The Best Emotional Support Dog Breeds For Anxiety

There is hardly anything as comforting as the presence of a loved furry one around, especially when a random bout of anxiety hits you.

1 in 13 people all over the world suffers from a form of anxiety. This number is only climbing up with every passing year. Anxiety is highly detrimental to the day to day lives that each of us aims to lead. There are medicines like Prozac and Vicodin that can help control the symptoms, but even those carry with them the risk of addiction.

It has been scientifically proven that the companionship of pets is good for one's mental health. This happens because the interaction that takes place between human and animals activates the oxytocin system. It is the hormone responsible for social bonding. This bond makes life that much better.

So, here are the best emotional support dog breeds for anxiety.

Labrador Retrievers

These dogs are the best at almost anything they attempt. So, it should not be a surprise that they are the first entries to this list. There is almost no other dog that is as loving as a lab is, and if we are counting that number there almost none who are as gentle. No matter what you are suffering from, this dog has the skills to help you. This is why they are also one of the most popular service animals.

They make amazing ESA's due to their gentle demeanor and intelligence.

Golden Retriever

These close cousins to the Labradors have quite a few shared qualities. It is said that if you ever want to make friends take cues from a golden retriever. The way they carry themselves ensures that there are smiles all around when they enter a room.

The three traits that make them great ESA's are that they are calm, compatible, and compliant. This holy trinity makes them reliable and ideal companions.

Great Danes

If you suffer from anxiety these calm, confident dogs are an excellent fit. They are well mannered and friendly, which makes them great companions. The only thing that one needs to take care of is that they are a little big and need space to roam about and rest.

Discounting their size, they are highly affectionate and provide unparalleled companionship.

Yorkshire Terriers

Don't let their tiny stature fool you. These dogs pack quite the punch. They are highly intelligent and have a tendency to form very strong bonds with their owners, which makes them great ESA's. They are often described as tomboyish and are at their happiest when they are receiving a lot of attention from their owners.

Pugs

These aren't the right fit for everyone, but if you are one of those people who like them, then you are in for a treat. They are one of the most entertaining breeds out there with a natural instinct driving them to make people feel better. They get along with all kinds of people and are also great with children.

So, if you are suffering from anxiety, get one of these dog breed's home. I'm sure you will not regret it.