If you own a Shih Tzu already, you may be familiar with their sleeping patterns, but sometimes it can get a bit worrisome. Is my Shih Tzu sleeping too much?
Before you start worrying, this breed naturally sleeps a lot. The amount depends on their age and activity level. In other words, it’s not uncommon for your Shih Tzu to sleep half the day.
Shih Tzu is the perfect companion dogs. They love to follow their owner around, they’re great around children, and their effervescent demeanour makes them easy to love. Shih Tzu also loves to curl up on your lap and relax the day away. In fact, this dog is quite the sleepy little one!
As long as they’re responsive and don’t show any signs of sickness when they are awake, chances are you have nothing to be concerned about.
Shih Tzu Sleeping Schedule
There are four major stages that a Shih Tzu will go through, all requiring different amounts of sleep.
Newborns
Until about three weeks of age, newborn Shih Tzu puppies will only wake up to nurse and find momma. They’re just like human babies! They sleep, eat, do their business, and sleep some more.
Puppies
Now that your Shih Tzu is no longer taking cues from mom, their sleep schedule is their own choice. A Shih Tzu puppy will sleep like any other puppy. One minute they are jumping up and down and then the next – it’s lights out.
Generally speaking, a Shih Tzu puppy will sleep more often than not. You can expect their cute round eyes to be closed about 16 to 20 hours a day.
Adolescents and Adults
Sleep schedules for Shih Tzu’s tend to normalize at about one year old. The amount they sleep will be affected by the amount of physical activity they get during the day, but not in how you may think.
