Best Dogs for Anxiety – 12 Emotional Support Dog Breeds

Emotional support dogs can help people who have anxiety. Dogs provide unconditional love, think the world of you, and become your best companion. For people with any form of anxiety, having a dog can make a huge difference, especially in mental health. The best dogs for anxiety can keep you smiling or laughing. Dogs are lifelong partners that can provide emotional support, ease anxiety, and alleviate depression.

Many people live with anxiety every day. There are two kinds of anxiety. The most common type is considered mild anxiety. Anxious individuals may feel tense, uncomfortable, dizzy, or experience vertigo. The other condition is more severe, where it can be pretty debilitating and require medication. Either way, it is normal to feel anxiety occasionally. Anxiety is part of being human. However, anxiety should not consume your life. Anxiety is debilitating when you cannot function properly and live with fear.

Having a dog as a companion can greatly benefit your anxiety, relieve stress, and provide emotional support. These animals can become crucial partners for your mental health recovery. A dog can make you forget your problems as you look into their big, loving eyes. 

Here are the 12 best dogs for anxiety and depression:

12 Best Dogs for Anxiety

• Golden Retrievers
• Chihuahuas
• German Shepherds
• Basset Hounds
• Bulldogs
• Labradors
• Poodles
• Miniature Schnauzers
• Bichon Frises
• Pugs
• Border Collies
• Yorkshire Terriers

Best Emotional Support Dog Breeds for Anxiety

Golden Retrievers

The Golden Retriever is one of the best dogs for anxiety. Golden Retrivers are beautiful, large, and powerful dogs. They are also very intelligent, playful and loving. This dog breed requireq exercise and proper grooming. It is an excellent emotional support dog breed for someone with anxiety, as you spend a lot of quality time with your Golden Retriever. They have kind, smiling faces which can fill you with joy. Science has already proven that dogs are good for your health. 

Golden Retrievers have a high energy level and are also quite easy to train. You need to brush them regularly. This time spent with your Golden Retriever puppies will make you strengthen your bond. This breed is also a therapy dog and can provide great emotional support. The Golden Retriever is probably one of the best breeds for someone with anxiety.

Many Golden Retriever owners adore their dogs’ kind, loving faces. Golden Retrievers are an easygoing breed and have a very good temperament. Whether you have anxiety, this breed will make a great choice. Golden Retrievers are smart and very loving. It is also an incredibly popular breed in North America. They can be quite calm. In fact, Golden Retrievers are excellent for people who suffer from depression.

Chihuahuas

Chihuahuas are excellent dogs for anxiety. Since this dog breed is so small, you can spend a lot of time carrying them everywhere. Chihuahuas can accompany you on your lap. Also, you may snuggle up to them whenever you need a moment of emotional support. Playing with chihuahuas will help your anxiety levels and relieve a lot of stress.

Chihuahuas are low-maintenance dogs that do not require too much grooming. However, grooming them can help with bonding between the owner and the animal. Chihuahuas will most likely follow you everywhere you go. Your little Chihuahua will make sure to take away the anxiety as you spend your time with them. After all, they are so cute!

German Shepherds

The German Shepherd is one of the best emotional support dog breeds for anxiety and depression. This animal is an intelligent, beautiful and majestic-looking dog. If you have one already trained, you will feel safer in your home and when you go outside.

German Shepherds are well-known for accompanying the police, military and other law enforcement organizations. German Shepherds are big, powerful dogs that can relieve your anxiety and stress. They are also playful, so they will keep you busy. Spending time with a German Shepherd will allow you to forget a lot of your troubles.

Basset Hounds

The Basset Hound is a good dog for anxiety. This medium-sized dog breed tends to be good-natured. The animals have long, floppy ears and sad eyes that make you fall in love with them. Basset Hounds can be quite vocal and talkative. These dogs talk by barking. Even if you don’t understand what they are saying, it can be comforting and reassuring to hear their voices.

The Basset Hound breed is easygoing and gets along with anyone, including adults, children and other animals. They are quite bulky, heavy dogs. However, this breed does need lots of exercises, ideal for dog owners who love being active. Work with your Basset Hound breeders to raise a puppy from infancy, developing a close bond that will last for years.

Bulldogs

A bulldog is one of the best dogs for anxiety. Despite their fearsome look, bulldogs can be sweet and gentle. This dog breed does not require a great deal of exercise. Bulldogs be happy to snuggle up with you every night. They will stay by your feet if you prefer not to go out anywhere, especially during a difficult day with anxiety.

Bulldogs are the perfect dog to chill at home with. They do need their exercise and walks, as do all dogs. Some bulldogs require less, but please make sure to give them some exercise. You can play with them at home. They’ll keep you in stitches.

Labradors

Labradors are the best emotional support dogs for anxiety and depression. Sometimes, these therapy animals are taken to hospitals to give comfort to patients. These dogs have often been described as gentle giants. Labradors have a wonderful disposition. The dogs may look like they are not playful, but they are! You may also think Labradors may not want to sit on your lap, but they do!

Labradors are great to train because this intelligent dog breed learns fast. They may grow attuned to your feelings, keeping you company during lonely days. It can be incredibly comforting to have a Labrador companion giving you cuddles. Due to their decent lifespan, Labradors make excellent dogs for seniors and retirees. 

Poodles

Poodles are excellent dogs for emotional support. This dog breed comes in various sizes. The good thing about poodles is they do not shed a lot. Although they look cute, many people may not realize that poodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds. They can be very obedient.

A poodle has excellent temperament. Their docile personality helps make training a lot easier than some other breeds. You won’t get frustrated easily as you spend time with your poodles. They make excellent choices for someone with anxiety and stress.

Miniature Schnauzers

Miniature Schnauzers are very affectionate and cute dogs. They are intelligent, adapting to training easily. Miniature Schnauzers make great companions, so they can help reduce your anxiety.

This dog breed has a strong will, so you must show that you have what it takes to train them. You need to be confident. Keep repeating and reward them when they do it correctly. This time spent training them will increase the bond, keeping you preoccupied from your bouts of anxiety.

Bichon Frises

The Bichon Frise is one of the best emotional support dog breeds. A Bichon Frise is loving, cuddly, and carry jovial personalities. These dogs are playful, intent on making you smile and laugh. Playing with a Bichon Frise will keep you busy, smiling and laughing every day.

A Bichon Frise is easy to handle and care at home. These animals will go wherever you go. Sit at the computer, and they are by your feet. Lie down in bed, and you’ll notice a white fluff ball of love next to you within a second.

Pugs

Pugs are excellent dogs for emotional support. Dog owners will quickly fall in love with these adorable little guys. Pugs are stocky and powerfully built, yet they are absolute sweethearts beneath their exteriors. They make excellent snuggling buddies. They are also very affectionate, as you will find out for yourself!

Pugs can be naughty, so don’t be fooled by that innocent look. That’s what you want! They can help calm down your anxiety levels and boost your mood. Some pugs may be a bit difficult to train. However, those long hours of training can take your mind off whatever is troubling you.

Border Collies

The Border Collie is considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds, making them easy to train. They are also emotionally intelligent and can sense when their dog owners are feeling depressed. These animals will go out of their ways to keep you company.

Border Collies are very energetic dogs. You will be preoccupied playing or entertaining these animals daily. Since you will spend lots of time with Border Collies, they can provide a welcome distraction to your anxiety. Interestingly, Border Collies are excellent on farms! People overseas use this breed as working dogs on farms. They can round up animals and herd them together, making it easier for the farmer.

Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkshire Terriers are the best dogs for anxiety. This dog breeds come with an exuberant personality! The Yorkie is a little dog that is so incredibly cuddly and cute. If you have anxiety issues, the Yorkie can help to calm you down. One look into those eyes and that hairy little face will make you forget all of your troubles.

Yorkshire Terriers can leave you in stitches with their cuteness overload. Laughter is the best medicine, especially for anxiety and depression. If you have anxiety, the Yorkshire Terrier should be one breed to consider.

Best Dogs for Anxiety FAQ