You must have heard about emotional support animals at some point in your life. These animals (often dogs) provide humans with therapeutic benefits. It includes relief from stress and anxiety, among other issues. A special feature about emotional support dogs is that they do not require any sort of training for this.
Any dog can be an emotional support animal. However, it is true that certain breeds have traits that make them perfect for the role. We have listed 12 dog breeds that tend to be soft, friendly, laid-back, and very sociable. These dog breeds can be trained quite well and want to please their humans.
However, they are not the same as service or therapy dogs and they do not have the same rights. You must also remember that, in order to be considered a real emotional support animal, a dog should have authorisation from a mental health expert.
Below are some of the dog breeds we picked out for you:
Maltese
The Maltese are considered one of the most beautiful breeds. One of the most prized lapdogs on the planet, they love to cosy up on their owners’ laps.
They are soft, cuddly, and super friendly. They will always be at your side, trying to comfort and soothe you with snuggles and licks.
Another added bonus is that it will be around you most of the time. One of the many things that makes it the perfect emotional support animal.
Havanese
Another dog breed that is known for being soft and furry is the Havanese. It is an adaptable breed that loves to travel and walk.
This makes it perfect for road trips. It is a non-shedding dog and has a calm temperament, which means that it’ll be friendly towards the people around you.
They are also quite low-maintenance. They are uber friendly and manage to make friends with everyone they meet. Can’t ask for a better companion!
Golden Retriever
Their biggest strength is that they are loyal to a fault. Their cuddling involves a heavy chin on the lap coupled with an upward gaze.
The kind of bonding they provide, along with unflinching emotional support, makes the golden retriever one of the best emotional support dogs.
Also, they love to play around. All you need to do is spend some playtime with them. A few walks, some games of fetch, and they’ll be your companions for a lifetime.
Labrador Retriever
These dogs are at the top of the list. Labs are very friendly, quite gentle, and have a strong desire to please.
They’re the ideal dogs for people who need a companion that can accompany them outside wherever they want.
Like the Havanese, they are perfect for long trips and other forms of travel. They tend to be very comfortable exploring the world. Take your lab with you on all your adventures—isn’t it exciting?
Corgi
Corgis are very affectionate dogs that are typically good with people of all ages, including kids.
They are very intelligent, which makes them excel when it comes to training. However, corgis are not suitable for homebodies. They are right for owners who prefer to take their dogs for frequent exercise and make it a part of their travel.
If you need to go out frequently, then don’t think twice before getting a Corgi.
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkie may be quite small, but they are giants when it comes to displaying their affection.
They want you to give them constant attention, but boy, are they experts at giving it back! Like the Havanese and Labrador, they’re easy to travel with.
This makes them ideal for people who need to have their emotional support animal accompany them on trips. And they adapt very well to change, making them the ideal choice for many.
Irish Wolfhound
These dogs are the most natural protectors. Since they are very sensitive by nature, they can easily tune into what their humans feel.
The only downside to them is the fact that they have a very short lifespan– around 6-8 years.
This should be considered before getting an Irish Wolfhound as an emotional support dog. This one downer aside, they make excellent companions. They are also incredibly cute and affectionate.
Great Dane
This dog has an impressive physique. This makes it very appealing for someone who would like to have a four-legged bodyguard or a repellent for unpleasant people around them.
Since they’re guard dogs, they offer you all their protection and loyalty. They are a bit aloof with people that they don’t know, but they are incredibly friendly with their owners.
They make amazing companions and, needless to say, are uber-protective towards them.
German Shepherd
German shepherds are popularly known as ‘working dogs’ since they prefer to have certain duties assigned to them.
This is why they are often chosen as working dogs. They are extremely intelligent and eager to please. This also makes them strong contenders as support animals.
They love to engage with humans. When trained sufficiently, they can become wonderful companions. It’s no wonder that they’re so widely popular as emotional support dogs!
Collie
Collies have traditionally been herding dogs. They keep checking to ensure that their flock (in this case, family)—is always happy and secure.
A majority of collies are very skilled at sniffing out cues from their humans that something is not quite right, and get straight to the business of providing comfort.
They need a lot of exercise, which means that they also keep their owners active to a great degree.
Poodle
Poodles are the quintessential lapdogs. They are great, active companions that make for the ideal therapy dogs.
They’re very intelligent, cuddly, like to have something to do, and very loving. They are also very easy to train, which is yet another reason people love them so much.
Nothing like a good old poodle to keep you cheerful and make your day! You get cute and dutiful in one singular package–what can be better?
Shih Tzu
These dogs are small and sturdy and are also hypoallergenic (a reason to get them). This is another emotional support dog breed, which is known for their loving personality.
They love being around people and can, in fact, have separation anxiety. They’re quite smart as well.
But they also have a very high-shedding coat, so make sure to keep it in mind. Otherwise it’s a great dog to have as your buddy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that getting an emotional support dog is the best way to combat a flurry of disorders and have a great, fulfilling life. Which one of the ones in the list do you like? Let us know in the comments.
