15 Ultimate Calm Dog Breeds That Make The Best Emotional Support Dogs

Golden Retrievers are one of the most well-known breeds for emotional support, and for good reason. Their calm demeanor, loyalty, and intuitive nature make them ideal companions for those needing emotional assistance. Golden Retrievers are extremely in tune with their owner’s feelings, and they thrive on providing affection and comfort. Their patient temperament ensures that they are gentle and non-judgmental, always ready to offer companionship when their human needs it the most. They are consistently eager to please and are highly trainable, making them excellent support dogs.

Labrador Retriever

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Labrador Retrievers are another fantastic breed for emotional support, known for their loving, calm, and friendly demeanor. They are incredibly intuitive and can sense when their owner is feeling down, providing comfort simply by being close. With a natural inclination to connect with people, Labradors offer a soothing presence and are excellent for easing anxiety and stress. Their affectionate nature and ease of training make them a top choice for emotional support, offering unconditional love without overwhelming their owners. Their playful and friendly personalities can also help bring joy to those they assist.

Bernese Mountain Dog

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Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle giants with a calm and patient temperament, making them ideal emotional support dogs. Their loving and affectionate nature makes them a great choice for providing comfort to those experiencing stress or anxiety. These dogs are intuitive, and their calm demeanor helps ground their owners during times of emotional distress. Despite their large size, Bernese Mountain Dogs have a deep sense of empathy and will stick close to their humans, providing both physical and emotional support. Their loyalty and gentleness are key traits that make them excellent companions.

Basset Hound

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Basset Hounds may not be the first breed that comes to mind for emotional support, but their calm and laid-back nature makes them perfect for those in need of companionship. These dogs are known for their sweet and low-key demeanor, offering their owners a sense of peace and serenity. Basset Hounds are very loyal and can be counted on to provide comfort during stressful times. Their natural patience and easygoing personality ensure they are always by your side, ready to offer a comforting presence when needed most.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the most affectionate and gentle small dog breeds, making them perfect emotional support companions. Their calm, loving nature and strong desire to be with their owners make them an excellent choice for those in need of emotional care. They love to snuggle and be close to their people, offering comfort and companionship in times of stress. Their sweet and adaptable personalities allow them to thrive in various environments, providing a sense of emotional stability to those who need it most.

Shih Tzu

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Shih Tzus are known for their affectionate and easygoing nature, which makes them great emotional support dogs. Their calm temperament and love of being around people allow them to offer the comfort and reassurance their owners need. Shih Tzus are also very intuitive and can sense when their owners are feeling anxious or upset. They are gentle and non-intrusive, providing a steady and calming presence without overwhelming their owners. Their small size and affectionate nature make them perfect for those looking for a loyal companion to provide emotional support.

French Bulldog

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Despite their small size, French Bulldogs have a big heart and are fantastic emotional support dogs. Their calm and laid-back demeanor allows them to provide a sense of tranquility for those in need of emotional assistance. French Bulldogs are known for their affectionate nature and enjoy being close to their humans, offering comfort when needed. Their funny, sweet, and even-tempered personalities make them perfect for emotional support, as they are both soothing and uplifting without demanding too much attention. Their compact size also makes them ideal for apartment living, where space is limited.

English Bulldog

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English Bulldogs are another calm breed that excels as emotional support dogs. Their easygoing nature and relaxed attitude make them perfect companions for people who may struggle with anxiety or stress. Bulldogs have a loving, loyal disposition, always ready to provide comfort simply by being close. Their steady and patient temperament ensures they provide consistent support without being overwhelming. English Bulldogs are also highly intuitive and can often sense their owner’s emotional needs, offering just the right amount of affection and companionship to help ease difficult moments.

Great Dane

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Great Danes are enormous but surprisingly calm and gentle, which makes them perfect emotional support dogs. Despite their size, Great Danes are known for their affectionate and patient behavior. They thrive on human companionship and enjoy providing comfort to their owners. Their calm demeanor helps soothe anxiety, and their strong bond with their owners makes them a reliable source of emotional support. Though they may take up a lot of space, their loving, quiet nature makes them surprisingly great companions for emotional assistance.

Samoyed

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Samoyeds are known for their happy-go-lucky nature and strong bond with their families. Their calm, gentle demeanor and love of being around people make them ideal emotional support dogs. They are highly social and love to provide comfort and companionship to those in need. Samoyeds are intuitive and can sense their owner’s mood, offering affection and attention when their human needs it most. Their playful personality helps lift spirits, while their soft, calming presence provides comfort during stressful or overwhelming times.

Tibetan Mastiff

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Tibetan Mastiffs are large, protective dogs with a surprisingly calm and loving nature. They are extremely loyal to their families and form strong emotional bonds with their owners. Despite their size, Tibetan Mastiffs are very patient and enjoy being close to their human companions, providing them with emotional support. Their quiet and calm presence can have a soothing effect, and they are intuitive enough to sense when their owner needs comfort. The combination of their gentle nature and strong loyalty makes them excellent emotional support companions.

Border Collie

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Border Collies are known for their intelligence and agility, but they are also incredibly sensitive and loving dogs. Their ability to sense their owner’s emotions and respond with calming affection makes them excellent emotional support dogs. Border Collies are highly empathetic and tend to form strong bonds with their owners. Their gentle nature, coupled with their intelligence, allows them to provide comfort during stressful times. Whether through their calming presence or intuitive understanding of their owner’s needs, Border Collies excel as emotional support dogs.

Pug

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Pugs are small but mighty when it comes to providing emotional support. Their affectionate and funny personalities help lighten the mood and bring joy to their owners. Pugs have a calm demeanor and are incredibly loyal, often sensing when their owners need comfort. They’re great lap dogs and will happily snuggle up with their humans for comfort and warmth. Pugs are perfect for those in need of emotional support, as their gentle, loving nature and humorous antics can help alleviate stress and anxiety.

Havanese

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The Havanese is a small, cheerful dog that brings warmth and comfort to its owner. With their affectionate, playful nature, Havanese dogs offer emotional support through their calming presence and desire to be close to their family. They have a soothing, easy-going demeanor that helps reduce anxiety and stress. Their gentle personalities make them ideal for those seeking a low-maintenance, emotionally supportive dog. Whether curled up beside their owner or gently nuzzling for attention, Havanese dogs excel at providing emotional comfort.

Clumber Spaniel

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The Clumber Spaniel is a calm, laid-back breed with a gentle temperament that makes them ideal for emotional support. They have a patient, affectionate nature and are often in tune with their owner’s feelings, offering silent companionship when needed. Despite their low-energy lifestyle, Clumber Spaniels enjoy being with their families and will happily stay by their side to offer comfort. Their affectionate and non-demanding nature helps reduce stress and anxiety, providing a stable and loving presence for those in need of emotional support.

The Couch Potato Squad

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Sometimes, big dogs may feel like they can’t offer the same emotional support as smaller breeds, but their hearts are just as big. Their calming presence is often exactly what’s needed to provide comfort and stability. While they may take up more space, they also take up more of your heart, proving that size doesn’t matter when it comes to offering unconditional love and emotional support. These gentle giants can be the perfect companions to help soothe anxiety and provide emotional relief.