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14 Medium Dogs That Are Good With Kids

Updated: July 12, 2023 by Mila Phelps Friedl | Leave a comment

Hoping to adopt or find a dog breed that can bring all the joys of owning a dog while not taking up a ton of space? Here are some medium dogs that are good with kids. According to Dog Sized, medium dogs typically range between 30-60 pounds, although there's some crossover between them and the dogs on the lower end of the weight classification for large dog breeds. Many dogs in this classification are active and energetic companions, although certain breeds will be content spending time inside lounging. For apartment living, dogs of this size can adapt well to a routine and at least a daily walk.

Keep on reading to learn more about the medium dogs that are good with kids and what it looks like to have the pleasure of owning one.

Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel is a beautiful companion breed. Their gentle and patient personality makes them great with kids and they are well-adapted to living in a smaller space. Get ready to get your groom on because their coats don't shine all on their own. They can come in coppery, brown, or spotted black and white colors. This breed is considered cheerful and highly trainable. They grow within the range of 30 pounds, on the smaller end of the medium-sized dog standard. Their cousin breeds, the Welsh Springer Spaniel and the Boykin Spaniel, have similar characteristics but are slightly more active. Bred to be hunting dogs, all of these spaniel breeds are within the sporting group for dog shows (via Dog Time).

Brittany

This breed of hunting dog is highly energetic and does require more space for running than other Spaniel breeds. They are immensely affectionate with family and respond well to guided training and mental stimulation. Brittany dogs are constant companions and thus do not enjoy being left alone (via Dog Time). Bring them into a child-filled household, keep up with their training and socialization, and you'll have one of the fantastic medium dogs that are good with kids.

Collie

The Collie is known for its tremendous affection towards children, as well as for its loyalty to its family. They are an elegant breed with a shiny, feathered coat that varies in color from black, brown, white, and tan. Personality-wise, they respond well to training and active companionship, and weight wise they're on the larger side of the spectrum weighing between 40-50 pounds full grown (via AKC).

Beagle

The classic Beagle is known for its loyalty and friendship. They are lovable and happy hunting dogs that thrive with active exercise and adventure. Marking-wise, they are iconic for their light brown, dark brown, and white patterns, hooded eyes, and floppy ears. Lemon beagle puppies appear much lighter in shade with no darker colorations in their coat. In terms of size, Beagles reach between 20-30 pounds (via AKC).

American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terriers are great medium dogs that are good with kids. They are an active, attentive, and loving breed. Highly trainable, they do best when they have consistent mental and physical stimulation. Their muscled coats come in variations of black, blue, red, and brown. Males clock in at around 55-70 pounds, while females are only slightly smaller, being between 40-55 pounds when fully grown (via AKC).

Bulldog

Bulldogs are known for their stocky build, wrinkled face folds, and sweet, snuffly personality. They are considered calm and relatively low-activity companions. Color-wise, they appear in combinations of tan, brown, fawn, red, and white. They are courageous explorers and incredibly affectionate pets. Males hit around 50 pounds fully grown, while females usually weigh around 40 pounds when fully grown (via AKC).

Finnish Spitz

Finnish Spritz dogs are athletes by nature and trainable family companions.
©iStock.com/Wirestock

The Finnish Spitz breed is an intelligent and highly active family companion. These dogs are avid explorers who have a penchant for barking. They can be trained fairly easily, and personality wise they do well with mental and physical stimulation. They are protective of their pack and reach mental maturity at around the age of four. So, active training during those first four years is really important. Color-wise, this breed resembles a fox in its markings: reddish, copper, and bronze. In terms of weight, the Finnish Spitz ranges between 20-35 pounds, on the lighter end of the medium dog classification (via Dog Time).

Pyrenean Shepherd

This mischievous breed of Shepherd is a lively companion who does well around children.
©iStock.com/Klaus Feurich

Pyrenean Shepherds are alert, cunning, and affectionate. They are incredibly trainable and athletic. Historically, this breed was herding hundreds of sheep in wide open spaces. Pyrenean Shepherds need their exercise, so they'll be best suited for a family that gets outdoors and stays active a fair amount. Covered in rough scruffy fur, Pyrenean Shepherds come in black, white, fawn, and grey and reach between 15-30 pounds at their full-grown size (AKC).

Standard Schnauzer

This breed is stubborn and territorial, but also fiercely loyal, affectionate, and for sure one of the medium dogs that are good with kids. Described by Dog Time as “a dog with a human brain,” this breed is intelligent, enthusiastic, and aims to please. With guidance and socialization, they make fantastic family companions. Color-wise, Schnauzers range from black and white to fawn, brindle and gray. Weight-wise, Schnauzers are between 30-50 pounds.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers have a bright crimson, rusty coat, and intelligent demeanor. The smallest of their retriever counterparts, they are similar in their boundless energy and as such would do well in a family that can handle the constant activity. The more hiking, biking, running, and walking the better. The more mental and physical stimulation, the better and they'll reward you with affection and companionship. In terms of weight, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever grows between 35-50 pounds (AKC).

Australian Kelpie

The Australian Kelpie is a herding dog by nature and is generally a cheerful breed. They have a high level of energy and therefore need lots of active exercise. Guided training will help to curtail some of their more territorial tendencies and socialization will get them to a place of immense loyalty and affection that's perfect for a family dog. Appearance wise, Kelpies show up in variations of black, tan, brown, smoky blue, and red. They'll grow between 25-46 pounds depending on the gender (via Dog Time).

Icelandic Sheepdog

Icelandic Sheepdogs are considered lovey-dovey with family. Along with being a herding breed, they are active, enthusiastic, and playful companions to keep. They are devoted to their family and do well with lots of training and exercise. Keep in mind, this breed is used to herding sheep in great, wide open spaces, so their exercise routine should match that use of space and energy. Icelandic Sheepdogs come in shades of black, white, tan, red, grey, cream, and a combination. Weight-wise, they'll grow between 25-30 pounds (via AKC).

How to Pick The Right Breed

With 14 different breeds to choose from, how do you narrow it down to just one? All of these dogs are great with kids, but you can't adopt all 14 of them!

To start, make a list of the qualities you'd like in a dog, aside from “good with kids”. Do you want an active dog, or a couch potato? A highly trainable dog? A loyal, dedicated dog, or a dog who is good with everyone no matter what? All of these questions can help point you in the right direction when it comes to picking a breed.

It's important to keep in mind that every individual dog is different. While each breed has typical characteristics, they may not be reflected in every dog of that breed. When narrowing down your list, think about whether you'll be okay with it if a certain dog is more stubborn or active than their breed typically is. It's important to be prepared!

Size is also an important consideration. If you live in an apartment or smaller home, a dog on the higher end of this weight range may not be a good pick for you. Consider a dog breed that tends to fall on the lower end of the medium weight range, or consider dropping down to a smaller weight class. Keep in mind that you may need to pick the dog up at some point in the future; if you're not able to lift something over 25-30 pounds, you may want a dog that is on the lighter end.

Choosing a dog isn't something to be done overnight. It takes a lot of research, thought, and careful planning. Hopefully this article helped you narrow down your search! Adopting a dog is an extremely exciting thing for everyone, kids and adults. Good luck!