If you’ve ever slept in a bed with your feet poking off the end of a mattress, or forced yourself to curl up on a little sofa because that’s your only option for a night’s kip, you’ll know how important it is to have sufficient bed space. Some dogs are sprawlers, others are happy to curl up in a tight ball, but whatever your dog’s sleeping preferences, his bed needs to be sufficiently large to enable him to stretch out if he wants to without discomfort. If you have one of the largest dog breeds, you’ll need to find one of the best large dog beds to ensure he has appropriate rest.
A good king-sized bed will also provide support and comfort for dogs with joint problems or stiffness. At the same time, a dog’s bed is his home, and often they like a place to snuggle down in and feel safe – so something to give a sense of cosiness, such as bolstered sides, is often appreciated.
The best dog beds come in all shapes and sizes. Many dog beds come in a range of sizes, so you can simply select large or extra-large to ensure adequate room for his body and limbs. And then there’s the type: there are orthopaedic dog beds designed to alleviate joint pain, calming dog beds for anxious dogs, or tough dog beds for chewers. Not only that, but as a large bed takes up significant space in the home, you’ll probably want one that fits in with your decor – it really is like another piece of furniture.
Best large dog beds
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
The Dog’s Bed Orthopaedic Heritage Collection
Sizes: S–XXL, with corner options in some sizes
Colours: 11 options
RRP: Large sizes from £89.99
Coming in sizes up to XXL, this is an ideal choice for even the largest breeds. It is a therapeutic bed designed to provide relief and comfort to dogs with joint conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis and osteochondritis. It is also billed as a “prudent preventative measure for younger dogs of breeds predisposed to joint conditions”.
It has a waterproof protective inner and durable outer, with the mattress made of high-stability memory foam. The covers can be removed and machine-washed, and there is a waterproof mattress protector to catch any accidents.
Colours: Black, blue, green, purple, brown, orange or red
RRP: Large sizes from £49.95
Another bed with three large sizes including large, uber large and extra large, the flat shape of this bed means dog with long legs can sprawl to their heart’s content. These “tough chew” dog beds are as rugged as they come – designed for “the digger, the active, the working, the dirty and the wild dog”. Reminiscent of a gym mat, the tough, heavy-duty fabric is odour and dirt repellent, waterproof and wipe-clean. You can even wash major stains with a jet wash.
For dogs that love to chew anything in sight, this should deter them.
But despite the rugged outside, it has a soft/medium density comfy filling. It is anti-fungal, and the fabric prevents dust mites and other pets from settling.
Colours: Mustard, slate grey, platinum grey or teal
RRP: £89.99 for large
Just because your dog is big, it doesn’t mean he won’t enjoy snuggling down for a cosy snooze. This bed is only available in medium and large sizes, being designed specifically for “large breeds that are known to burrow”. It suits burrowers, anxious dogs, or just any dogs that love to snuggled under a duvet and hide in a cosy place. Made of cosy jumbo cord for a stylish and comfy look.
The underside of the bed is made of a water-resistant fabric so you can flip the bed over when the dog comes home wet from a walk and then back to the cosy side up when he’s dried off. Machine-washable cover.
Another dog bed majoring in the large sizes, with three options from large to XXL. The manufacturers claim it can easily hold 100lb-plus (45kg). The base is made from high-density memory foam for “the ultimate sleep experience”. The bolster is big and fluffy to offer protection for your dog’s neck, while the bottom has a non-slip rubber backing to prevent it sliding around.
And a little bonus treat in the form of a bone-shaped squeaky toy!
Colours: Black, brown, pink, grey, dark grey or khaki
RRP: From £27.99
Big dogs can be just as anxious and insecure as little ones – often more so! This doughnut-shaped design satisfies the nesting instinct of dogs who love to curl up, mimicking their mother’s fur and providing a calming, anxiety-reducing space. It can also offer joint and muscle pain relief and help pets to relax and sleep soundly.
It has a raised rim and super-soft filling with high-quality cosy material, which is durable, breathable and machine-washable.
The shape of this large square mattress means your dog can stretch out any way he pleases. This dual-sided cushion includes a layer of reflective material designed to reflect your dog’s body heat to create a warmer environment and help your dog stay cosy and comfortable. During the warmer months, simply reverse the cushion so your dog can rest on the cooler side without the self-warming effect.
The most important factor in choosing a bed is for a big dog is that it is sufficiently capacious. All of these beds have large options, with one going up to triple extra large.
Large dogs are not all the same just because they share a common stature. Some are light and bony, like greyhounds, others are chunky, like mastiffs. Some like to stretch out and sprawl, others curl into a ball. Some want to rest their head on a cushion, others want to burrow down into a den. Some find too much cushioning makes them overheat, while others are anxious and want to curl up into a plush donut. And so, H&H have selected a range of large beds to cater for all types, characters and sleeping positions.
How do I know if my dog needs a bigger bed?
Measure your dog from the tip of its snout to the base of its tail and add around 20–30cm. The length of the bed should be at least this measurement. Even if your dog tends to sleep curled up in a tight ball, how do you know if that is not force of habit because he has been sleeping in too small a bed? And everyone needs a stretch at some point.
The dog needs to be able to stretch out his legs and feel fully supported when lying on their side or curled up. Looking at your dog in his bed, can he lie flat with around 10cm all around? Does he seem to overflow the space? If in doubt always choose a bigger bed.
How often should your replace your dog’s bed?
It’s easy to get used to the sight of a familiar dog’s bed, but with dogs sleeping for at least 12 hours a day, yours might need replacing. Besides the obvious wear and tear of rips and holes, or stuffing coming out, if it starts to look misshapen, it’s a sure sign that the padding is past its “best-before date”. Sometimes you’ll notice that the dog spurns his bed, preferring to sleep elsewhere, which shows the bed may not be as comfortable as it once was.
Check the base for mould or mildew, test the mattress part for any lumps or bumps and check its still springy. Inspect the best without the covers on, so that you can see if there is any structural damage.
If your dog is prone to accidents or chews his bed, it will need replacing more often than most.
The general rule of thumb is that good quality dog beds need replacing every couple of years, and should be washed on a regular basis – around every couple of weeks or so.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
