10 Best Service Dog Breeds for PTSD and Anxiety
The best service dog breeds for PTSD and anxiety are the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Standard Poodle and the Pit Bull, with Border Collies, Boxers, Great Danes, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Pomeranians close behind. What makes any of them a good psychiatric service dog is a calm, steady temperament, a close bond with their handler and the ability to learn specific tasks, not the breed name alone. Below we compare all 10 breeds, explain what a PTSD or anxiety service dog actually does, and cover how service dogs, emotional support dogs and therapy dogs differ.
Well-trained service dogs are like four-legged heroes. They’re invaluable allies for a variety of mental, emotional, and physical health challenges.
Here at Bully Max, we know that many of you are also nothing short of heroic. We have a lot of customers who are veterans facing PTSD and other challenges.
Because service dogs can have such a positive impact on their owners’ quality of life, we decided to put together this guide to help you decide what breed of service dog is right for your unique needs.
From emotional support to medical response, from wheelchair assistance to hearing dogs for the deaf, there are a lot of different roles and jobs that service dogs can take on.
Let’s have a look at the different types of support dogs and find out the easiest dog breeds to train to be a service dog. We’ll also talk about what traits and breeds are best suited for the job.
What is a Service Dog?
A lot of people with disabilities use a service dog to better function and participate in everyday life. The ADA’s definition of a service dog is a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. The tasks the dog performs must be directly related to the person’s disability. That includes psychiatric service dogs trained to help with conditions such as PTSD and anxiety.
Comfort alone does not make a dog a service dog under the ADA. The dog has to be trained to perform a specific task, such as interrupting a panic attack or guiding its handler out of a crowded space.
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Different Types of Service Dogs
Though you may hear people lump them all together, support dogs actually fall into 3 different categories (with some overlap here and there). You have therapy dogs, emotional support dogs, and service dogs. They do different jobs, and the law treats them differently.
Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs help to relax people who are experiencing stress and anxiety. The best therapy dogs can really brighten a room and help those around them to feel more peaceful.
Therapy dogs are generally used to calm down other people, not the owner of the dog. You will often see them spreading their love at nursing homes and assisted living centers. Therapy dogs also visit hospitals to comfort patients and stressed-out visitors. You may even see them comforting travelers at airports, or visiting schools and libraries.
Therapy work usually falls into three types: therapeutic visitation (the most common, where dog and owner visit hospitals, schools and care homes), animal-assisted therapy (where a therapist uses the dog as part of a treatment plan, for example in rehabilitation), and facility therapy dogs that live or work at one site, such as a nursing home.
Emotional Support Dogs
Emotional support dogs help their owners cope with emotional difficulties, such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, simply through their presence and companionship. An emotional support dog does not need task training.
Dogs have a beautiful innocence to them, and the natural companionship of an emotional support dog can be a real comfort to people dealing with mental or emotional trauma. If a dog is trained to recognize a panic attack or traumatic episode and respond with a specific task, such as deep pressure or nudging its owner, it is doing the work of a psychiatric service dog rather than an emotional support dog.
Service Dogs
Service dogs are trained to carry out important tasks for people with disabilities. These tasks vary from helping to guide a blind owner down the street to alerting a deaf owner of important sounds such as fire alarms, doorbells, and ringing telephones.
It’s amazing, really, that certain dogs can be trained to assist their owners in so many different ways. Good service dogs can help those in wheelchairs with daily tasks like opening doors, and diabetic alert dogs are trained to signal changes in their owner’s blood sugar by scent.
Of the 3 types of support dogs, service dogs are offered the most legal protection through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As a result, people with service dogs can generally take them into places open to the public, such as stores and restaurants. A business can only ask a dog to leave if it is out of control and the handler doesn’t take effective action, or if it isn’t housebroken.
Service Dog vs. Emotional Support Dog vs. Therapy Dog
| Service dog | Emotional support dog | Therapy dog | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it helps | Its disabled handler | Its owner | Other people |
| Training | Trained to perform specific tasks | No task training required | Good manners and temperament, usually tested |
| Public access (ADA) | Yes | No | No, only where invited |
| Housing | Yes | Generally yes, as an assistance animal under the Fair Housing Act | No special rights |
| Air travel | Yes, under airline service animal rules | Airlines no longer have to accept them | No special rights |
Rules can change and vary by state. Check the ADA service animal FAQ and your airline or landlord for current requirements.
What Does a PTSD or Anxiety Service Dog Do?
A psychiatric service dog is trained to perform tasks that ease the symptoms of its handler’s condition. Common examples include:
- Deep pressure therapy: lying across the handler’s lap or chest to help them calm down during a panic or anxiety episode.
- Interrupting: nudging, pawing or licking to break up a flashback, nightmare or repetitive behavior.
- Creating space: standing in front of or behind the handler in a crowd or line.
- Guiding out: leading the handler to an exit or a quiet place when they feel overwhelmed.
- Grounding and reminders: prompting the handler at set times, or turning on lights when they come home.
These tasks call for a dog that is calm in public, bonds closely with one person and enjoys working. Those are the traits to look for first.
Top Traits to Look For in Service Dogs
Let’s have a closer look at some of the common traits that all good service dogs should have.
Friendly Nature
It’s important that your service dog be friendly and not overly protective.
Sometimes your dog will be required to navigate through crowded and potentially loud and chaotic environments. It’s important for your service dog to maintain composure and not get distracted while around other people and animals.
Strong Desire to Help
Some dogs, depending on their breed, have a strong drive to help out and be put to work. Some of the other cute canines out there, well, not so much.
This is not always a big deal if you’re seeking an emotional support dog. However, if you’re looking for a service dog—which will be required to help out with crucial tasks on a regular basis—it’s important to select a dog with a strong desire to help.
Bonds Emotionally
You want a dog that will form a strong emotional bond with its owner. You and your service dog will depend on each other, and it’s important to choose a dog you can rely on.
Some dog breeds have a more independent nature. You wouldn’t want a pup that is overly protective, but it is important to select a breed that forms a strong bond with its owner.
Calm Behavior
Service or support dogs should be cool, calm, and collected. The best service dogs are not too excitable or reactive to other pets or people in public.
You never know how other people’s pets will behave in public settings. Good service dogs know to avoid other pets that are too hyper or distracting. Solid recall and leash manners are the foundation for all of it.
Building calm, focused behavior takes lots of short training sessions and plenty of rewards. Small, high-protein treats make it easy to mark good choices the moment they happen.
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10 Best Service Dog Breeds
There are certain traits that make particular dog breeds really stand out when it comes to helping with various emotional or physical challenges. Your specific needs will help you to determine what type of service dog breed is the best fit for you.
Here’s our list of the top 10 best service dog breeds, along with their common characteristics and the type(s) of service they typically provide.
| Breed | Size | Often used for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Retriever | Large | PTSD, emotional support, autism support | Sheds a lot |
| Pomeranian | Toy | Medical alert, apartment living | Not for mobility tasks |
| Labrador Retriever | Large | Guide, mobility, retrieving, PTSD | Needs daily exercise |
| German Shepherd | Large | Guide, psychiatric service, scent work | Needs early socialization |
| Pit Bull | Medium | Psychiatric service, emotional support | Check local housing rules for ESAs |
| Border Collie | Medium | Seizure response, alert tasks | Very high energy |
| Great Dane | Giant | Mobility and balance support | Shorter lifespan, drool |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Large | Wheelchair and mobility assistance | Heavy shedding, prefers cool climates |
| Poodle | Toy to standard | Therapy, allergen detection, PTSD | Regular grooming |
| Boxer | Medium-large | Support for children, emotional support | Needs a lot of exercise |
1. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers have a good work ethic and a calm, gentle nature. Thanks to their intelligence, they’re fast learners. Intelligence, of course, will be a recurring theme among the best service dog breeds.
They’re also very sweet, and non-intimidating for their larger size, which you may want to consider when it comes to a dog that will accompany you to all sorts of public places. Golden Retrievers are perfect for emotional therapy assistance. They are also really great with small kids and children. You won’t be surprised to hear that they are often used to assist with caring for autistic children.
Golden Retrievers are also one of the best service dog breeds for PTSD, and are often the go-to dog for veterans dealing with this condition.
One thing to keep in mind is that Golden Retrievers do shed a fair amount, so if you have allergies you may want to consider another furry friend for the job.
2. Pomeranian
As far as small service dogs go, the Pomeranian is a great option. You wouldn’t select them for tasks that require too much strength or size, but they are great for a number of support and service-related jobs, including medical alert work.
Pomeranians form strong emotional bonds with their owners and they’re very smart. Their small size can even have upsides. For example, in certain situations they can be more convenient to bring with you to public places. They also may do better than a larger dog in small apartments.
3. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for mobility service. They’re gentle and can also be quite strong. Friendly yet focused, they want to help you out in any way that they can. They’re highly intelligent, and they make versatile helpers.
Labs make excellent guide dogs, hearing dogs, and psychiatric service dogs. You won’t be surprised to hear that they also excel at retrieving objects for their owners, due to their soft mouths when fetching items.
The great thing about Labs is that they offer a wonderful balance between being calm yet driven and motivated to help.
4. German Shepherd
When you think of service dogs, German Shepherds might be the first breed to come to mind. German Shepherds check off essentially all the boxes of what makes a great service dog; they’re fast learners, intelligent, and form strong emotional bonds with their owners.
They have proven to be great guide dogs, and they have a keen sense of smell, which is useful for scent-based alert work. They even make wonderful psychiatric service dogs. Big, active shepherds also have real nutritional needs; see our guide to the best dog food for German Shepherds.
5. Pit Bulls
Pit Bulls make fantastic service and support dogs. You will be happy to hear that the unjustified stigma that used to surround Pit Bulls is finally starting to fade away. They are tremendously loving and kind animals, not to mention highly intelligent and hard-working.
They are fast learners, and when it comes to service dogs they are as versatile and as useful as it gets. Under the ADA, a public place can’t turn away a service dog because of its breed; the decision has to be based on that dog’s actual behavior. Not sure what counts as a “pit bull”? Here’s how American Bullies and pit bulls differ.
6. Border Collies
You will be hard-pressed to come across a breed more intelligent than the Border Collie. They are loyal, obedient, and as hardworking as they come. They are often trained as seizure response dogs, which means they learn to get help, fetch a phone or stay close during and after a seizure. Some owners report their dogs reacting before a seizure starts, but that can’t be reliably trained.
Border Collies are very high-energy, and they almost NEED a job to do. As a result, they make wonderful service dogs. They do have a restless nature, so they aren’t content with simply lounging around all day.
They are, however, extremely loving, so they would make a great emotional support dog, as long as you’re able to get them an adequate amount of exercise (which is a lot!).
7. Great Dane
Great Danes are strong and gentle giants. This makes them great with mobility support and helping their owners to stand up or walk.
They are also super loving, and they do well in public settings. They aren’t too excitable, and they are an excellent choice for a support dog.
(Just watch out for the drool!)
8. Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese Mountain Dogs are another excellent option. Their combination of intelligence and strength is impressive. You certainly would not be disappointed with a Bernese Mountain Dog for a larger service dog.
They are ideal for wheelchair assistance, opening doors, and a variety of emergency medical situations.
Just keep in mind that they are somewhat high-energy dogs, and they do shed quite a bit. They are typically better suited for cooler climates.
9. Poodle
Surprised to see poodles on the list of best service dog breeds?
In fact, poodles make for excellent support dogs. One of the top therapy dog breeds, they are also smart and hard-working. You would appreciate your poodle’s loyalty and their ability to learn complex tasks.
Poodles are great therapy dogs and emotional support dogs. They are known for their keen sense of smell as well, and are sometimes trained to detect allergens.
And, perhaps surprisingly, they don’t shed much!
10. Boxer
Boxers are yet another great service dog breed that has all the vital traits of a great companion. They are strong, yet kind and self-aware. (And cute!) They’re eager to help. That being said, they are moderately high-energy dogs.
If you’re looking for a great support dog for your children, you should definitely consider getting a Boxer. Just remember that they do need a lot of exercise.
How to Get a Service Dog, Emotional Support Dog or Therapy Dog
Getting a psychiatric service dog
- Talk to your doctor or mental health provider about whether a service dog fits your treatment plan.
- Choose a route: a program-trained dog from a service dog organization (many have waitlists, and some focus on veterans), or owner-training with help from an experienced professional trainer.
- Train the tasks and public manners. Task training plus public access training often takes a year or more.
The ADA does not require certification, registration, an ID card or a vest. Businesses may only ask whether the dog is required because of a disability and what task it has been trained to perform. Online “registries” are not a legal requirement.
Getting an emotional support dog
An emotional support dog doesn’t need special training, but for housing protection you will usually need a letter from a licensed health care provider who knows your situation. Be wary of websites that sell instant letters or certificates.
Getting a therapy dog
Therapy dogs work as a team with their owner. Your dog must be friendly, well-behaved, and genuinely enjoy meeting people. Any breed can do it with the right temperament and training. Most therapy dog organizations ask for:
- A dog that is at least about a year old and up to date on vaccines, with health records from your vet.
- Solid basic manners. Many owners start by passing the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, which checks things like greeting a friendly stranger, walking on a loose leash, staying calm around other dogs and distractions, and accepting handling and grooming.
- An evaluation by the organization itself, then registration. Registered teams are usually covered by the organization’s liability insurance, which matters when you volunteer.
The AKC keeps a list of recognized therapy dog organizations. Once registered, keep your dog clean, well groomed and current on vet care to stay active.
Feeding a Working Service Dog
A service dog that is out in public all day, walking, standing and staying focused, needs consistent, complete nutrition that keeps it at a healthy weight. Use a dog food calculator or our guide on how much to feed your dog as a starting point, and adjust by body condition.
Service dogs put in long days on the job. A meat-based, high-protein food helps support the strength and energy they need to stay focused and ready to work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best service dog breed for PTSD?
Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds are the breeds most often chosen for PTSD service work because they are calm, people-focused and easy to train. Standard Poodles and pit bulls can also do the job well. The individual dog’s temperament matters more than the breed.
What is the best service dog for anxiety?
Look for a calm, steady dog that bonds closely with you and enjoys learning, such as a Golden Retriever, Lab, Poodle or a well-tempered pit bull. For an anxiety service dog under the ADA, the dog must be trained to perform tasks like deep pressure therapy or interrupting a panic attack.
Is an emotional support dog a service dog?
No. Emotional support dogs provide comfort but are not task-trained, so they do not have public access rights under the ADA. Psychiatric service dogs are task-trained and do.
Can a pit bull be a service dog?
Yes. Pit bulls can be excellent service dogs, and under the ADA a business or local government can’t exclude a service dog because of its breed alone.
Do service dogs need to be certified?
Not under the ADA. There is no required certification, registration or vest. What matters is that the dog is trained to perform tasks related to your disability and behaves well in public.
Do You Have a Support or Service Dog?
If so tell us about it in the comments section! We love connecting with support dog owners.
And there you have it. A good service dog can do so much to improve your quality of life. In some situations they can even mean the difference between life and death.
Keep in mind that although these are helpful suggestions, there is no set-in-stone code here, and it’s okay to stray from this list. Any breed of dog has the potential to be a good service dog, given they have the right temperament and the proper training.
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10 comments
I lost my companion of 18 years his name was Bodie he was a beautiful Labrador retriever!! I miss him so much😢. It’s been hard without my friend!! I I’m a disabled veteran with severe ptsd and some mobility issues!! I experience several triggers a day and it’s been tough when my friend isn’t here!! My only wish is that I can find another best friend that i can lean on when I go through these tough times throughout the day! Thanks for listening it’s been lonely without my Bodie I was hoping someone would help me??
I have 2 emotional support dogs
4yrs Jackchi, & 8yrs American Bulldog.
They are hilarious 😂 together. Little one Ronnie lies on my legs & tummy & talks to me lots. Loves to be under the quilt wherever my pain is. My bigger dog Reggie is an American Bulldog, he lies with his head on me, nudges me, & gives lots of cuddles & likes to bury his head into me or on me.
They have both stopped me from suicide & help with my 3 chronic illnesses.
Id be lost without them. I owe them my life xx
Actively looking for my service dog, the right breed for me and my two cats for protection and more so for my PTSD and Anxiety. I would like some more information about this process, cost and how it all works! Thank you, Jennifer Parker
Starting therapy dog training for my chocolate lab in 2 weeks! He’s so smart and sweet! I’m sure he’ll excel in training and I’m psyched to start this new journey with him!
I have a emotional support dog, an unusual one as a matter of fact. She’s a chihuahua! She LOVES EVERYONE! And is attached to me like velcro most of the time. Typically the only place I don’t take her is the grocery store. Everywhere else she goes. Especially the Dr office as I get a little tense. I had hoped to find her a friend that fit into our home but it’s proving very challenging! Good luck to everyone looking for a friend to help them and be sure to look for that diamond in the rough breed!