Choosing the right dog bed

Like ourselves dogs require sleep to allow their bodies to rest. When choosing a bed for ourselves we make sure we take time and consideration to shop around for the perfect one. We want a bed that is comfortable and allows us to unwind and relax, although our dogs life admittedly is not as stressful as our own, these considerations are just as important when choosing a bed for your dog. There are several important factors that need to be considered when choosing the perfect dog bed and these can vary depending on your dogs behaviour and breed. Below are a some factors that you should consider when choosing a dog bed for your furry friend.

Type of Dog Bed

Choosing the right type of bed is one of the more important features that needs to be considered when choosing a dog bed. Observing your dogs sleeping behaviour is one of the easiest ways to determine which bed would be suitable for your dog. It is important try to and accommodate your dogs sleeping preference with the shape of the bed, as just like us your dog will have a specific preference for the way they sleep. If  your dog likes to snuggle up in a curled position then an enclosed bed may be the best option., an enclosed bed with raised sides can also accommodate dogs that are nervous in temperament as they can create a feeling of security. If your dog  loves to stretch out and is a sprawled sleeper then you may prefer to choose a duvet bed, lounger or a blanket type bed. The breed of your dog can also determine the type of dog bed you will choose, for example bulldogs are prone to overheat and suffer from heat exhaustion so choosing a bed that has cooling properties such as a leather bed would reduce the risk.

Size of Dog Bed

The size of the dog bed is the most important feature. Before purchasing a dog bed it is advisable to measure your dog whilst they are in their natural sleeping position, it is important to allow room for  growth and general movement as a bed that is to small can be uncomfortable.

While it is always best to measure your pet, we have provided the following guidelines for helping you choose the correct sized bed

The table below is only a dog breed and weight guide use your best judgement using the following table.
Remember that the breed examples are based on the average sized dog of that breed, if your dog is very large or very small for his or her breed
you should adjust your size choice accordingly.

It is generally better to buy too big a bed than too small of one.

X Small about 20" x 12" (51cm x 30cm)              ---  Chihuahuas, Maltese, Pomeranians, Cats and pets weighing 1 - 4.5 kg
Small about 24" x 18" (61cm x 45cm)                 ---   Border Terriers, Fox Terriers, Pugs,  Shih Tzu and pets weighing 5 - 11 kg
Small / Medium about 26" x 21" (66cm x 53cm)  ---  Larger Border Terriers, Larger Pugs Larger Shih Tzu 5 - 13 kg
Medium about 30" x 20" (76cm x 51cm)             ---  Cairn Terriers, Dachshunds, Shetland Sheepdogs and pets weighing 12 - 18 kg
Large about 36" x 24" (91cm x 61cm)                 --- Beagles, Chinese Shar-Pei, Welsh Corgi and pets weighing 18 - 32 kg.
X Large about 42" x 26" (107cm x 66cm)            --- Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles and pets weighing 32 - 41 kg.
XX Large about 48" x 30" (122cm x 76cm)          --- Collies, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds and pets weighing 41 - 50 kg
XXX Large about 54" x 37" (137cm x 94cm)        --- Borzois, Great Danes, Mastiffs and pets weighing 50 - 57 kg.

Quality of Bed

There are a variety of dog beds on the market that range in their price and quality, there are even designer dog beds made from designer brands such as Danish Design, with all this choice its easy to become confused on which one to buy.  When deciding on which dog bed is suitable the key things to remember is that comfort and durability are paramount. It is essential in order maintain your dogs comfort that the dog bed is made from a good quality material both internally and externally as some beds that are made from low quality material have a tendency  to look shabby after a while and the internal filler can go hard and flatten out. The internal filler of most high quality dog beds are filled with a polyester fill, it is important to take note of what the internal filler is as this will have an impact on your dogs comfort.
Maintenance of Bed

There's no arguing about it, dogs are not the cleanest of animals at the best of times, so it is important that the dog bed you choose is washable to get rid of those bad smells and muddy paws. This feature can be extremely important if you have a senior or ill dog that is incontinent.  Many dog beds have removable covers for a quick wash and with many, additional dog bed covers can be bought.
Other Factors to consider

The age of your dog and its health status should also be considered when choosing a dog bed. If  you have a dog that suffers from joints then you need a bed that is accessible for your dog and that is padded to minimize aches and pains. On the other hand if your dog is a puppy or is still going threw a chewing stage then a plastic inexpensive dog bed may be the best option for the time being, as some fibres in beds can be poisiness.