Dogs are some of the best companions that you can choose for emotional support animal (ESA) work. They’re loyal, friendly, and responsive to human emotions. While this may be the case, that doesn’t mean that every dog breed makes a suitable ESA. For example, a husky may be a little too much for some people, whereas a Labrador retriever might be the sweet spot.
The good news is that we’re here to make your life easy, especially when it comes to choosing an ESA dog. So, stick around and read on to discover the best ESA dogs.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
How are you going to choose what emotional support dog breed you need if you don’t know what an ESA is? Simply put, an ESA is a support animal that helps people who struggle with mental health disorders. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, or even chronic stress, ESAs help people manage their symptoms through their presence and companionship.
Now, emotional support animals are not service dogs. They’re not granted public access rights and are only protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This means they can only accompany you in your home.
Emotional support animals don’t need any training, but you will need to obtain an ESA letter. If you need help with getting a valid ESA letter, consider working with US Service Animals for quality service and support.
The 4 Best ESA Dogs
Every dog can be an emotional support animal, and a lot of choosing the right breed comes down to your unique needs. That said, some dog breeds are better suited to the role than others. To help you narrow down your options, we cover the best ESA dogs below.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
If you’re looking for a laid-back dog breed who will also cuddle up with you, the cavalier King Charles spaniel has your back. They’re small, affectionate, loyal, and relatively easy to care for.
That said, if you prefer large dogs, you may want to consider a Labrador retriever instead (aka our next top contender). However, you can’t go wrong with a cavalier King Charles spaniel for apartments and other smaller housing situations.
Labrador Retriever
Dealing with depression or anxiety? The Labrador retriever can help improve your mood due to their desire to play, cheer you up, and spend time with you. Labrador retrievers are also trainable and easy to care for. Plus, their high energy levels make them ideal for long walks too.
While Labrador retrievers may be great, they’re a little too big for most apartments. You’ll also need to have plenty of time to walk, train, and play with them each day.
Golden Retriever
Another great medium-sized dog for emotional support work is the golden retriever. This is due to the fact that they’re able to recognize human emotions well, and their happy, loving attitude can brighten your mood when you need it the most.
Golden retrievers are almost as energetic as Labrador retrievers, so if you want a playful and interactive breed, the golden retriever is the right choice. Of course, if you live in an apartment or don’t have a lot of time to spend with them, you may want to consider a cavalier King Charles spaniel or a Yorkshire terrier instead.
Yorkshire Terrier
If you need a reliable emotional support dog that’s small enough to live in a studio apartment without giving you any issues, let us introduce you to the Yorkshire terrier, or Yorkie.
These dogs are intuitive, smart, and trainable, which makes them a good choice for emotional support animal work. Yorkies can also recognize when you need support, and they tend to be a good mix of playfulness, affection, and reassuring bravery.
Still, Yorkies aren’t for everyone. They can be stubborn and may bark often, so if you don’t have time to train them, you may want to consider a more biddable dog like the Lab.
Our Final Thoughts on the Best ESA Dogs
At the end of the day, the best ESA dogs vary based on your unique needs. Sure, we covered a lot of great breeds in this guide, like the Labrador retriever and Yorkshire terrier, but don’t limit yourself to them.
As long as you understand the unique needs and traits of a breed you plan on working with, any dog can be the right ESA for you.
