Is it normal for a 3 year old dog to sleep a lot? Find Out Here

Breed of Dog

The breed of a dog determines its size, activities, and also how quickly it gets old. All of these factors can affect the dogs requirement of sleep. A smaller dog breed usually takes longer to reach old age and requires less sleep.

Greyhounds, Bullmastiff, Chow, Saint Bernard, Bassett Hound, Newfoundland are widely known as being “lazy dogs” because of their sleeping habit. They can spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping.

Activity Level

Dogs that have tasks to hold their attention will spend most of the day activities, dedicated to completing those tasks. The number of sleep dogs needs also depends on what they are bred to do.

Why do dogs sleep so close to you?

When your pet is resting or sleeping, they may snuggle up next to you. This behavior is inherently in their genes and is further cemented when they are puppies, according to hepper.com.

It is common for dogs to sleep against you due to their wolf ancestry. Wolves, like domesticated dogs, are pack animals, and they tend to lay near others for warmth and security, says hepper.com.

Another reason your dog sleeps close to you is protection. Your dog sees you as part of its pack and will be ready to attack any threat, just like its wolf cousins.

Bonding could also be why your dog sleeps nearby. Dogs sleep near their owners to reinforce bonds. This comes as a result of genes as well, since sleeping in packs indicates trust and mutual support among wolves, says hepper.com. Dogs think in the same way.

Anxiety can contribute to your dog sleeping next to you. They could be experiencing separation anxiety, which should be checked out for your dog’s long-term health, says hepper.com

How often should you walk your dog?Best practices for keeping your pup healthy.

What human foods can dogs eat?Heres what isnt safe for your pet to consume.

What Your Dog’s Sleeping Position Reveals About Their Personality, Health and Character

As a dog trainer and behaviorist, I’m often asked: “Is what my dog doing normal?” Amongst the top topics are licking pee, eating poop, chasing bikes, humping, and, well, the list goes on. In most cases, these are all perfectly normal behaviors — they’re just not something that we are familiar or even comfortable with.Â

However, when it comes to sleeping, there are some general guidelines that can help you determine whether your dog is normal or not. Keep reading to learn if it’s normal for dogs to sleep all day — plus, how to know if your dog has sleep issues.