The Best Small Dogs for an ESA: A Concise Guide

Emotional support dogs are not merely adorable pups; they are faithful companions that soothe the symptoms of mental and emotional conditions, offering comfort, reducing anxiety, and bringing joy even on tough days. 

When it comes to emotional support animals, sometimes the biggest help comes in the smallest package. But if you don’t have a specific tiny pup in mind, we bring you the six best small dogs for an ESA to choose from. We’ll explore how they can support your well-being and help you find the one that fits your unique needs. 

You’ll also get tips on qualifying your new friend for an ESA and obtaining an ESA letter quickly so that you can settle into any rented accommodation stress-free.

The Benefits of Small Dogs as ESAs

When choosing an emotional support dog, a small breed might be your smartest decision. Every pup brings joy, but pint-sized companions offer special advantages for your mental well-being.

You should consider smaller dogs for your ESA because they are:

• Apartment-friendly: Their miniature size makes them perfect for smaller living spaces, allowing you to live together without feeling cramped 
• Get housing approval faster: Landlords often find smaller dogs less problematic, so they’re less likely to deny your application for housing in a no-pets building
• Easier care, less stress: Smaller dogs don’t need intense exercise, which typically makes them easier to manage. You won’t have to devote too much energy to their daily care, which can be a relief if you’re navigating mental health challenges like depression or anxiety
• Less expensive: Because of their size, smaller dogs are usually less expensive to take care of. They eat less food, so you don’t have to spend too much on feeding. If they need medical care, their medication dosage and general medical costs are lower than those of bigger dogs. Groomers also charge less for small dog breeds because grooming doesn’t take too long

In summary, these small dogs offer you consistent comfort without adding overwhelming responsibilities, ensuring you have support when you need it most.

6 Best Small Emotional Support Dog Breeds

Here’s a list of the best small ESA dogs to adopt, including their personality traits and how they can help you:

1. Affenpinscher
2. Bichon frise
3. Boston terrier
4. Chihuahua
5. Havanese
6. Maltese

1. Affenpinscher

• Size: 9 to 11.5 inches tall 
• Weight: 7 to 10 pounds 

Affenpinschers are miniature dogs well-suited for apartment living. Their small size will put any worries your landlord may have about the dog’s physical footprint to rest. Affenpinschers usually live for 12 to 15 years, providing a long period of devoted support and companionship.

This tiny dog breed is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an ESA with a big personality. Known for their friendly nature, they make exciting companions, ready to cheer you up on not-so-great days. Affenpinschers are fearless, feisty, and provide endless entertainment. Their antics can lift your mood and offer a pleasant distraction when navigating gloomier days. 

Affens make wonderful ESAs because of the strong bonds they form with their humans. They offer comfort by snuggling up close, engaging you in playful interactions, or simply resting beside you. Their attentiveness and endearing behaviors can help redirect your focus whenever you feel anxious or lonely.

2. Bichon Frise

• Size: 9 to 12 inches tall
• Weight: 12 to 18 pounds

Bichons have a sturdy yet small frame, which makes them easy to handle and suitable for small apartments. These charming and playful pups live for about 12 to 15 years and offer continual cuddles and support. 

As sensitive dog breeds, bichons thrive on human companionship and are attuned to your moods, readily offering comfort and solace when you need it most. Their playful energy can give you excitement on gloomy days and ease feelings of anxiety, depression, and lethargy. 

They can pick up on your emotional cues and respond lovingly by licking, nudging, or snuggling. Their constant desire to please and cheerful spirit can effectively combat loneliness and sad spells.

Bichons are quick learners, which speeds up their house training, making your life together easier.

3. Boston Terrier

• Size: 15 to 17 inches tall
• Weight: 15 to 25 pounds

Known for their distinctive tuxedo coat, Boston terriers have a sturdy, muscular build that makes them the perfect companions for brisk walks and outdoor exercise—a perfect fit if you’re trying to increase your physical activity. These little fellows generally live for 11 to 13 years, giving you a long period of support and joy.

Boston terriers have friendly and intelligent personalities that provide emotional support and help improve your social skills. They are exceptionally cheerful and affectionate, forming deep connections with their humans. They have often been described as Velcro dogs because they’re always beside you, offering a comforting presence at the right time.

Boston terriers excel as ESAs because they’re intuitive and know exactly when you need extra love or a distraction. Their compact size and low maintenance needs make them a fantastic choice if you want a furry friend that offers consistent emotional support without requiring excessive care. 

4. Chihuahua

• Size: 5 to 8 inches tall
• Weight: Less than 6 pounds

Chihuahuas are among the smallest dog breeds in the world. Still, you shouldn’t be fooled by their tiny bodies; they have a big personality. They are known for their bravery and unwavering companionship, usually living for 14 to 16 years, sometimes even longer.

Chihuahuas form a deep bond with their humans. Although they may seem a bit sassy or wary of strangers in the beginning, once they accept you, they will shower you with love and be a personal source of comfort. 

They are intelligent, curious, and courageous for their size. These qualities can encourage your social interaction or divert your attention from anxious and intrusive thoughts. Their presence can be grounding as they give you constant affection. 

A good example is Actor Jeremy Renner’s emotional support Chihuahua, named Hershey. The shy but pleasant pooch offered solace and comfort during his recovery journey after a serious accident. 

Being a really tiny breed, Chihuahuas make the perfect ESA for apartments where space is an issue. Their small build can also ease landlord concerns about size or potential damage, which can speed up housing approval.

5. Havanese

• Size: 8.5 to 11.5 inches tall
• Weight: 7 to 13 pounds

The Havanese is a devoted companion with a striking desire to always be with its humans. These pups can adapt to any living space, whether a cozy apartment or a larger home, and usually live up to 14 to 16 years. They’re full of life, offering many years of companionship and vibrant energy that can cheer up their human during episodes of depression.

This breed is popular for its outgoing, intelligent, and affectionate personality, thriving on human interactions. Havanese love to play but are also content with sitting quietly beside you. These traits could be valuable if you need an ESA to help combat loneliness or moderately increase your physical activity.

Havanese are highly attuned to your moods, providing comfort and support where needed. Their gentle presence and soft fur are known to reduce stress and anxiety, offering soothing tactile comfort and easing sensory overstimulation. 

6. Maltese

• Size: 7 to 9 inches tall
• Weight: Less than 7 pounds

Maltese is a small, elegant toy breed known for its silky white coat and gentle demeanor. These ancient dogs have been cherished companions for centuries, so they are well-accustomed to providing comfort and affection to their humans. They generally live for 12 to 15 years. 

Maltese dogs have playful, charming, and welcoming personalities, but are also known to be watchful and overprotective of their owners. These traits make them a good option for people trying to improve their social skills and build social connections. 

These dogs enjoy human attention and are always eager to be close to their owners, making them excellent lap dogs. They provide constant physical comfort that can dispel bouts of loneliness and anxiety.

Although Maltese have a delicate appearance, they are moderately energetic, so a brisk walk can do them much good and also motivate their owners to boost their physical activity.

Qualifying Your Small Dog for an ESA

Once you’ve determined which small dog you want as your ESA, you should make your new friend an official ESA according to the law. The regulatory bodies are not concerned with your dog’s size, breed, or species, but they need proof that you have a therapeutic connection with the animal. 

The small dog you choose only qualifies as an ESA when a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) proves that the comfort it will provide can soothe symptoms of your mental or emotional health condition, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).

These conditions include, but are not limited to:

• Bipolar Disorders
• Depressive Disorders
• Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder 
• Delirium
• PTSD

Once your animal is designated as an ESA with a legitimate letter, you get access to significant housing-related benefits, including:

Steps to Getting Your ESA Letter

You need an official ESA letter to fully exercise your rights and prove your small dog is an emotional support animal. Unfortunately, the internet is brimming with fraudulent services promising fake ESA certifications that do not comply with federal or state laws, which can lead to rejection or severe penalties. 

To protect yourself and ensure your ESA is legitimately certified, follow the actual legal process, which typically includes: 

1. Finding an LMHP who’s practicing in the state where you’re looking for housing
2. Scheduling an appointment and traveling to their location, if they don’t offer remote consultations
3. Getting a diagnosis from the LMHP stating you have a mental health condition, and an ESA letter that mentions that an emotional support animal can help you manage it. Note that if the LMHP doesn’t find a discernible mental health condition, they may refuse to write the letter
4. Receiving an official ESA letter to give to your landlord or agent 

These steps seem straightforward, but taking this route can be complicated and time-consuming. Finding a local LMHP who offers ESA evaluations is often challenging, resulting in weeks of waiting for an assessment before you get your letter. 

The good news is that there’s a simpler and faster solution—Your Service Animal. This online service streamlines the process and connects you with licensed LMHPs who can evaluate your needs and provide you with a legitimate ESA letter without you having to leave your home.

Your Service Animal—Bringing Your ESA Home Faster

Your Service Animal makes it easy to cut through the red tape and get your small support dog home faster. You can get a legit ESA letter that complies with federal and state housing laws in as early as 48 hours.

The service connects you to a network of licensed health practitioners who can issue an official ESA letter after a comprehensive, entirely remote consultation tailored to your needs and schedule.

This way, you can focus on maintaining your peace of mind as you prepare to welcome home your furry friend. Check out the benefits of choosing Your Service Animal in the following table:

Get Your Small Support Dog Without Stress

Take these steps to get your ESA letter: 

1. Find out if you’re a good fit for an ESA letter with our online quiz
2. Schedule an online appointment with a licensed mental health practitioner in your state
3. Attend the online call and receive your ESA letter if clinically appropriate
4. Receive a full refund if the therapist doesn’t issue an ESA letter or your landlord rejects your letter

Getting support doesn’t need to be another source of stress. YSA is your trusted partner, dedicated to helping you and your beloved ESA get your housing rights quickly and safely.