Dr. Liza Cahn, a veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance in Cleveland, Ohio, discussed dog breeds she says are particularly good at reading human emotions: border collies, poodles, golden retrievers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels and Vizslas.

The list, shared as part of broader commentary on canine emotional intelligence, highlights breeds commonly associated with close human bonds and responsiveness to social cues. Experts and authors who study canine cognition have long examined how dogs perceive and react to human moods; Stanley Coren, a researcher known for his work on dog intelligence, is frequently cited in that literature and in discussions about breed differences in sensitivity and problem-solving.

Cahn described the behavioral marker that distinguishes emotionally attuned dogs: “Dogs with high emotional intelligence are ones that can really tune into human emotions. They are better able to recognize what their owners are feeling and are better equipped to react appropriately,” she said. The comment frames emotional intelligence as a set of observable responses rather than an abstract trait.

Her list names five breeds by breed type rather than by individual dogs: border collie, poodle, golden retriever, Cavalier King Charles spaniel and Vizsla. Each breed, she said, shows tendencies that make them likely to notice changes in a person’s mood and alter their behavior in response.

Cahn also addressed the role of training in shaping those responses. “Emotional intelligence can be trained to a degree. This comes through consistent positive reinforcement for exhibiting the behaviors that you want,” she said, emphasizing the practical steps owners can take to encourage attentive, comforting behaviors from their dogs.

The notion that dogs can learn to recognize and respond to human emotional signals is consistent with longstanding work in the field. Stanley Coren’s book, The Intelligence of Dogs, is one reference point for conversations about how breeds vary in adaptive and social intelligence. Additional research into canine cognition and emotional responsiveness has been summarized by organizations such as the American Psychological Association, which has explored how dogs process human social cues. As covered by Doggonesmarter, readers can explore more context around the event.

Cahn offered a simple illustration of how emotionally intelligent dogs behave in everyday life: “When an owner is happy, dogs exude exuberance, when an owner is sad, they provide a comforting body.” The image underscores the practical value owners often cite—companionship calibrated to a household’s emotional rhythm.

Her comments come amid a wider public interest in how dog behavior intersects with human wellbeing. Breeds that score highly on measures of social attentiveness are frequently chosen for roles that require close reading of people, such as therapy or assistance work, though Cahn’s remarks focus on the pet-owner relationship rather than professional placement.

Owners seeking to encourage emotionally responsive behavior in their pets may look to consistent, reward-based training, Cahn said, and to day-to-day reinforcement of calm, comforting responses. Her guidance frames emotional intelligence as both an innate tendency and a learnable set of skills.

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