How Long Do Dachshunds Sleep? Hours by Age and Warning Signs
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How Long Do Dachshunds Sleep? Hours by Age and Warning Signs
Your dachshund spends a big part of the day asleep, curled up in his bed or burrowed under a blanket, and you wonder if that's normal. Good news: in this breed, sleeping a lot is healthy and expected. Here are the exact sleep hours by age, why dachshunds sleep so much, and the few situations where too much sleep should raise a red flag.
The short answer: An adult dachshund sleeps 12 to 14 hours a day on average, and up to 15 to 18 hours if he gets plenty of exercise and rests deeply. A dachshund puppy sleeps 18 to 20 hours, and a senior dachshund 16 hours or more. These long rest periods are normal: the dachshund is a hunting dog, capable of big bursts of energy followed by long recovery. Worry only if the sleep comes with other signs (loss of appetite, lethargy even when awake, weight gain, back pain) or if his routine changes suddenly. A bed with raised sides that supports the spine noticeably improves the quality of his rest.
How many hours a day does a dachshund sleep?
How long a dachshund sleeps depends mostly on his age, but also on his activity level, diet and health. A dog doesn't have the same needs as a human: for a dachshund, spending half the day asleep is perfectly normal. Here are the benchmarks for each life stage.
| Dachshund's age | Sleep per 24 hours | What's normal |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (0-6 months) | 18 to 20 hours | Very frequent catnaps, sudden crashes after play |
| Young dog (6-18 months) | 14 to 17 hours | Sleep gradually settles into the household's rhythm |
| Adult (2-7 years) | 12 to 18 hours | About 10 hours at night plus several daytime naps |
| Senior (8 years and up) | 16 hours or more | Longer but lighter sleep, more frequent wake-ups |
In other words, a healthy adult dachshund usually sleeps between 12 and 14 hours but can reach 15 to 18: about ten hours at night, topped up with naps spread through the day. These figures are averages; every dachshund has his own temperament, and a difference of an hour or two from one dog to another is nothing unusual.
Why do dachshunds sleep so much?
Watching your dachshund string together naps can be surprising, especially when you know how lively and curious he is. This big need for rest comes down to several perfectly natural reasons.
A "sprinter" hunting dog
Bred to flush badgers out of their burrows, the dachshund runs on intense bursts of energy followed by long recovery. After a walk or a scent session, he truly needs sleep to recharge.
Sleep consolidates his learning
As in humans, deep sleep helps the dachshund remember what he has learned and regulate his emotions. A puppy in the middle of training sleeps even more because he absorbs so much information every day.
An explorer who tires quickly
The dachshund loves to sniff, track and explore. That mental stimulation is as tiring as physical effort: after a good "nose workout," he recovers with long stretches of sleep.
He conserves his body heat
With his long body and sometimes short coat, the dachshund easily curls into a ball to stay warm. Sleeping snuggled up, often under a blanket, is also a way to self-regulate and feel secure.
A dachshund who sleeps a lot but is playful, alert and hungry once awake is a happy, healthy dog, not a sick one. It's the opposite that should raise questions: a dog who is apathetic even when awake.
Sleep by age: puppy, adult, senior
The dachshund puppy (0 to 6 months)
The puppy is the sleep champion, with 18 to 20 hours of sleep a day. He often falls asleep abruptly mid-play, sometimes with his nose in his bowl. This is normal and vital: rest is when his body grows, his nervous system matures and he absorbs the first lessons of his training. Never wake a sleeping puppy, and set up a quiet corner away from foot traffic.
The adult dachshund (2 to 7 years)
In adulthood, the rhythm settles around 12 to 14 hours, up to 18 hours for the more laid-back dogs. Sleep is split between one long night (about 10 hours) and daytime naps timed to the quiet moments of the household. An adult who gets enough exercise adjusts his sleep naturally: there's no need to force him to sleep or to stay awake.
The senior dachshund (8 years and up)
As he ages, the dachshund sleeps more, often 16 hours or more, with lighter sleep and more frequent night wake-ups. A gradual drop in energy is normal. A sudden change, however (a senior who suddenly starts sleeping 18 to 20 hours, refuses to move or seems disoriented), warrants a vet visit, since it can point to pain, a metabolic disorder or arthritis. To learn more about this stage of life, see our guide to the dachshund lifespan.
How does a dachshund's sleep work?
A dog's sleep resembles ours in its cycle structure, but it is more fragmented. Your dachshund doesn't sleep in one block: he adds up a night and many naps, moving through several phases.
- Falling asleep: the dachshund curls into a ball, sighs, then gradually relaxes his muscles.
- Slow-wave sleep (light, then deep): this is the physical recovery phase. The dog is still and his breathing slows.
- REM sleep: the dreaming phase. You'll see his paws twitch, his lips quiver, sometimes little yips. This is where memory and learning are consolidated.
Because a dog's sleep is lighter and more broken up than ours, the dachshund wakes easily at the slightest noise, then quickly falls back asleep. These micro-awakenings are normal and don't hurt the overall quality of his rest, as long as he has a quiet, secure place.
My dachshund sleeps too much: when should I worry?
In the vast majority of cases, a dachshund who sleeps a lot is doing just fine. Sleep is only a warning sign when it changes noticeably or comes with other symptoms. Here's how to tell the difference.
The dachshund's back deserves special attention: his long spine makes him prone to vertebral problems, and a dog in pain tends to stay lying down. If you have any doubt, our dedicated article on the dachshund with back pain details the symptoms to look for.
Setting up the right bed for restful sleep
The quality of sleep depends a lot on where your dachshund sleeps. A good bed is a refuge: reassuring, comfortable and, above all, kind to his spine. Here are the steps to get it right.
- Choose the right size. The bed should let the dachshund stretch out fully and curl into a ball. Not too big (he won't feel held), not too small.
- Favor raised sides. A nest-style bed with high edges reassures anxious dachshunds and gives them something to rest their head on, which eases the neck.
- Go for a thick, firm base. Quality padding supports the back. Avoid surfaces that are too soft and let the spine sag, like some foam mattresses.
- Put it in a quiet corner. Away from drafts and foot traffic, but not isolated: the dachshund likes to feel his family nearby.
- Keep the bed clean. A washable cover limits odors and parasites for healthier sleep.
For a dachshund who loves to snuggle, a nest-style bed like the HARMONY Dachshund Bed (from €109.90 in size S in France, €139.90 in M and €179.90 in L) ticks every box: an enveloping shape and raised sides that ease anxiety, ideal for deep sleep. You'll find other models suited to the dachshund's build in our selection of dachshund supplies. To pick the right size, our dachshund bed guide walks you through it step by step.
Finally, the question of location comes up often: bedroom, living room or a dedicated room? There's no single rule; it depends on your setup and your dog's personality. We cover it in detail in our article on where a dachshund should sleep.
FAQ: your questions about dachshund sleep
A dachshund who sleeps a lot is first and foremost a dachshund who is doing well: 12 to 18 hours for the adult, up to 20 hours for the puppy, 16 hours or more for the senior. Remember that it isn't the amount of sleep that matters, but the quality of the wake-up: a lively, playful, hungry dog is nothing to worry about. Just stay alert to sudden changes and signs of pain, especially around the back. And to give your companion a real refuge for rest, a bed that fits his size, wraps around him and respects his spine makes all the difference. Explore our selection designed for the dachshund's unique build and give him the nights he deserves.
Health & wellness tips – Teckel Paris