-needed relief.
Quintessentially, this is an adorable, small to medium-sized dog breed and the most affectionate lap dog.
3. Brittany Spaniel
Did you know that Brittany Spaniel can live for as long as 12-14 years?
Yes, you read that right.
If developed by a responsible breeder, these dogs live really long without developing any health concerns.
With a height of around 17.5 and 20.5 inches and an average weight of 40 pounds, this medium-sized dog breed is quite sought after amongst pet parents.
Despite being a healthy breed, these dogs can develop certain health issues. Later in their lives, they are prone to hip dysplasia, some eye diseases, and Patellar luxation. Nonetheless, an active lifestyle, a balanced diet, and maintenance of a healthy weight throughout their lives can help in minimizing the chances of these diseases.
This medium-sized breed is incredibly intelligent. This makes them easily trainable. Being active and agile, they perform really well at various dog sports.
With a personality and a lovable nature, these dogs are surely wonderful pets!
4. English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog with an average height of 20 inches and a weight of around 50 pounds. On average, they typically live for around 12-14 years, making them some of the longest living dogs out there.
Mostly, these dogs have robust health. Occasionally, they may develop some health issues, and the most common of them all is ear infection. Owing to their floppy ears, they are more prone to getting infected as compared to other breeds.
With regular grooming and ear cleaning, you can help your dog avoid this inconvenience.
They are healthy dogs. As a matter of fact, even in their senior years, they tend to maintain their vigor and don’t act lazy or lethargic. If you really want your pet to stay active for the longest possible time, a balanced diet helps a lot!
These spaniels are great companions. However, they tend to choose their favorite person from the family and stick with them. If you are that person, congratulations! You’ll be getting an unlimited supply of cuddles and snuggles.
5. Border Collie
With a life expectancy of around 12-15 years, Border Collies are some of the longest living dog breeds out there.
But, one thing I must warn you of, these dogs are high-maintenance.
Thanks to their super high energy levels, you’ll have to take them for regular exercise and gaming activities. If you act sluggish around them, they’re not going to like it at all. They’ll require you to have a daily exercise session for at least 1 to 2 hours.
Also, Border Collies are super intelligent. Don’t be amazed if they outdo you in the puzzle game, as they have all the brains to do so!
Oh, despite being super active, they will develop separation anxiety. Hence, it’s not a good idea to stay away from them for long.
Generally healthy, these mid-sized dogs with a height of 19-22 inches and a weight of 30-55 pounds may develop some health issues. The most common of them are hip dysplasia and collie eye anomaly.
6. Vizsla
Vizslas are exceptionally long-living dogs, with an average lifespan of around 10-14 years.
However, for them to stay healthy and active, you’ll have to get them from a reputable breeder. They come with a super affectionate nature and form strong bonds with their family members.
Also, they look adorable!
As AKC describes, their coat is short in length but is super dense. Though there is no undercoat, their appearance is striking.
This is not a small breed! With a height of 21 to 24 inches, these dogs are considered mid-sized and were originally bred for hunting purposes.
As an overall healthy dog still requires enough exercise in a day to ensure its proper physical and mental stimulation. As they are curious creatures, you may need to build some patience while training them. Nevertheless, training them is super important, or else they may end up causing trouble for you, just like the larger breeds!
These medium-breed dogs are lively in nature and extremely affectionate. With proper care and regular vet checks, their overall health remains optimal.
7. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is an excellent swimmer! Thanks to its love for physical activity, it lives a long life, averaging around 11-13 years.
These water babies are medium in size. They weigh around 35-60 pounds, which is appropriate for great swimmers.
Covered in pretty fur, they need consistent grooming and maintenance to appear neat and tidy. Also, preventative care while they are swimming and performing water activities is necessary to ensure the longevity of this dog’s life.
These water dogs are also incredibly intelligent. Hence, they are easy to train and give a great response to consistent obedience training.
However, they may get overjoyed upon seeing someone new and may jump excessively as a form of greeting. They may also rush towards your kitchen to sniff what you’re cooking. Its usually advisable training them to hold their emotions to avoid mishaps and inconveniences.
Conclusion
So, here you go! The list of seven balanced-sized dogs that are appropriate for you, especially when you have kids around you. This new family member will not only be extremely loving and affectionate, but it will also come with a long haul.
Ready for a long-term friendship? Get your hands on one of these dogs and make sure to provide them with appropriate exercise, healthy meals, and regular visits to a reliable vet, and they will stick with you for the longest!
