Have you got yourself a super sleepy English bulldog? You’re probably worrying about how much they’re sleeping, right? Perhaps you’re wondering, how much should English bulldogs sleep? Well, as proud pet parents to one wonderfully boisterous English bully, we’ve got all the answers you need.
Settle in, friends. Let’s talk about all things sleepy bulldog!
How much should adult English bulldogs sleep?
It probably comes as no great surprise that English bulldogs are amongst the top five (maybe even top three) super sleepy dogs, alongside the following:
- Basset hound
- Corgi
- Shih tzu
- Great Dane
- Pekingese
- Dachshund
- Mastiffs
It might surprise you to see some of those dog breeds on the list, but with mastiffs and Great Danes (for example,) their large size means that they need lots of sleep to catch up with lots of expended energy.
The same applies to English bulldogs in some senses. Although quite small and stocky in terms of height, they are usually large, heavy doggos, so it takes a lot of energy to move themselves around. Burning lots of energy means needing more calories and sleeping more – and that’s before you come to the harder breathing (brachycephalic breed,) extra fat rolls, and greedy/lazy nature.
Adult English bulldogs should sleep between 12 and 14 hours per day.
This sounds like a lot, but it’s usually not in one big sleep. Bulldogs do lots of little naps throughout the day – an hour here, half an hour there. When you add that to an eight-hour (approx.) nighttime sleep, it soon adds up.
How much should English bulldog puppies sleep?
English bulldog puppies sleep even more than their adult counterparts – and by quite a bit, too! The American Kennel Club states:
“Puppies… usually sleep for 18 to 20 hours a day.”
Puppies tend to be rather “zoomy” when they’re awake, which is why they need to sleep for so much of the day. Their tiny little tanks of energy are easily (and quickly) used up.
Sleep is also vital for healthy and regulated development. Puppies that don’t get enough sleep can develop behavioural problems, super destructive habits, hyperactivity, and more – all of which make it more difficult to pet parent them.
Once again, puppy sleep isn’t in one long nap: it’s in lots of little naps, just the same as adult English bullies. Each little nap is, on average, around two hours long, but it can be as short as a few minutes or as long as three hours.
By the time your bulldog puppy reaches around six months of age, their sleeping length will reduce quite dramatically, from up to 20 hours in a day, to between 10 and 14 hours.
The sleeping length for bulldog puppies tends to be as follows:
- Newborns – up to 20 hours per day
- 8 weeks to 3 months – up to 18 hours per day
- 3 months to 6 months – up to 16 hours per day
- Adulthood – up to 14 hours per day
If you notice your bulldog standing up and sleeping, don’t be too alarmed. As odd as it might appear, some bulldogs prefer sleeping in a non-lying down position, to make breathing easier.
How much should senior English bulldogs sleep?
One Reddit user and pet parent to an eight-year-old English bulldog (which is pretty senior,) says their four-legged friend sleeps for up to eighteen or twenty hours per day.
According to experts, it is perfectly normal for a senior English bulldog to sleep more than during their adult era, and sometimes as much as puppies sleep: between 14 and 20 hours per day.
Just as humans do, dogs get tired as they age, and their energy levels decrease. This is just one reason behind the increase in sleep. Others include:
- Waking up more during the night
- Natural urge to sleep more as senior dogs
- Higher risk of medical conditions, leading to sleep issues
It’s important to say that all dogs are different, even within the same breed. One senior bulldog might sleep for 18 to 20 hours per day; another might only sleep for 14 hours. You know your four-legged friend better than anyone else, so you know what’s ‘normal’ for them.
It is normal for bulldogs to slow down as they age, but if you notice anything that’s a little out of the ordinary, it’s always best to get them checked out by a vet… just in case!
The last you want is for your beloved bully to be in pain or discomfort, or in need of treatment, right?
When should I worry about my super sleepy English bulldog?
If your English bulldog sleeps for a lot more than normal, more than once or twice, it’s a sign that something has gone a little awry. Any behavioural changes, whether that’s sleeping, eating or playing, can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Several conditions cause sleep problems, including insomnia, increased sleeping during the day (or night,) and waking up more frequently, including:
- Sleep apnoea
- Pain or discomfort (i.e. from an injury)
- Doggy dementia (canine cognitive dysfunction)
- Anxiety, depression, and/or stress
- Heart disease or failure (and other heart conditions)
- Thyroid problems
- Parvovirus
- Canine distemper
As an aside, it is common for bulldogs to sleep more than usual when they have had more exercise or excitement than usual. A visit from Grandma, for example, will likely cause your boisterous bully to get excitable and rumble around. Afterwards, they’ll be tired, just as humans are after physical exertion, so will sleep more.
English bulldog sleep FAQs
Let’s answer a few leftover questions that many pet parents have with regards to English bulldog sleep patterns.
Do English bulldogs sleep a lot?
In short, yes, English bulldogs sleep a lot. Well, a fair bit, anyway. It is common for them to sleep anywhere from 12 to 20 hours per day, depending on age and various other factors.
Why do English bulldogs sleep so much?
English bulldogs are world-class nappers, in the top five of all sleepy dog breeds. There are actually a few scientific reasons as to why the breed sleeps so much. These include:
- Bulldogs work harder to breathe because of their brachycephalic faces (flat face.)
- Extra work breathing = more energy used.
- They’re more prone to overheating. Sleeping helps to calm and cool down English bulldogs.
- Their bodies work harder to digest food (which again, uses up energy.)
- They’re also more prone to digestive issues, such as allergies and intolerances, which, again, means that their bodies work harder.
- They’ve been bred to be couch potato dogs – a far cry from their bull-baiting days!
- Low quality sleep because of breathing issues, often with sleep apnoea.
- English bulldogs tend to take lots of little naps rather than one big sleep, for all of the reasons listed here.
Summary: how much should English bulldogs sleep?
Let’s summarise everything we’ve learned about how much English bulldogs sleep:
Puppies sleep for up to 90% of the day.
Adult bulldogs sleep for 10 to 14 hours per day.
Senior bulldogs sleep for 14 to 20 hours per day.
If you notice any changes to your dog’s sleeping patterns, seek veterinary advice immediately. Do not take for granted that your pup is okay – they could very well not be okay behind the scenes.
Our four-legged friends can’t communicate pain and illness to humans, so it’s the responsibility of a pet parent to notice the signs.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out Planet Bulldog today. We hope that you’ve found everything you’re looking for, but please feel free to contact us with any questions or queries that we haven’t already covered!
