We have a two-year-old mixed breed dog that looks like a yellow lab.

She weighs about 5kg and is a spayed female.

Usually, she wags her tail and is quite active, but strangely, after walks and meals, she always takes a nap.

It's not just a quick snooze; she often lies down and sleeps soundly for over an hour.

At first, I wondered if it was okay for her to sleep so much, especially since she's not a puppy anymore.

Sometimes I thought about whether she might be bored all day while sleeping. So, I looked into the sleeping habits of adult dogs.

Adult dogs sleep more than you might think

Generally, a healthy adult dog sleeps or rests for about 12 to 14 hours a day. Depending on the individual, this can vary from 10 to 16 hours.

Unlike humans, they don't have a lifestyle of sleeping long at night and staying awake during the day.

They typically sleep for about 8 to 10 hours at night and take several naps during the day. Therefore, it's not particularly unusual for them to nap for 1 to 2 hours at a time.

Thinking about it, my dog is quite active when she wakes up in the morning. She gets excited when it's time for a walk and is busy sniffing around outside.

After finishing the walk and eating, she starts to get sleepy.

Walking is more tiring for dogs than you might think

For humans, walking may just be simple exercise, but it's a bit different for dogs.

They sniff the scents of other animals, hear car sounds, and observe passing people and dogs.

As they move their bodies, they also engage multiple senses, which provides significant mental stimulation.

In Chicago, the walking environment changes greatly with the seasons.

It's hot in the summer and windy in the winter, but on nice days, walking around the neighborhood with my dog is a pleasant routine for me.

Seeing her comfortably fall asleep after eating makes it all clear to me now.

Why does she prefer to sleep next to me even in a big house?

This part was the most interesting.

We have a dog bed and quiet spaces in the house, but my dog prefers to be where I am.

I learned that dogs are social animals and may prefer to rest close to someone they trust.

The familiar smells, sounds, and the presence of a person provide a sense of security.

Of course, just because she sleeps next to me doesn't mean she has a strong attachment or suffers from separation anxiety. If she can rest well alone and doesn't get overly anxious when I move, it's considered normal behavior.

Perhaps for my dog, a small space where I sit is more comfortable than a large house.

When should you be concerned?

The important thing is to observe if there are any changes in her sleeping patterns rather than just the amount of sleep.

If she wakes up and is active, has a good appetite, and shows interest in walks and toys, there is generally little reason to worry.

On the other hand, if she suddenly sleeps a lot more, is slow to respond when woken, refuses walks she used to enjoy, or loses her appetite, it's best to check with a veterinarian.

Just being a spayed female doesn't mean she will sleep more.

These days, I don't intentionally wake her up when she takes a nap.

As long as she enjoys her walks, eats well, and sleeps comfortably next to her favorite person, that might be a pretty satisfying day for her.

Today, she is napping for over an hour next to my desk. Sometimes she even twitches her paws as if dreaming.

I used to worry that she was sleeping too much, but now I just think she's resting comfortably.

Like people, dogs also need time to rest without any interruptions.