The best dogs for emotional support are affectionate, adaptable, and easy to train. Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels all earn top marks for affection with family in their American Kennel Club breed profiles.¹ But any breed can be an emotional support dog. What matters most is a calm, loving dog whose size and energy fit your life. Pets can help manage loneliness and depression by providing companionship, according to the CDC.²
Best Dogs for Emotional Support at a Glance
Here's how eight great emotional support breeds compare, based on their AKC breed profiles. Trait scores run from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest):¹
Breed | Size | Weight | Affectionate | Adaptability | Trainability | Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Labrador Retriever | Large | 55–80 lb | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Golden Retriever | Large | 55–75 lb | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
Standard Poodle | Large | 40–70 lb | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Medium | Up to 30 lb | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Small | 13–18 lb | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Havanese | Toy | 7–13 lb | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Bichon Frise | Small | 12–18 lb | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
French Bulldog | Small | Under 28 lb | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
What Makes a Good Emotional Support Dog?
The right emotional support dog is the one that fits your daily life. Look for:
Affection. A dog that enjoys being close to you.
A steady temperament. Calm, adaptable dogs handle changes in routine and new places well.
Trainability. Good manners make life easier at home and with neighbors.
The right size and energy. A high-energy dog needs a lot of exercise, which may not suit every lifestyle.
An adult dog's personality is easier to read than a puppy's, so adopting an adult can be a great choice. If you're older or less active, these best dogs for seniors are worth a look, too.
8 Best Emotional Support Dog Breeds
Labrador Retriever
Labs are friendly, eager to please, and great with people of all ages. They have lots of energy, so they're best for pet parents who enjoy daily walks and play.
Golden Retriever
Goldens are gentle, patient, and famously affectionate. They're a bit calmer than Labs and rarely bark, but they shed a lot and need regular exercise.¹
Standard Poodle
Standard Poodles are smart, loyal, and very trainable. Their curly coats shed little but need regular grooming.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Corgis are cheerful and loving in a sturdy, medium-sized package. They're active and can be vocal, so plenty of play and early training help.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavaliers are sweet, gentle lap dogs that love to snuggle. They're happy with moderate exercise, which makes them a good fit for many homes.
Havanese
Havanese are cheerful, social, and adapt easily to new places, including small apartments. Learn more about apartment-friendly dogs.
Bichon Frise
Bichons are playful and affectionate, with a low-shedding coat. They have more energy than their size suggests, so plan for daily play.
French Bulldog
Frenchies are calm, quiet, and devoted to their people. Their flat faces make them sensitive to heat, so keep walks short on warm days.
What Is the Difference Between an Emotional Support Dog and a Service Dog?
An emotional support dog provides comfort just by being with you. A service dog is individually trained to do specific tasks related to a person's disability. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, emotional support dogs aren't considered service animals, according to the ADA's service animal FAQs.⁴ That means they don't have the same right to go into stores, restaurants, and other public places. Some state and local laws do allow emotional support animals in public, so check your local rules.
Therapy dogs are different, too. They visit hospitals, schools, and nursing homes to comfort many people, not just one person. For tips on being around working dogs, see our guide to service dog etiquette.
How Do You Get an Emotional Support Dog?
You don't need a special breed or a professionally trained dog. According to the American Kennel Club, emotional support dogs aren't trained for specific tasks, and a mental health professional must prescribe the ESA.³ Here's how it usually works:
Talk to a licensed health care professional. If they agree an emotional support animal would help you, they can write a letter for you.
Know your housing rights. The Fair Housing Act requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, which can include an emotional support animal. In 2025, HUD withdrew its earlier guidance on assistance animals, so check your state and local rules.⁵
Plan for travel. Since January 2021, airlines haven't been required to accommodate emotional support animals, and many treat them as pets.
Skip online registries. Certificates and registrations sold online don't give you any rights under the ADA.⁴
An emotional support dog can be a wonderful companion, but it isn't a substitute for mental health care. Keep working with your health care provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any dog be an emotional support dog?
Yes. There's no breed, size, or age requirement for an emotional support dog. What matters is that your dog is well-behaved and that a licensed health care professional agrees an emotional support animal would help you. Many pet parents choose affectionate, calm breeds, but a loving mixed-breed dog from a shelter can be a great emotional support dog, too.
Do emotional support dogs need special training?
No. Emotional support dogs aren't trained to perform specific tasks the way service dogs are.³ Still, basic manners matter. Your dog should be house-trained, walk well on a leash, and stay calm around neighbors and visitors. A well-behaved dog makes it easier to live in shared housing and helps everyone feel comfortable.
Can my landlord charge a pet deposit for an emotional support dog?
It depends on where you live. Fair housing rules require reasonable accommodations for assistance animals, and some states have their own rules on pet deposits and pet rent for them. Because rules vary and federal guidance changed in 2025, check your state's fair housing agency or a local tenant resource, and talk with your landlord before you move in.
Can I bring my emotional support dog on a plane?
Usually only as a pet. Airlines aren't required to treat emotional support animals as service animals, so most follow their regular pet policies. Small dogs may be able to fly in a carrier under the seat for a fee, while larger dogs may need to travel as cargo or stay home. Check your airline's pet policy before you book.
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American Kennel Club. "Dog Breeds" breed profiles (Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Poodle (Standard), Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Havanese, Bichon Frise, French Bulldog). AKC, updated 2026. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "About Pets and Your Health." CDC, May 4, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/about/index.html
American Kennel Club. "Service, Working, Therapy, and Emotional Support Dogs: What's the Difference?" AKC, updated April 8, 2024. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/service-working-therapy-emotional-support-dogs/
U.S. Department of Justice. "Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA." ADA.gov. https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "Notification of Withdrawal of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Guidance Documents." Federal Register, April 6, 2026. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/06/2026-06624/notification-of-withdrawal-of-fair-housing-and-equal-opportunity-guidance-documents
