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Goldendoodle Sleeping FAQs: How Much Do Goldendoodles Sleep?

By Dr. Merliza Cabriles, D.V.M.

how much do goldendoodles sleep
Photo courtesy of @henry_o_doodles on Instagram.

Goldendoodles love taking several naps during the day. Whether they’re on the couch or basking under the sun’s warm rays, your Goldendoodle can snooze at a moment’s notice.

Dogs sleep more than humans do and they also have different sleep cycles.  In this article, I’ll answer the most commonly asked questions about Goldendoodle sleeping habits from a veterinarian’s perspective.

Related: 27 Hilarious Photos That Prove Doodles Are The Cutest Sleepers

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How Much Do Goldendoodles Sleep?

The sleeping needs of Goldendoodles change as they age, just like the way the sleeping needs of humans change over the course of a lifetime. Puppies sleep longer than adults in order to meet their body’s needs for growth and development.

As a general rule, bigger dog breeds spend more time sleeping compared to their smaller counterparts.  But there are also other factors that can have a significant influence on a Goldendoodle’s sleeping habits. 

sleeping goldendoodle
Photo courtesy of @inspector_kevin on Instagram.

How Much Sleep Does a Goldendoodle Puppy Need?

Goldendoodle puppies generally sleep 18-20 hours a day. Like human infants, puppies are still growing and developing and they will need 18 to 20 hours of sleep.

As they age, a 4 month old Goldendoodle could sleep up to 14 hours or more, with the average being around 11 hours.

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What’s a Healthy Goldendoodle Puppy Sleep Schedule?

Having a sleep schedule is especially important for puppies that are still being house-trained. To determine your Goldendoodle puppy’s sleep schedule, use this rule as a guide:

For each month of your Goldendoodle puppy’s age, count one hour of sleep plus one. For example, if you have a 4 month old Goldendoodle, a normal sleep schedule would be 5 hours before they need to go on a potty break.

When your pet is about 9-10 months old, they can hold it in for 10-12 hours before they need to go out to do their business.  

Photo courtesy of @jasmine_and_brandi on Instagram.

When Do Goldendoodle Puppies Sleep Through the Night?

By the time Goldendoodle puppies are one year old, their sleeping habits become similar to adult dogs. Most of their sleep time is spent at night and they will need less sleep compared to when they were younger. 

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How Many Hours a Day Should an Adult Goldendoodle Sleep?

Adult Goldendoodles generally sleep 8 to 14 hours a day, with 11 hours per day on average. Larger sizes of Goldendoodles can sleep up to 18 hours a day.

In a 24 hour period, most of a Goldendoodle’s sleeping time takes place at night. They may spend at least 3 hours napping during the day.

Several factors can influence how much sleep a Goldendoodle needs. These include the following:

Dogs with jobs, such as those working with law enforcement or herding sheep on a farm, tend to sleep less because they are busy. On the other hand, a dog that’s left home alone most of the day tends to sleep more for lack of something else to do.

Some Goldendoodles sleeping more than others may just lack opportunities for physical and mental stimulation. One way to get your dog more mental stimulation is to do fun training exercises like the ones in the Brain Training for Dogs program!

Brain Training for Dogs Program

As Goldendoodles enter their twilight years, they tend to sleep more (12-14 hours on average). As their bodies slow down and deal with the effects of  wear and tear through the years, senior dogs will require more rest throughout the day.

Arthritis, hip dysplasia, cognitive dysfunction, and other age-related health issues that affect senior Goldendoodles can cause them to revert to the sleeping habits that they had while a puppy.

They will nap on and off throughout the day. Some can sleep for a total of 16-18 hours per day. 

Read More: Goldendoodle Health Issues: 10 Common Goldendoodle Health Problems to Look Out For!

Larger Goldendoodle sizes are considered “senior” when they are about 5 to 7 years old. Smaller sizes of this breed, however, have longer lifespans and are not considered to be seniors until they’re 10 years of age.

Senior Goldendoodles tend to sleep more because they tire out more easily. Also, bigger dogs spend more time dozing compared to their smaller counterparts.

What’s a Healthy Adult Goldendoodle Sleep Schedule?

When it comes to knowing the right Goldendoodle sleep schedule, experts generally point out that the bathroom habits of dogs are the most important consideration.

When and how frequently your Goldendoodle relieves themself can affect their sleep schedule. Other factors that can affect a dog’s sleep schedule include age, health status, and personality. 

Photo courtesy of @lucyythedoodle on Instagram.

Do Goldendoodles Like to Sleep With You in Bed?

When dogs were domesticated, many slept with their masters. Lying close together created stronger bonds between dogs and their owners. It was also a way to keep warm as the heat of their bodies combined. 

Related: Do Goldendoodles Like to Cuddle?

As social creatures, Goldendoodles love being around their humans even when sleeping. However, there are pros and cons related to co-sleeping with your Goldendoodle. 

Pros: 

  • Enhances the dog-owner bond.
  • Gives both dog and human a sense of safety, security, and comfort.
  • Increases the amount of quality time spent with your dog.
  • Eases anxiety.

Cons:

  • Health concerns of humans can be aggravated. A common example is experiencing allergies.
  • Dogs carry dust, dander, and other pathogens.
  • Risk of disease and parasite transmission from dog to human and vice versa.
  • The difference between a dog and human sleep cycles can significantly affect the quality of sleep for both humans and their canine buddies. 

Is Your Goldendoodle Sleeping Too Much or Not Enough?

As you might have gathered, a Goldendoodle sleeping a lot is not usually a cause for concern. Even when they are in deep sleep, their protective instincts are always on high alert thus even the slightest sound could easily wake them up. 

Like humans, a dog’s sleeping patterns can also be affected when there are major changes in the household and the immediate environment.

Moving to a new home, the death of a favorite human or a canine friend, the arrival of a new family member, and many other things can have an impact on a Goldendoodle’s sleeping habits. However, these should return to normal with time. 

Identifying the stressors and preventing or minimizing your Goldendoodle’s exposure can help address these issues.

If there are sudden changes in your Goldendoodle’s sleeping habits or a deviation in your pet’s regular sleeping pattern, you should pay close attention. If your dog’s excessive sleepiness is accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy or loss of appetite, it is a good idea to take your pet to your veterinarian right away.

Excessive sleep can be a red flag for serious health issues such as diabetes, hearing loss, hypothyroidism, or canine depression to name a few. 

In non-emergencies, you can live chat with a veterinarian online by clicking here!

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Dr. Merliza Cabriles, D.V.M.

Contributing Professional

Dr. Merliza Cabriles is a licensed veterinarian and university professor with many years of experience in food animal and pet companion medicine. Her passion for writing as well as pet parent education and support is echoed in the articles and ebooks she has written.