The Best Small Dog Breeds That Are Great for Emotional Support

For people with emotional or mental challenges, having an emotional support dog keeps them emotionally stable and helps them in their everyday lives.

Dogs are known to be great and loyal companions. They allow us to become more active and reduce our stress levels, but some people need dogs that are more than just companions. Those suffering from anxiety, PTSD, depression, and other mental conditions need emotional support animals (ESA) as a natural form of therapy that will help them function normally.

Dogs are the most common emotional support animals because they are attuned to human emotions and provide unconditional affection. Emotional support dogs can vary in breed and size, but if you want cute dogs that can easily be carried or are suited for small apartments, small-sized dogs are great for you!

Here are seven of the best small dog breeds to consider based on their personality and grooming.

1. Maltese

Maltese dogs are known for their long silky white coats and big expressive eyes. They’re very loyal and they enjoy playtime as much as they love being cozy on your lap. As support animals, they’re always nearby and will soothe you with some lick and snuggle. If you want a long-coated Maltese, you will need to brush it occasionally but you can always clip the coat short for easier maintenance.

2. Corgi

Corgis constantly need activity, and they have very high alertness. Their protective and friendly personality makes them very good ESA candidates. Their playful characteristics and cute behaviors can lessen your negative emotions. Grooming them can be quite a hassle since they’re heavy shedders.

3. Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are one of the smallest breeds of dogs but they have a very large personality. They’re very loyal and very protective (sometimes overprotective) of their parents. Long-haired and short-haired chihuahuas are moderate shedders but the long-haired ones need frequent brushing, especially during their shedding season which is usually during spring or fall.

4. Dachshund

Also known as sausage dogs, the dachshunds are long-bodied and short-legged breeds. Because they’re bred as hunters, they're very courageous and vigilant. People with depression may be affected by the playful and active personality of dachshunds. Grooming them will not be a problem as most dachshunds have short coats and do not tend to shed.

5. Shih Tzu

Aside from their charming eyes and tiny faces, Shih Tzus have attracted many people because of their jolly and friendly personalities. They’re great emotional support animals because they crave their owner's attention and they're relatively calm and relaxed. Occasional brushing is required when maintaining the long flowing coat of Shih Tzus but you can also keep their coat short to avoid frequent maintenance.

6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

If you want an affectionate and gentle lap buddy, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is just the right one for you. Because of their adaptability, these breeds can be playful or relaxed depending on their owner’s needs. However, they are heavy shedders so you may find hairs on your couch or your sheets.

7. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a great emotional support dog for allergy-prone individuals due to its hypo-allergenic coats. This breed is very affectionate, cheerful, easily trained, and alert to strangers. Bichons also hardly shed so they can be brushed just two to three times a week.

Conclusion

Each of these small furry friends has unique features and personalities, so make sure you find the most compatible with you and your needs! Although they have a small size, they may develop some negative behaviors, which is why proper training and socializing are necessary.