Everyone loves a fluffy Golden Retriever puppy curled up and sleeping. As with any puppy, one of the most important things to consider when getting a golden retriever puppy is how much sleep they need. In this article, we will discuss how many hours a day a golden retriever puppy needs to sleep and how this changes as they age.

Sleep requirements for golden retriever puppies

Newborn golden retriever puppies sleep most of the day, averaging between 18 and 20 hours a day. This is because they need a lot of rest to grow and develop. As they get older, their sleep patterns will begin to change. During the first few days, the only thing other than sleep is drinking their mother’s milk, and going potty with their mother’s help.

At around four weeks of age, puppies will start to sleep for shorter periods of time but will still need plenty of rest. At this age, they begin to walk around and learn to spend time playing with their littermates.

When people take their golden retriever puppy home at around eight weeks of age, they can expect their puppy to sleep for around 18 hours a day. This might seem like a lot, but it is perfectly normal for puppies at this age. Golden retrievers are energetic dogs, so they need a lot of sleep to keep up with their activity levels. Usually, an 8-week-old pup will sleep for a couple of hours, wake up, go potty, eat, and play hard. After 30 minutes, they go back and sleep. Many pups will sleep through the night for 8 hours. In our case, it seems that around 6 hours they would wake up.

It is important to note that golden retriever puppies, like all puppies, need a lot of sleep in order to grow and develop properly. During their sleep, their body is hard at work repairing tissues, producing hormones, and releasing growth factors that are essential for their development. Lack of sleep can lead to a weakened immune system and slower growth. Plus during their sleep, their brains can connect neural pathways to expand on what they learned when they were awake.

Sleep requirements for adult golden retrievers

As golden retriever puppies grow and develop, their sleep requirements will gradually decrease. By the time they reach adulthood, golden retrievers will typically sleep for around 12 to 14 hours a day. Of course, this can vary from dog to dog, and some golden retrievers may need more or less sleep than others.

It is important to note that adult golden retrievers, like all adult dogs, need plenty of rest to maintain their health and well-being. Lack of sleep can lead to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and behavioral issues.

A golden that is used to regular exercise, and going out on outings, may need less sleep.

Factors that can affect sleep requirements

While golden retrievers have a general sleep requirement, there are several factors that can affect how much sleep an individual dog needs. These include:

Age

As we’ve discussed, golden retriever puppies need a lot more sleep than adult golden retrievers. As they age, their sleep requirements will gradually decrease. Until, they get older, and once again they may sleep longer.

Activity level

Golden retrievers are an active breed, so dogs that get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation during the day may need more sleep than dogs that are less active. As mentioned above though, a golden who is used to a multi-hour long hike every day may sleep overall less during the day. Though, they will knock out after the hike.

Health

Dogs that are sick or recovering from an injury may need more sleep than healthy dogs. It is important to monitor your golden retriever’s sleep patterns and consult with a veterinarian if you notice any changes in their sleep behavior.

Environment

A comfortable sleeping environment can help your golden retriever get the rest they need. Make sure your dog has a comfortable bed in a quiet, dark room that is free from distractions. One of my favorite dog beds listed below:

Summary

Golden retriever puppies need a lot of sleep to grow and develop properly. When people take their golden retriever puppy home at around eight weeks of age, they can expect their puppy to sleep for around 18 hours a day. As golden retrievers age, their sleep requirements will gradually decrease, and adult golden retrievers will typically sleep for around 12 to 14 hours a day. It is important to note that individual factors such as age, activity level, health, and environment can all affect how much sleep an individual dog needs.

As a responsible pet owner, it is essential to ensure that your golden retriever gets the rest they need to maintain its health and well-being. Providing a comfortable sleeping environment, plenty of exercise and mental stimulation during the day, and regular visits to the veterinarian can all help your golden retriever get the rest they need to be happy and healthy.

Sources:

“How Much Sleep Do Dogs Need?”. American Kennel Club, 2020, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-much-sleep-do-dogs-need/.
“Sleeping Habits of Dogs”. PetMD, 2019, https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/sleeping-habits-dogs-what-you-need-know.
“Golden Retriever Puppies: Sleep & Rest”. Golden Retriever Society, https://www.goldenretrieversociety.com/golden-retriever-puppies-sleep-rest/.