We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Plus, here are four ways dogs can help those with autism

Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies and Miniature Schnauzers are among the best therapy dog breeds for children with autism, new research has found. Providing safety and companionship, these pups help promote positive changes in behaviour, reduce anxiety and offer a calming focus.

According to research conducted by the National Autistic Society and Mind, 94% of people with autism experience anxiety, with almost half falling into the severe anxiety category. While there is lots of help available, the constant presence of a specially trained dog offers the kind of unconditional companionship and friendship that can help a person with autism.

Some of the other ways dogs can help those with autism include:

"Dogs are fantastic pets for so many people, but they're especially good for people with autism," Julie Butcher, Head of Marketing at Webbox, says.

"As well as being companions and friends in themselves, they can even help people make friends too by giving them the confidence they need in anxiety-inducing situations. And when sensory processing issues become too much, spending time with your dog is a great way to both calm down and stim by petting them or playing a fun game."

Take a look at the best breeds below:

"Gentle, loyal, friendly, and good natured, Labrador retrievers make fantastic family pets," the experts at Webbox tell us. "They are often trained as therapy or assistance dogs, meaning they are likely to be a wonderful companion for a child with autism. However, they can be quite rambunctious and excitable during the puppy phase, which can be quite challenging, especially if you've already got your hands full with your little ones."

"Energetic, intelligent, and loyal, collies are remarkably intuitive and sensitive to their owner's feelings and needs, which means they are often a great match for individuals with autism.

"They also love to be trained, and so may make a great companion for an older child, who may enjoy the structure and routine of training a pet. However, collies are very high-energy dogs and do need a lot of mental stimulation and exercise, so it's important to make sure you can provide this."

"These gentle giants are known to be loving, loyal, and calm, and have historically been trained to act as watchful 'nanny dogs' for children. However, they are a very large breed, often reaching up to 90cm tall when fully grown. So, they might not be the best option for smaller homes and gardens."

Webbox say: "Poodle mixes, such as Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, can also make great pets for children with autism-spectrum disorders. They combine the loving, friendly and good-natured traits of a lab with the intelligence and allergy-friendly coat of poodle. Be warned that they can sometimes grow quite large in size."

"Playful, intelligent, and full of character, mini Schnauzers can be great family pets, especially if raised alongside children. They can be stubborn, however, so you'll need to have a firm hand and a bit of patience during training!"

The Earthbound Classic Waterproof Dog Bed is the ultimate in hard-wearing dog luxury, featuring a premium heavy duty waterproof polyester outer, while the removable (and reversible) inner cushion features waterproof polyester on one side and a soft sherpa on the other, making this the perfectly practical cosy spot for you dog to rest after an adventure outdoors. The Earthbound Classic Waterproof Dog Bed is machine washable at 30 degrees, for easy removal of muddy paw prints and odours.

Designed for comfort, Bedsure beds are filled with premium microfiber in separate chambers and ultra soft reversible design. This pet bedding creates the ultimate place for your pet to rest and relax. The beds have a durable scratch-resistant surface  and designed to resist water like dog sweat or urine. 

This Danish Design Maritime Blue Box Duvet bed features combinations of linen look stripes and denim look textures in three relaxed colour-ways, all highlighted by a special nautical edition of the Danish Design embroidered paw. 

This Ellie-Bo Waterproof Dog Bed features a removable and machine washable waterproof outer cover made from Oxford weave. It also has a waterproof and breathable inner cover. 

This popular paw print pet mattress has a double sided waterproof pet cushion with carry handle and paw print motif. Both sides are waterproof but only one side has the printed motif. It has a zip fastening with removable cushion. 

The waterproof hard wearing Oxford fabric is easy to clean, highly durable and is suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes. The bed cover zips off, making it easy to remove for cleaning. The cover is 100% machine washable. Non-slip backing, ideal for use on polished floors and tiles. 

This Orvis bed has a soft quilted sleep surface, and a streamlined bolster make it comfortable for your dog. The ComfortFill-Eco cushion is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles and doesn't flatten or clump.

The three-sided bolster provides security and support for dogs who prefer a place to lean or rest their head, whilst the one open side makes this bed easy for dogs of all ages to get on and off. The upholstery-grade cover is as durable as it is incredibly soft. 100% polyester. Washable. Personalise with embroidery, up to 15 letters. 

This best-selling yellow dog bed comes with a machine washable removable cover. It's made of high-quality furniture fabrics, which allows your pet to feel very comfortable inside. Elastic pillows provide pets safety and comfort. 

This waterproof pet mattress helps your dog relax and sleep comfortably by keeping them supported, warm and dry. The laminated fabric of the bed helps to repel water and although the bed is strong and durable, it is still comfortable for them to sleep or rest on. The removable cover and removable internal pad are both machine washable for when you need to clean it.

This Petface water resistant mattress is designed to help keep your dog's bed clean. It comes with a removable berber fleece top cover which you can easily take off and reattach with the poppers. The removable cover is machine washable and the wipe clean base makes cleaning super easy. The non slip backing helps to keep the bed still as your dog gets on and off.

The ideal dog bed for country dogs who get wet and dirty on a regular basis. The tough, heavy duty, hard-wearing, 100% polyester, waterproof material is easy to keep clean. The thick base cushion is removable and the high walls of this bed are filled with bonded thermal polyester fibre to insulate your pet from the cold floor and keep it out of draughts.

This dog bed is thickly padded on all sides to provide warmth and extra comfort with reversible cushions. It's also machine washable and has a non-slip base. 

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.SIGN UP