Medium-Large Dogs Weighing Between 50 and 80 pounds

Afghan Hound

Known for its aristocratic bearing, the Afghan Hound is tall, willowy, with an elongated head and a silky topknot. Its convex muzzle gives it an appearance of a “Roman nose,” complemented by delicate almond shaped eyes. Its legs are long and straight. It has a silky coat, with its face and ears in a deeper shade, and a curled tail. This majestic appearance has given it the title “a king of dogs”. The Afghan Hound is also considered to be one of the oldest known breeds.

Airedale Terrier

The Airedale is the largest in the terrier family, giving it the nickname “The King of Terriers.” It has a flat and elongated head, a deep chest, and very straight front legs. It has a rough, wiry coat that resists dampness (a must for the rainy weather of the Valley of Aire, England, where it was originally bred and from which it gets its name). This is lined by a softer undercoat. The fur is usually tan with dark griddle saddle markings. Ears fold forward, the short tail, which it holds gaily but never curls over the back, is often docked.

American Foxhound

The American foxhound is a large hound developed to be lighter, faster, and taller than its English equivalent, and it is also known to have a stronger sense of smell. It has long and straight front legs, a long, large head with broad, hanging ears, hazel or brown eyes, and an upward-curving tail. The breed is known to have bounding ability, great endurance and speed, as well as eagerness to pursue quarry as part of a pack. The breed can be further divided into show hounds, pack hounds, and field trial hounds.

American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire terrier (also called AmStaff) was a well-known fighting dog back in the 1800s, developed by crossing the bulldog with several types of terriers. The development of this type of fighter dog began in England, where it was known as the Staffordshire Bullterrier. After it was brought to America, where it was enhanced to have a stronger head and sturdier build, the result of further modification was established as a separate breed from the English counterpart.

Appenzeller Sennenhunde

The Appenzeller Sennenhunde is one of the four Swiss mountain dog breeds and is considered rare and threatened by extinction. It got its name from the Appenzell region which was its original breeding territory and Sennenhunde which means the dog of the Alpine dairymen. It has a compact and muscular body with a back that is moderately long and straight and a deep broad chest that reaches to the elbow.

Belgian Laekenois

The rarest of the four Belgian Shepherd dogs, the Belgian Laekenois is a sturdy, well-proportioned medium-sized dog with a rough wire coat that easily distinguishes it. This breed was actually used as army dogs in the World Wars. The ears of the Belgian Laekenois are small, triangular, and set high on the head. The eyes are brown, average in size and slightly almond-shaped while the muzzle is of equal length to the topskull and somewhat pointed. The nose is black and the tail is very long.

Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois was once considered a part of the Belgian Sheepdog breed, until it was recognized as a separate type in America in 1959. It was named after Malines, Belgium, where it was developed. The most obvious difference between the four Belgian sheepdog breeds is their coat type and standard colors. The Belgian Malinois’s height is often evenly proportioned to its length, and it is known to carry itself quite proudly, with its high head, muscular built, and flowing gait. It has little dim eyes, upright ears, a narrow muzzle, and an even or scissors bite.

Belgian Sheepdog

The breed commonly known as the Belgian Sheepdog was also given the name Groenendael to differentiate it from the other three Belgian sheepdog varieties, namely the Malinois, the Tervuren, and the Laekenois. The Groenendael looks much like the others, with its proud appearance, muscular built, even proportions, slightly pointy muzzle, tight lips, an even or scissors type bite, triangle-shaped ears, and a fluffy tail. It is named after the Belgian village where it was developed, and remains the most popular of the four Belgian sheepdog varieties. Some also refer to it as the Belgian Shepherd.

Belgian Tervuren

The Belgian Tervuren was named after a village in Belgium where it was originally developed. It was one of four types that were once collectively known as the Belgian sheepdog breed. The other three are the Groenendael (the one that is now widely referred to as the Belgian sheepdog), the Malinois, and the Laekenois. The Belgian Tervuren is evenly proportioned, with a moderately brawny built and smooth gait. It has small dim eyes, a somewhat pointy muzzle, an even or scissors bite, and upright triangular ears.

Bergamasco

The Bergamasco is a solid, square-bodied, medium-sized dog with a thick distinctive coat that is one of its trademarks, designed to protect it from all kinds of weather and attacks from other animals. Its coat has three different types of hair that forms flocks, easily marking the breed. The coat also drapes over its eyes, which is protected from the sun's rays. In spite of its heavy coat appearance, the Bergamasco is a highly energetic and agile dog.

Black and Tan Coonhound

The Black and Tan coonhound is a solidly American dog, a powerful and large dog that is accustomed to work and activity. With clean, classic distinctive lines and a well-proportioned body, the Black and Tan coonhound gives off the impression of a dog of great speed and agility. It is easily recognizable due to its black and tan colors and its coat is short, rough, and dense. The eyes are rounded and range from dark brown to hazel. The head is well-shaped and the neck and back are both strong and muscular. The shoulders are powerfully built and the forelegs are straight.

Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick coonhound belongs to the same bloodline as the Black and Tan coonhound and has some physical characteristics in common. Its coat is rough, short, and dense and is unique in the sense that it is a tricolor coat with blue mottling. The Bluetick coonhound has a heavily-muscled, deep-chested body with strong legs and well-arched feet and has long ears. It also has exceptional eyesight during the nighttime, which allows it to hunt better.

Boxer

The Boxer is a medium-sized, square built dog of good substance with short back, strong limbs, and short, tight-fitting coat. The broad, blunt muzzle is the Boxer’s distinctive feature. As a “people dog”, the Boxer is a playful and fun-loving, and one of the delightful qualities that sets the Boxer apart is the unique mobility of his expressive face. The skin furrowing of the forehead, the dark, "soulful" eyes, and at times almost human attempts to "converse," make his replacement by another breed difficult for one who has owned a Boxer. He mimics the mood of his master and can spend hours quietly lying at his feet. Boxers particularly love children.

Bracco Italiano

The Bracco Italiano is a breed of noble appearance, a powerful and well-shaped hunting dog with a short, dense coat. It has a head that is shaped distinctively and jowls that put into mind the basset and the bloodhound. Its deep chest and well-muscled legs gives a hint to its strength and agility and its overall body appearance gives off a square shape. The Bracco Italiano is a great dual-purpose family and working dog.

Catahoula Leopard

The Catahoula Leopard dog is an ultimate working dog, full of tireless stamina and energy that defines their breed. They are excellent at herding and hunting. With a solid, strong body, a deep chest, and muscled legs, the Catahoula Leopard dog gives off a highly capable aura. Its coat is single, short, and coarse with a merle pattern that typically complements its eye color as well.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a powerful, hearty dog with a distinctive, wavy coat. It has a wide head and strong limbs with hind legs that are just higher than its shoulders. It has a deep chest and webbed feet. The coat is short and is usually brown-colored or reddish yellow. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever needs plenty of time outside and is not properly kept as an indoor only dog.

Chinook

Named after the Inuit word for “warm winter winds” the Chinook is a strong, hardy and swift dog that is capable of hauling heavy loads across a frozen tundra. This dog is characterized by having a broad skull and a tapered muzzle. The eyes are brown and almond-shaped. When he is alert, his saber tail is formed in a distinctive sickle curve. When joined in competition, the Chinook is presented in all its natural glory, hair should not be trimmed (not even the whiskers).

Clumber Spaniel

The Clumber Spaniel is a dog that is well-balanced and strongly-boned for its massive size. It was originally bred by the French nobility for doing field work. It is a gentle, loving and loyal dog. Its head is square and its chest is wide and deep. The eyes are dark and deep-set and the ears are large. The coat of the Clumber Spaniel is silky, straight, and thick and comes in a white color with orange/lemon markings.

Collie

The Collie first skyrocketed to fame through the tv show and movie “Lassie”. It has a lean head and a chiseled face and the muzzle is smooth and well-rounded. The ears are upright and the eyes are dark (with the exception of blue merles). The body is longer than it is tall and is lean and muscular and the chest is strong. The color of the Collie’s coat ranges from sable, white, black, and tri-color. Collie's are well known for their intelligence and strong herding abilities.