Revealed: The best dog breeds to share your bed with, ranked by experts (and which pooches will lead to a ruff night’s sleep)

By William On Jul 21, 2023

They’re more than just pets; they are our faithful companions and dear relatives.

But when it comes to sharing our beds with dogs, are they really the best sleeping partners?

A recent study conducted by sleep technology company Simba, in collaboration with renowned animal behaviorist Professor Peter Neville, delves into the age-old debate about co-sleeping with dogs to unravel the pros and cons.

Simba’s study examined the sleeping habits of more than 1,000 British dog owners, focusing on the top 20 most popular breeds.

The research sheds light on which breeds make the best (and worst) companions for a good night’s sleep, while also delving into their quirky sleep quirks like snoring, writhing and, yes, passing wind — factors that can affect our precious sleep.

The best (and worst) dog breeds to share your bed with have been revealed in a study by sleep technology company Simba (stock image)

Meanwhile, Simba has also shared a quiz on their website to help owners determine if their furry friends are one of the best breeds to sleep with — or if they’d be better in the doghouse.

THE BEST DOGS TO SLEEP WITH…

1. Labrador Retriever

The number one spot on the “pup-pop charts” is claimed by Labrador retrievers, loved for their family-friendly nature.

Despite their imposing presence and tendency to shed, these delightful canines emerge as the unrivaled champions of bedtime bliss.

According to the study, Labrador owners are less likely to suffer from insomnia, sleep apnea or snoring.

And it’s no wonder when you consider that these four-legged sleep experts sleep soundly, without budging an inch – helping their owners get more sleep on average than any other breed studied – six hours a night.

Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity, the charity partner of sleep technology company Simba, said: ‘The NHS recommends that we get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, which may be difficult for us to achieve when co-sleeping with our dogs, but the benefits they provide may outweigh any nighttime interruptions.

While their noises and movements can disrupt our sleep, the sense of security, companionship and happiness they bring can be worth it.

“So while we wouldn’t actively support dogs sleeping on our beds, it’s clear how much they can contribute to our overall well-being and mental health.”

Professor Peter Neville explains: ‘Labrador retrievers have an uncanny ability to understand what pleases their human companions.

“They quickly learn the art of being quiet and only break it when guarding the house. With their easy trainability and adaptability to our activity and rest cycles, Labradors crave to spend as much time with us as possible, including snoozing by our side all night.”

2. Dachshund

Known for their playfulness and natural tendency to stay close, these little cuties are enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight, captivating the TikTok audience with over 9.5 billion views under the hashtag #Dachshund.

Professor Neville reveals: ‘Dachshunds, like terriers, have an affinity for digging in dark spaces – a trait embedded in their genes through their lineage of vermin hunters.

‘But they’ve adapted to become expert pocket-sized hot water bottles, perfect for chilly evenings in the UK.

Be careful, their fearlessness in the dark can lead to them claiming the whole bed, especially if the heating is off.”

Top 20 best dog breeds to share a bed with

labrador retriever
Dachshund
Border Terrier
Pomeranian
cocker spaniel
French Bulldog
golden retriever
pug
Staffordshire bull terrier
Bulldog
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel
Rottweiler
German shepherd
Miniature Schnauzer
Boxer
Whippet
bull terrier
German pointer
Hungarian Vizsla

…AND THE WORST

1. Hungarian Vizsla

On the other hand, we come across a well-known ‘Velcro dog’ from the canine world – Hungarian Vizslas – who is at the bottom of the ranking.

The report found that these clingy companions, who are often needy during the day and restless at night, give their owners the highest levels of sleep apnea, teeth grinding and leg tremors at night.

In addition, owners of the breed sleep an average of five hours a night.

Professor Neville explains: ‘Hungarian Vizslas were bred to be hunting companions, designed to work and run tirelessly all day long.

“Many owners, attracted by their vibrant personalities and stunning gold-rust appearance, struggle to meet their behavioral needs and help them expend their energy during the day.

“Consequently, Vizslas often remain eager and restless when they go to bed, anticipating tomorrow’s adventures or dreaming of the excitement of the day gone by.”

2. German pointer

Not far from the bottom of the list is the affectionate and playful German Pointer.

Simba’s research tried to work up a sweat and prevent him from loitering, but Simba’s research revealed that sharing beds with this energetic breed will most likely leave you feeling warm and bothered rather than satisfied.

Researchers found that these canine companions are more prone to writhing around at night, leaving their humans awake in the morning grumpy and irritable — more than any other breed.

With only nasal and foot sweat glands to rely on, these muscular pups can struggle to cool down, leading to restless nights and grumpy mornings.

So if you’re looking for a good night’s sleep, you might want to reconsider sharing your bed with a German Shepherd – or investing in some serious air conditioning!

Top 6 dos and don’ts of sleeping with your dog according to an expert

1) DO keep the room cool

Your precious pooch comes with a built-in fur coat to keep him warm in cold weather so he can easily overheat in warm temperatures – and a warm bed.

Breeds with long and thick coats, in particular, tend to warm up quickly, while short and thin coats can feel the cold more easily and need a warmer room and bed, or even a coat in cold weather.

Just like humans, dogs have trouble sleeping if the bedroom is too hot. So turn the heat off or down, open a window if it’s safe to do so, or use a fan or air conditioner to keep the room cool.

2) Do your best to make your dog tired before bed

The study results showed that our furry friends can be quite active at night, but there’s an easy way to help them (and you) get a better night’s sleep: by getting them tired before bed.

Take your dog for an evening jog or leisurely walk to help exhaust him. Alternatively, a quick 10-15 minute play session with some chase or tug toys may suffice.

Just like humans, dogs can benefit from a calming bedtime routine that signals it’s time to get ready for sleep. So, after your training or playtime, relax them with some gentle cuddles and grooming to get them ready for a good night’s sleep.

3) Don’t feed them or overwater them before they hit the hay

Like us, man’s best friend can suffer from discomfort and frequent urination breaks if he eats or drinks too much before bed – so avoid feeding your dog at night or drinking excessively.

Consider giving them their last meal of the day earlier — perhaps mid-afternoon — and limiting their access to water a few hours before bed to reduce nighttime activity (unless it’s hot or right after their last walk or play session).

4) Keep your dog zen to catch some ZZZs

About half an hour before you hit the hay, give your dog some space and ignore their attempts to keep playing. You don’t want them bouncing off the walls as you try to drift into the land of kinks.

Wind them up with a few soothing strokes and brushings to get them ready for bedtime – and don’t forget to keep the cuddles on once you’re tucked in so they can drift off to dreamland with you – in the most comfortable sleeping position possible.

5) Keep your bed clean and cozy for you and your furry friend

Let’s face it, our dogs can bring some serious dirt and germs into the house during their outdoor adventures. So, to help both of you have a comfortable and healthy sleep, make sure you wash and change your sheets regularly, washing them on high heat to kill unwanted bacteria.

6) Get as big a bed as possible

If you share a bed with our furry friends, the bigger the bed the better. This way your four-legged friend can get a breath of fresh air in style, so that you can both dream away in peace. No more kicking or pushing each other off the bed!