Some dogs are born adventurers, always on the move, while others are content to curl up and drift into dreamland for hours on end.
If you’ve ever wondered why your dog seems to snooze the day away, you’re not alone—dogs are actually among the sleepiest animals on Earth, often clocking 12 to 14 hours of slumber daily. Puppies and seniors, in particular, can snooze up to 20 hours, making their nap game as strong as their loyalty.
Unlike watchful breeds that stay half-alert, heavy-sleeping dogs tend to relax fully, embracing the comfort of a soft bed and quiet surroundings. Their laid-back nature makes them excellent companions for people with calm households or busy lifestyles.
While they might have bursts of energy, these dogs are experts at switching off when the excitement is over. In this article, we’ll explore popular dog breeds renowned for their love of sleep.
From gentle giants to cozy lap warmers, these breeds prove that being a champion napper can be just as charming as being playful or energetic.
Popular Dog Breeds Known As Heavy Sleepers
1. English Bulldog
The English Bulldog, also known simply as the Bulldog, is a stocky, muscular breed recognized for its loose skin and wrinkled face. Hills Pet states that the English Bulldog has dark eyes set low and wide on the forehead in the frontal plane, and a black, slightly upturned nose.
Known for their gentle, affectionate nature, they are often described as calm companions who adore lounging around and napping throughout the day.
Bulldogs have low energy levels, which makes them naturally inclined to long snooze sessions. Their heavy build means any physical activity requires more effort, so they compensate by spending plenty of time resting. They can often be found sprawled across couches or beds, dozing peacefully.
Their brachycephalic structure contributes to their slow-paced demeanor, as breathing takes more effort and limits intense activity. This slower rhythm keeps their energy output minimal, encouraging even more time spent sleeping, especially in warm environments where they can easily overheat.
Interestingly, their laid-back lifestyle aligns with their love for human companionship—these affectionate dogs enjoy curling up close to their owners while they nap.
2. Basset Hound
The Basset Hound, affectionately nicknamed “Hush Puppy,” is a low-slung hound with long, droopy ears and soulful eyes.
Known for their incredible sense of smell, they are calm, charming, and instantly recognizable by their long backs and sturdy, heavy-boned build. PetMD says Basset Hounds were bred to hunt rabbits and hares, and they are short, sturdy dogs.
Basset Hounds are famously laid-back, and their short legs paired with hefty bodies mean any exercise feels like a marathon. After brief bursts of activity, they happily collapse into deep slumber, often sleeping up to 20 hours if allowed, which makes them natural couch companions.
Their low energy levels and slow metabolism contribute to their sleepy demeanor. They can be difficult to motivate for play, so owners often need to entice them with scent-based games or strolls to get them moving before they snooze again.
Interestingly, while they can follow a scent trail for hours when motivated, they’re just as likely to curl up afterward and nap for the rest of the day, which cements their reputation as one of the heaviest-sleeping breeds.
3. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog, often called the “Frenchie,” is a compact, muscular toy breed known for its signature bat-like ears and adorably wrinkled face. PDSA says they can adapt well to many different living environments, which makes them a popular choice as pets.
Originally bred as companion dogs for English lace workers who moved to France, they quickly became popular city pets because of their small size and affectionate nature.
French Bulldogs are renowned for their love of lounging, making them ideal for relaxed households. Their brachycephalic trait lowers their energy levels and encourages long daily naps. This makes them perfectly suited to apartment living and quiet routines.
Despite being calm sleepers, Frenchies are quite social and thrive on human companionship. They’re content curling up on the sofa for hours, only springing to life for brief, playful spurts before retreating to rest again. This predictable pattern fits seamlessly into a laid-back lifestyle.
Interestingly, even healthy French Bulldogs are known to snore and snort while sleeping due to their short airways—a quirky trait that many owners find endearing.
4. Newfoundland
The Newfoundland, often called the “Newfie,” is a giant, fluffy breed celebrated for its sweet nature and gentle spirit. With their thick double coats and webbed feet, they were originally bred as working water dogs off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada, where they helped haul nets and rescue drowning fishermen.
This breed is famously calm and low-energy indoors, which contributes to its reputation as a heavy sleeper. Newfoundlands often spend long stretches snoozing, easily logging 12 to 14 hours of rest each day without complaint. Their laid-back temperament makes them perfectly suited to relaxed homes where lounging is encouraged.
Newfies also love close companionship and thrive on being around their families, which further encourages their nap-loving lifestyle. They are happiest when they can sprawl on a comfy bed and doze near their favorite humans after a short walk or play session.
Despite their sleepy demeanor, these dogs are strong swimmers with a long history of lifesaving work—a remarkable contrast to their love of extended naps.
5. Great Dane
The Great Dane, also called the “Apollo of Dogs,” is a towering yet gentle breed instantly recognizable for its long legs, deep chest, and elegant posture.
Despite their imposing appearance, they are famously affectionate companions who adore lounging beside their families as much as they love a brief romp in the yard.
Great Danes are known for being one of the most laid-back giant breeds, which makes them natural heavy sleepers. Because of their massive size, they burn a lot of energy just moving around, so they conserve it by resting often—sometimes snoozing up to 18 hours a day.
Their calm demeanor contributes to their sleepy habits. Unlike high-strung breeds, they rarely pace or fret and are content to spend long stretches curled up on their bed. This relaxed attitude helps them drift into deep, restorative sleep without much effort.
Interestingly, their slower metabolism compared to smaller breeds also plays a role in their sleepiness. Large and giant dogs like the Great Dane need longer naps to recharge, and regular short walks are enough to keep them happy and healthy.
6. Mastiff
Also known as the English Mastiff, this colossal breed is famed for its calm, dignified presence and affectionate temperament.
With their drooping eyes, deeply wrinkled faces, and massive frames, Mastiffs are instantly recognizable and often described as gentle giants. Their sheer size, however, makes conserving energy essential, and that naturally ties into their love for long naps.
Mastiffs are among the dog world’s heaviest sleepers because their large bodies demand extended recovery time. Moving around at their size takes significant effort, so they prefer spending much of the day snoozing to recharge.
Their slow metabolism also contributes to their lower activity levels, meaning they rarely display bursts of energy like smaller, more spirited breeds.
Despite their imposing looks, these dogs are deeply attached to their families and happiest when they can lounge indoors surrounded by their loved ones. They are content to rest quietly and are known to become emotionally low if left alone too often, which further adds to their sedentary lifestyle.
Young Mastiffs need minimal exercise early on to protect their developing joints, but as adults, they still favor brief strolls over intense workouts. Their gentle nature, paired with their tremendous need for rest, makes them perfect candidates for homes that embrace a relaxed pace.
7. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu, often called the “Lion Dog,” is a toy breed celebrated for its long, flowing coat and warm, expressive eyes. Bred as royal lap dogs in ancient China, they were cherished for their loving nature and elegant appearance, making them favorites among emperors and nobles.
Known for their relaxed temperament, Shih Tzus are naturally inclined to spend much of their day napping.
Adult Shih Tzus typically snooze for about 12 to 14 hours daily, and older dogs may rest even longer. Their calm demeanor allows them to thrive in cozy indoor spaces where quiet and comfort reign.
Their small size and moderate energy mean they rarely demand intense exercise, preferring gentle walks and long stretches of downtime. This makes them perfect companions for people who enjoy tranquil environments and slower-paced routines.
Conclusion
Understanding the sleeping habits of different breeds can help you create the perfect environment for your furry companion to rest.
While most dogs enjoy plenty of nap time, other sleepiest dog breeds like Shih Tzus and French Bulldogs are known to tend to sleep even longer stretches, especially in peaceful surroundings. Their love for deep sleep allows them to recharge and be their playful selves when awake.
Meanwhile, bigger dogs such as the Saint Bernard often need more beauty sleep simply to recover from using all that energy during their active moments.
Both adult dogs and senior dogs benefit from predictable rest patterns, though older pups might snooze even more. Breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Lhasa Apso, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are also known for being relaxed companions who love their quiet downtime.
While frequent dozing is normal, watch for sudden changes that could indicate underlying health issues—especially if your dog becomes less interested in play or interacting with other dogs. By respecting their natural rhythms, you ensure they stay healthy and happy.
