Most dogs need anything between 12 and 14 hours of sleep a day. So how about the Belgian Malinois? The Belgian Malinois is different from many other dog breeds that need plenty of sleep.
As far as this dog is concerned, a few hours of sleep every day are more than enough to give it the energy reserves it needs to stay active for the remaining hours. Forget about noon naps or the need to take a break and curl in a corner. This is an active dog that can keep going for hours without getting tired.
That said, you should always pay attention to the amount of sleep your Belgian Malinois gets. Sometimes these active dogs get over excited and forget to get enough rest or sleep which can make them exhausted and worn out. So how can you monitor your dogs’ sleep hours and make sure they get enough rest between their active hours?
The Right Amount of Sleep for a Belgian Malinois
As we said, it’s only a few hours. Anything from 4 to 5 hours are good enough for the Belgian Malinois. Now that’s far less than your average dog and even less than what the sleepy cat does on a regular day. The average human adult needs between 7 to 8 hours of sleep while the cat sleeps 19 hours a day and still yawns every time she looks at you.
But our Belgian Malinois will only need those few hours and it’s up all night. So if it gets a little restless in the middle of the night when everyone else is asleep, don’t be surprised.
The dog has no sense of quiet or peace. It feels lonely with all the other pets and humans in the house asleep and it wants to find something to do. So it will jump on the kitchen table, knock over the cookie jar, get it open by accident, and proceed to devour every cookie and all the crumbs on the floor.
What this means is that you might hear noise in the wee hours of the morning. That’s no burglar. It’s your Belgian Malinois feeling peckish or bored. The noise might wake you up along with the rest of the house. It might even disturb the neighbors. That’s the price you have to pay for getting a hyperactive dog that doesn’t need to sleep so many hours as everybody else.
Does Belgian Malinois Sleep a Lot?
Compared to your average cat, the Belgian Malinois is an insomniac. The cat must be looking at this crazy dog that hardly sleeps a wink yet keeps going on and on.
To be honest, you will feel tired just watching the high energy levels of this dog that doesn’t sleep more than 4 or 5 hours of sleep. So what happens when the Belgian Malinois needs to nap or take a break from all the jumping and high octane life?
In your dreams. That almost never happens. Some people only need a couple hours of sleep a day. They stay up all night doing some productive work like finding a cure for cancer. But not our Belgian Malinois. He’s not after any loft goals like that. It’s just bored and wants a distraction. So make sure to give it enough space, food, water, and plenty of toys to play with.
This is why, come bed time, many people send their Belgian Malinois outside the house. It will have plenty of room to exercise and do its nightly routines. This might also be a win win situation since the dog is a protective breed and will guard the property well.
Things That Change How Much Your Belgian Malinois Should Be Sleeping
As we all know, a pup doesn’t eat as much as an adult dog. The same applies to sleep as well. If the adult Belgian Malinois needs just 4 to 5 hours of sleep, the pup will need a lot more than that. But it’s not just age that makes a difference and changes the sleeping habits of this specific breed of dogs. Other factors play a role also.
Age
The Belgian Malinois pup usually needs more sleep than the adult one. They could sleep anything from 10 to 14 hours. Sometimes even longer. This is normal. The pup is in a growing phase and needs all the sleep it can get. This might take up to a year before the sleeping hours taper off and the dog falls into the normal pattern of just a few hours of sleep every day.
As it gets older and slower, it might need to sleep a few more hours than usual. That too is normal and you shouldn’t feel alarmed. It’s just the dog isn’t as agile as he used to be.
Health
A healthy Belgian Malinois is full of energy and vigor. It sleeps enough to recharge its batteries and then it’s out of the door and ready to take the world by the horns. So what if the dog suddenly starts to sleep more than is normal? That usually is not a good sign. It might mean that the dog is sick or needs to see the vet immediately.
Other symptoms like loss of appetite or not looking its cheerful self might alert you that something is wrong with the dog. Usually you would want to take it to the vet as soon as possible to find out what’s wrong with it.
Comfort
Sleep and comfort go hand in hand. Sometimes you sleep like a baby even in an uncomfortable bed, but you have to be super tired to do that. The same thing applies to dogs. Just because the Belgian Malinois has a lithe and strong body, doesn’t mean it can sleep just about anywhere.
The cat stole his bed, he won’t be able to sleep. Or the new brand of food you bought at a discount isn’t sitting well with it. Then it will not sleep well. It will keep moping around aimlessly and restlessly all night. In the morning it will look tired and exhausted.
Lifestyles
Now, a word to the wise. Don’t try to constrain the movement of your Belgian Malinois or keep it confined in a small place. At the same time don’t try to sway it to your own lifestyle of spending the whole day on the couch. That will just encourage the dog to sleep more. And if you think that more hours of sleep are good for the Belgian Malinois, think again.
More sleep means less active lifestyle which might reflect into an overweight and lethargic dog. Obesity can be fatal for the dog and could even lead to other diseases that will shorten the life of the dog.
Different Sleeping Positions and Their Meaning
Dogs sleep in different positions. The most common one is to curl around themselves, tug their tail under their leg and twist their neck up. This is the normal way to sleep and it means the dog is in good health and enjoying good sleep.
Other normal sleep positions include resting its head on its front legs. That too implies that the dog is totally relaxed and having a good night sleep. You shouldn’t disturb the Belgian Malinois when it’s sleeping. As it is, it doesn’t sleep much and needs those few hours of quality sleep.
Helping Your Belgian Malinois to Sleep Well Every Day
You can create a routine for your Belgian Malinois to help it get enough sleep without being distrubed. You should monitor its sleeping hours and send it to bed at the same time every night.
Also make sure that its bed is comfy and clean. If the pesky cat tries to sleep in its bed, send it back to its own bed.
Sleeping Problems Found in Belgian Malinois
As with all animals that sleep little, sometimes your Belgian Malinois might go some sleepless nights. Try to find out what’s keeping it up. It could be digestive problems, health problems, or the dog is not getting enough exercise.
How to Get Your Belgian Malinois to Sleep at Night?
Make sure it’s comfortable, has good food in its belly, and its bed is made and clean. Keep the room dim or dark the way the dog likes it. Ensure the dog gets enough exercise and socializing. Sometimes when they feel lonely or restless, the Belgian Malinois won’t get good sleep at night.
What You Should Do if Your Belgian Malinois Sleep Too Little?
You should check for the reasons or causes making it sleep so little. One of the main reasons is that the dog is not healthy. An illness or indigestion can make it sleep less. Discomfort is another reason the dog can’t sleep. Make sure there’s no light or noise disturbing the dog.
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