Do Corgis Sleep a Lot? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ
By Lorre Luther
Updated on
Corgis are smart, loving, medium-sized dogs known for their intelligence and short legs. Before her death, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was a lifelong corgi lover and owner. These dogs are relatively close to the ground, and most grow to around 12 inches tall. Although they don’t tend to be very large, they’re solidly built and often weigh up to 30 pounds.
These active dogs usually live anywhere from 12 to 13 years. Corgi colors recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) include sable, black and tan, fawn, and red. Corgis are independent, athletic herders; most dogs will wrangle children and other pets if given a chance. But these active, energetic dogs also sleep a ton! When they’re not enthusiastically playing or running about, corgis are often found fast asleep. Adult corgis can zonk out for up to 16 hours a day, and puppies require up to 20 hours of sleep to support their quickly growing bodies.
Do Corgis Need More Sleep Than Most Dogs?
Yes. The average dog needs around 12 hours of sleep per night for optimal health. Corgis may be snoozing for 12 to 16 hours per day. Dogs tend to sleep more as they age. It’s normal for dogs to slow down and spend more time napping and being mellow when they hit their senior years.
Changes in sleeping patterns tend to be of more concern than the number of hours your dog sleeps. If your dog usually wakes up with you in the morning and then goes back to bed for a few hours but suddenly starts sleeping all afternoon instead of for a short bit, it’s probably time to have your dog checked out by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.
If your dog normally hops out of bed with you in the morning and suddenly has problems waking, it could be due to an underlying health condition. Hypothyroidism and diabetes can also lead to sleep disturbances, particularly in senior dogs. Sudden increases in the hours a dog spends sleeping can sometimes indicate hearing difficulties.
Do Corgis Like to Sleep With Their Owners?
Most corgis love sleeping cuddled up next to their owners. These loving dogs adore their human companions and enjoy spending time with them. Bedtime is no different! As a breed, corgis are prone to developing separation anxiety when left alone. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety often bark excessively, pace, and drool. They also frequently engage in behavior such as clawing at doors and destroying furniture.
Evidence suggests that dogs who sleep with their owners often have higher levels of separation anxiety. But veterinarians don’t know how this relationship works. It could happen because co-sleeping arrangements cause separation anxiety by creating dependency or because anxious dogs are more inclined to turn to humans for comfort. There’s also not much to worry about regarding your dog’s health if you allow your buddy to cuddle up next to you in bed! It’s generally safe for people to share their beds with pets as long as everyone is healthy! People with weakened immune systems should avoid sleeping with dogs just to be safe.
Humans and dogs have different sleep cycles, with dogs having 3 cycles per day compared to only 1 cycle in humans . But even with these structural differences, co-sleeping doesn’t appear to impact dog owners’ sleep negatively.
Evidence suggests that cuddling up next to your pet may improve your mental health and provide comfort. And co-sleeping has also been shown to reduce anxiety and boost feelings of security, so there are many good reasons to consider letting your beloved corgi snuggle up in your bed at night.
Whether you choose to sleep with your corgi or not comes down to your personal preferences and your dog’s temperament. If you enjoy sleeping next to your pup, don’t have trouble falling when they’re by your side, and your dog is mellow when you’re gone, there’s no reason not to sleep with your dog. Whatever arrangement keeps you and your corgi happy is the right one!
Are There Particular Sleeping Positions Corgis Favor?
Absolutely! Corgis love to sleep curled up or on their backs, sides, or tummies. Curled-up dogs often like to snooze pushed up against something to give them a cozy sense of safety. Dogs that feel comfortable in their environment usually sleep on their backs or sides.
Corgis regularly nap on their backs during the warmer months since it helps them cool down. Corgis that sleep on their stomachs are often in quasi-working mode, comfortable but ready to jump into action if needed. The breed is also famous for sploofing, which is a relaxed kind of nonchalant splayed position that says, “I think I’ll just ease down right here and take a load off for a minute or two.”
Do Corgis Require Schedules?
It depends on the dog. Some adult dogs do just fine when they regulate their own sleep/wake activity; others don’t adjust well and end up urinating or defecating indoors overnight.
Because these dogs nap so much, strictly scheduling your pet’s sleep hours might not do much good. And as long as your pet’s sleeping patterns remain relatively constant and there aren’t too many unfortunate floor-peeing incidents, there’s probably not much to worry about. Dogs who end up having accidents when allowed to wake up when they want often stop having trouble once structure is introduced. But in general, dogs, corgis in particular, tend to wake up and go to bed around the same time as their owners.
Conclusion
Yes, corgis sleep a lot, any way you measure it. The average dog sleeps around 12 hours a day. Adult corgis spend an additional 4 hours per day napping! Most corgis spend anywhere from 12 – 16 hours snoozing away. And puppies require even more nap time, sometimes sleeping up to 20 hours per day!
As long as your dog is happy and healthy, it’s not that big of a deal if they sleep a ton, but reach out to your veterinarian if you observe changes in your pet’s sleeping patterns or if they start sleeping substantially more than usual to rule out medical causes for the changes.
Featured Image Credit: OlesyaPogosskaya, Shutterstock
