Furry friends who soothe the soul
Updated Mar 4, 2025
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Meet the Expert
Nicole Ellis is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Pet Lifestyle Expert with Rover, a site that connects pet parents with pet sitters and dog walkers. She’s trained all sorts of animals for the past 15 years and detailed these experiences in her book, “Working Like A Dog.”
Bonding with Your Dog
Part of the joy of dog ownership is developing a human-animal bond. This connection can be extra meaningful to highly sensitive individuals. Nicole Ellis, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Pet Lifestyle Expert with Rover, offered up some exercises to get started:
- Spend quiet time together. “Reading, meditating or simply sitting together strengthens emotional bonds,” Ellis says.
- Practice training and learning tricks. Training with positive reinforcement fosters communication and trust, according to Ellis. “I love doing training together to grow bonds and if you want, you can aim for some AKC ribbons together!”
- Try scent work or nose games. “[This] encourages teamwork and is mentally stimulating,” Ellis says. You also get to learn how to read your dog’s signals and build trust.
- Give your dog a canine massage. Yes, it’s a thing! Ellis says it can relax both of you.
- Nature walks or hikes – Provides grounding and connection to both the dog and the environment.
- Listen to some music. “Many dogs respond positively to calming music,” says Ellis, adding: “Many dogs absolutely love sound bowls and you can even find dog sound bowl events in some cities.”
What Makes a Dog Breed for Highly Sensitive People?
While there are certainly breeds that Ellis says are better for sensitive souls, like golden Retrievers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels and whippets, she also recommends focusing on an individual dog’s personality. If you need guidance when discussing a potential pup, highly sensitive people should look for:
- Calm temperament: A dog who isn’t overly excitable or reactive. On the other hand, if a highly sensitive person thrives on routine and structure, a high-energy breed might be better for them.
- Affectionate, not demanding: A balance between being present and allowing space.
- Emotionally intuitive: Some dogs naturally pick up on emotions better than others.
- Low-reactivity: Less likely to be startled or stressed by loud noises. This is particularly important for anxious people and trauma survivors, who want to avoid big reactions or barking.
- Adaptable, easygoing: A dog that can handle routine changes without distress.
- Low-maintenance grooming needs: If sensory sensitivities are a factor, avoid a dog who needs lots of hands-on grooming.
“Many breeders will test for these qualities or [you] can have a trainer help you evaluate a rescue pup,” she says, adding that adopting a rescue dog from a shelter is also a great way to choose a pet based on their established temperaments.
Another piece of advice? Adopt a dog older than one year. “Many believe it may be harder to bond when they are not a puppy, but puppies can actually be really stressful,” Ellis tells us. “There won’t be any problems bonding with an older dog.”
The 12 Best Dog Breeds for Highly Sensitive People
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1. Chihuahua
- Height: 5-8 inches
- Weight: 6 pounds
- Personality: charming, intelligent
- Activity Level: moderate
- Shedding Factor: low
- Life Expectancy: 14-16 years
- Trainability: can be difficult to train
Let’s start small, with the Chihuahua. These tiny (most never weigh more than six pounds) pups pack in a ton of personality. Shedding is minimal, and firm training early solidifies good habits. Like most dogs, Chihuahuas need daily activity to stay fit and happy, but unlike larger breeds, indoor playtime suffices (translation: no crazy dog parks). They live 14 to 16 years and will enjoy most of that time snuggling on laps.
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2. Yorkshire Terrier
- Height: 7-8 inches
- Weight: 7 pounds
- Personality: affectionate, lively
- Activity Level: moderate
- Shedding Factor: hypoallergenic
- Life Expectancy: 11 to 15 years
- Trainability: easy to train
More commonly referred to as Yorkies, these dogs are super affectionate, energetic and friendly. They are also hypoallergenic, which is a plus whether you let their coats grow floor-length or not (specialty grooming is a must if a Yorkie’s coat is long, so keeping it trimmed is a less daunting choice). Short, daily walks are enough to keep these pups happy and they can live up to 15 years.
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3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Height: 12-13 inches
- Weight: 13-18 pounds
- Personality: Affectionate, Friendly
- Activity Level: Low to Moderate
- Shedding Factor: Low to Moderate
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
- Trainability: trains well
“Cavaliers tend to be gentle, affectionate, and attuned to emotions,” says Ellis. These dogs are also incredibly adaptive to various lifestyles (meaning they’re cool with going out or staying in, depending on what you feel like doing). This toy breed loves nothing more than pleasing their human and really only requires daily walks to stay active. Side note: Going for walks is known to relieve stress, so any dog that requires leisurely strolls is a smart investment.
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4. Shiba Inu
- Height: 13.5-16.5 inches
- Weight: 17-23 pounds
- Personality: Affectionate, Protective
- Activity Level: High
- Shedding Factor: moderate
- Life Expectancy: 13-16 years
- Trainability: difficult to train
Medium-sized dogs attentive to their humans, Shiba Inus weigh anywhere from 17 to 23 pounds and are the most popular choices for canine companionship in Japan. Yes, they need a lot of exercise, but once they’ve had time to run around a bit, they know how and when to relax at home. They also love lavishing their humans with attention, though they can be a bit reserved with strangers. So, perfect for introverts!
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5. Basset Hound
- Height: 13-15 inches
- Weight: 40-65 pounds
- Personality: Mellow, Charismatic
- Activity Level: low
- Shedding Factor: low
- Life Expectancy: 12-13 years
- Trainability: can be stubborn during training
This dog is a stellar choice for very low-key people or anyone who lives alone. Basset hounds are loyal to the bone and very patient. Walks are nice, but then they are content to sleep and snuggle until the cows come home. If you’re someone who needs a little more space, these dogs are ideal because they show love without being smothering.
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6. Collie
- Height: 22 – 26 inches
- Weight: 50 – 75 pounds
- Personality: Devoted, Athletic
- Activity Level: Moderate to High
- Shedding Factor: Seasonal
- Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
- Trainability: easy to train
As anyone who’s ever heard of Lassie knows, Collies are dedicated family dogs who excel when surrounded by loving people. They can live up to 14 years, too. During that time, these graceful pups ideally will have a yard to run in, though regular walks and visits to a dog park feel just as good.
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7. Old English Sheepdog
- Height: 21-24 inches
- Weight: 60-100 pounds
- Personality: Smart, Sweet
- Activity Level: Moderate
- Shedding Factor: Moderate
- Life Expectancy: 12-12 years
- Trainability: relatively easy to train
Talk about a mellow dog! Old English sheepdogs are fluffy house dogs with an adaptable nature. They deal well with children (patient and gentle) and adults (smart and obedient). After a waltz around the block, they’re ready to snuggle up inside for a nap or a grooming sesh (brushing their coat is a must).
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8. Greyhound
- Height: 27-30 inches
- Weight: 60-70 pounds
- Personality: Independent, Sweet
- Activity Level: Moderate to High
- Shedding Factor: Low
- Life Expectancy: 10-13 years
- Trainability: difficult to train
Possibly the most sensitive of all breeds, greyhounds are noble, quiet creatures who prefer calm people and zen environments. They are independent dogs, so they don’t need too much attention, but they are also very loving and provide a lot of comfort to their owners. Pro tip: Many rescue greyhounds are former racing dogs who have spent their lives in crates between races and seek mutual companionship.
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9. Golden Retriever
- Height: 21-24 inches
- Weight: 55-75 pounds
- Personality: Friendly, Devoted
- Activity Level: Moderate to High
- Shedding Factor: High
- Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
- Trainability: easy to train
Golden retrievers are literally rays of sunshine in dog form. These friendly dogs love life and are often top choices for seeing-eye-dog and therapy work. Ellis adds that they “are typically loyal, loving and eager to please everyone.” To strengthen the bond between human and dog, owners should go through obedience training with their goldens. This builds trust and establishes routine, two things that can ease anxiety in humans.
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10. Newfoundland
- Height: 26-28 inches
- Weight: 100-150 pounds
- Personality: Friendly, Loving, Patient
- Activity Level: Moderate
- Shedding Factor: Moderate to High
- Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
- Trainability: fairly easy to train
Now, perhaps the biggest dog on our list. Newfoundlands offer more than 100 pounds of pure devotion and even-tempered friendship. They are super sweet, highly trainable and rarely aggressive. Sensitive owners who enjoy hiking and swimming will find a perfect companion in Newfoundlands. These gentle giants have a lot of love to give. Remember Nana in Peter Pan? Newfie.
(Here’s one thing to remember about large canines: They don’t live as long as smaller pups. The life expectancy of a Newfoundland is nine to ten years, which is still a good chunk, but know thyself when picking a dog and veer smaller for longer life expectancy.)
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11. Great Pyrenees
- Height: 25-32 inches
- Weight: 85-110 pounds
- Personality: Calm, Sweet
- Activity Level: Moderate
- Shedding Factor: Seasonal
- Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
- Trainability: Moderate
This is a quiet dog breed that won’t wake you up at 3 a.m. barking. “The Great Pyrenees often offer a grounding aspect to them, which can help some sensitive people,” Ellis says. “They are also very gentle, yet protective. It’s good to keep in mind that they are quite large, so their life expectancy is a bit shorter and they eat quite a bit of food.” Great Pyrenees make good family pets, too.
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12. Whippet
- Height: 18-22 inches
- Weight: 25-40 pounds
- Personality: calm, playful
- Activity Level: moderate to high
- Shedding Factor: low to moderate
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
- Trainability: smart, trains well
“Whippets are very quiet, affectionate, and sensitive – without being overwhelming,” Ellis says. “And, contrary to popular belief, they do not need a ton of exercise.” Whippets are intelligent and playful, which means learning commands and tricks could be an excellent way to pass the time with these sweeties.
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