Has your snoring-in-the-middle-of-the-day Great Dane dog left you scratching your head and wondering, How much sleep do Great Danes need, for goodness sake?!? You’ve landed in the right place, and you’re about to have the answer to that question!
- Why Your Great Dane Dog Sleeps so Much
- The Average Amount of Sleep Great Dane Dogs Need Each Day
- How Age Affects Your Great Dane’s Sleep Pattern
- Other Factors that Influence the Quality (and Amount) of Your Great Dane’s Sleep
- How Much Sleep is Too Much (or Too Little) For Your Great Dane
- The 10 Laziest Dog Breeds
I’ve gathered the most reliable and up-to-date information from the most trusted sources in canine health and well-being and will present it all here, in one convenient place. This will save you valuable time and energy and having to deal with inaccurate and opinionated information, allowing you to get straight to the heart of the facts. I’ve gleaned from sources like:
- The American Kennel Club
- The Great Dane Club of America
- The American Veterinary Medical Association
- Owners of Healthy (and Thriving) Great Dane Dogs
We’ve got a lot of great information to cover, so let’s get started!
Is it Normal for a Great Dane to Sleep All Day?
You’ll be relieved to learn Great Danes are notorious for the ludicrous number of naps they can take in a day. In fact, the Great Dane dog breed is ranked as one of the laziest!
Now, don’t get me wrong! This doesn’t mean that a Great Dane isn’t for you if you enjoy an active lifestyle. Those long and lean (and very large) muscles your Great Dane will develop are going to require plenty of daily exercise and activity. Your dog will just likely nap between, LOL!
Additionally, your dog may not actually be sleeping that long. It isn’t unusual for our furry companions to be awake for a period of time in the night without us even being aware. Dogs can see better in the dark than we can and aren’t governed by alarm clocks or time clocks. When a dog is tired, he (or she) sleeps.
We’ve become so accustomed to having all our sleep in one increment in a 24 hour period that we often forget we’re the only animal that does that. Other animals nap.
Why Great Danes Sleep So Much
A Great Dane doesn’t sleep the day away because he (or she) is depressed (although depression can be a factor, continue reading to discover how). Aside from certain illnesses and physical conditions, your Great Dane sleeps massive amounts because they’ve evolved and been bred through the years to do so. Let me explain.
The Great Dane dog breed was represented in depictions of ancient art. It is widely accepted by the canine experts that the breed was created by mating an English Mastiff with an Irish Wolfhound. Big and fierce, and so much different than our loving and domesticated Great Dane of today!
In their beginnings, Great Danes were used for hunting boar, one of the most dangerous of prey. A Great Dane back then had to be in peak physical and mental condition to perform such a fierce task on a regular basis. Because they were among the top in their hunting class, Great Danes were fed better and allowed to sleep in better conditions than other dog breeds. To this day, high-quality food and a comfortable sleeping environment are essential to the well-being of the breed.
As Great Danes were bred specifically to be physically and mentally astute, people began to notice their fine physical form and extraordinary behavior. This, combined with the breed’s keen sense of intelligence, made Great Danes desirable for the privileged position of guarding noble and aristocratic families within their home. And just like that (author snaps), some Great Dane dogs became house dogs. But what to do with all that bred-in aggression with dogs of that size sharing quarters with humans?
You breed it out of them, of course! And with that domesticity came less energy.
By the 1800s, the Great Dane breed became better known for its fantastic physique and comfortable companionship than for its hunting exploits. Great Danes have evolved from being fierce killers to being one of the best family pets… how cool is that?!? And to think, it all started with giving them “preferential treatment” via good food and good rest!
A little further along in this article, I’ll have a little bit more to say about how both good food and good rest are still the top line of defense for a Great Dane to have a long and healthy life, so continue reading to give your Great Dane the best of both.
How Much Sleep Do Great Danes Need?
It is not uncommon for a Great Dane to sleep a minimum of 14-16 hours a day. For some, it can be closer to 18 hours! As far as how much sleep a Great Dane actually needs, it’s about 12 hours a day, usually split into about 4 sessions.
As long as you’ve ensured that your dog’s needs have been met, there’s no need for concern regarding his (or her) sleeping schedule. Let’s break down your Great Dane’s daily needs for a closer look.
Your Great Dane Needs the Following Things Every Day:
Adequate Nutrition and Hydration: High-quality dog food and a constant supply of fresh clean water are your Great Dane’s greatest physical needs. Buying substandard food packed with fillers and byproducts will adversely affect your dog’s health. It’s akin to putting soda in your car’s fuel tank or a steady diet of junk food in your own body.
- To learn more about high-quality dog food, please read, “Is Pedigree Dog Food Good?“ right here in the Big Dog Den. The article was written with a 130 pound (59kg) Rottweiler named Maximus in mind, but I assure you, the nutrition information it contains pertains to any dog breed!
Your Time and Attention: This really should be combined with food and water, that’s how important your time and attention are to a Great Dane dog! A highly intelligent breed, your Great Dane is susceptible to both loneliness and boredom.
Loneliness can cause depression and anxiety, and anxiety can actually be fatal for a Great Dane dog. Did you know that? I didn’t! It’s been discovered that Bloat (sometimes called Torsion) is directly connected to a dog’s anxiety level. This condition is both painful and lethal, and Great Danes possess a certain risk factor to develop the condition from anxiety. The best medicine is prevention, and only your time and attention will suffice.
If your lifestyle doesn’t afford you the critical amount of your time a Great Dane needs to thrive, then this is NOT the dog breed for you.
Boredom can lead to disruptive, or even destructive, behaviors including aggression. A Great Dane can self-entertain for small increments of time but will rely on his (or her) owner for the physical and mental stimulation necessary to live a long and healthy life.
Exercise for the Body: Your Great Dane is considered a puppy for his (or her) first birthday and an adolescent from age 1-2 years old. This will be the most active time of their lives, and they likely won’t need much prompting from you to be playful active for up to 2 hours a day.
At age 2, when your Great Dane reaches maturity, you’ll likely see a decrease in spontaneous physical activity, and you’ll have to pay a little more attention to whether or not your dog is getting enough daily exercise. Obesity can quickly become an issue, putting added and undue stress on your dog’s joints, muscles, and heart. 60 minutes a day is a healthy amount of exercise for adult Great Dane dogs, broken down into two or three separate increments.
If you’d like a more detailed look at how much exercise your Great Dane will need throughout his (or her) life, I’ve got you covered! You’ll find a comprehensive guide for exercising your dog by clicking right here.
Exercise for the Mind: Yes, you read that right. Your Great Dane’s mental health has a direct effect on his (or her) overall well-being. Great Danes have been designed (bred) to be intelligent. Utilizing that intelligence exercises your dog’s mind, stimulating all sorts of good things within his (or her) body chemistry!
Training your dog to do tricks is fantastic mental stimulation for him (or her)! On-going and life-long training should begin the day after your Great Dane arrives at your home. Begin with the 5 Basic Commands, which are:
- Come!
- Heel!
- Sit!
- Down!
- Stay!
These commands cover the safety of your dog and those around him (or her). Additionally, they give your dog an accurate overview of the kinds of behaviors that please you. In your Great Dane’s world, pleasing you is of the utmost importance!
Once your dog has the 5 Basic Commands mastered, begin training him (or her) to do more complicated and complex tricks, always working within the dog’s ability level (to avoid frustration). Gradually increase the difficulty level, and don’t forget the value of praise as a motivator.
Your Great Dane will feel confident and display a pleasing temperament when he (or she) knows how to do some neat tricks! Did you know that your dog will come to understand from 150-250 words and/or gestures?
Playtime: Vigors training is excellent for your dog’s body and mind, but some unstructured playtime is also beneficial. Some off-leash frolicking in the back yard is encouraged, as well as some rolling around on the living room floor with your dog’s favorite human. Exposure to other dogs is another way to let your Great Dane simply enjoy being a dog.
This socialization is vital from a young age, and part of your dog’s overall temperament. The bigger the variety of people, other animals and places your Great Dane is, the more comfortable he (or she) will be in varying circumstances. More comfortable=less anxiety and less anxiety=a well-behaved dog.
Get out and play with your dog often, and if you’re looking for a few ideas to give him (or her) an opportunity to socialize with other dogs, the Dog Park and Doggie Daycare are two great options!
Grooming: Grooming is one of your dog’s basic needs. Furthermore, it’s another opportunity to spend time strengthening the bond you share. Even if you take your dog to the groomer, there is grooming that needs to be done at home, between visits.
Your Great Dane likely drools. A lot. Keeping the folds of skin around his (or her) muzzle (called jowls) clean and dry will help prevent a plethora of problems in the future. You can use a washcloth to clean the folds or even some sort of a moist towelette and dry with a clean towel (paper or cloth).
Great Danes have one coat of fur that is short, but do shed moderately throughout the year, and even more in the spring months. Going over your dog’s coat with a soft=bristled dog brush every couple of days can help keep that shedding to a minimum. There is even a mitt you can wear on your hand designed to lift away excess dog hairs.
An area of grooming often overlooked is dental health. Be sure you are brushing your Great Dane’s teeth daily with a paste formulated for dogs. Toothpaste made for humans is toxic to pets! You may also want to consider one of the brands of dental chews available that help keep plaque and tartar at bay. Have your dog’s teeth examined annually, as well.
To reiterate, if your dog eats high-quality dog food, always has clean water available, receives an adequate amount of time and attention from his (or her) humans, has the opportunity to exercise body and mind, proper healthcare and grooming, he (or she) will sleep exactly the amount of hours needed each day… which can still be around 16!
How Age Affects a Great Dane’s Sleep Pattern
We discovered earlier in this article that there a rhythm to a Great Dane’s sleeping pattern. Your dog will sleep the most when he (or she) is very young and very old. During your dog’s adolescence, (1-2 years old) he (or she) will sleep the least amount of hours, but the number will likely still be about 12-14 hours a day.
Other Factors that Influence Your Great Dane’s Sleep Pattern:
Aside from your Great Dane’s overall well-being and age, there are other conditions that can affect his sleep. These include:
- Medications: Some medications can make a dog sleep more or less. Your dog’s veterinarian will advise you of any potential sleep issues when the medication is prescribed.
- Pregnancy and Nursing: Great Dane bitches may sleep more or less when they are pregnant or nursing a litter.
- Climate: Heat can make dogs lethargic in the same way it does humans, and cold can making sleeping difficult. Protect your Great Dane from any extreme temperatures in the same way you would protect yourself. Provide a cool and shady shelter from the scorching sun (keeping water available) and provide a warm enclosed space during brutal winter temperatures.
- Household Schedule: If your household keeps a busy schedule and your Great Dane’s needs are included in that busy schedule, he (or she) will likely sleep less than a household that has a quieter, more laid-back schedule.
How Much Sleep is Too Much for a Great Dane?
Rather than attaching a huge value on how long your great Dane sleeps each day, the more important matter is how your dog acts when awake. A dog that is sleeping the right amount of time for HIM (or HER) will display these 5 qualities when awake:
- Alert, Engaged, and Able to Concentrate
- A Good Appetite
- Regular and Easy Bowel Movements
- Enthusiasm for Playful Antics
- An Even and Well-Balanced Temperament
If you’re seeing those behaviors manifest, your Great Dane is sleeping exactly the right amount of hours! This applies whether your dog is averaging 6 hours of sleep a day or 16.
If you are seeing some problem areas in the list above combined with sleep issues, or even if you just have a niggling feeling in your gut that something is wrong, please schedule an examination with your dog’s veterinarian to address your concerns.
Just For Fun: The 10 Laziest Dog Breeds
- Newfoundland
- Bassett Hound
- Saint Bernard
- Chow Chow
- Bullmastiff
- Greyhound
- Shih Tzu
- French Bulldog
- English Bulldog
- Great Dane
I hope that today’s article has been a relief to you and has answered your questions regarding how much your Great Dane Dog sleeps. The more we know about our beloved companions, the better we can provide their needs. The better their needs are met, the higher the quality of the dog’s life, and the more pleasant the experience of having a four-legged best friend!
The Big Dog Den has an ever-expanding library of knowledge pertaining to the unique experience of owning a big breed dog. Be sure to peruse our helpful menu and stop by often for all the latest information. Stay safe and stay healthy!
*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
