Small dogs, big dogs, senior dogs, and more—this list covers them all.
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We get it: your dog is way more than a pet, they're a member of the family. In fact, in a survey conducted by Merrick Pet Care, Inc., and The Harris Poll, 69% of dog owners responded that their pet is their favorite member of the household. And we at Country Living totally get you–we're also obsessed with our dogs! So why would we let them sleep on anything less than a bed that is as comfortable and supportive as possible?
If you've started the hunt for the perfect dog bed, then you know that there are tons of options on the market, which can make it pretty hard to determine what's actually worth your money and what bed your dog will turn his or her nose up at within two weeks. That's why we put our pups to work. Our editors' dogs test a bevy of beds and are here to report back on their findings about the best of the best.
And just in case you don't want to take their word for it, we also checked in with Eric and Rashi Wiese, hosts of Lucky Dog and founders of Happy Puppy L.A. and the WRARE foundation as well as owners to six pups themselves, to get their advice on what to look for in a dog bed.
When our team first unwrapped this bed in the office, we all immediately fell in love with how soft yet supportive it was, and Hank totally agreed. The PetFusion dog bed features a memory foam mattress with a waterproof under-covering to protect against any spills and a soft outer covering. The material is a mix of suede and soft fur, with the fur being on the main bed section. Both covers are removable. The bed also features bolstered edges, a feature Hank clearly loved.
The memory foam mattress is soft and thick, and the support it provides is perfect for larger dogs as well as smaller ones. In fact, Hank's new baby brother, Charlie, a growing Lab/Golden Retriever mix has commandeered the bed to be his own most days.
This bed earned our top spot because it hit all of our criteria while also being one of the cheapest beds we tested. It has both a removable comfort cover and waterproof cover, is comfortable yet supportive, and is fairly durable, especially considering the option to buy an additional comfort cover separately. After a full year of use, the bed is still in great condition, even after more than a few cleans. "I have washed the cover several times and it's easy to get off and back on," his Mom says. "I was worried that the light color would get grubby but it hasn't!"
On the flip side, the Best Friends by Sheri Donut Bed was specifically designed for smaller dogs, wrapping them up in a cozy hug to calm anxiety and keep them warm. If your dog is a snuggler like Buck, then they'll definitely prefer this bed. "He’s almost always curled up in a ball when he sleeps, so this bed is the perfect size," Buck's mom says. "And he still has room to stretch and prop his head up on the side like a little pillow."
Instead of a traditional mattress, the donut bed is filled with a fibrous material. It provides a bit of support, but it is the softest bed of the bunch, so it won't provide long-lasting support for larger breeds. But, smaller breeds love how it gently wraps them. "This bed suits Buck perfectly! It hugs him all around, for those times when a human isn’t available." And after a full year of use, Buck is back to report that the filling has remained consistent and still wraps him in a gentle hug every time he settles in for a nap.
Since the interior is a fibrous material, chewers might be tempted to play with this bed, so we wouldn't recommend it for them. It comes in both a shag fabric (seen here) and a luxurious fur fabric that are equally cozy. It also features a wide variety of color options, by far the most of the group. And if your little pup loves cuddling in a blanket, there's even a version that features a built in cover that they can burrow under.
This Serta dog bed is a great budget option if you're looking for a supportive design that won't break the bank. The inner mattress is akin to a foam topper that you might use on a regular mattress, so it isn't the most durable, but it's held up over a year with daily use.
It has bolstered edges for pups to rest their heads and a removable cover to easily clean up spills. "Lottie really seems to enjoy the versatility of this bed," her Mom says. "Since the bolsters are on the smaller side, she still has room to sprawl out if she wants, but she can also curl up in the corner at night." The interior fabric is a soft fur that is ultra-cozy and comforting. It comes in tons of different colors as well. The bed also comes in a variety of sizes and is a great fit for both smaller dogs as well as medium to large.
We wouldn't recommend this bed for dogs still going through potty training as it doesn't include a waterproof liner. It also wouldn't be the most suitable for dogs with severe arthritis or other joint issues as the mattress isn't the most supportive on the list. However, it is fairly durable and comfy considering the price and makes for a great budget choice.
There's no question about it: Orvis's dog bed is a bit of a splurge, but it's totally worth the extra cost in the long run as this bed will last years. The memory foam mattress is akin to a normal mattress, so you can rest assured that your pup will be getting the best sleep possible. It comes with a waterproof interior cover as well as a removable exterior cover that washes well, though the darker colors do show marks from licking.
"Bailey loved how the bolsters of the Orvis bed hugged him while he slept," his mom says. The medium size was the perfect length for him, so we'd suggest sizing up if your dog prefers to sprawl out a bit. "After weeks of use, I haven't noticed any sort of sagging or obvious signs of wear in the mattress itself. It absolutely supports him perfectly but is still so soft."
After a year of use, Bailey reported that his bed still looks good as new, despite his tendency to aggressive dig at it every night. "Now that Bailey is getting older, I've really enjoyed the low point of entry on the front of the bed," his Mom said.
The ultimate sign of paw-pproval for the Orvis bed? "Bailey has the option to sleep on our brand new King-sized mattress, but most of the time he hops off our bed and chooses to sleep in the Orvis bed at night."
If you're looking for the best dog bed for large dogs, look no further. Bully Beds was started by Cane Corso parents who couldn't find a bed on the market suitable for their 150 pound baby. They created a bed that gently supports larger breeds while giving them plenty of room to spread out while they sleep. And we mean plenty of room—the Large size was almost as tall as Smith's mom!
The mattress of the Bully Bed is memory foam and has a 20-year Fall Flat Guarantee. "This is a very supportive and firm bed. It is specially designed for larger dogs and beneficial for dogs with joint issues or arthritis," according to Smith's mom. This bed will fully support your large-breed dog from puppyhood through their older arthritic years, something Smith's family was looking specifically for. In fact, after a year of testing, Smith's Mom says the mattress is still in perfect condition. "It's made of foam so I thought it might break down a bit over time, but it really hasn't," she said. The bed includes both an exterior cover and an interior waterproof liner to protect against spills.
The design of the bed was crafted specifically for the tendencies of larger breeds to spread out when they sleep and includes a bumper edge at one end for them to rest their heads, something Smith obviously enjoyed. The cover is easily to wipe clean and remove to toss in the wash, so durability shouldn't be a concern.
The Tuft and Needle dog bed is the perfect option for pawrents who travel often with their furry family members since it has a removable main cushion that easily fits into a crate, a feature Henry's Mom really loved. "I appreciate the ability to remove the top pillow and add it to his crate when we’re in the car, so he can be comfortable wherever we go," she says. "Henry is such a good traveler, and now his bed is too!"
And while his Mom was skeptical at first about how Henry would like this bed since it's a canvas material instead of his usual sherpa or fur, he's happy to report that the Tuft and Needle bed 100% lives up to the hype. "I keep it in my main living space, and he loves curling up there when I’m watching TV at night," she says. "More than once, I’ve also caught him leaving my bedroom to go sleep on it in the middle of the night!"
His Mom also loves that the Tuft and Needle bed is incredibly easy to clean. Henry is a shedder, but the canvas material does an excellent job of hiding his lighter colored fur while she cleans it with a hand-held vacuum every few days. However, she does recommend going with the charcoal color if you have a dog with darker fur.
While the higher point of entry was a bit of a concern at first with Henry's age, he's proven to have no problems with the design of the bed. The low bolster makes it easier for him to access while still providing a bit of a pillow for his head. "I think he especially likes resting his head on the firmer base while his body sprawls on the softer pillow portion," his Mom says.
If you have a bigger dog that appreciates a bed that feels like a hug or a pup that prefers to perch his or her head on a bolstered edge, then the Beautyrest Supreme comfort Couch is for you. Three full sides of this dog bed are bolstered, with the front partially to create a low point of entry that's great for older dogs.
Scout enjoys curling up in his sleep, and this bed was the perfect size for him to do so. We found that the Supreme Comfort Couch can run a bit small, so you'll probably want to size up if your dog is in between.
This couch-style bed is fairly easy to take apart, though only the bottom cushion comes out fully and not the bolster. Also, this bed doesn't have a removable waterproof liner. So, we'd definitely avoid this bed for dogs that are still prone to accidents. We also found the main cushion to be a bit lacking, as it's just an egg-shell mattress topper, so this isn't the best pick for dogs in need of an orthopedic bed, either.
Eric and Rashi's pick for small dogs, this canopy bed is great for dogs that are burrowers and love to dig. And while they love it for small dogs specifically, Furhaven actually makes sizing that can fit dogs as large as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds.
We love this pick because while the top blanket layer works to insulate heat, the memory foam mattress has a cooling gel topper that works to regulate your dog's body temperature so they don't overheat. The mattress is also a surgical-grade foam, so no need to worry about the health and safety of your dog.
This canopy bed gives dog owners two ways to use: you can use the top layer as a blanket by not using the plastic rods or as a true canopy (shown here) by inserting the rods to give the bed some shape. The round shape of the bed also naturally contours burrower's curled-up sleeping position, conforming to them like a gentle hug.
The bed's information specifically mentions that this bed is not suitable for chewers. It also doesn't have a waterproof liner, so we'd advise avoiding it for puppies or dogs in potty training, as well. This would be an excellent choice for an elderly dog, though, as the entry point is fairly low.
While we love knowing that our dogs are getting the best of the best when it comes to comfort and support, is it possible for a dog bed to be both effective and beautiful? Turns out, the answer is yes. After crafting custom pillows for years, the team at June St. George ventured into the doggy realm and now makes beds that are designed to blend beautifully with your aesthetic.
The design process that goes into each June St. George bed is pretty extensive, so you're definitely getting your money's worth. After choosing a design, you'll then go on to select the color palette and monogram type, as well as a design for the bottom of the bed. The end result is a bed that deserved a picture all by itself (sorry, Lottie!).
Since this bed is custom designed, we definitely don't recommend it for chewers or dogs that are prone to accidents. While the cover is removable, there's no waterproof liner, so any liquid will seep right through. We also found the cushion to be super fluffy but a bit under-stuffed, so you might want to add a cut of mattress topper to the bottom for dogs that prefer a firmer mattress. The basketweave material is also prone to pulling, so you'll want to be sure your precious pooch's nails are clipped if you select that fabric.
Just like humans, dogs also have preferred sleeping styles! While some are sprawlers (if you've shared a bed with one, then you know), while others prefer to curl up in cute little balls. You might even have a dog that loves to sleep on their back with their limbs spread out looking like the picture of careless comfort (the life!). It's always a good idea to evaluate your dog's sleeping habits before buying a dog bed.
You'll also want to consider the placement of your dog bed. You may have noticed that your dog prefers to sleep all night in one position but nap in a completely different one. This is when it might be useful to have one type of bed in the living room for afternoon naps and one in the bedroom for sleeping.
If your dog prefers to sprawl out, you'll want to select a bed that's large enough to fit their entire body, and then some. We'd advise sizing up in any bed you get for dogs that sleep like this. Some dogs like to sleep with their heads propped up, so beds with bolsters around the sides are the perfect fit. For burrowers, Eric and Rashi recommend a canopy-style bed that they can dig into and get underneath. And for dogs that sleep curled up, a round bed with bolstered edges will give them plenty of comfort and security.
Dog beds can definitely get expensive, so if we're shelling out the big bucks then we expect these beds to last for years. There are a few features that can definitely extend the life of your dog bed but Eric and Rashi warn against getting your hopes too high when it comes to a bed that'll last your dog's entire life. "When you're talking about a younger dog or a puppy that could live 14 to 15 years, typically, no, that bed is not going to last that long," Eric says. "There are a few companies out there that make tough beds that could potentially last that long, but you also have to take into consideration if you're someone who updates or likes different aesthetics over time."
One feature that extends the life of a bed dramatically is a waterproof liner. This liner essentially acts as a protective layer in between the bed cushion and the outer layer your dog will sleep on. Usually it can be easily removed, but you should only need to spot clean it since it's waterproof. Waterproof liners are particularly great if you have a dog that you still worry may have accidents occasionally.
Even if you don't get a bed with a waterproof liner, though, you'll still need to make sure your dog bed is washable. "Something we look for are washable beds. That's something that we absolutely require for sanitary purposes," Eric says. "And beds that are easy to put back together after washing," Rashi adds. "We've had a few beds where we'll look at each other and ask, 'Are you putting it back together or am I?' because they're so tough.
"While it may be easy to throw your small dog's bed into the washer as a whole (which Eric and Rashi do themselves!), it's tougher to wash a large dog bed in its entirety, which is when removable liners and easy-to-clean materials come in handy. "For our large dogs, I really like beds that are made out of nylon or a waterproof material that has a lining," Eric says. "Because those are usually a little more difficult to put back together so I like to get ones that can be easily cleaned with disinfectant or even hosed off. Nylon is really easy to get fur off of."
And if you have a chewer, you'll definitely want to look into a bed that is made of a tough material, like nylon, that'll be difficult for them to get their teeth into. Additionally, many companies make dog beds that have lifetime warranties specifically for chewers. Whatever you do, though, just make sure they don't ingest the stuffing or foam material of the actual cushion. This stuffing can essentially gum up in their stomach and mean potentially costly surgeries.
Particularly with puppies, it's probably a good idea to wait a few weeks or months before buying them their first bed. "We don't usually give beds to puppies, initially," Rashi says. "We give them plush towels so they can burrow and if they destroy them it's not the end of the world. Whereas if you have a dog bed, especially with stuffing, we want to make sure the puppy isn't ingesting the stuffing," Eric adds.
It's no surprise that a Shih Tzu doesn't need the same amount of support as a Labrador Retriever. While comfort filling might be enough to cater to a small dog, larger dogs need a dog bed with a mattress that will hold up under their weight. We evaluated each dog bed's supportiveness based on the size of dog it was intended for.
"The size of the dog and the age of the dog are really important," Eric says. With older dogs, you should look for a bed that has a firmer cushion and a low point of entry. If your elderly dog likes a bolstered dog bed, be sure that at least the front has a low point of entry so they won't have to lift their legs too high to get in.
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
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