How Much Sleep Do Dogs Need? A Guide by Age and Breed
Posted on : 10/08/2026
How much sleep do dogs need? More than most pet parents realise. Most dogs sleep 12–16 hours per day or even more, depending on their age, size, and breed. If your pup seems to spend half their life snoozing, that’s completely normal. In fact, it’s biology.
Understanding your dog’s sleep needs is one of the most important things you can do for their long-term health and happiness. And it all starts with the right set-up.
Key Takeaways
- Adult dogs typically need 12–16 hours of sleep per day
- How much sleep dogs need by age varies significantly. Puppies can sleep up to 20 hours a day
- Breed size plays a big role: giant breeds sleep more, working breeds tend to sleep less
- Dogs are polyphasic sleepers, meaning they nap on and off throughout the day rather than sleeping in one long block
- A supportive, comfortable bed is essential for quality rest
How Much Sleep Do Dogs Need by Age?
Age is the single biggest factor in how much sleep a dog needs. Here’s a general breakdown:
Puppies (0–12 months): 16–20 hours per day
Puppies do almost nothing but eat, play, and sleep. While you might be tempted to play and cuddle with them constantly, puppies need adequate rest time — up to 20 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. All that rest fuels rapid brain development, immune system growth, and physical maturation. If your puppy seems to crash hard after even a short play session, they’re right on track.
A consistent puppy sleep schedule matters too. Predictable nap times and a dedicated sleep space help puppies feel secure and build healthy sleep habits early.
Adult Dogs (1–7 years): 12–16 hours per day
Adult dogs spend about 50% of their time sleeping in a 24-hour period. They’re more active than puppies and seniors, but they still need substantial rest to recover from exercise, process new information, and regulate mood. Most healthy adult dogs take two to four naps throughout the day, in addition to their overnight sleep.
Senior Dogs (7+ years): 14–20 hours per day
Seniors typically need 14–16 hours per day, often with more naps. Ageing brings joint stiffness, slower metabolism, and less efficient sleep, meaning older dogs may need more hours in bed to feel fully rested. Older dogs often exhibit increased daytime sleep episodes, which is a normal part of ageing rather than a cause for concern. That said, a sudden and dramatic increase in sleep is worth a chat with your vet.
How Breed and Size Affect Sleep Needs
How much sleep dogs need doesn’t just change by age. Breed and size are major factors, too.
- Large and Giant Breeds: Great Danes, Saint Bernards, and Mastiffs are among the biggest sleepers of all. Even as healthy adults, they often clock 14 to 16+ hours a day. Supporting a large body requires significant energy, and their muscles, joints, and cardiovascular systems need more recovery time between activity.
- Small and Toy Breeds: Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Maltese also tend to sleep more than you’d expect. Their high metabolisms and bursts of playful energy mean they tire quickly, so they balance activity with long naps throughout the day.
- Working and High-Drive Breeds: Border Collies, Kelpies, and Retrievers generally need less downtime. Working breeds like Retrievers and Hounds will likely require less rest and more activity, so don’t be surprised if your working dog wants another walk before their next nap.
The Science Behind Dog Sleep
Dogs don’t sleep the way we do. Dogs have several sleep stages, including drowsiness, lighter non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, and deeper rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, where most dreaming occurs.
Both dogs and humans cycle through phases of wakefulness, drowsiness, REM sleep, and NREM sleep, and companion dogs follow a circadian rhythm and diurnal sleep pattern similar to those of their owners. The key difference is that dogs are polyphasic sleepers, meaning they cycle through these stages multiple times during the day and night rather than in a single extended block.
Research published in Scientific Reports found that selective REM sleep deprivation affects dogs’ performance on emotional processing tasks, suggesting that deep, uninterrupted sleep is just as important for dogs’ well-being as it is for ours.
During REM sleep, brain waves are faster and more irregular. Muscles are more relaxed, but the mind is more active, which is when your dog may whimper, breathe rapidly, or move their legs. Yes, they’re dreaming.
Signs Your Dog Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep
Knowing how much sleep dogs need is one thing. Knowing whether they’re actually getting quality rest is another.
Watch out for these signs:
- Restlessness at night. Frequent position changes, pacing, or an inability to settle can point to discomfort or an unsupportive bed
- Waking groggy. A dog that sleeps for long stretches but wakes up groggy, disoriented, or slow to respond may not be getting restorative rest
- Low energy during the day. Disinterest in walks or play they’d normally love is a common sign of sleep deprivation
- Mood changes. Poor sleep can significantly affect mood and behaviour; a lack of quality rest can lead to increased anxiety, irritability, or even aggression
If these signs persist for more than a week or two, a vet visit is worthwhile.
How to Help Your Dog Sleep Better
The biggest thing you can do? Give them a bed that actually supports their body.
Dogs spend more time in their bed than anywhere else in your home. A bed that’s too firm, too soft, or simply the wrong size leaves them constantly repositioning instead of dropping into deep, restorative sleep. For puppies, a warm, enclosed, calming bed mimics the closeness of their litter, reducing anxiety and helping them settle faster. For adult and senior dogs carrying the weight of a bigger frame or ageing joints, a memory foam bed provides the pressure relief that makes a real difference overnight.
For dogs who sleep indoors year-round, an indoor bed designed for Australian conditions and sized to suit breeds of every shape is a good option. And if your dog sleeps in a crate or needs something more versatile, crate mats offer the same quality and comfort in a practical format.
A few other things that make a difference:
- Keep their sleep spot quiet, consistent, and away from heavy foot traffic
- Build a predictable wind-down routine. A short walk, a toilet break, and some calm time before bed
- Make sure they’re getting enough exercise during the day so they’re genuinely tired come nighttime
- Avoid intense play or training sessions right before bed
When to See a Vet
Not every change in sleep patterns is cause for alarm, but some are. Warning signs include excessive sleepiness combined with other symptoms, frequent nighttime waking, loud snoring or gasping, or restless pacing in older dogs. Any of these symptoms can point to treatable conditions such as pain, cognitive dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, or neurological problems.
Trust your gut. You know your dog’s normal. If something feels off, get it checked.
Give Your Dog the Rest They Deserve
How much sleep do dogs need? Enough to grow, recover, process, and dream. Whether you’re raising a bouncy new puppy or sharing your couch with a greying senior, quality sleep (and the right space to do it) is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.
At Superior Pet Goods, every bed we make is designed with your dog’s real needs in mind: the right support, the right size, the right materials. Because a well-rested dog is a happier, healthier dog.
Shop our full range of dog beds and mats and find the perfect fit for your pup.
