Best Dogs

The best dog breeds that can provide emotional support

Looking for the perfect emotional support companion? These dog breeds are known for their calming presence and deep emotional intuition

JULY 30, 2025 12:11 PM EDTJUL 30, 2025, 12:11 PM EDT

For individuals living with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other emotional challenges, having an emotional support animal (ESA) can make a world of difference.

Dogs, more then other pets, offer unconditional love, routine, and comfort, making them excellent companions for those in need of emotional balance.

Here are six of the best dog breeds that could provide a helping paw:

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The long, silky and flowing-haired Cavalier King Charles Spaniels may be small, but they are very gentle and affectionate.

They adore companionship, meaning they are happy with two active owners, or those who like to have a more calm and relaxed way of life.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are deeply connected to human emotions, making them the perfect empathetic best friend in times of need.

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Golden Retriever

The long-haired, medium-sized, friendly pooches are one of the most compassionate and sociable dog breeds. They are incredibly intelligent, patient and eager to please.

As they are easy to train and are reliable, people use Golden Retrievers as service dogs to help individuals with limitations in their daily lives.

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Labrador Retriever

These medium to large-sized, short-coated dogs are known for their friendly, loving, outgoing and intelligent character traits. They are also loyal to their owners, and can sense emotions, which can easily tell them if their masters need doggy hugs or kisses.

Like Golden Retrievers, they can easily be trained as service dogs. But rather than being clingy like the goldies, the Labrador Retrievers like to be independent.

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Pug

Shot of cute afro-american girl hugging her pug dog in the living room at home.

The little, short-haired pedigree is bursting with energy and charm, making them reliable to cheer anyone up.

Pugs are also known for their playful and affectionate nature. They are recommended for people who are looking for a breed that has a strong sense of companionship.

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Shih Tzu

Like Pugs, Shih Tzus are small and have big hearts. The breed - which has a distinctively long, flowing coat - has a friendly and affectionate temperament, making them another perfect option for a companion dog.

The mutt is attentive and loves developing deep, strong bonds with its owners.They are also comfortable in small spaces.

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Poodle

These curly, hypoallergenic pooches come in a range of sizes, such as standard, miniature and Toy. This allows people to choose a size that meets their living needs easily.

They have a calm and composed demeanor, as well as a keen sense of intelligence about them. This means they can provide emotional support to those in need, as well as assist with various tasks. However, because Poodles have high energy, they require a lot of attention and fuss.