For many dog owners, sharing a bed with their furry companion is a comforting experience, often enhancing the bond between pet and human. However, some dog breeds take the idea of “sharing” a bed to a whole new level, often becoming notorious bed hogs. These breeds, regardless of their size, have a knack for sprawling out, curling up in just the right spot to take up maximum space, or simply making themselves a central fixture of the bed. While this behavior can be endearing and sometimes comical, it can also challenge the idea of a good night’s sleep. This article explores nine dog breeds known for their tendency to dominate bed space, offering insights into their behavior and explaining why they might just be the perfect nighttime companions for those who don’t mind a little crowding under the covers.
1. Great Dane
Great Danes, known as “gentle giants,” are perhaps one of the most notorious bed hogs due to their sheer size. An adult Great Dane can weigh anywhere from 110 to 175 pounds, with a body long enough to match most humans in height when stretched out. Despite their size, they are known for their loving and gentle temperament, often seeking the comfort and closeness of their owner’s bed. Once a Great Dane decides to lay down in bed, they can take up more than half the space, often leaving their human with a sliver of mattress. Their size combined with their preference for comfort makes them lovable yet challenging bed companions.
2. English Mastiff
Similar to the Great Dane, the English Mastiff is another massive breed that can easily dominate any sleeping space. With adult males weighing in at up to 230 pounds, their size alone is enough to make them formidable bed hogs. English Mastiffs are known for their calm and affectionate nature, often seeking to be close to their families, which includes snuggling in bed. While they provide a sense of security with their imposing presence, they also demand significant real estate on any bed they share.
3. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are famous for their role as gentle rescue dogs in the Swiss Alps, but they are also known for their ability to monopolize bed space. These large dogs can weigh up to 180 pounds and are equipped with thick, fluffy coats, making them both bulky and cuddly bed fellows. Saint Bernards are very sociable and love to be close to their family members, which often leads them to seek out the comfort of their owner’s bed. Once settled, their size and tendency to sprawl make them quite the space occupiers.
4. Boxer
Boxers might not be as large as some of the other breeds mentioned, but they compensate with their sprawling sleeping style. Known for their playful and energetic personality, Boxers love comfort and will often stretch out completely, pushing against any bed boundaries or bedmates. They are affectionate and protective, preferring to sleep close to their loved ones, which means they often claim prime bed territory, ensuring they are snugly positioned between their human companions.
5. Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are medium-sized dogs but are exceptional bed hogs due to their long bodies and short legs. They have a knack for stretching out to their full length, often commandeering more space than one might expect for their size. Bassets are also known for being quite stubborn about their sleeping spots and can be difficult to move once they’ve made themselves comfortable. Their love for relaxation and comfort drives them to find and keep the best sleeping spots on the bed.
6. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing nature, and they bring this sociability to the bedroom. Labs are not particularly large compared to giants like the Mastiff or Great Dane, but they love comfort and are known to sprawl across beds, often lying on their backs with legs akimbo. Their friendly disposition makes them seek close contact with their owners during the night, often at the expense of their owner’s sleeping space.
7. Golden Retriever
Similar to their Labrador cousins, Golden Retrievers are affectionate dogs that enjoy close contact with their human family members. Goldens will often curl up in bed in the most inconvenient spots, sometimes preferring to lean against their humans. They are not only warm and cozy to cuddle with but are also quite expansive when they stretch out, often inadvertently pushing their bedmates to the edge of the bed.
8. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are massive, sweet-natured dogs, weighing as much as 150 pounds. They are known for their love of water, but when it comes to sleeping, they prefer the warmth and comfort of a bed. Newfoundlands take up a lot of space due to their size and have a very relaxed attitude about where they plop down, often taking up more space than intended. Their thick fur and large body make them both a heating pad and a space occupier in any bed.
9. Bulldog
Bulldogs may be on the smaller side when compared to some of the other breeds listed, but they are masters of making themselves a cumbersome bed companion. Bulldogs enjoy comfort to the fullest and will often position themselves in the center of the bed, leaving little room for others. Their stout build and surprising weight help them anchor down in their chosen spot, making it a challenge to reclaim any bed territory they’ve decided to occupy.
These dog breeds, known for being the biggest bed hogs, bring warmth, comfort, and sometimes a bit of inconvenience to the bedtime routine. While they may demand more than their fair share of the bed, their companionship and affection provide more than enough compensation for most dog owners. For those who choose to share their beds with these breeds, the night may bring a test of patience and sleeping flexibility, but also the unmatched joy of close, loving bonds with their canine family members.
Toledo, United States.
