Question about upside-down sleeping

[JackieMaya]

I thought I heard that dogs that sleep on their backs all the time is a sign of good hips. Well, all three of my kids sleep on their backs, but ESPECIALLY Pooh Bear! He sleeps on his back all the time with his back legs spread wide open.

[ObedienceGrrl]

I've heard it was because they are trying to cool off or maintain body temp and not overheat.

[thornbirdskkk]

My chubbs 4 year old chocolate lab sleeps on his back with legs spread apart all the time. Even in the winter he sleeps like that. I just thought it was because he was content, happy and comfortable.

[jessieholsinger]

Stealth does that and I thought that it was so funny the first time he ever did that at 2 1/2 months old.......then from time to time he would kick his legs and I guess he was sleeping in the right spot and heading into dream world.......

[abker17]

Abby does that ALL the time. It's so cute. :D

[rotten_two]

both of mine do it -- we call it "porno dog" cause they are all splayed out and advertising :) i guess you could argue that a dog whose hips hurt would not lay this way. i don't think it is a reliable indicator tho. my 2 also do "frog dog" which is this postion only belly down.

[JackieMaya]

Here's my porno dogs:

Jackie and Maya


and Pooh Bear

[thornbirdskkk]

Too Funny!!!

[__crazy_canine__]

lol, love those pics :lol:

[JackieMaya]

I started a new thread in "Pictures" for pictures of everyone's porno dogs! ("You show me yours; I'll show you mine")

[gooeydog]

Haley spends more time upside down than rightside up I think, we call it "roaching" after seeing the term on another board :lol: I don't know about a coorelation between good hips and roaching though, and Haley's hips were described by the vet as "not the best", so I suppose that would disagree with that theory. Going to post Haley's pics in the thread now :lol:

[Rowie-the-Pooh]

JM those pics were hilarious! :lol: They look so human.

[ESSlover]

LOL! Carson sleeps the same way, I got a pic of him on the couch, I'll have to uplaod it sometime here soon. :lol:

[courtnek]

it is both a cooling off mechanism, and a trust one. they feel completely safe and comfortable in your house, have no reason to not display their upper sides, because they dont fear attack, and are generally cooler and more comfortable. the hair on the belly is usually thinner than the hair on the back, so laying "belly up" helps cool them off. they wouldnt do it if they didnt feel safe and comfy tho...

8)