Do French Bulldogs sleep a lot?

Anyone who has taken a French Bulldog into their home may wonder how much French Bulldogs sleep during the day and whether this is normal. Because no sooner do you turn around and little Frenchie has laid down again and is napping.
Do French Bulldogs sleep a lot? French Bulldogs sleep up to 20 hours a day. The first purpose of sleeping in dogs is regeneration and recovery. During sleep dogs process all the situations they have experienced. This is also the reason why puppies usually need more sleep than adult bulldogs.
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How much do French Bulldogs sleep
It is said that dogs generally need between 17 and 20 hours of sleep. Working breeds such as the Border Collie that need a lot of exercise and activity are closer to 17 hours and sometimes you have to “force” them to take a break.
The French Bulldog may well sleep up to 20 hours a day. This is simply because she is a bulldog that likes to cuddle and just lie in the corner and relax.
Puppies, older French Bulldogs or sick animals sleep even more. Up to 22 hours is also not uncommon.
The French Bulldog needs regular exercise, but loves to lie around somewhere and sleep the rest of the time.
Why do French Bulldogs sleep so much
French Bulldogs sleep a lot because it is basically their character. They are bulldogs that love to just lie around.
In addition, they usually have problems with breathing. This is due to the round head and the short nose.
If you listen to a French Bulldog playing you will hear snorting or grunting relatively quickly. Most of them have a hard time breathing. This is exhausting and makes you tired.
Different types of sleep
Even though it is commonly said that a French Bulldog sleeps between 17 and 20 hours a day, this does not mean that it is pure deep sleep.
In dogs there are 3 different types of sleep that meet the need for sleep
These are
- Snoozing
- Resting
- Deep sleep
Snoozing
Snoozing is often confused with “sleeping”. Your French Bulldog is lying in her dog bed with her eyes closed. However, she is getting everything that is going on in her environment.
Resting
Resting also serves to satisfy your French Bulldog’s need for sleep. In doing so, she simply lies quietly in her dog bed or next to you on the couch. However, her eyes are open during this process. This is an important part of regeneration.
Deep sleep
The least amount of time of the total sleep requirement, your French Bulldog is in deep sleep. Up to 8 hours, similar to us, your French Bulldog is in deep sleep.
Depending on how much your French Bulldog has experienced during the day and what there is to deal with, she will sleep for more or less time.
Puppies and also old animals usually need more sleep.
Consequences of too little sleep
Sleep is important for dogs to regenerate. If your French Bulldog consistently gets too little sleep, it can cause behavioral problems as well as health problems.
- Too little sleep will cause your French Bulldog to appear hyper and restless.
- Lack of sleep also causes them to become more irritable and nervous. It can further cause your French Bulldog to bark more.
- Since adequate sleep is important for recovery and consequently for the immune system, your Bulldog will be more susceptible to illness if sleep deprivation continues.
Help your Bulldog sleep
With dogs it is similar to children. You need to keep an eye on your French Bulldog to make sure she is sleeping enough. Especially if it is still a puppy.
Especially with puppies you have to make sure that there are also phases in which they just have to lie in their dog bed. This way you get them used to the fact that there is not always something to do and they automatically get their sleep.
If you want to constantly entertain them, play with them, train them, and take them for walks, you can also train a French Bulldog to be a nervous dog that has trouble calming down.
Do French Bulldogs need a dog bed
Your French Bulldog needs its own dog bed. It doesn’t matter if she sleeps in your bed or lies on the couch or chair all the time.
Your bulldog needs its own place to retreat to and rest when needed. A dog bed should always be a safe retreat for your French Bulldog.
In our house, the rule is that when the dogs are lying on their blanket and sleeping, the children must leave them completely alone.
If our dogs, lie with us on the couch and sometime have enough of the strokes or it is too much stress with 2 children, they go also times of their own accord into their dog bed to come there to rest.
I can recommend the dog beds from Bedsure*. They are washable and have a side border that makes your French Bulldog feel secure. (Amazon Link)
Can the French Bulldog sleep in your bed?
Whether you want your French Bulldog to sleep in bed with you or not , is your decision. As always, there are pros and cons that you should weigh against each other.

Advantages
- In the past, dogs slept right next to humans to keep them warm. So if you get cold easily, your Frenchie can keep you warm.
- When you pet your dog, your dog produces oxytocin, the cuddle hormone. This causes him to relax. But the same thing happens to you. Petting your dog has a relaxing effect on you, too. So if you’re restless and rolling from right to left in bed, it can help because you’ll fall asleep faster.
- Dogs are natural protectors. If someone breaks into your house or apartment, he is immediately with you to warn or even protect you.
Disadvantages
- Your French Bulldog may have ticks, fleas or parasites.
- If your French Bulldog smells because he likes to get dirty and jump in every mud hole you need to clean him thoroughly.
- If you have problems with dog drool, you should not let your Frenchie sleep in your bed. The French Bulldog drools more than other breeds, due to their drooping lips.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can a French bulldog be left alone?
A French Bulldog can be left alone for 4 to 6 hours if it is introduced to it reasonably.
Does a French Bulldog bark a lot?
The French Bulldog is not one of those breeds that barks a lot. However, too little exercise can lead to undesirable behavioral problems such as barking.
Conclusion: How much do French Bulldogs sleep?
On average, a French Bulldog sleeps between 17 and 20 hours a day. Puppies, sick or old bulldogs can even get up to 22 hours. However, the Frenchie is only in deep sleep for about 8 hours. The remaining hours are made up of dozing and resting.
@ Patryk_Kosmider-depositphotos.com (Contributed image)