Medium-sized dogs are a perfect choice for many prospective pet parents. They’re just the right size for owners who want neither a giant dog nor a very small one. Medium dogs vary in temperament, energy level, coat type, and grooming needs.
Short-haired medium dogs are ideal for people looking for a low-maintenance pet. Their coats are easy to care for and usually need only light brushing once or twice a week to stay in top condition. They do shed, but their grooming needs are minimal. Short-haired breeds can have single or double coats, and double coats help protect dogs from harsh weather.
Here are the top seven medium-sized dog breeds with short, simple coats.
Medium-Sized Dog Breeds With Short, Simple Coats
1. American Staffordshire Terrier
American Staffordshire Terriers, also known as AmStaffs, are loyal and affectionate dogs with a muscular build and fearless personality. These confident and powerful dogs have a people-oriented nature and thrive as part of the family.
Their short and smooth coat comes in a variety of colors. They also have a variety of markings such as masks, spots, and patches. Purina recommends weekly brushing with a soft-bristled brush to maintain their coat.
AmStaffs shed seasonally and may need frequent brushing during shedding season. Thanks to their high intelligence, they are highly trainable and enjoy activities that challenge their minds and bodies. AmStaffs need regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
With proper training and early socialization, American Staffordshire Terriers make loving and joyous family pets.
2. Bull Terrier
Bull Terriers are smart, playful, and affectionate dogs having a distinctive egg-shaped head and a muscular build. These energetic dogs thrive on human interaction and are better suited for active households.
Their clown-like personality and unique appearance make them a popular breed across the globe. Originally bred for dog fighting, Bull Terriers become strongly attached to their families. They enjoy spending time with their humans.
Their compact and athletic bodies are covered in a short and dense coat. Like other short-haired dog breeds, Bull Terriers also need very little grooming to keep looking good. Regular brushing can help remove loose hair and keep the coat healthy.
Bull Terriers’ coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including white, fawn, brindle, black, tricolored, or red.
3. Braque du Bourbonnais
Braque du Bourbonnais, also known as Bourbonnais Pointers or French Pointers, are elegant and muscular medium-sized dogs. The most distinctive feature of their body is a pear shaped head. Thanks to their calm and affectionate demeanor, they make wonderful family pets.
Originally bred as hunting dogs, Bourbonnais Pointers have a fine and dense coat. The hair on the back of this short-haired dog breed is coarser and sometimes a little longer.
These intense pointing dogs sport a variety of coat colors including liver and fawn, with small spots. The spots can be larger in size, so long as they are smaller than the palm of a hand.
Bourbonnais Pointers are intelligent, good-natured, and friendly dogs who love to be around their people. Like many other breeds, they do not want to be left alone for extended periods. They can adapt well to a variety of living situations as long as they are getting proper physical exercise and mental stimulation.
These dogs are pretty low maintenance when it comes to grooming. Only weekly brushing helps get rid of loose hair and dirt that have accumulated on the dog.
4. Brittany
Brittany Spaniels are hearty, leggy, and medium dogs with a rounded wedge-shaped head. Originally bred as hunting companions, they are sweet, good-natured, and unwaveringly loyal dogs. Brittanys love their humans and are willing to follow them everywhere.
These playful fellas are great around kids and make excellent family dogs. However, they can be wary of new people so early socialization and proper training are important. Brittanys have an independent streak, but their high intelligence makes them easy to train.
Being a short-haired dog breed, Brittanys have an easy-to-maintain coat. They are moderate shedders. Hill’s Pet recommends weekly brushing to remove loose hair and debris from their coats.
Brittanys are active dogs with high energy levels. At least an hour or two of daily exercise will provide adequate physical and mental stimulation. Exercise can include walking, running, retrieving, and finding hidden toys.
5. Canaan Dog
Canaan dogs are a medium-sized dog breed from the Middle East. Having an alert and watchful temperament, they can perceive potential threats early on. High intelligence and agility are the distinguishing traits of these dogs.
Originally bred as herding dogs, Canaan dogs have a square build, upright ears, and a bushy tail. Their harsh, straight, and short coat comes in sandy to red-brown, white, or black in color. The profuse coat generally stays clean and requires a bath every couple of months.
Brushing the coat once a week helps remove loose fur. Canaan dogs shed year-round, but shedding increases a couple of times a year, usually in spring and fall. During shedding season, the dog requires more frequent grooming.
These athletic dogs enjoy exercise, but will adapt to however much exercise they are given. Canaan dogs can be a great option for pet parents looking for a low-maintenance, quiet dog breed.
6. German Pinscher
German Pinschers, also known as Deutscher Pinschers, are medium dogs with strong vermin hunting instincts. As the name indicates, these muscular and powerful dogs were originally bred in Germany. They have a strong prey drive and love to chase anything that is moving.
They look like a miniature version of Doberman Pinschers, but are a separate breed. Despite their name, German Pinschers are more closely related to Schnauzers than the Dobermans or the Miniature Pinschers.
These alert and bold dogs are born with natural guarding tendencies. German Pinschers are a great choice for experienced owners. They need at least an hour of daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
Their short and glossy coat comes in a variety of colors: black, blue, brown, and fawn. They have low grooming needs. Occasional brushing is needed to keep the coats in top-notch condition.
7. Pharaoh Hound
Pharaoh Hounds were originally bred to hunt rabbits on the Island of Malta for thousands of years. These medium-sized dogs are often referred to as ‘Blushing Dogs of Malta’ because they blush when they are excited.
Pharaoh Hounds are energetic dogs with a playful personality. These fun-loving dogs get along nicely with kids and are dog-friendly. They tend to bark at suspicious sounds to alert their family. Pharaoh Hounds are intelligent dogs, very much in tune with the needs of their family.
They do not require a great deal of grooming, according to the American Kennel Club. Daily light brushing or a heavier weekly brushing would suffice for them. Pharaoh Hounds require regular exercise to stay happy and in good condition.
Conclusion
Medium sized dog breeds are valued by dog owners for being the ‘right size.’ They are well suited for owners who do not want a giant dog, but are not interested in having a tiny pooch either. Medium dogs can have different coat types.
Out of them, short-haired dog breeds are an ideal choice for owners looking for a low-maintenance dog. Short-haired dogs can have a single or double-layered coat. However, they mostly have minimal grooming needs.
