Just like humans, dogs need time to rest and recharge. If you’ve recently acquired a German shepherd, understanding its lifestyle may be unfamiliar. It can be concerning if you suspect your pet is oversleeping or not getting enough rest. If you find yourself in this situation, take time to read through this article and understand more about their sleep habits.
Back to our question: How much sleep should a German shepherd have? Generally, a dog’s rest time varies depending on several factors. Dogs with different lifestyles develop different rest habits. It’s important to note that healthy and active individuals rest less compared to puppies and ill or older dogs.
If you’re a dog owner and your ‘German Bull’ sleeps 12 to 14 hours, you have nothing to worry about. Let’s examine the general sleeping patterns in this breed.
General Sleeping Patterns in German Shepherds
Though these dogs sleep for 12-14 hours per day, this time is influenced by the dog’s lifestyle. They work well as watchdogs in sheep herds and other protection operations. The military uses them for scouting, bomb detection, apprehension, and finding potential ambushers. Purebred German Shepherds have unique traits. These include self-assurance, obedience, fierceness, and intelligence. They acquire new skills quickly and exert vigorous effort in their work.
One notable aspect of this breed is their lack of a specific sleeping pattern. They are famous for taking naps throughout the day. Those in specialized work spend part of their rest training as service dogs. Active dogs sleep less, needing fewer rest hours than home guards. Working dogs in the military rest for shorter periods. This is due to the required concentration, especially during rescue and search operations.
Train dogs early for their work to minimize stress and lifestyle disruption. They may work for days with little sleep, like soldiers. Ranch or farm dogs have more rest opportunities and develop schedules.
How Many Hours a Day Should a GSD Sleep?
GSDs typically need sleeps between 12 and 14 hours a day, including naps. Senior dogs and puppies need more rest, up to 18 to 20 hours a day. This helps puppies in supporting their growth and old dogs in their recovery.
Dogs need proper sleep for their health and behavior. Exercise, mental stimulation, and medical issues can affect their rest patterns. Monitor their sleep routines and consult a veterinarian if concerned.
How Long Should a German Shepherd Dog Sleep at Night?
Adult dogs need 8-10 hours of sleep at night. Cycles of deep sleep rejuvenate their bodies and minds. A cozy bed or crate away from distractions promotes quality rest.
How Much Time Does a German Shepherd Puppy Sleep?
Young German Shepherds have different sleep requirements compared to adult dogs. A puppy can sleep up to 20 hours a day. This sleep fuels their growth and development. Sleep requirements decrease with age as they get older. If your puppy doesn’t sleep enough, this could hurt their growth and behavior.
Is Your German Shepherd Dog Sleeping Too Little?
Are you concerned that your German Shepherd is sleeping too few hours? They spend half their day sleeping, typically 12 to 14 hours. There must be a reason or cause for this abnormality. Your dog may have a lot of energy. It only needs regular exercise to calm down.
If your dog struggles to sleep after exercise, it might have arthritis or an injury. In this case, professional care is needed. Also, consult your vet if you notice your dog has sleep issues.
Is Your German Shepherd Oversleeping?
As some are sleepless, others are sleeping for more than sixteen hours daily. Though we may consider 15 hours normal, sleeping beyond this time indicates something wrong. Your dog could be sick and therefore rest more while battling the illness. He could also be having less energy to engage in active activities due to old age. If your dog is young or energetic but still oversleeps check with a professional vet.
A good way to ensure they don’t oversleep is setting up a regular for your household. The dog will follow this schedule as time goes on. Also, please keep your dog engaged with various activities such as a walk to the park to keep him awake.
Sleep Training for Enough Sleep
Depending on why you acquired your German Shepherd, you may need to train it to adapt to specific sleeping patterns. If you need him to stick to the average sleep duration, you must train him to get up at a certain time and sleep at a fixed time.
Another way to ensure your pet’s comfort and enough sleep is to buy him a dog bed. Also, you can keep your GSD engaged in fun activities to help reduce impromptu sleep during the day. You can engage your dog in activities like scavenging games, playing with toys, and taking him for runs or walks. Such activities help to keep the dog awake and active. Allowing your German Shepherd to volunteer as the therapy dog is another ideal way of keeping him attentive, watchful, and awake.
In case your dog oversleeps, you need to contact your vet to correct the behavior. You will also realize that very energetic dogs will sleep less. If you experience this, give your pet at least two hours to exercise daily. Exercising regularizes the dog’s sleeping time.
German Shepherd Sleep Problems
Unknown to many, sleep quality affects your dog’s state of mind. This may seem a joke but it is a proven fact. Some sleeping issues have a minimal impact that we can ignore while some are serious and require an expert. Let’s look at some of the main sleep disorders in your German Shepherd.
a) Insomnia
This disorder in German Shepherd dogs is caused by other health issues. Chronic pain, anxiety, flea infection, stress, and pent-up energy are the most notorious causes of insomnia in dogs. Puppies and old GSD dogs suffer from insomnia because of peeing while sleeping. Medication together with proper and regular exercise treats the causes of insomnia.
b) Narcolepsy
When your dog gets over-excited, it may collapse sideways and immediately fall asleep. At the same time, it can collapse after a heavy physical exercise. Either of the two, we refer to the disorder as narcolepsy. If you notice your German Shepherd having a deep sleep, there is a chance of him having this disorder. This disease is not wary as it causes no pain to your carnassial friend. Only the frequency and severity of attacks are manageable but this disease is not curable.
c) REM Behavior Disorder
Though associated with a “dreaming dog’, this disorder is rare. Some German shepherds may be physically active in their sleep. Dogs tend to twitch while asleep although some get violent and attack objects. Vets usually prescribe Clonazepam to reduce such activities when your dog is sleeping.
d) Sleep Apnea
This disorder is common among obese German Shepherds. A sleeping dog snores loudly to the extent of being frightened by his snores. Large dogs usually have narrowed airways which makes them snore. A dog with this disorder will wake up tired and inactive. Remedies such as surgery and inhaling therapy as well as weight loss exercises are good to contain this disorder. However, severe conditions require urgent medical attention for specialized treatment.
Understanding Various German Shepherd’s Sleep Positions
We all love to see our German Shepherds in a dream world. However, we also need to understand what every sleeping position means for your lovely pet.
1. Sleeping upside down
Probably, you bought your dog as a pet or as a protective dog. If you find him sleeping upside down, it means that he feels safe. It’s also a way of submitting to their owners. These dogs feel relaxed when sleeping on their back. This dog breed also lies in this position to cool down, especially after rigorous exercise.
2. Sleeping in a group and near the owner
Though some may think that they love to warm each other, this is not the reason. German Shepherds also believe ‘there is safety in numbers.’ Your dogs feel safe sleeping in a group since the enemy is unlikely to attack them. They also love to sleep around their owner for safety and protection.
3. Sleeping on the side
Whenever your dogs want to relax their legs, they will sleep in this position. It’s the most common Shepherd’s sleeping position. This position means that your dog is feeling safe in its sleep environment.
4. Sleeping curled up like a ball!
Any dog feels warm if it’s curled up like a ball. Dogs usually relax in this position during colder months to stay warm.
5. Sleeping with their tail wrapped over their nose
The German Shepherd wraps the tail over his nose to protect it from unfriendly elements like snow, rain, and wind. This is more evident during winter.
6. Sleeping on its front
This natural sleeping position allows them to stay alert while sleeping.
Conclusion
A German Shepherd of any age requires adequate time to sleep. Whether it’s a puppy or a senior, they need to have enough rest. Hence, you have to learn their sleeping habits. With this information, you are now able to live perfectly with your pet. You can easily ascertain an abnormality in your dog’s sleeping habits. You will also identify different disorders and respond to them appropriately. It’s good to keep your dog healthy and energetic for super performance.
I hope that the information in this article helped you out! Ensure you don’t frustrate your pet by denying him adequate sleep. Allow them to sleep more than you do!
