A therapy dog can help you in more ways than you probably ever imagined. Certain breeds do better at handling therapy-type situations than others. The roles of a therapy dog can differ from one person to the next, opening the doors for many breeds that will qualify to be a therapy dog. In this guide, we put together our top picks for the best therapy dog breeds. There is sure to be a dog on this list that will work for you and your family.
The 14 Best Therapy Dog Breeds Are:
1. French Bulldog
Image: Pixabay
The first dog on our list for the best therapy breeds is the French Bulldog. The French Bulldog is not only a great size for a therapy dog, but it also has a beautiful temperament. The French Bulldog could make anyone feel better on a bad day with their affection and easygoing personality. The French Bulldog is not a hypoallergenic dog, although many people think they are. French Bulldogs have tons of personality, but they can be trained to be very sociable and alert to pick up on changes and differences in human behavior.
It may come as no surprise that the Labrador Retriever makes a great therapy breed. If you ask any owner of a Labrador Retriever, they will very likely tell you that their dog thinks they are a human. This type of awareness and desire to be part of the family make the Labrador Retriever an excellent therapy dog. They want constant love and attention, and they can sense when you are feeling off. In addition to these excellent characteristics, the Labrador Retriever is highly intelligent and trainable.
When it comes to their ability to be a therapy dog, the great thing about Poodles is the fact that they come in a few sizes. The Toy poodle and the Standard Poodle are both excellent options for therapy dogs. The Toy poodle will be better for situations where a small dog is necessary. The Poodle is one of the smartest dogs known to exist. They train quite quickly, and they will be fast to learn how to handle their role as a therapy dog.
Temperament: Intelligent, Trainable, Faithful, Moderate energy
4. Greyhound
Image: Pixabay
The Greyhound is not often thought of as a therapy dog, but these animals make a great addition to any family or person that needs a therapy pup. There are generally quite a few Greyhounds available for adoption because of the racing that they do in their early life. Although they are often thought of as just a racing dog, Greyhounds are exceptionally affectionate and even-tempered. They like to get their exercise in, but when around humans, they are gentle and quiet. Most Greyhound owners will tell you that their Greyhound is the sweetest dog they have owned.
A Golden Retriever can very often be thought of as the wild and goofy dog that lives next door. However, if properly trained from puppyhood, the Golden Retriever can be a fantastic therapy dog. They have just about as good of a personality that you could hope for in a dog, and they are incredibly reliable and kind. Like the Labrador Retriever, the Golden has a way of knowing when you need their love and attention, and they are always willing to share.
Temperament: Smart, Loyal, Friendly, Affectionate
6. Pomeranian
Image: Pixabay
If you think a smaller dog would be a better therapy dog for your needs, the Pomeranian is a great choice. These dogs are incredibly outgoing and always looking to make new friends. The Pomeranian is an excellent size, as they only get to be about seven pounds. If you need a dog that you can easily travel with, then the Pomeranian makes a great choice. The Pomeranian is active, friendly, and playful. With how smart the Pomeranian is, it will not be hard to train them to be therapy dogs.
Temperament: Smart, Outgoing, Friendly, Highly social
7. Collie
Image: Pixabay
For anybody old enough to remember Lassie, you will have no questions about the Collie’s ability to be a loyal and loving therapy dog. A Collie is a medium-sized dog breed that has a gentle and affectionate personality. The Collie is smart and can be trained to do amazing things. At the same, they are protective and loyal. This is not just a tremendous therapy dog, but the Collie will be a great family dog as well.
Temperament: Active, Friendly, Gentle, Kind
8. Yorkshire Terrier
Image: Pixabay
The Yorkshire Terrier is also known as a Yorkie. These dogs are small terriers, and they pack a tremendous amount of personality into a small body. The Yorkie is a confident dog that walks into a room as if it owns the place. If a Yorkie is trained right from the start, they can be friendly and sociable as well. In addition to their enormous personality, the Yorkshire Terrier has a charming and personable face. When you spend time with a Yorkshire, you feel as though they know what is going on.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has been growing in popularity in the last five to ten years. This is a small dog that will generally grow to be about 15-18 pounds. They are highly social animals that will want to play and spend time with you all day. They make terrific companions and therapy dogs, and they can live in small spaces as well.
The German Shepard is a large breed dog that makes both a great therapy dog and a working dog. The German Shepard is brilliant, protective, and loyal. The German Shepard is a vigilant animal and will be able to pick up on slight changes in environment and personality. Since this dog is so aware of what is going on, they make fantastic therapy dogs.
The Maltese resembles a small teddy bear. They are one of the most easygoing and affectionate breeds around. One of the best things about a Maltese is that although they are active and energetic, they know how to stay calm and relax as well. This is not a dog that you will need to spend hours running in the yard with each day. In addition to the fact that a Maltese is relatively easy to care for, they are delightful and affectionate. They love the attention and love their owner, and they have plenty to offer in return.
Temperament: Sweet, Playful, Gentle, Affectionate
12. Beagle
Image: Pixabay
A beagle is an adorable puppy-like companion that will be about as loyal and loving as a dog can be. A beagle is highly intelligent and friendly and will make an excellent therapy or companion dog. Beagles tend to bark and howl, so you will have to watch that a little when they are trained. The Beagle is a medium-sized dog that makes it an excellent fit for both protection and affection.
A Pug is a small breed dog that is known well for its wrinkly face and curly tail. The Pug is a charming dog that will want to remain close to its owner whenever possible. A Pug loves to play and get a bit of energy out, but mostly they are adorable and relaxed. Pugs are intelligent dogs that, when trained right, can be very helpful animals.
Temperament: Charming, Sociable, Quiet
14. Corgi
Image: Pixabay
Last on our list is the Corgi. The Corgi is often used as a therapy dog because of its bold personality and protective nature. For a small dog, they are compelling when it comes to protection and care of their owners. The Corgi is an outgoing and friendly animal that loves to play but won’t require a large property to run around. The Corgi makes a great therapy dog but also an excellent and playful family pet.
Temperament: Bold, Playful, Protective
The Final Word
When choosing a therapy dog, it is not always as essential to consider the breed as it is to consider the animal themselves. There are plenty of dog breeds that did not make it onto our list that can be tremendous therapy dogs. Therapy dogs are all about finding a match of personalities between the owner and the dog. Whatever your need, may you find a furry friend that brightens your day and your disposition.
For family members who are getting older, who may live alone, or require long-term care services, a therapy dog can be an outstanding companion. You can learn more about future aging problems and the costs and burdens of long-term health care on LTC NEWS.
Looking for more dog reads? Check these breeds out!
Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock
Written by
Nicole Cosgrove
Lead Pet Expert & Pet-ditor in Chief
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts’ knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.…Read more
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