Some dogs can help those who have issues with their mental health.Some dogs can help those who have issues with their mental health.
Some dogs can help those who have issues with their mental health.

Top Emotional Support Dogs: Here are the 10 best breeds of adorable dog for owners struggling with anxiety - including the Labrador ๐Ÿถ

If you are looking for a dog that will benefit your mental health, these are the breeds that you should have on your list.

Weโ€™re officially a nations of dog owners, with the UKโ€™s most popular pet living in around one-in-three households (and rising).

That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.

There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so thereโ€™s plenty of thinking to do before you select your familyโ€™s latest addition.

Our lifestyle has a huge bearing on which type of dog will work best for us โ€“ if you have limited space you might want to look at small dogs, while the more elderly pet owner should place certain breeds at the top of their wishlist.

Thereโ€™s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Corenโ€™s book โ€˜The Intelligence of Dogsโ€™ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.

But if you are looking for a dog to benefit your mental health you should consider one of the breeds that are proven to make good emotional support animals.

These are gentle, laid-back and sociable pets that provide their owners with therapeutic benefits, including anxiety relief and making them feel more comfortable in certain social settings.

Theyโ€™re also thought to sense when you are not at your best, lavishing you with extra affection to help you feel better.

Here are the 10 most empathetic breeds of dog, according to the American Kennel Club.

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