How To Choose The Best Dog Bed For Your Dog

Back in the old days, dog beds were nothing fancy, consisting of an old blanket or used sofa cushion tossed on the floor inside the home or in the garage, depending upon where your dog lived.

Dogs sleep differently than we do

The usual amount of shut-eye is about 13 hours a day, but it’s important to realize that dogs sleep differently than we do. They nap often. But once they wake, they’re eager to carry out their assigned tasks. These can vary from affection and companionship inside, to fierce defense of what your dog’s territory outside.

Sleep depends upon the amount of activity and exercise a dog gets during his waking hours, adjusted to coincide with his human owners activities. In short, dogs are active when we are. Quality sleep helps maintain your dog’s health. The types of beds dogs sleep on have a lasting affect on health and well-being.

Why do dogs need dog beds?

Dogs are territorial critters and like to have their own, designated areas just for them. One size does not fit all. There are 493 different dog breeds worldwide. Each breed has a different size, shape, weight and wired-in sleep behavior.

If you haven’t done this already, invest some time studying your dog’s behavior as he prepares for sleep. Several breeds display various nesting behaviors. The most common of these is when the dog circles his bed three or four times before finally plopping down.

The type of bed your dog will prefer will depend upon his needs. Some dogs like to curl into a ball with their backs resting against a padded cushion for an extra sense of security. Bigger dogs need to stretch out, so a larger bed would be a must. Some also prefer to be enclosed for an additional sense of comfort and security.

Here what to look for when choosing the best dog bed

Sturdy construction is an absolute

Quality means you’ll get what you pay for. Give every prospective dog bed the “give” test. Grab the bed and jiggle it. “Give” means the joints move or wiggle indicating shoddy assembly. Wooden joints or metal welds must be solid enough to stand up to years of use as your dog repeatedly climbs in and out of his bed several times a day..

Raised beds prevent chills

Dogs suffer cold just as we do. Cold drafts flow along on the surface of floors. Beds raised three to six inches or so provide an insulation affect, so cold won’t seep as it does when beds are laid directly on the cold floor. The opposite is true in hot weather. A raised bed helps the dog sleep cooler, by providing some air circulation that whisks excess heat away.

Durable Fabrics last longer

If your dog chews or claws the cushion before reclining, a strong material that resists this abuse is necessary. Cheap fabrics will soon shred.

Size

Size must suit your pet. It should be large enough for him to comfortably stretch out, yet tight enough to make him feel secure.

If you have a puppy, it’s really important to know what final size and weight he will achieve when fully grown. This is where you need to do some breed research before you shop. When you buy a dog bed for a puppy, look for one that will fit him once he’s full-grown. You can buy a large bed, anticipating growth spurts. But puppies might be overwhelmed in a large bed, feeling lost and insecure. One option might be to buy two beds. One that fits the puppy now and for a couple months of growth, and one for him to fit in comfortably later when he’s an adult. Exposing your puppy to a bed early-on allows for better training, so that the dog knows the bed is his turf and his alone. If you have several puppies, you’ll need a bed for each one.

I recommend choosing the size of your dog bed by considering your dog’s breed, size and weight he’ll achieve once grown.

Small

Weight up to 25 pounds

Breeds: Jack Russell, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Terriers

Medium

Weight up to 45 pounds

Breeds: German Shorthair Pointers, English Setters, Springer’s and Border Collies

Large

Weight up to 70 pounds

Breeds: Labrador, Weimaraner, Irish Setters, Golden Retrievers

Extra-large

Weight up to 100 pounds

Breeds: St Bernard, Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Pyrenees

Shape and Style

Choosing the side and style of the dog bed begins with your observation of your dog’s sleeping habits and behavior. Some dogs curl into a ball, so a bed with high thick sides would be the best choice. Some dogs prefer to sleep on their backs, paws in the air, while others like to hang their heads off the edge. If your dog stretches out, a flat bed or one with lower sides would be the one for him. In any case you need to measure your dog’s width and length before you shop.

Special Needs

Older dogs sometimes develop painful age-onset degenerative joint disease problems and genetic disorders such as hip dysplasia and arthritis. Low stepped beds makes it easy for them to get in and out. A thick cushion and supportive sides are good. There are several memory foam dog beds available for your elderly dog’s comfort. The foam has a “memory” in which means it doesn’t pack down, but rebounds once the dog moves off of it.

Care and Cleaning

Regular cleaning of your dog’s bed can reduce or eliminate that pervasive doggie odor, so choose a fabric that’s easy to clean to make it easy on you. Look for dog beds with machine washable covers, or beds that can be tossed whole into the washer. If your dog sleeps outside, choose beds made with materials that only require light scrubbing with a mild soap and rinsing by spraying the surface with a garden hose.

Colors

Colors don’t matter to dogs since they are color blind. But you’re not. Since dog beds come in a variety of colors and covers, you can change these at a whim, as your home décor style changes, or when you move the dog bed to another room.

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