The canine world is full of loyal, affectionate, and gentle-natured dogs for you to own. However, certain dog breeds have the innate ability to provide emotional support and bring you out of your dark times with their affectionate nature.
Dogs with high emotional intelligence can sense your mood, respond to your energy, and adjust their behavior in accordance with your mood. These emotional support animals have a remarkable trait of creating strong emotional bonds with their owners.
Whether you’re having a rough day, are going through a dark phase of your life, need some quiet time, or are happy and excited about something, these emotional support dog breeds create an emotional attunement that allows them to be on the same page as you.
Let’s explore the 7 best dogs that show high emotional intelligence and provide emotional support to their owners.
Emotionally Intelligent Dog Breeds
1. Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are known to be the most affectionate breed with a gentle temperament. These are the first breed that comes to mind when we talk about emotional support dogs.
These emotional support animals are not only good at picking up emotional cues but are also great therapy dogs who are highly trainable to understand their owners’ feelings.
Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and know when you’re upset or anxious. They pick up cues from your body language and respond appropriately. These friendly dogs respond with comforting cuddles, a gentle nudge with their nose, or simply lying quietly next to you or on your lap.
Their calm and patient demeanor makes them the perfect therapy and support dogs, capable of forming the best emotional connections, which keeps them aligned with their owner’s emotional states.
2. Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are known for their sweet and gentle temperament, which makes them look like they’re built for being empathetic. Without a doubt, these dogs are affectionate, sensitive, and great at providing emotional support by understanding their owners’ feelings.
This breed thrives when it comes to emotional intelligence. They were originally bred as sporting dogs, which shows their high energy levels. These dogs are highly responsive, and their devotion makes them ideal human companions.
They are great at picking up on emotions like sadness or distress and responding appropriately. Their ability to provide comfort, create strong attachments, and provide companionship shows how smart they are.
3. Australian Shepherd
They were originally bred as working dogs because of their great focus, but they have a very sensitive heart, which depicts their ability to respond to their owner’s emotional states. As per PetMD, Australian Shepherds are known for their sharp intelligence and natural herding instincts.
These herding dogs are great at human companionship as they sync with their owners’ moods and feelings perfectly. They comfort and support their owners when they’re feeling low, or might even respond with their joyful energy to cheer you up.
Australian Shepherds are also great at being rescue dogs. Their intelligence allows them to be highly trainable and adaptable. Their desire to help and protect is what makes them a great emotional support dog breed.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an adorable little animal with an enormous heart, which makes them highly empathetic and shows emotional intelligence. This service dog is incredible and is attuned with their owner’s emotions.
Cavalier King Charles is bred for being a lap dog who senses if their owner is sad, upset, or stressed about something and responds with comforting gestures like cuddling and gently resting their head on your lap.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very adaptable, and because of this, they get along with changing environments very well. According to the American Kennel Club, they are excellent companions for children and adults, and also have a friendly behavior with strangers.
They don’t have to do much as their constant companionship and heart-melting face is all an owner needs to feel supported.
5. Poodle
Puppy-dog face along with high emotional intelligence. This is the perfect example of a Poodle. Poodles are not just pretty-faced dogs, but are known for their intelligence and intuitive nature, which helps them create strong bonds with their owners.
These emotional support dogs come in Miniature toy size and a Standard size, but no matter the size, these dogs are highly responsive to human emotions, as per PetPlan.
If you’re in a good mood, they will stay playful and highly energetic. However, if you’re sad, upset, or visibly quiet, they will read your body language and respond with a quiet and calm demeanor.
Their adaptability makes them great therapy dogs. All they want in return are nutritional treats and food that keeps their bellies full and hearts happy.
6. Border Collie
Border Collies also come under the top dog breeds with high emotional intelligence. These dogs are great at observing and understanding human emotions and are highly responsive to body language, facial expressions, and energy shifts.
Unlike Goldies, they might not instantly react and respond; however, they take their time to analyze the situation and pay close attention to behavioral changes.
You might even feel that the Border Collie is looking at you like they want to communicate with you. They’re trying to figure out how they can help you in the given situation.
Border Collies as emotional support dogs are a great breed for owners who want an intelligent and alert breed.
7. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are great, loyal protectors. These large dogs are known for their loyalty and highly protective nature. Not just this, they are great emotional support dogs who form unshakeable bonds and emotional connections with their owners.
German Shepherds have been equipped as great service dogs because of their alert and protective nature.
They are quick to gauge human behaviors and respond appropriately. They pick up cues like stress, anxiety, or sadness and react gently. Their companionship is no less than a gold mine for humans, as they handle all emotions very well.
This breed is also well suited for police work because of such intelligence that they showcase.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you’re looking for pets that have a comforting presence and can form deep connections with you, then these 7 dog breeds are the best ones you can choose from. Each breed brings its unique traits to the table, which makes them a great choice for providing emotional support.
When choosing a pet with emotional intelligence, you must keep all the above points in mind to help you make a wise decision. These pets take care of us in all these wonderful ways, and that is why owners must also focus on their health. These dogs not only live in your homes but also make their place in your heart.
