Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Why Does My Corgi Sleep on Their Back? 3 Likely Reasons

Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy sleeping in a basket

Dogs sleep in all sorts of different ways, and many Corgis sleep on their backs. However, so do dogs of other breeds. As far as we can tell, there doesn’t seem to be a link between the particular breed and back sleeping. Some dogs simply seem to have that preference.

Luckily, this sleeping position isn’t troublesome. Dogs seem to sleep on their backs for all sorts of reasons, but none of those reasons are linked with particular health issues (usually). Dogs may sleep in one position most of the time, or they could shake it up.

That said, there are several reasons a Corgi may choose to sleep on their back.

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

The 3 Reasons Why Corgis Like to Sleep on Their Back

1. They are Hot

Sleeping on their back allows dogs to expose their underside to the air. A lot of heat can be transferred via a dog’s almost bare belly. The fur here usually isn’t as thick as on a Corgi’s back. Therefore, they may decide to sleep on their back if they are hot. It’s similar to a human sleeping with one leg out of the blanket.

You may often find your dog sleeping like this in the warmer months. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your dog is on the verge of having a heat stroke. Instead, they’re just too hot to snuggle up.

cute Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy lying on a fur blanket on its back
Image Credit: OlesyaPogosskaya, Shutterstock

2. Space Restrictions

If your Corgi is sleeping in a small area, they may sleep on their back out of necessity. This can occur when a dog tries to squeeze into a space that they really don’t fit. Some dogs like enclosed spaces, however, as they feel secure. This isn’t a sign that you need to give your dog more room or anything like that.

Instead, it may be that your dog prefers smaller spaces and is willing to sleep on their back.


3. Preferences

It may be their preference if your dog sleeps on their back all the time. Just like people, dogs have their own sleeping preferences, too. Therefore, some dogs will like to sleep in certain positions, even when there isn’t a clear “reason” for sleeping in that position.

Of course, there isn’t anything wrong with this preference. Dogs can choose to sleep in whatever position they want in most cases.

Happy Sleep puppy corgi dog
Image By: CWR, Shutterstock

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

What Does It Mean When My Dog Sleeps on Her Back?

Corgis may sleep on their back for a range of reasons. However, it doesn’t typically mean anything. There aren’t any illnesses that are particularly associated with a dog sleeping on its back. You might want your dog to sleep on their back only if they have health issues, such as back problems.

However, most of the time, it isn’t usually a big enough deal to wake your dog up and make them change position.

For all these reasons, we don’t recommend that anyone get concerned if you find your dog sleeping on their back. There often isn’t a reason to get concerned, and it doesn’t really “mean” anything.

Is It Comfortable for Dogs to Sleep on Their Back?

Many dogs do like to sleep on their back. Often, this happens when the dog is hot. However, it may also develop into a preference for some dogs. Just like people have different sleeping positions depending on their preferences, dogs have different preferences, too.

Based on the fact that many dogs sleep on their backs, we can assume that at least some find it comfortable. If your dog is sleeping on their back, there is no reason to try and stop them.

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

Final Thoughts

Corgis aren’t the only dog breed that sleeps on their back. While many people report that their Corgis sleep like this, owners of other breeds also report this same thing. There haven’t been any studies on dog sleep position preferences, so we don’t know whether breeds are correlated.

However, we know that a dog sleeping on its back isn’t typically bad. Dogs may sleep on their back because they are hot or because they simply like sleeping on their back. Either way, this isn’t a concerning behavior.

Related Read:


Featured Image Credit: Julie Vader, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How to Potty Train a French Bulldog: 8 Vet Approved Tips & Tricks

Small dogs are notoriously hard to potty train. Potty training a French Bulldog can seem daunting, but with patience, consistency, and the right...

10 Best Therapy Dog Breeds (With Info & Pictures)

They don’t call dogs “man’s best friend” for nothing. There’s an undeniable connection between dogs and humans, which is why we’ve used dogs...

Blue Brindle Cane Corso: Info, Pictures, Origin & History

If you want to introduce a Cane Corso to your family, the Blue Brindle is a beautiful option. These dogs are gray, and...

10 Best Dog Waste Disposal Systems in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Dogs are such amazing creatures—but what is not so amazing is their poop. Did you know that all the canines in America produce...

More related

Is Rawhide Dangerous for Dogs? Vet-Approved Risks, Benefits & Alternatives

Rawhide chews are extremely popular, and you can purchase them almost anywhere, including pet stores, so it can be a surprise to learn...

When Should I Take My Dog to the Vet for Vomiting? 10 Vet Reviewed Signs

Vomiting isn’t diagnostic; it’s a general response to expel something unpleasant or toxic. It can also be a sign of many other health...

Are Tomato Plants Toxic to Dogs? Vet-Verified Facts & Safety

If you get online regarding feeding dogs tomatoes, you’ll get mixed opinions. Some say that you should never give your dog any tomatoes,...

How Much Exercise Do Samoyeds Need? Vet-Approved Care Facts

Samoyeds are medium-sized dogs with big white coats and a friendly, playful attitude. The breed was first developed in Siberia to pull sleds,...

Keep reading

Muenster Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons, Recalls & FAQ

Review Summary View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shayna Smith (@feudesetoiles) Muenster Milling Co. has been in business since 1932. Though they have gone through several rebrandings over the years, from operating as a flour mill and...

Dogster_Muenster Dog Food Review

Can Dogs Eat Catfish? Vet-Verified Nutrition Info & FAQ

It’s always tempting to give our dogs some people food every once in a while. (And it has nothing to do with those begging puppy dog eyes, we swear!). But if you want to give your four-legged friend a bite...

Can Dogs Eat_catfish

Can Dogs Eat Waffles? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Risks

It’s nice to spend time with your pet in the morning and share a good breakfast with them, which has many people wondering if it is safe to feed waffles to dogs. It might be fine for your dog to...

Can Dogs Eat_waffles

10 Best Dry Dog Foods in Australia in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Since the dog food industry in Australia is not well-regulated, finding a safe and healthy diet for your pup can be a daunting task. Even if you know you want your dog to eat dry food rather than canned, your...

dalmatian dog eating dry food from a bowl

Can Dogs Have Peppermint? Vet-Verified Safety Facts & FAQ

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) makes an appearance in so many things we eat and drink, particularly around the holidays! But many also use peppermint for its homeopathic uses, of which there are a number of potential benefits to humans. But can...

peppermint plants

My Dog Ate a Chicken Bone, What Do I Do? (Vet Answer)

You may have been warned about the dangers of dogs eating chicken bones, and with good reason. Eating a chicken bone can be dangerous for a dog. So, whether your dog gulped down a chicken bone without chewing or if...

My Dog Ate a Chicken Bone

When Can a Puppy Eat Dry Food Without Water? Vet Approved Feeding Guide

So, you’ve added water to your pup’s dry food to soften it. Or maybe you’re just feeding your puppy wet food. That’s great! Puppies need moist, soft food while their teeth develop. But the time is slowly creeping up to...

When Can a Puppy Eat Dry Food Without Water

Can Dogs Eat Ranch Dressing? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Risks

Dogs like it when we share our food, which can have us continuously wondering if different foods are safe for them. A common item that people wonder about is if dogs can have ranch dressing. Unfortunately, you should try to...

Can Dogs Eat_ranch