We all need adequate sleep to recharge our bodies and minds and be our best selves, and dogs are no exception. Unlike humans, dogs have no qualms about taking as much shut-eye as they need, and they tend to doze off whenever the fancy takes them.
The average dog spends about 50% of its day sleeping, but some breeds are more restful than others. You may wonder, who are the dogs that sleep a lot? In addition to sleeping, many of the dogs on this list just love to ‘loaf’, and hey, good for them.
Dogs That Sleep a Lot
If you’re finding it hard to relax and unwind, you may find some inspiration in the following list. Who among us wouldn’t benefit from napping more and doing less? And what better way to do that then to have a less demanding dog that can do it right along with you?
1. Saint Bernard
Average Lifespan: 8-10 years
Average Size: 120-180 pounds
Coat: short, rough, smooth, double
The gentle giant that is Saint Bernard has a compelling history. In the year 1050, a monk named ‘Bernard of Menthon’ created a hospice for pilgrims who had not survived the treacherous journey from the Swiss Alps to Rome. The breed was developed to help locate and rescue travelers buried by avalanches.
Today’s Saint Bernard is more commonly known as an affectionate family breed, gentle and patient despite their imposing size. Although a very adept watchdog, an off-duty Saint Bernard will happily sleep up to eighteen hours at a time.
2. Chow Chow
Average Lifespan: 8-12 years
Average Size: 45-70 pounds
Coat: medium, rough, smooth, double
The Chow Chow, an ancient breed of China, is basically royalty amongst the dogs that sleep a lot. Their noble bearing is the result of generations of service to emperors in their homeland and their distinctive lion’s-mane ruff enhances their aura of stateliness.
They are not a breed who will run up to strangers seeking new friends, which can be disappointing for the many admirers attracted by their teddy-bear appearance.
Chow Chow loves a nap, tending to sleep for enjoyment as well as necessity. A senior Chow Chow dog (8 years and over) may sleep up to eighteen hours a day. Just make sure nobody mistakes your slumbering Chow for a stuffed toy!
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 13-18 pounds
Coat: medium, wavy, silky
Spritely and playful, yet gentle and sweet, The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an all-arounder who revels in their sleepytime.
Bred in the veritable lap of luxury for British royalty, they are accustomed to spending many idle hours with their human companions to such an extent that they suffer separation anxiety when left alone for a short while.
Add to this their tendency to sleep for up to 50% of the day, and you have the perfect pet for a true homebody.
4. American Bulldog
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 60-100 pounds
Coat: smooth, short
Out of all the dog breeds, the bulldog has a reputation as the most, let’s say, ‘idle’. But honestly, who can complain when you’re this cute?
A farm utility dog for generations, the bulldog was bred for its ability to catch feral cattle and pigs. However, today’s pet bulldogs are more well known for being expressive, goofy and occasionally melodramatic.
They are vigorous during play and tend to tire themselves out quickly, needing to recuperate by lots of lounging, and sleeping up to fourteen hours at a time. Their shortened snout makes them susceptible to breathing issues, which also contributes to the need for rest and recuperation.
5. Bernese Mountain Dog
Average Lifespan: 7-10 years
Average Size: 70-115 pounds
Coat: medium, double
One of the most beautiful dogs that sleep a lot, the Bernese Mountain Dog has a thick, silky tri-colored coat and inquisitive brown eyes.
Bred to guard farmyards against predators and drive cattle, they have a long history as working dogs. Known for their strength, they can utilize their muscular hindquarters to pull many times their weight as draft dogs.
However, the Bernese relish their hours of rest almost as much as they enjoy a hard day’s work. Typically, they sleep about eight hours a night but love to take extra time to nap during the day.
6. Basset Hound
Average Lifespan: 12-13 years
Average Size: 40-65 pounds
Coat: short, smooth
The adorable ‘low hound’ originated in France and Belgium and was bred as a durable and compact hunting companion. The Basset has a nose second only to the Bloodhound but is perhaps most recognizable for its long, velvety ears and charmingly melancholic expression.
Bassets have short legs with big paws and a long body to carry around, which takes a lot of energy. Most Basset Hounds sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day and are prone to weight gain if owners do not actively encourage them to play and exercise.
7. Shih Tzu
Average Lifespan: 10-18 years
Average Size: 9-16 pounds
Coat: long, double
The Shih Tzu, meaning ‘lion dog’, is a lap dog of truly aristocratic origins, so it’s no surprise they relish their rest and relaxation! For many generations, the Shih Tzu was unknown outside of their native China, where they were pampered and beloved by emperors and their families.
Today, they are one of the most popular lap dogs in the United States and the United Kingdom, cherished for their sweet dispositions and exquisitely beautiful coats. Unsurprisingly, they thrive when they have very little to do but lay around, receive cuddles, and sleep for up to sixteen hours at a time.
8. Lhasa Apso
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 12-18 pounds
Coat: medium, long, silky
Another noble addition to the dogs that sleep a lot, the Lhasa Apso is a thousand-year-old breed that historically served as sentinels at Himalayan palaces and monasteries.
Described as ‘regally aloof’ the Lhasa Apso bears an elegant floor-length coat and serene enjoyment of the finer things in life. They love nothing more than resting comfortably for hours on end in the company of their preferred people, playing when it suits them, and taking copious naps.
9. French Bulldog
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: Under 28 pounds
Coat: short, smooth
It’s blatantly obvious why the French Bulldog is one of the most sought-after breeds amongst pet owners. They resemble a miniature version of the notoriously cute Bulldog, with a bonus: those utterly delightful ‘bat ears’!
Their compact size and easygoing, adaptable nature make them perfect for city-dwellers. An all-around charmer, they get along with other dogs and enjoy making new human friends too.
Frenchies can sleep for up to eighteen hours a day and would greatly appreciate it if you didn’t bother them while they’re doing so (no matter how cute they look!)
10. Pug
Average Lifespan: 13-15 years
Average Size: 14-18 pounds
Coat: short, smooth
It seems somewhat appropriate that so many of the dogs that sleep a lot have royal heritage. The Pug is another breed who was beloved by the emperors of ancient China. They were venerated for their unconventional beauty, sparkling eyes, and spirited personalities.
Today, the Pug is even more widely-adored, a highly-versatile companion who is equally content at rest or play. Most pugs sleep between ten to fourteen hours a day. They love a treat and can be prone to obesity, so care must be taken to ensure they get enough exercise.
11. Pekingese
Average Lifespan: 12-14 years
Average Size: Up to 14 pounds
Coat: long, double
Chinese legend states that the Pekingese was created by the Buddha, who shrunk a lion down to dog size. Indeed, the distinctive ‘mane’ of fur around their neck and shoulders gives them an air of majesty reminiscent of the King Of The Jungle.
Serene of temperament, the Pekingese are true lap dogs who do not need a lot of exercise to be content, and they do not enjoy the roughhousing that other breeds partake in.
They are best at rest, whether they are lounging or sleeping, although their shortened muzzle makes them prone to less-than-regal bouts of snoring.
12. Mastiff
Average Lifespan: 6-10 years
Average Size: 120-230 pounds
Coat: short, double
Once a big-game hunter and war dog, today’s Mastiff is considered a gentle giant. A time-honored breed, surviving evidence from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and Tibet all show traces of the formidable canines we’ve come to know as Mastiffs.
Although an intimidating physical presence, with a thickly-muscled body that can outweigh that of a full-grown man, Mastiffs are patient, warm-hearted companions. Unsurprisingly, the Mastiff needs a lot of sleep, typically up to fourteen hours at a time. Often, they behave nocturnally, becoming active at night after sleeping all day.