How Many Hours Do Dogs Sleep by Age & Breed?
Choosing the right dog breed goes beyond personality and lifestyle; it also means understanding your pet’s unique health and wellness needs. One of the most important factors for a happy, well-balanced dog is sleep. Different breeds and ages have different rest requirements, and knowing how many hours your dog should sleep can help prevent health issues, boost energy, and improve behavior.
Discover the ultimate resource for dog lovers and pet owners who want to make informed decisions for their furry companions. Our comprehensive guide presents a detailed list of recognized dog breeds from around the world, spanning tiny teacup favorites to giant gentle giants. Whether you’re searching for the perfect breed or simply seeking to understand canine rest habits, our expert-backed sleep chart shows how many hours dogs typically sleep by age and breed—helping you better support your pup’s health and happiness.
Why Sleep Matters for Dogs
Sleep is essential for dogs because it supports brain development, immune system health, emotional balance, and physical recovery. Puppies consolidate learning through deep sleep, adults recharge from daily activity, and seniors preserve mobility and cognitive function with extra rest. Just as with humans, lack of quality sleep in dogs can lead to irritability, lower energy, and even health issues such as obesity or weakened immunity
How Many Hours Do Dogs Sleep by Age?
- Puppies: 16–20 hours per day. Their rapid growth and learning require long periods of rest. Some large-breed puppies may sleep even more.
- Adult Dogs: Typically 9–14 hours per day, depending on energy level and lifestyle. High-energy working breeds often fall at the lower end, while companion breeds sleep longer.
- Senior Dogs: 14–20 hours per day. Older dogs nap more frequently and fatigue easily, resembling puppy sleep cycles.
Quick Reference Table — Sleep by Age & Size
Sleep Needs by Breed and Size
While all dogs need plenty of rest, the size of your dog often plays a major role in how many hours they sleep each day. Smaller breeds and giant breeds tend to log more hours, while medium-sized dogs generally fall toward the lower end of the spectrum. These differences are tied to metabolism, growth rates, and the physical demands placed on a dog’s body. By looking at sleep needs through the lens of breed size, pet owners can better anticipate their dog’s natural rhythms and provide the right balance of activity and downtime.
Breed size is a strong predictor of sleep patterns.
Teacup & Small Breeds (14–16 hours/day)
Tiny breeds like Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Maltese often need more sleep than you might expect. Their high metabolisms and bursts of playful energy mean they tire quickly, balancing activity with long naps throughout the day.
Medium Breeds (10–14 hours/day)
Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, and Bulldogs fall into this middle range. Medium-sized dogs tend to be more active overall and may sleep less than their smaller or larger counterparts. They usually thrive on a consistent routine of exercise and rest.
Large Breeds (16–20 hours/day)
Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds often require significant downtime, especially after vigorous activity. Their larger bodies work harder during exercise, so they recharge with longer sleep sessions.
Very Large Breeds (12–18 hours/day)
Great Danes, St. Bernards, and Mastiffs are known as “gentle giants,” and their sleep needs are equally oversized. These breeds conserve energy through extended rest periods, with puppies in this group sometimes sleeping up to 22 hours a day.
High-Energy Working Breeds (10–12 hours/day)
Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, and Belgian Malinois are bred for stamina and mental focus. They generally need less sleep than other breeds, but they require plenty of activity and mental stimulation/enrichment when awake to stay balanced.
Check out this Dog Sleep Chart for 91 breeds from Puppy - Adolescent - Adult to Senior.
Here are Some Breed-Specific Insights
- French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever: Sleep about 10–11 hours/day on average.
- Spaniels: Tend toward 12 hours/day.
- Jack Russell Terrier: About 10 hours/day, reflecting their high activity levels.
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Average of 11 hours/day.
- Great Dane: Adults need 12–14 hours, but puppies may rest 18–22 hours/day
Factors That Influence Sleep
Just like people, every dog is unique, and their sleep patterns are shaped by more than just age or breed. A variety of factors, from natural energy levels to overall health and even the comfort of their sleeping environment, play an important role in determining how much rest a dog really needs. Understanding these influences helps pet owners recognize what’s normal for their pup and when changes in sleep might signal a need for extra care or attention.
- Age – Puppies and seniors sleep most.
- Breed & Size – Larger or toy breeds sleep more, medium-sized dogs often less.
- Energy Level – Working, hunting, or herding dogs may rest less due to activity demands.
- Health – Illness or discomfort can increase sleep needs.
- Environment – Stress, home noise levels, and quality of the dog’s bed all impact rest.
Sleep Patterns Vary Among Small vs. Large Breeds
Sleep patterns vary notably between small and large dog breeds, with larger breeds generally sleeping more than their smaller counterparts due to differences in energy expenditure, metabolic rates, and recovery needs.
Small Breed Sleep Patterns
Sleep Duration: Typically 12–16 hours per day.
Napping: Smaller dogs tend to take frequent, shorter naps throughout the day, remaining more alert and energetic when awake.
Activity: Many small breeds are highly active (e.g., Jack Russell Terrier, Chihuahua), often sleeping less than large breeds due to their higher metabolism and tendency to engage in bursts of activity.
Dream Cycles: Small dogs have shorter, more frequent dream periods compared to larger dogs.
Large Breed Sleep Patterns
Sleep Duration: Often 16–20 hours per day, especially in giant breeds like Great Dane, Mastiff, or Saint Bernard.
Napping: Large breeds require longer, deeper naps and spend more time truly asleep rather than just resting.
Energy Recovery: Larger body size means greater energy expenditure, resulting in increased need for sleep to restore themselves both physically and mentally.
Nighttime Sleep: Large dogs typically have more consolidated periods of deep sleep at night and may take longer naps during the day to meet their total sleep needs.
Globally, kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognize around 340 distinct dog breeds. <>Each group brings unique sleep tendencies influenced by their original purpose, size, and temperament.
- Toy & Companion Breeds: Chihuahua, Maltese, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu.
- Sporting Breeds: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Spaniels, Irish Setter.
- Working Breeds: Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, St. Bernard, Siberian Husky.
- Herding Breeds: Border Collie, German Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog.
- Hounds: Beagle, Afghan Hound, Dachshund, Greyhound.
- Non-Sporting: Bulldog, Dalmatian, Chow Chow, French Bulldog.
- Terriers: Jack Russell Terrier, Airedale, Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier
Understanding how many hours dogs sleep by age and breed is essential to keeping your companion healthy, energetic, and well-rested. With the right knowledge, you can create a daily routine that supports your dog’s unique needs and strengthens your bond. To give your pup the best rest possible, explore our selection of round dog beds.
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