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Dogs are a popular choice of pet. Across the UK, they are in fact the most favoured option, with roughly 33% of households across the nation owning a dog, according to Dogster.

With beloved qualities like their unfailing loyalty and unconditional affection for their owners, it's little wonder so many Brits are keen to bring a dog into their homes.

Still, it's crucial to remember that a dog is a long-term responsibility; they need continuous attention and care throughout their lives, so anyone considering welcoming one into their home should conduct extensive research.

Lots of people turn to social media for guidance and tips on living with a pet, keen to ascertain whether their dog's behaviour is normal. Fortunately, there are countless professionals online willing to offer their expert knowledge on various subjects.

One such authority making waves on social media is Ben The Vet, a UK vet with more than 217,000 TikTok followers. His educational videos have resonated with animal enthusiasts, racking up millions of likes.

In one clip, the vet shared why dogs sleep the way they do, and precisely how much sleep they ought to be getting to stay healthy.

Speaking directly to the camera, he said: "How much sleep is an average dog supposed to get every day? It's easy to assume that eight hours might be enough - the same as us humans - but actually, the requirement for dogs is more like 12 to 14 hours."

He continued: "Some need 18 hours of sleep; giant breeds, puppies, very active dogs. Dogs are diurnal - same as us - which means that they predominantly sleep at nighttime, but unlike us, they are classified as polyphasic sleepers, which means they have multiple bouts of sleep throughout the day."

The vet went on to explain: "It's not laziness or boredom, it's just normal dog sleep. The problem is that many dogs simply do not get enough daytime sleep.

"For instance, dogs that go to a Doggy Daycare may be kept stimulated throughout the day, or dogs that live in a busy home with small children, for instance, may not have the opportunity to take themselves off to have those daytime bouts of sleep that are very important."

Ben pointed out that, much like humans, insufficient sleep will have a notable impact on a dog's behaviour, potentially causing them to become more easily frustrated around both people and other dogs.

Anxiety and related symptoms are known to be worsened by a lack of sleep, and the vet suggested this could equally apply to dogs.

He added: "It turns out there is some literal truth to the phrase, 'let sleeping dogs lie'."