Top 32 Canine Species Known for Their Snoozing Habits
Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but some breeds are particularly renowned for their love of long naps and low energy levels. While a definitive list of the 32 breeds that tend to sleep the most is not easily found, a combination of multiple sources reveals key breeds that are consistently cited for their high daily sleep needs.
The Core Group of Sleepy Breeds
The following breeds are regularly identified as the most prone to sleep long hours:
- Bulldog (English Bulldog)
- French Bulldog
- Shih Tzu
- Mastiff
- Basset Hound
- Pekingese
- Greyhound
- Lhasa Apso
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Saint Bernard
- Chow Chow
- Great Dane
- Cocker Spaniel
- Pug
- Great Pyrenees
Additional breeds known to sleep extensively include:
- English Bulldog (often included separately from Bulldog)
- Basset Hound (sleeping up to 20 hours)
- Mastiff (sleepy giant breed)
- Great Dane (large breed with a calm nature)
These breeds share traits such as a calm demeanor, lower energy, and breed-specific predispositions to find comfort in long rest periods.
More Sleepy Breeds
Beyond the core group, other breeds known for their sleepiness include:
- Bull terriers spend about half of their day asleep and a quarter resting, leaving only a quarter for high-energy activity.
- Havanese were bred to be sociable companions and spend their days napping, keeping their owners company, and relaxing.
- Irish Wolfhounds thrive on plenty of sleeping and resting time.
- Tibetan Spaniels are affectionate and crave companionship, making them excellent bed dogs.
- Basset Hounds, due to their short legs and heavy bones, need plenty of sleep to compensate for their active periods.
- Pugs are a lazy breed that enjoys being a couch potato.
- English Mastiffs, due to their ginormous size, need plenty of rest and recovery between exercise spurts.
- Lhasa Apsos are friendly little breeds that love to head out for a walk with you, but equally relish returning home for a nap.
- Newfoundlands are strong and diligent workers, but they recharge all that expended energy with a thorough, deep sleep.
- Pekingese are calm, affectionate breeds that have a long history as lapdogs and are content to lounge and sleep for long periods.
- Pomeranians are energetic dogs that spend a significant amount of their day sleeping to recharge.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are active dogs that require regular exercise but also enjoy relaxing and sleeping.
- Rottweilers need plenty of sleep and are prone to snoring.
- St. Bernards are known for their calm disposition and large size, which requires a lot of energy to move around, making them more prone to resting.
- Whippets conserve their energy for short, sharp bursts of exercise, followed by a lovely, long sleep.
- Chihuahuas use up a lot of energy going about their daily life and love nothing better than curling up into a cosy little corner for some shut-eye.
- Golden retrievers are content to lie down for hours on end if their owner is around.
- Leonbergers enjoy exercise but need to rest their large frames after strenuous activity.
- French Bulldogs, being brachycephalic, can struggle with breathing, which affects their energy levels and makes them more prone to sleeping.
- Chow chows are not typically very active dogs and tend to lie down and relax away from the hustle and bustle.
- Clumber spaniels are less athletic than their spaniel cousins and tend to need more sleep.
- Dachshunds can snooze for up to 16 hours a day.
- Shih Tzus tend to relish plenty of relaxation with their favorite human.
- Jack Russell terriers are highly energetic dogs that need a lot of sleep to recharge.
Factors Affecting Sleep Duration
Dogs typically require 12-18 hours of sleep per day, influenced by factors such as age, size, and environment. Smaller and brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced, like Bulldogs and Pugs) often need more rest due to their unique physical characteristics[1][2][3][4].
For a full 32-breed list with detailed sleep hours or rankings, a specialized, comprehensive study or database would be required.
In summary, the "sleepiest" dog breeds include Bulldogs, Basset Hounds, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Newfoundland, and similar calm, large or brachycephalic breeds known for their penchant for frequent napping and lengthy sleep durations.
- The English Bulldog, being one of the breeds prone to extensive sleep, often takes long naps for a significant portion of the day.
- Cats, unlike the sleepy dog breeds mentioned, are not typically known for their long naps or high daily sleep needs.
- In terms of pet care and lifestyle, understanding a dog's natural sleep patterns can help owners create a comfortable home-and-garden environment that suits their pet's needs.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, despite being active dogs, also enjoy relaxing and sleep for extended periods, similar to some of the sleepier breeds.
- Pugs, due to their laid-back nature, are considered a lazy breed that enjoys lounging and sleeping for long hours.
