How Long Do Dogs Sleep? Average Sleep Times by Age and Breed 2026

Dogs sleep significantly more than humans — adult dogs average 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day, while puppies and senior dogs can sleep 18 to 20 hours. Understanding how much sleep is normal for your dog’s age, size, and breed helps you recognize when changes in sleep might signal a health issue worth discussing with your vet.

This guide is for informational purposes. If your dog’s sleep patterns change suddenly or dramatically, consult your veterinarian to rule out underlying health causes.

Average Dog Sleep Times by Age

Source: American Kennel Club; Veterinary Sleep Research Overview, 2024

It’s worth noting that dogs don’t sleep in one long uninterrupted block like humans. Instead, they sleep in multiple shorter sessions throughout the day and night, fitting sleep in between activities, meals, and interactions with their family.

How Breed and Size Affect Sleep

Breed and body size play a significant role in how much sleep a dog needs. Large and giant breeds consistently sleep more than small breeds:

• Giant breeds (Great Dane, Mastiff, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard): 16-18 hours per day — these dogs have high energy demands and recover more slowly from exertion
• Large breeds (Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd): 12-14 hours per day
• Medium breeds (Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Border Collie): 10-14 hours per day
• Small breeds (Chihuahua, Yorkie, Maltese): 12-16 hours per day — small dogs often sleep more than medium breeds despite high energy levels

Working and sporting breeds that are highly active (Border Collies, Siberian Huskies, Belgian Malinois) tend to need more sleep than sedentary companion breeds simply because they expend far more energy when awake. A Border Collie that has been herding for 6 hours will sleep more deeply and longer afterward than a lapdog that was on the couch all day.

How Dog Sleep Cycles Work

Dogs experience two main sleep stages: slow-wave sleep (SWS) — also called non-REM sleep — and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Unlike humans, whose sleep cycles last about 90 minutes, a dog’s sleep cycle is much shorter — approximately 20 to 45 minutes. This means dogs cycle through light and deep sleep more frequently.

During REM sleep, you’ll often see dogs twitching their paws, moving their legs as if running, making soft sounds, or having rapid eye movements. This is normal and indicates the brain is processing the day’s experiences. See our guide on Dog Twitching in Sleep for more detail.

Because sleep cycles are shorter and dogs are lightly aroused between cycles, they appear to “wake up” frequently — checking their environment, rearranging themselves — before falling back asleep. This is completely normal and is not a sign of sleep problems.

Factors That Affect How Much Dogs Sleep

• Activity level: A very active dog will sleep more and more deeply than a sedentary dog. Physical and mental exercise have a direct impact on sleep quality and duration.
• Diet: A nutritionally complete diet supports overall health including sleep quality. Poor nutrition or digestive issues can disrupt sleep.
• Environment: Dogs in quiet, safe, consistent environments sleep more soundly than dogs in chaotic, noisy, or unpredictable settings.
• Social factors: Dogs left alone for long periods often sleep more out of boredom. Dogs with active social lives may sleep in shorter, more efficient bursts.
• Season: Like humans, some dogs sleep slightly more in winter months, potentially in response to reduced daylight (shorter photoperiods).
• Health: Pain, illness, medication, and metabolic conditions all affect sleep. Hypothyroidism, for example, causes excessive sleepiness. Arthritis causes fragmented, poor-quality sleep.

When Excessive Sleep Is a Health Warning Sign

While dogs sleep a lot naturally, a sudden or dramatic increase in sleep — especially if accompanied by other symptoms — can signal a health issue. Contact your vet if your dog:

• Sleeps significantly more than usual for their age and breed for more than a few days
• Is difficult to wake when called or touched
• Shows reduced interest in food, play, or interaction
• Has other symptoms alongside increased sleep: weight gain, hair loss, increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, or limping
• Is a senior dog with a new pattern of very deep or prolonged sleeping

Conditions that cause excessive sleep in dogs include: hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, anemia, infections, heart disease, diabetes, pain, and neurological conditions. Most of these are diagnosable with bloodwork and a vet examination.

Improving Your Dog’s Sleep Quality

• Provide a comfortable, dedicated sleep space: A supportive dog bed appropriate for your dog’s size. Senior dogs benefit enormously from orthopedic memory foam beds to relieve joint pressure.
• Consistent daily routine: Regular mealtimes, exercise, and sleep schedules regulate your dog’s internal clock and improve sleep quality.
• Exercise before rest: A good walk or play session followed by a calm period leads to deeper, more restorative sleep.
• Minimize nighttime disruptions: Reduce noise, light changes, and household activity during your dog’s main sleep periods.
• Comfortable temperature: Dogs sleep best at moderate temperatures. Avoid placing beds near drafts or in overheated rooms.
• Address pain: If your dog seems restless or changes positions frequently, speak with your vet about pain management — this is especially important for older dogs with arthritis.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Sleep

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