October 7, 2024, 12:03 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Dogs generally have a greater need for sleep than we two-legged friends do. And just like us, they process what they have experienced and dream in their sleep. However, whether 10 or 20 hours of sleep is enough for a dog depends on various factors. PETBOOK explains how age and breed influence this.
While we humans usually have a fixed sleep-wake cycle of eight hours a night on average, dogs also like to take a nap during the day. This is because dogs have shorter sleep cycles that are interrupted by periods of wakefulness. This is known as intermittent sleep or polyphasic sleep. How much a dog sleeps in total depends on its age, health, activity, size, and breed.
Overview
Which dog breeds need more or less sleep?
Large breeds such as the St. Bernard or the Great Dane need the most sleep, but the German Shepherd or the Golden Retriever also sleep up to 18 hours in total. The majority of their sleep (around 70 percent) is at night. The larger bodies of these breeds simply need more time to regenerate. However, large breeds often have a calmer temperament, which has nothing to do with laziness.
Medium-sized dogs such as the Australian Shepherd or Cocker Spaniel sleep and doze for between 10 and 14 hours. Small and dwarf breeds such as the Dachshund, Poodle, or Chihuahua usually need a little more sleep, around 14 to 16 hours. This is presumably because they are more active and spend more time exercising.1
How exercise can influence a dog’s sleep
There is also a rule that is generally applicable. Dogs that are more active during the day fall asleep more easily. Conversely, four-legged friends that are not kept busy can also be sleepless and restless at night. Of course, it is also possible that the dog gains weight due to a lack of exercise, becomes lazier, and, therefore, sleeps more.
How much sleep do older and younger dogs need?
But it’s not just the breed and size that play a role in how long a dog needs to rest. Age can also have an influence on our four-legged friends’ need for sleep in two ways.
How much sleep puppies need
We all know: “Don’t wake a sleeping dog.” This is especially true for puppies, who should not be prevented from sleeping. They are in the important growth phase, which is why they like to spend up to 22 hours a day in the realm of dreams.
Everything is new and exciting for them, and their brains have to process the many experiences and smells. They also learn something new every day, which is quite exhausting and simply makes them “dog-tired.” The total amount of sleep they get is 60 percent during the day and 40 percent at night.2
How much sleep older or sick dogs need
“Sleep is the best medicine!” as our grandmothers already knew. And what helps two-legged friends is also good for dogs. Just like puppies, sick and older dogs need extra sleep, as growth hormones are released even in old age, renewing cells and stimulating muscle and tissue growth.
So let your patient or oldie sleep for 18 to 22 hours a day so that he quickly gets fit again or stays fit into old age. The proportion of sleep split between day and night is exactly the opposite of that of a puppy. Older and sick dogs sleep 40 percent during the day and 60 percent at night.
However, if a dog suddenly sleeps a lot more and is not yet old, you should consult a vet to make sure that there is no illness behind the increased need for sleep.
How deeply do dogs sleep?
It is also interesting to note that dogs of any breed, size, or age can fall asleep within seconds but are just as quickly wide awake when the fridge door opens.
For their ancestor, the wolf, reacting quickly to sounds was an important skill for surviving in the wild. A guard dog is also always in “standby mode” to chase away the supposed intruder in case of danger.
What a dog’s sleeping position reveals
Our four-legged friends have a wide variety of sleeping postures that allow us to recognize which sleep phase the animal is currently in:
On the move
If a dog is only sleeping lightly or dozing, it is lying on its stomach with its head resting loosely on the floor. Its paws may also be bent so that it can go into action at any time.
The back sleeper
In this position, a dog shows that it feels completely comfortable and secure. This is because it is showing off its most sensitive body part. It is really deeply relaxed and is now in deep sleep.
Spooning
If a dog is sleeping on its side, it is also fast asleep and feels safe, as it would not come up so quickly from this position in case of danger.
The snail
If a dog curls up and covers its belly with its paws and tail, it warms itself and is in deep sleep. In winter, this position can be seen more often if a dog is not lying in front of a crackling fire.
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What effects a lack of sleep can have on your dog
Anyone who, after reading this text, thinks to themselves: “Help, my dog is (probably) not sleeping enough!” should look out for some symptoms of chronic sleep deprivation. Because if a dog sleeps too little in the long term, this can lead to stress, which has an impact on health and behavior:
- Nervousness
- Overexcited behavior
- Difficulty concentrating when learning or implementing what has been learned
- Hyperactive and aggressive behavior
- Increased susceptibility to illness
In general, lack of sleep can become a vicious circle. You should, therefore, quickly find the triggers and eliminate the causes. The vet can also help with this.3