Why do doodles sleep so much? How much sleep is enough sleep? We want you to know just how important all that sleep is for your new puppy and why! For Bernedoodles, Irish Doodles, and Goldendoodles it’s a really good sign if they’re sleeping a lot. These breeds come from larger parent lines, which means their bodies are working overtime to grow from the very first day you bring them home. Over the years of raising and placing these puppies, I’ve learned so much about what they need — and sleep is right at the top of the list.
All That Sleep Is Actually Hard Work
While your puppy is snoozing peacefully, there’s a tremendous amount of development happening beneath those fluffy little coats. Their body is doing serious work — lengthening bones, building muscle, and processing all the nutrition they’re taking in. It’s a big job, and sleep is how they get it done.
Their brains are working hard too. One of the things I love most about these doodle breeds is how smart they are. But all that intelligence comes with a learning curve. From the moment they wake up, they’re absorbing everything — sounds, smells, routines, your voice, your expectations. Sleep is when the brain organizes all of it and makes it stick. Those naps are literally making your puppy smarter.
And there’s one more thing I always mention to our families: sleep is essential for a healthy immune system. Young puppies are still building their defenses, and rest is one of the most important tools their body has. Puppies that get the rest they need are a healthier puppy — and that matters a lot in those early weeks.
How Much Sleep Does a Doodle Puppy Actually Need?
When I tell new families the numbers, they’re almost always surprised.
At 8 weeks old, a doodle puppy needs roughly 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day. That’s most of their day. The awake windows are short — a burst of play, a meal, a little exploration, and then right back to sleep. This is completely normal across all three breeds, though I’ve noticed that Bernedoodles, given how much growing they’re doing early on, can hit that wall especially fast.
As the weeks go by, things gradually shift:
- Around 6 months: about 16 to 18 hours a day. They’ve got more stamina now and can stay engaged longer — but they still need a lot of rest to keep up with everything their body is doing.
- Around 12 months: about 14 to 16 hours a day. By their first birthday, your doodle is settling into something closer to an adult rhythm. But they’re still sleeping far more than most people expect.
My advice to every family I work with: follow your puppy’s lead. If they look tired, let them rest.
What Happens When Doodle Puppies Don’t Get Enough Sleep
I talk about this a lot with our families because I’ve seen it play out more times than I can count. When puppies miss too much sleep, things can unravel quickly.
Here’s what to watch for when your Bernedoodle, Irish Doodle, or Goldendoodle isn’t getting enough rest:
- Behavior problems that seem to come out of nowhere. Nipping, fussing, inability to settle — a lot of what gets labeled as “bad behavior” is really just an overtired puppy who needs sleep, not correction.
- Counterintuitive hyperactivity. I know it sounds backward, but an exhausted doodle often gets more frantic, not less. If you’ve ever witnessed a sleep-deprived Goldendoodle ricocheting around the living room, you know what I mean.
- Slower development. Growth and learning both happen during sleep. If rest is consistently cut short, it can set puppies back — and for larger doodle breeds doing a lot of growing in that first year, that matters.
- A weaker immune system. Less sleep means less capacity to fight off illness. The last thing I want for any of our Morning Glory puppies is to start life run-down.
Once families start treating naptime as a protected part of the day — not optional, not negotiable — things get so much easier.
A Little Grace Goes a Long Way
If you’re in those early weeks with a Bernedoodle, Irish Doodle, or Goldendoodle puppy and wondering if something is wrong — it almost certainly isn’t. Try making sure they get more sleep. Create a calm, cozy space for them to rest. Protect their naps! Keep their days manageable, especially at first, and don’t feel guilty about a quiet afternoon.
I’ve been raising these puppies for years, and I still find myself in awe of how much happens in that first year!
Enjoy the peaceful moments. They grow up so fast.
Check out more Doodle insights in our blog library.
As always feel free to explore our website at morningglorydoodles.com to see more blog posts, pictures of cute puppies, current litters looking for their forever homes and upcoming litters!
