# Why do dachshunds sleep with their heads dangling over the edge? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 19, 2006, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dachshunds-sleep-with-their-heads-dangling-over-the-edge/365116 "2006-07-19T02:39:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2006, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dachshunds-sleep-with-their-heads-dangling-over-the-edge/365116/1 "2006-07-19T02:39:01Z")
I grew up with dachshunds, and we currently have one on the strength. He’s snoozing on the bed, with his long nose dangling straight over the edge and his eyes looking at the floor (or would, if they were open). Looks most uncomfortable, but he seems content. All of the dachshunds we’ve had slept this way, and I don’t recall seeing other dogs do it. Why do dachshunds sleep this way? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2006, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dachshunds-sleep-with-their-heads-dangling-over-the-edge/365116/2 "2006-07-19T02:54:22Z")
> [@Northern Piper](#): > > I don’t recall seeing other dogs do it. Both of our standard poodles sleep this way. Often they sleep on a doggie bed with their whole body on it except their head which is on the hardwood floor. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dachshunds-sleep-with-their-heads-dangling-over-the-edge/365116/3 "2006-07-19T14:09:47Z")
My springer spaniel Phyllis does this too, with her head hanging off the edge of the couch, pointing straight down. We tease her about her “broken neck” and say that we don’t want a dead dog – maybe we should get a FRESH dog, a cute little puppy or something. Then she opens her eyes. 😃 But she also likes pillows and will edge us off ours if we leave any part of them unguarded. Both springers will lie with their heads hanging off the edge of their foam doggie beds. It’s weird. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2006, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dachshunds-sleep-with-their-heads-dangling-over-the-edge/365116/4 "2006-07-19T14:14:42Z")
Our small and semi-ancient spaniel Bubba does this, as well as fall asleep in various other uncomfortable-looking positions (wedged between his bed and the wall, atop the A/C vent etc.). ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2006, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dachshunds-sleep-with-their-heads-dangling-over-the-edge/365116/5 "2006-07-19T14:17:23Z")
[QUOTE=Northern Piper] I grew up with dachshunds, and we currently have one \*\*on the strength.\*\*UOTE] umm… what does this mean? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2006, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dachshunds-sleep-with-their-heads-dangling-over-the-edge/365116/6 "2006-07-19T17:26:59Z")
Cats do it as well. Frankly, animals sleep in various positions all the time that I can’t possibly see as being comfortable, but certainly must be or they wouldn’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dachshunds-sleep-with-their-heads-dangling-over-the-edge/365116/7 "2006-07-19T18:33:01Z")
[QUOTE=Ethilrist] > [@Northern Piper](#): > > I grew up with dachshunds, and we currently have one \*\*on the strength.\*\*qUOTE] > umm… what does this mean? “on the strength of the unit” - old military term, meaning currently on the rolls.