25 Best Dog Breeds for Highly Sensitive People (HSP) or Empath Owners
What is the best type of dog for a highly sensitive person (HSP)? Here are 25 great options for HSP dog owners divided by size, quiet dogs, and calmest dogs.
To determine these results I ran searches for the following combinations from the American Kennel Club: low energy, less barking, or a combination of both.
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SMALL DOGS
Bichon Frise
Personality: This non-sporting breed is a curious and playful pup. It has a long coat and little shedding.
While all dogs are sensitive to environmental factors, the bichon frise is highly adaptable and happy by nature which may rub off on their owner's personality.
Height: 9.5-11.5 inches
Weight: 12-18 pounds
Life expectancy: 14-15 years
​Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: Great with kids, other dogs, no shedding, and great for people who live in apartments.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These affectionate and gentle breeds are one of the absolute best dogs for highly sensitive people (HSP) and empathic owners.
This toy group dog is a sensitive pet with calm, gentle energy, which can support mental health of sensitive owners. It was bred as a British companion dog and loves to comfort humans.
Height: 12-13 inches
Weight: 13-18 pounds
Life expectancy: 12-13 years
​Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: Great with kids, other dogs, little shedding, great apartment dogs.
French Bulldog
This non-sporting breed is one of the most popular choices among all dog owners in the U.S. They are highly adaptable to different settings and affectionate, but may need supervision with other dogs.
If you are sensitive to loud noises, you may prefer this mellow dog personality, as they are not noisy.
Height: 11-13 inches
Weight: under 28 pounds
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: Great with kids, little barking, little shedding, great apartment dogs.
Japanese Chin
These charming, sweet toy dogs are extra small and make great lap dogs or emotional support animals (ESAs). Although not as common as other breeds listed, they were also bred as companion dogs, so it is in their nature to vibe.
Height: 8-11 inches
Weight: 7-11 pounds
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: These dogs are great companion animals and good with other dogs, though may need supervision with children. They are easily trainable and calm.
Pekingese
This charming and friendly small toy breed is quite a clown. They respond and train well with positive reinforcement and aim to please you.
Height: 10-13 inches
Weight: 14-18 pounds
Life expectancy: 13-15 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: Short hair, great with kids, great in apartments, and easy to train.
This tiny toy breed is another great companion animal option, being both loyal and affectionate. They do better without small children.
Pet grooming and care of your pet is essential with this breed, as their long hair requires regular grooming.
Height: 6-9 inches
Weight: up to 14 pounds
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: These dogs are great companion animals and can live well with other dogs. Low energy and low barking levels make this a great pet for HSP dog owners who are childless.
Shih Tzu
This sweet toy breed is a pure companion dog and makes a great emotional support animals (ESA). In my opinion, as a shih tzu owner (that's Roro in the picture!), they are the ultimate "velcro dog" breed to help lower blood pressure, as they want nothing more than to perch on your lap.
Like the Pekingese, this breed needs regular grooming and haircuts.
Height: 9-10.5 inches
Weight: 9-16 pounds
Life expectancy: 10-16 years
Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: These dogs were bred to purely vibe and are the ultimate couch potato dog, although ours loves short daily walks. They are great with kids, other dogs, and do not shed.
Pug
Basenji
This hound breed is graceful and smart, and often referred to as a "Barkless Breed" although they can produce a distinct yodel.
Height: 17 inches (male), 16 inches (female)
Weight: 24 pounds (male), 22 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 13-14 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: Great as only pets, for HSP dog owners with sensitive hearing, and short haired.
Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are a charming, low-key couch potato breed, but they do bark loudly.
Height: up to 15 inches
Weight: 40-65 pounds
Life expectancy: 12-13 years
Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM/HIGH
Pros: Great with kids and other dogs, low energy, and short haired.
Bulldog
This non-sporting dog is known for being calm, sedentary, and low-key. They are quite friendly and calming if you have high sensitivity to barking breeds.
Height: 14-15 inches
Weight: 50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 8-10 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: Calm personality, little barking, short hair
Chow Chow
This medium sized non-sporting dog is regal and serious in nature. However, they can display behavior problems if not properly trained and socialized.
Height: 17-20 inches
Weight: 45-70 pounds
Life Expectancy: 8-12 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: Very little barking and calm demeanor.
Clumber Spaniel
​This medium sporting group breed is less common in the U.S., but highly mellow.
Height: 18-20 inches (male), 17-19 inches (female)
Weight: 70-85 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: Very little barking, calm and mellow, love to snuggle
Cocker Spaniel
​This more familiar sporting spaniel is smaller than a Clumber Spaniel and great with kids and other dogs.
Height: 14.5-15.5 inches (male), 13.5-14.5 inches (female)
Weight: 25-30 pounds (male), 20-25 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 10-14 years
Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: Affectionate, great with families, happy, and gentle.
Havanese
This smart and spunky toy breed is slightly bigger than others in that class. These dogs make great emotional support animals (ESA) and are gentle as they come, known for unconditional love. Originally from Cuba, these domestic dogs have good internal consistency and will help you stay regulated too.
Height: 8.5-11.5 inches
Weight: 7-13 pounds
Life expectancy: 14-16 years
Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: Affectionate and smart, little shedding, easy to train
Shiba Inu
Shiba inus are dogs with high sensitivity themselves, so need much attention. This personality trait makes them alert to sensory input and the body language of their humans. They are active and do well with sensitive individuals who can handle the responsibility of a dog who is active.
Height: 14.5-16.5 inches (male), 13.5-15.5 inches (female)
Weight: 23 pounds (male), 17 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 13-16 years
Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: Alert, short hair, attentive, loyal
Tibetan Spaniel
This playful non-sporting dog is spunky and great with kids. Although not as common in the U.S., this is another dog that was bred purely for companion and lap dog tendencies.
Height: 10 inches
Weight: 9-15 pounds
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: Calm, happy personality, great with kids,
Bernese Mountain Dog
These gentle giants are great with kids and other dogs. As a sporting dog, they are smart and super sized.
Height: 25-27.5 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
Weight: 80-115 pounds (male), 70-95 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 7-10 years
Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: Great for active families, smart, trainable, and affectionate.
Broholmer (Danish Mastiff)
This is a larger companion breed, also known as a Danish Mastiff. They are a less common breed who is a lower energy dog, despite its size. They may take time to warm up to strange people due to their alert and loyal nature.
Height: 22 to 30 inches.
Weight: 90 to 150 pounds.
Life expectancy: 8-12 years
Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: Calm, protective, love to be around humans and dogs alike.
Old English Sheepdog
Old English Sheepdogs are herding dogs gaining in popularity, due to their sweet temperament and easy-going nature. Speaking from experience, this breed is like a weighted blanket that wants nothing more than to snuggle with their favorite human.
They need daily interaction, but not crazy dog parks which may overwhelm their herding instincts.
Height: 22 inches & up (male), 21 inches & up (female)
Weight: 60-100 pounds
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: Affectionate, good with children, low key, and gentle
Golden Retriever
Although this is an energetic breed, golden retrievers are one of the most popular dogs due to their gentle affection and intelligence.
Golden retrievers often make great service dogs for people with disabilities, and for the same reasons make great pets for highly sensitive people (HSPs) who are physically active.
Height: 23-24 inches (male), 21.5-22.5 inches (female)
Weight: 65-75 pounds (male), 55-65 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: Affectionate, gentle, smart, little barking, and loyal
Great Dane
This is another extra large working group dog, who is patient and smart. After adolescence they are relatively calm and love to lounge. They do not need a lot of exercise despite their size, and are a gentle breed.
Height: 30-32 inches (male), 28-30 inches (female)
Weight: 140-175 pounds (male), 110-140 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 7-10 years
Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: Affectionate, Smart, trainable, low-key, and patient
Greyhound (Retired)
These gentle hounds are a great option if you want a mellow, older dog. Although known for short-term sprint speeds, they are most often found lounging in retirement. I used to dog sit several retired greyhounds, and these dogs love to snuggle.
Height: 28-30 inches (male), 27-28 inches (female)
Weight: 65-70 pounds (male), 60-65 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 10-13 years
Bark-o-meter: MEDIUM
Pros: Short hair, little grooming required, calm disposition
Irish Wolfhound
These extra large hound dogs are known for a calm personality trait and barking very little, especially compared to other hound breeds.
Height: 32 inches minimum (male), 30 inches minimum (female)
Weight: 120 pounds (male), 105 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 6-8 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: Calm dogs who thrive as "only pets," little barking
Newfoundland
These working dogs are both sweet and calm, two great traits for HSP dog owners. They are wonderful with both kids and other dogs.
Height: 28 inches (average male), 26 inches (average female)
Weight: 130-150 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 9-10 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: Calm, devoted and all around agreeable, great if you want a large breed who calms you down.
Saint Bernard
This working group giant is a loving, protective breed.
Height: 28-30 inches (males), 26-28 inches (female)
Weight: 140-180 pounds (male), 120-140 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 8-10 years
Bark-o-meter: LOW
Pros: Infrequent barking, playful, great with kids, and gentle.
Basenji
Bulldog
Clumber Spaniel
Chow Chow
French Bulldog
Golden Retriever
Irish Wolfhound
Japanese Chin
Newfoundland
Pekingese
Pug
Saint Bernard