13 Dog Breeds That Will Snuggle You to Sleep—And 5 That Totally Won’t

Looking for a furry friend who’ll cuddle up with you at bedtime? Not all dogs are created equal when it comes to snuggle time. Some pups live for those cozy moments under the covers, while others would rather have their own space.

Whether you’re searching for a canine cuddle buddy or prefer a more independent companion, understanding a breed’s natural tendencies can help you find your perfect match.

1. Golden Retriever: The Ultimate Cuddle Champion

Famous for their affectionate nature, Golden Retrievers practically invented the concept of dog snuggles. These golden-furred sweethearts will happily climb into bed and position themselves right against you, often using your legs or torso as their favorite pillow.

Many Golden owners report their dogs insisting on physical contact during sleep, whether it’s a paw draped across your chest or their entire body pressed against yours.

Their medium-dense coat provides just the right amount of warmth without overheating. Golden Retrievers truly believe they’re lap dogs despite their size, and will patiently wait for an invitation to join you under the covers each night.

2. Labrador Retriever: Loyal Bedtime Companion

Labs don’t just retrieve objects—they retrieve your heart with their incredible snuggling abilities. These devoted dogs consider nighttime cuddles part of their job description, happily serving as both blanket and heating pad during chilly nights.

Labradors have a special talent for finding the coziest position against your body, often wiggling until they’ve created the perfect snuggle spot. Their short, dense coat means less overheating than some fluffier breeds while still providing comforting warmth.

Many Lab owners joke that their beds have been permanently claimed by these loving pups who somehow take up more space than seems physically possible for their size!

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Born to Snuggle

Cavaliers were literally bred for one primary purpose: to be loving lap dogs. These silky-eared charmers consider snuggling their divine mission in life and will seek out warmth and closeness at every opportunity.

Their compact size makes them perfect bed partners who don’t hog too much space. The Cavalier’s signature move involves burrowing under blankets until they find your warmest spot, then curling up with a contented sigh.

Their soft, feathered coat creates a luxurious cuddle experience that’s hard to resist. Historical fact: These spaniels were favorites of King Charles II, who decreed they should be allowed in all public places, including his royal bed chambers!

4. Bichon Frise: The Living Teddy Bear

Bichons bring new meaning to the term “cuddle bug” with their cloud-like fluffiness and affectionate temperament. These cotton-ball pups were developed specifically to be companion animals, and they excel at their job through enthusiastic snuggling sessions.

A Bichon’s favorite sleeping position typically involves maximum contact with their human, preferably nestled in the crook of your arm or curled against your neck. Their hypoallergenic coat makes them ideal bedmates even for owners with mild allergies.

Bichons have mastered the art of making themselves impossibly small when cuddling, somehow compressing their fluffy bodies to fit perfectly against yours for maximum comfort.

5. Pomeranian: Tiny Snuggle Specialist

Don’t let their small size fool you—Pomeranians pack tremendous snuggling power into their compact, fluffy frames. These pint-sized cuddle experts often burrow deep under covers, creating warm little nests against your body where they’ll happily remain all night.

Poms have a special talent for finding the warmest spot on your body, whether that’s the back of your knees or tucked against your side. Despite their independent streak in daytime activities, nighttime brings out their affectionate nature.

Fun fact: Pomeranians descended from large Arctic working dogs, which explains their surprisingly warm coat and instinct to cuddle close for warmth—a trait that now translates to excellent snuggling skills!

6. Boxer: The Devoted Body Pillow

Boxers transform into giant cuddle monsters when bedtime arrives. These muscular dogs somehow believe they’re still puppies, often attempting to lie completely on top of you or wedge themselves between you and your human sleeping partner.

A Boxer’s short coat makes them comfortable to snuggle with year-round, without the overheating that can happen with fluffier breeds. Their favorite position? Stretched out alongside your body with their head on your pillow, preferably making direct eye contact to ensure you appreciate their presence.

Boxer owners frequently report their dogs insisting on being “little spoon” during cuddle sessions, backing up against you until they’ve achieved perfect contact from shoulders to toes.

7. Great Dane: Gentle Giant Snuggler

Great Danes may be enormous, but they cuddle with surprising gentleness and awareness of their size. These lanky giants often start at your feet but gradually migrate upward until they’re sharing your pillow, creating an experience somewhat like sleeping next to a warm, breathing horse.

Despite their massive frames, Danes have mastered the art of folding their long limbs to take up less space than you’d expect. Their short coat makes them comfortable year-round cuddlers who provide substantial warmth on cold nights.

Many Great Dane owners admit to purchasing king-sized beds specifically to accommodate their enormous snuggle buddies, who absolutely consider themselves lap dogs despite weighing as much as a human adult!

8. Newfoundland: The Snuggle Bear

Newfoundlands bring exceptional dedication to nighttime cuddles, treating sleep as a contact sport that requires maximum body connection. These massive, furry companions will press against you with their full weight, creating a weighted-blanket effect that many owners find deeply comforting.

A Newfie’s thick double coat creates a plush, warm sensation when they snuggle up, though be prepared for some serious heat on summer nights. Their favorite cuddle position typically involves draping as much of their substantial body across yours as possible.

Historically bred as working dogs for Canadian fishermen, Newfoundlands have an instinct to stay close to their humans—a trait that translates perfectly to their modern role as champion bed-hoggers and cuddle experts.

9. Shih Tzu: Professional Lap Warmer

Created specifically to be companion animals for Chinese royalty, Shih Tzus have perfected the art of cuddling over thousands of years. These little lions excel at finding the most comfortable position against your body, whether nestled in the crook of your arm or curled into a tight ball on your chest.

Their flowing, silky coat creates a luxurious cuddle experience, though many owners keep their Shih Tzus in shorter “puppy cuts” for easier maintenance. Don’t be surprised if your Shih Tzu develops a specific bedtime routine, circling several times before settling into their favorite snuggle position.

Ancient Chinese emperors valued these dogs as bed warmers during cold palace nights—a royal tradition your Shih Tzu will happily continue in your modern bedroom!

10. Havanese: Velcro Dog After Dark

Havanese take their nickname of “velcro dogs” to new heights when bedtime arrives. These silky Cuban charmers physically cannot bear being separated from their humans and will perform impressive acrobatics to maintain body contact throughout the night.

Masters of adaptability, Havanese will mold their small bodies to fit whatever space you provide, whether that’s nestled under your chin or curled against the back of your knees. Their soft, lightweight coat provides just enough warmth without overheating, making them ideal year-round cuddle partners.

Havanese owners report these dogs have an uncanny ability to sense when you’re about to go to bed, often racing ahead to claim their preferred spot before you even reach the bedroom!

11. Pug: The Snoring Snuggle Bug

Pugs elevate cuddling to an art form with their compact bodies that seem specifically designed to fit perfectly against human curves. These charming little dogs run surprisingly warm thanks to their dense muscles packed into a small frame, making them living heating pads during chilly nights.

Be prepared for some serious snoring accompaniment to your cuddle sessions—most Pug owners consider this rhythmic soundtrack part of the experience. Their favorite sleeping position often involves burrowing under blankets until only their wrinkly face peeks out.

Historically bred as companions for Chinese royalty, Pugs have spent centuries perfecting their snuggling techniques. The results speak for themselves in their absolute mastery of comfort-seeking behavior!

12. Cocker Spaniel: Silky Cuddle Expert

Cocker Spaniels bring enthusiasm and dedication to nighttime snuggling, often treating bedtime as the highlight of their day. These medium-sized sweethearts will press their silky bodies against you with surprising determination, somehow managing to occupy more bed space than seems physically possible.

Their feathered ears and soft coat create a luxurious tactile experience that many owners find irresistible. Cockers typically prefer to sleep with their backs pressed firmly against your side or stomach, maintaining contact throughout the night.

Originally bred as hunting dogs, modern Cocker Spaniels have fully embraced domestic life, particularly excelling at the important job of keeping your bed warm and your heart full with their affectionate cuddles.

13. Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Muscular Cuddle Machine

Staffies demolish the tough-guy stereotype by being some of the most enthusiastic cuddlers in the dog world. These muscular pups have earned the nickname “nanny dogs” for their incredible gentleness and devotion to physical closeness with their humans.

A Staffy’s favorite sleep position typically involves maximum body contact—either curled tightly against your stomach or sprawled across your chest like a living weighted blanket. Their short, smooth coat makes them comfortable year-round cuddle companions without excessive shedding or overheating.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier owners often joke that these dogs don’t understand personal space, preferring to sleep literally on top of you rather than merely beside you—a testament to their incredible bond with their humans!

On the flip side, here are 5 breeds that aren’t big on cuddling.

1. Chow Chow: The Independent Sleeper

Chow Chows bring a distinctly cat-like approach to bedtime, preferring their own carefully selected sleeping spot over sharing yours. These dignified, fluffy dogs typically establish a favorite location in your bedroom—perhaps at the foot of your bed or on a nearby dog bed—and remain there throughout the night.

While they enjoy being near their humans, Chows rarely seek the full-contact cuddling that other breeds crave. Their thick double coat makes them naturally warm, eliminating their need to snuggle for heat.

This independent streak extends to sleep preferences. Historically bred as working dogs in China, Chows maintain an aloof dignity that translates to preferring their personal space intact, even during sleeping hours. They show affection on their own terms.

2. Afghan Hound: Elegant Solo Sleeper

Afghan Hounds approach bedtime with the same aristocratic grace they bring to everything else. These regal, long-haired beauties typically prefer to sleep nearby but not directly against you, often choosing an adjacent pillow or the unoccupied side of your bed.

Their independent nature means Afghans rarely seek out the full-body contact that cuddlier breeds crave. When they do decide to snuggle, it’s usually brief and on their terms. Their flowing coat provides all the warmth they need without requiring your body heat.

Afghan owners describe their dogs’ sleeping style as “sharing space rather than sharing contact”—a perfect arrangement for people who want canine company without feeling smothered during sleep hours.

3. Basenji: The Anti-Cuddler

Nicknamed “the cat-like dog,” Basenjis take their independence seriously—especially at bedtime. These ancient African hounds prefer to sleep near but definitely not touching their humans, often selecting a spot at the foot of the bed or even on their own nearby dog bed.

A Basenji’s short coat and lean body means they don’t seek out shared warmth the way fluffier breeds might. Their characteristic cleanliness and fastidiousness extends to sleep habits, with many preferring a tidy sleeping arrangement that doesn’t involve tangling with human limbs.

Basenji owners joke that these dogs invented the concept of personal space, approaching sleep with a distinctly businesslike attitude that prioritizes quality rest over physical affection.

4. Shar Pei: Wrinkled but Reserved

Behind those adorable wrinkles lies a surprisingly independent sleeper. Shar Peis typically maintain a respectful distance at bedtime, preferring to claim their own territory on your bed rather than draping themselves across your body like more clingy breeds.

These ancient Chinese dogs were bred as guardians, and they take their job seriously even during sleep hours—often positioning themselves where they can keep an eye on the bedroom door. Their thick, bristly coat provides ample warmth without needing to share yours.

Many Shar Pei owners report their dogs sleeping pressed against the bed rather than against the person, creating a protective perimeter rather than engaging in cuddle sessions. They show affection through proximity rather than physical contact.

5. Scottish Terrier: Dignified Distance-Keeper

Scotties bring their trademark independence to bedtime routines, preferring to sleep near you but rarely on you. These dignified little dogs typically stake out their own territory on your bed—often at your feet or in a corner—and maintain that boundary throughout the night.

Their wiry coat provides excellent insulation, eliminating their need to cuddle for warmth. When a Scottish Terrier does decide to make physical contact during sleep, owners should consider it a special honor rather than an expected routine.

Historically bred as independent working terriers, Scotties maintain their self-sufficient nature even in domestic settings. They show their affection through loyal presence rather than physical closeness—perfect for people who want canine company without the clinginess.