A dog bed is one of the few purchases where the dog has the final say. Buy the wrong shape and it will be ignored in favour of the sofa, the hall floor, or the exact spot where you need to walk.
Getting it right comes down to three things: size, shape, and the way your dog actually sleeps.
Size: the only measurement that matters
Measure your dog from nose to tail while they are lying stretched out on their side, then add 15 to 20cm. That is the minimum internal length of the bed, not the external dimension on the box, which usually includes the bolsters.
If your dog is still growing, buy for the adult size of the breed and put a folded blanket in the middle for now. Puppies rarely mind a bed that is too big. Adults very much mind one that is too small.
Shape: watch how your dog sleeps
The curler
Sleeps nose to tail in a circle, often with their back against something. A donut or bolster bed suits them: the raised rim gives the contact they are looking for and holds warmth in.
The sprawler
Lies flat out, legs everywhere, often on cool floor in summer. A flat mattress or deep duvet works best. Bolsters on a sprawler bed just become a pillow that half the dog hangs off.
The burrower
Goes under blankets, behind cushions, into the gap beside the sofa. A cave, hooded or fold-out sofa bed gives them a roof, which is what they are actually after.
The leaner
Sleeps pressed against a wall or a chair leg. A sofa-style bed with one raised side gives them something to lean on without enclosing them.
Special cases
- Older dogs and stiff joints. Orthopaedic or memory foam, and low enough to step onto rather than climb into. Thickness matters more than softness.
- Anxious dogs. A high rim and a partly enclosed shape help more than extra padding. Some dogs settle noticeably better with a bed that has a toy or a heartbeat cushion built in.
- Dogs who come home wet and muddy. Antibacterial fabric and a removable, machine-washable cover. A wipe-clean base saves the bed from the worst of it.
- Crates and car boots. A flat mattress or foldable travel blanket, sized to the space rather than the dog.
Where to put it
Out of the main walkway, away from the front door, and with a view of the room rather than facing a wall. Most dogs want to be near the family but not underfoot. Avoid directly under a radiator, which is warmer than it looks at floor level.
Households with more than one dog usually need one more bed than they have dogs. It removes the negotiation.
Frequently asked questions
My dog ignores the new bed. What now?
Move it before you replace it. Put it where your dog already chooses to sleep, and add something that smells of you. New beds also smell of the factory, so a week of airing helps more than people expect.
How often should a dog bed be replaced?
When the filling no longer springs back. A flattened bed gives no joint support, which matters most for exactly the older dogs least likely to complain about it. Two to three years is typical for a well-used bed.
How do I wash it?
Covers at 30 to 40 degrees with a non-biological detergent, since fragrance and enzymes can irritate skin. Air dry rather than tumble dry, which shrinks covers onto their inserts. Wash every two to four weeks.
Browse dog beds at Furlow, or cat beds if you are shopping for a cat. UK dispatch, delivery from GBP 3.99 and 30-day returns.