The best emotional support dog breeds are canines that offer therapeutic benefits like anxiety relief and comfort reinforcement without any type of formal or specialized training.
All dogs have the potential to be ESAs, but some breeds excel at the role due to their emotional awareness, trainability, adaptability, and people-pleasing traits.
The Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Poodle are the top three best emotional support dog breeds. Beagles, Shih Tzus, and Cavaliers are other skilled emotional support dog breeds.
Are you looking to get your dog prescribed as an ESA? Contact a licensed mental health professional (LMPH) to qualify for emotional support dogs and get an ESA letter. The letter confirms the dog’s ESA status, overruling certain no-pet housing or travel policies.
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1. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is a social, energetic, and intelligent dog. It is highly affectionate and easy to train. Members of this breed love being around their owners but adapt well to alone time if physically and mentally stimulated.
Labs are large and sturdy with proportionate heads and expressive facial features. The short but dense coat requires weekly grooming sessions. The average lifespan of the breed is 10 to 12 years.
Labrador Retrievers are highly motivated, quintessential working dogs. Their enthusiasm has a positive effect on people with anxiety and depression, making them perfect ESAs.
2. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is an intelligent, devoted, and friendly canine. Breed members are very energetic, trainable, and adaptable. They instinctively connect with people and offer comfort.
Goldens are large and fluffy, with double-layered lengthy coats that need to be brushed once or twice per week. The muscular body and broad head radiate reliability, and their expressive eyes have a friendly sparkle. The breed lives around 10 to 12 years.
The Golden Retriever is an exceptional ESA because of its hard-working and reliable nature. The breed excels in various roles, from relieving anxiety to assisting with physical disabilities.
3. Poodle
Poodles are proud, active, and compassionate dogs originally used to hunt ducks in the French countryside. The hallmark traits of the breed are poodles’ exceptional learning ability and superior intelligence.
The Poodle is an elegant athlete with a square-shaped body and gracious gait. The dense coat is hypoallergenic but high-maintenance. Poodles come in three sizes, including Toy, Miniature, and Standard, and live for 12 to 15 years.
Poodles make great ESAs because they are adaptable and trainable while calm and supportive. These dogs are often used for emotional and physical support.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a gentle, graceful, and affectionate dog with royal ancestry and regal demeanor. The breed is extremely active and enjoys physical and mental stimulation at the same time.
Cavaliers are small but gracious, with delicate body frames and feathery ears. The silky coats are soft, glossy, and in need of weekly brushing. Members of this breed do not usually present common health issues that might appear in other breeds and can live a long life, with a lifespan between nine and 14 years.
The nickname of the breed, “The Comfort Spaniel,” speaks volumes about its ability to ease hardships and make people less distressed. The Cavalier is a popular ESA breed.
5. Dachshund
The Dachshund is a spunky, friendly, and curious canine with an upbeat personality. Once used as an independent hunter, the breed is tireless, vigilant, brave, and easily trainable.
The elongated, sausage-like body combined with short legs is the dog’s main physical trait. The coat is smooth, longhaired, or wirehaired, with grooming needs ranging from low to high based on the coat type. The Dachshund’s expected lifespan is between 12 and 16 years.
The breed is one of the best ESA dogs because of its propensity for affection. Always nearby to snuggle and cuddle, the Dachshund is perfect for people with anxiety and depression.
6. Beagle
The Beagle is a friendly and curious dog that is highly energetic, attentive to the surroundings, and adaptable. It has a happy-go-lucky attitude, and it is easy to train despite its stubborn streak.
Members of the breed are small to medium, with short and often tri-colored coats that must be brushed weekly and have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. The Beagle’s body is sturdy, the head is broad, and the ears are long and houndy.
Beagles are ESA dogs because they are capable of sensing emotions and are happy to provide support. The breed’s mindfulness inspires owners to be diligent regarding emotional balance and self-care.
7. Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is an amusing, friendly, and bright dog with a people-oriented mindset. True to its Terrier heritage, the breed is hard-working, trainable, and adaptable, yet affectionate and gentle when needed.
Boston Terriers are small with compact but sporty bodies and a rhythmic step. The hallmark trait is the black-and-white tuxedo jacket that requires moderate grooming. Breed members live 11 to 13 years on average.
The breed’s keen sensitivity and innate ability to comfort make Boston Terriers successful ESAs. Boston Terriers are perfect for offering solace to people with emotional challenges.
8. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a bright, amusing, and friendly canine. Popularly known as the “Little Lion Dog,” the breed is highly affectionate, trainable, and perfect for apartment living. It is moderately energetic but brilliant.
The Shih Tzu’s large personality comes in a small body with a dense, flowing, and high-maintenance coat. Breed members are generally healthy and live for 10 to 18 years.
Members of the breed are ideal ESAs since they thrive on human interaction and put the owner at the center of their attention. Shih Tzus are naturally skilled at forming deep bonds with their humans.
9. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is peppy, playful, and curious. Its cheerful demeanor is paired with outstanding intelligence and adaptability. The breed is easy to train, moderately energetic, and affectionate.
Resembling a white and fluffy cloud, the Bichon Frise has a small body and a velvety coat. The coat is hypoallergenic but high maintenance. The average lifespan of the breed is around 14 to 15 years.
The impeccable social skills and eagerness shape Bichon Frise dogs into superb ESAs. Their personalities are mood lifters and serve as playful distractions to people in need of emotional support.
10. Boxer
The Boxer is a fun-loving, bright, and active dog with playful and sometimes silly antics. It is upbeat and easy-going but patient and protective. Members of this breed are trainable, affectionate, and adapt well.
The Boxer’s large body is muscular and athletic, covered with a short, fawn, or brindle coat that is easy to groom. Its wrinkled foreheads are cute, and its warm eyes beam out trustworthiness. The average lifespan of the breed is 10 to 12 years.
Boxers are first-class ESAs able to assist people with emotional and physical disabilities, such as ADHD, PTSD, and panic attacks, thanks to their eagerness to please and comfort.
What is the Most Common Dog Breed for ESA?
The most common dog breed for ESA is the Golden Retriever. The breed is the top ESA choice because it is intelligent, adaptable, and intuitive.
The Golden Retriever is the easiest dog to train for ESA because it is smart, eager to please the owner, and highly food-motivated. The ESA training is not specific but ideally includes basic commands.
The dog is the most prevalent emotional support animal, but other domesticated species qualify, such as cats and rabbits.
How to Choose the Right Dog for Emotional Support?
Choose the right dog for emotional support based on the factors listed below.
- Personal Needs: Think of individual needs, such as the underlying reason for getting an ESA, living conditions, grooming efforts, and housing accessibility.
- Size: Consider the dog’s size when making a decision. Smaller dogs are a better choice for apartment dwellers, while larger dogs require larger living arrangements.
- Temperament: The dog’s temperament is one of the most critical factors. The right emotional support dog is friendly, intuitive, and affectionate but not clingy.
- Energy Level and Trainability: An emotional support dog must be calm and easily trainable so it can learn to behave at home and in public places.
- Socialization Skills: If the dog is coming to a multi-pet household, its willingness to cohabitate with other pets is a significant consideration, as well as the ability to behave in public.
- Adaptability: An emotional support dog must be adaptable in new situations and around strangers to avoid projecting its anxiety to the owner.
- Health: Get a healthy ESA, but think about personal wellness at the same time. For example, owners with dog allergies need a hypoallergenic breed.
What Dog Breeds are Best for a Person with Disability?
The dog breeds best for a person with disability are listed below.
- Labrador Retrievers: The famous Lab is the perfect breed for blind people who need guidance. Labrador Retrievers are steady when walking on a leash and have excellent memories.
- Cockapoos: Cocker Spaniel and Poodle crosses are great for people whose anxiety qualifies as a disability. Breed members are one-person dogs that attach very closely to one individual, providing comfort and relief.
- Golden Retrievers: Golden Retrievers are naturally inclined to pick up and gently carry things in their mouths, hence being among the top ESA dog breeds for people with mobility impairments or those in wheelchairs.
- Labradoodles: The cute-looking Labrador and Poodle mix is recommended for families with autistic kids. They are excellent therapy dogs and one of the best ESA dogs.
What is the Best ESA Dog for Children?
The best ESA dog for children is the Great Pyrenees. The breed’s color, size, and fluffy coat resemble a polar bear.
Despite its robust body weight and height, the Great Pyrenees is a gentle giant. Breed members are intuitively protective of children and have excellent guiding instincts.
Other best ESA dogs for children include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, and Collies. The emotional issue warranting an ESA is a factor determining the best breed choice.
What are the Best Emotional Support Dogs for Anxiety and Depression?
The best emotional support dogs for anxiety and depression are listed below.
- Retrievers: Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers rank at the top of every ESA list and are extremely popular. Breed members offer emotional support and, if trained, help with physical tasks, like bringing items or reminding owners of medication intake.
- Standard Poodles: All Poodles are trainable, empathetic, and intuitive, which makes them perfect for anxiety and depression management. The Standard Poodle is easier to handle due to its size.
- Retriever and Poodle Mixes: Labradoodles and Goldendoodles feature the best traits of Retrievers and Poodles. The Retriever component brings steady behavior on a leash, and the Poodle element reduces shedding and allergenic potential.
- German Shepherds: The German Shepherd is the hallmark of canine intelligence and trainability. The breed is surprisingly adaptable and goes to great lengths to make its owner feel comfortable.
How do Emotional Support Dogs Help with Mental Health?
Emotional support dogs help with mental health by providing comfort, reducing loneliness, and alleviating anxiety, depression, and phobias.
Pet ownership fosters emotional connectivity, which benefits mental health, says the study, “Effect of a Companion Dog on Depression and Anxiety Levels of Elderly Residents in a Long-Term Care Facility,” published in Psychogeriatrics in 2009.
“Acquiring a pet dog has been reported to reduce both short-term and long-term self-reported loneliness,” according to a research paper “Companion Dog Acquisition and Mental Well-Being: A Community-Based Three-Arm Controlled Study” in BMC Public Health in 2019.
“Dogs can encourage the owner to engage in daily walks, play, sports, and other interactions, which are beneficial for physical, mental, and social well-being,” adds a study titled “The Role of Dogs in Maintaining Health and Quality of Life,” issued in Geosport for Society in 2023.
Pets are more efficient at calming people during high-stress situations than spouses and friends, explains research scientist Karen Allen in a study “Cardiovascular Reactivity and the Presence of Pets, Friends, and Spouses: The Truth about Cats and Dogs,” published in Psychosomatic Medicine in 2002.
The study concluded that “People perceive pets as important, supportive parts of their lives, and significant cardiovascular and behavioral benefits are associated with those perceptions.”
How to Get an Emotional Support Dog?
The instructions on how to get an emotional support dog are given below.
- Check Qualifications. Confirm whether the specific disability qualifies for ESA. The screening process takes five minutes and includes several questions. The answers are strictly confidential.
- Choose a Dog Breed. Once the ESA candidacy is confirmed, choose a dog breed that fits your needs and wants. Various dog breeds make excellent ESAs, but the ultimate choice is individual.
- Speak to an LMHP. CertaPet matches the candidate with an LMPH or licensed mental health professional working in the state. The meeting is completed easily via a telehealth appointment.
- Get an ESA Letter. A custom treatment plan and printable ESA letter are provided for all qualifying candidates. A printed version of the ESA letter is shipped to the candidate’s address upon request.
What are the Benefits of Getting an ESA Letter for your ESA Dog?
The benefits of getting an ESA letter for your ESA dog are listed below.
- Living Arrangements: The ESA letter allows owners to rent apartments, houses, and other accommodations even if they have no-pet policies.
- Pet Rent Exemption: ESAs are exempt from housing pet expenses, such as pet rent and fees, according to the Fair Housing Act.
- No Breed Restrictions: A dog with a valid ESA letter trumps breed restrictions posed by the Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) in certain states.
- Legal Protection: An ESA letter is not mandatory, however, it is the only legitimate legal protection that allows ESA owners to enjoy the above-mentioned benefits.
- Traveling with Dogs: Certain airlines permit emotional support animals to travel with their owners in the planes’ cabins.
Can a House Dog be Trained to be Emotional Support Dogs?
Yes, a house dog can be trained to be an emotional support dog. Any dog can be an emotional support dog if the owner has an ESA letter that confirms their need for an ESA as part of their care treatment plan. A licensed mental health professional has the power to write ESA letters.
Emotional support animals do not require specific ESA dog training. Basic obedience should be required, but that goes for all house dogs, not just ESAs.
Why do Emotional Support Dogs Need to be Registered?
Emotional support dogs do not need to be registered. ESA registrations have no legal value. Some owners, however, decide to register their dogs as ESAs to ensure there is a public record of their status or to purchase paraphernalia like vests and ID tags.
ESA registration is unnecessary, but getting an ESA letter is not. The ESA letter has legal value and proves a person’s disability and the need for emotional support.
Valid ESA letters allow owners to live in housing with no-pet policies, qualify for pet rent exemptions, and be able to travel with pets under certain circumstances.
No pet deposit