how much should dogs sleep in the day and at night?

[Idontsnore]

I was wondering because they do seem to sleep a lot but surely not as much as cats!? My two cats seem to sleep most of the day? Are dogs the same? I really want a dog in our lives but wondering what the reality is? I kow they need exercise, company, training, stimulation etc. but they do seem to be asleep a lot too. My sis has two med/large dogs and they are always asleep when I go round there! If we meet in town, they lay under a chair and go to sleep too. Everyone says they ar eard work but they alwys seem to be asleep - s'cuse stupid question, I am a novice..........:-)

[emptyshell]

It varies according to dog. Let's just put it this way - my greyhound could put the cat to shame for time spent asleep!

[misdee]

ralh dozes a lot. i say he is never fully asleep in the day time, but does like to doze. he doesnt doze when out and about but is calming down around others.

[Idontsnore]

emptyshell, I have heard that about greyhounds! - too funny everyone's perception of them is that they are so energetic but it is quite the opposite!

[scartette]

Our dog, who is energetic and a very lively retriever/collie cross , spends most of the day asleep and the night also. She leaps up instantly when its time for a walk and can walk for ages or play with toys etc but when those activities end its back to sleep again. I'm sure I read in one of our doggy manuals that dogs actually sleep ,on and off, for approx. 18 hours out of 24.I think this is perfectly normal when they are happy, contented dogs. On the other hand, an unhappy or lonely dog is capable of barking or howling for hours on end also. In answer to your question , yes dogs do sleep a lot!

[Tchootnika]

Well... they do sleep a lot, but only after a good run around, IME (unless they're very old, ill or depressed, perhaps?). If you're thinking of getting one, I think you should focus more on other characteristics you've mentioned: need for exercise, company, stimulation, training,

They're definitely not all the same: some breeds are generally 'quieter' than others: whippets and greyhounds are often described as being very chilled indeed, being almost cat-like in their calmness after a good short burst of exercise. Spaniels, OTOH...

[chickchickchicken]

at spaniels otoh. ditto our collie x. he is 6 and very rarely even dozes during the day. out jrts love lots of exercise but when at home will sleep during the day. collie x can walk for miles and still be awake and alert at home all day

[chickchickchicken]

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