Every dog wants (and deserves!) a comfortable bed. A comfortable, well-built dog bed is important for all dogs no matter what their size or age. Our extensive guide will tell you everything you need to know to choose the right bed for your large best friend.
Sleeping on the floor, on a couch, or on your bed is of course an option, but your special friend really should have a bed that belongs to him or her.
Except for food, we believe that a dog bed is the most important purchase you can make for your large breed dog. These big dogs can sleep for up to 18 hours a day, which means that their health, energy, and mobility are to a large extent dependent upon the quality of their sleep.
We’ve put together this large breed dog beds guide to help you learn specifically what to look for in choosing a bed for these big pups. This is a long article, but since we feel that a good bed is so important for large dogs, we wanted to include everything we think you should know.
We hope this will help you select the perfect bed to ensure your best friend gets both a happy and a healthy night’s sleep.
Investing in a quality bed for your large dog will:
- Provide their own private space and give a sense of security
- Cushion bones and joints
- Control the spread of hair
- Provide insulation from the floor in both cold and hot weather
- Save your furniture
You’ll want to find the best combination of features that matches the needs of your particular dog. This is important because a large dog that is frequently laying on the floor will be much more prone to the following illnesses as well as many others: arthritis, hip dysplasia, elbow disease, Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), Osteochondrosis Dessicans (OCD), and many other skeletal issues.
As our large friends grow older they are more and more susceptible to joint and muscle pains and a quality bed becomes even more important. Features such as the type of bed, the materials used, durability, construction, and a host of other factors are important in selecting the right bed to take your dog comfortably into older age.
Before you can choose the best bed for your big dog, you need to learn about several things to make an educated decision, particularly since large dogs have special needs.
How to Measure for the Right Bed Size
Just like human beds, dog beds come in different sizes. But rather than “twin”, “full”, “queen” and “king”, dog beds typically come in “small”, “medium”, “large”, “extra-large” and sometimes even “giant”. It’s important with large breed dogs to select the right size for their particular weight and dimensions and here is where we’ll explain how.
One of the difficulties in picking the right size bed for your dog is that there are no standard definitions for what is a ‘Medium’ versus a ‘Large’ versus an ‘Extra Large’ dog bed. Different brands have different definitions for their bed sizes.
A Large in one brand may be the same size as a Medium in another. This is why we don’t show a simple list of recommended bed sizes by type of breed.
Actually measuring your dog and then comparing that to the dimensions of the bed is the best way to determine the correct size to buy. In other words, forget about how the manufacturer labels the bed and compare your dog’s measurements to the bed measurements.
If your dog is close to the upper limit of that bed’s measurements, you should consider buying the next largest size.
Your dog’s length and height are the best indicators of what size bed is needed. Yes, weight is a factor and weight guidelines are frequently given by bed manufacturers. However, a 50-pound Bulldog is going to need a different size bed than a 50-pound Whippet, so pay close attention to your dog’s dimensions.
Measuring your dog is quite simple. Using a common measuring tape, you should take two measurements.
For length, measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail and add about 10 inches. This allows for dogs that stretch out when they lie down. For height, measure from the paw to the top of the shoulder.
Using these numbers, make sure you purchase a bed that is at least as long as the nose-to-tail measurement and at least as wide as the paw-to-shoulder measurement.
Based on your dog’s measurements, pick a bed with measurements at least four or five inches larger. Go to the next biggest size if you have to because it’s much better to buy a bed that is too large than one that is too small.
It’s been our experience that many dog owners, especially those of large breed dogs, tend to buy beds that are too small.
If you’re considering a round bed, make sure the diameter is larger than both measurements.
If you’re looking at beds with low walls (commonly known as ‘bolster’ beds), remember that the bed measurements given will frequently be for the outside of the bed.
This means you need to subtract three to four inches off of each side that has a border to determine the size of the inside sleeping area of the bed. This is the measurement you need to compare to your dog’s measurements.
Bedding Materials – Especially Important for Larger Dogs
When shopping for a bed for your large dog, the materials used are the most important consideration. The sheer weight of larger dogs makes it critical to choose a bed made of materials that won’t ‘flatten’ over time and cause discomfort for your large best friend.
There are several types of materials used in dog beds but only a couple (well, actually only one!) are strong and supportive enough for large and giant dogs.
Common materials used include:
- Polyester fiberfill
- Memory Foam
- Polyurethane foam
- ‘Egg crate’ foam
- Cotton stuffing
- Cedar chips
We’re only going to cover the first two materials on the list: polyester fiberfill and memory foam. The other materials are not at all appropriate for large dogs. You will eventually, if not immediately, regret buying a bed made with these materials if you own a large or giant dog.
Please do not consider any material other than polyester fiberfill or (preferably) memory foam. Other materials will, without exception, flatten out over time with the weight of larger dogs. This will cause discomfort and the worsening of any existing joint or bone problems with your dog.
Polyester Fiber Fill
Polyester fiberfill is by far the most common material used in dog beds. It’s inexpensive and normally made from polyester, specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a material commonly used in plastic products such as bottles.
It’s made by melting the polyester and then mixing it with other fibers such as linen, cotton, and wool. This creates a fluffy material commonly referred to as ‘fiberfill stuffing’, ‘polyester fiber fill’, or simply ‘fiberfill”. It has the advantage of being resistant to mildew, microorganisms, moths, etc.
When a thick enough amount is used in a well-made bed, polyester can be an acceptable material for dogs weighing up to about 75 pounds or so. Just don’t expect it to last for years without eventually flattening out. It can also shift when your dog stands up, which can aggravate hip and joint problems.
Memory Foam
By far, memory foam is the best bedding material for large dogs and the only material you should buy for dogs in the 75 pounds and up weight range.
Memory foam was developed in the 1960s by NASA scientists for use in aircraft cushions. In later years it was extensively used in hospital beds to prevent bedsores and reduce the possibility of gangrene due to decreased blood flow caused by pressure points over bony regions.
Unlike other types of foam (e.g. egg crate foam and polyurethane foam), memory foam is denser and constructed of what is called ‘open cells’. These cells open and close to allow air to move between cells and adjust to weight and temperature.
Memory foam is firm at normal temperature and then reacts to your dog’s temperature once your dog lays down. This distributes the weight equally and cradles your dog in support and comfort. Pressure points are thus avoided and your dog sleeps in a more orthopedically correct position.
Once your dog gets up and the weight is lifted, the air is once again evenly distributed, and the foam reverts back to its original shape. Thus the term ‘memory foam’.
Memory foam quality is measured by its density, which basically translates to its weight. Weight varies from three-pound foam to five-pound foam and is determined by a one-foot square piece of foam.
The denser and heavier the material, the firmer it is to the touch. Increased density causes higher manufacturing and fabrication costs and thus high-quality memory foam beds do cost more.
You’ll find two types of true memory foam used in dog beds: shredded memory foam and solid memory foam.
Shredded memory foam beds are made of cut-up pieces of foam. They can be comfortable and soft but have little body support and are not appropriate for large dogs, extra-large dogs, or dogs with orthopedic issues. This is what you will generally find in lower-cost memory foam beds.
Solid memory foam is constructed of a solid slab. The thicker the slab, the more supportive the bed. You can usually tell if a bed is made from solid memory from the description – if it’s solid memory foam they will say so loud and proud!
If it doesn’t specifically say solid memory foam, then it isn’t.
For large, extra-large, and giant dogs, solid memory foam is the only material that will ensure long-lasting comfort and relieve and help prevent many orthopedic issues.
Dog Beds Come in Several Styles
Dog beds now come in a variety of shapes and styles. The position your dog likes to sleep in, combined with height, weight, and overall health will all be factors to consider when choosing the right type of bed.
Shapes
Oval and round beds are usually preferred by dogs that sleep curled up. The round shape naturally invites your dog to curl up inside the circle.
Just be sure that the diameter of the bed (the measurement across the center) is long enough that your dog can also stretch out the spine.
Round and rectangular beds are a good choice if your dog prefers to sleep in a stretched-out position. The extra stretch room of a rectangular bed can be particularly helpful for older dogs with less flexibility for curling up.
As with round beds, the measurement is important for rectangular beds. The bed should be long enough for the most outstretched position of your dog.
Styles
Elevated Beds
These are also known as ‘dog cots’. They have raised frames with legs, usually at least five or six inches off the floor. The surface is made from sturdy fabric or mesh.
Raised beds can be particularly beneficial for older or arthritic dogs, as the height makes it easier to get into and out of a resting position.
They also can help keep your dog warmer in winter by being raised off of a cold, drafty floor, and cooler in the summer by allowing air to circulate underneath. When used outdoors, the raised surface keeps the bed out of dirt and mud.
One downside is that the surface does not have padding, so you may need to add a mattress pad on top for added comfort. Another downside is that these beds are typically too small for extra large and giant dogs, so you’ll need to be sure to check the dimensions against the measurements for your dog.
Bolster Beds
A bolster is a padded rim that fits around one or more sides of a dog bed.
If you find your dog likes to sleep with his back to a couch or cushion, it’s because of the feel of security they get with support against their back. As a result, they may enjoy a bolster bed.
Some dogs also like to rest or hang their heads over the bolster, or simply lean on it. Bolster beds are also great for dogs that like to curl up and cuddle.
When choosing a bolster bed, be sure to check the dimensions of the usable part of the cushion. Don’t use the measurement to the outside of the bolster, as the part your dog lays on can be considerably smaller. Because of this, it can be difficult to find bolster beds that can comfortably accommodate extra large dogs.
Donut Beds
A donut bed is simply a bolster bed that is completely surrounded by the bolster, forming a ‘donut’ shape. These are the perfect beds for dogs that like to curl up when they sleep.
Here again, you have to be careful to determine the measurement of the actual laying area. Frequently, the manufacturer gives the dimensions including the bolster, making it seem larger than it actually is.
The biggest size you’ll usually find in donut beds is large, which really means ‘medium’ if you only count the usable space. This means these are not a good choice for many large size dogs.
Dog Couches
Dog couches are somewhat similar to bolster beds, in that they have a bolster around two sides and the back, much like a couch. Some of them even sit on raised legs and are styled to actually look like a real couch.
As with any bolster bed, you have to be careful when checking the size. Manufacturers will frequently state the dimensions including the width of the bolsters.
This is the source of many of the complaints about this style of bed.
Dog Bed Features to Consider
While the type of material should be your number one consideration, several other features add to the comfort and durability of the bed you purchase for your dog.
Chew Proof
Let’s just say this right up front: no dog bed is absolutely chew proof. In fact, did you know that dogs have been known to chew through wood, bricks, kevlar, and even chain link fences? If your large dog is really determined, he’s able to chew through most materials.
If your dog is a chewer, what you want to look for is a bed containing double stitched seams, rounded corners, tough material such as military-grade ballistic nylon, and strong metal zippers.
The only dog beds we know of that are close to being truly “chew-proof” are ones from K9 Ballistics and they back it up with a chew-proof guarantee.
Cooling Beds
If you have a dog that frequently likes to lie stretched out on a cool tile, stone, or wood floor, a cooling bed may be just what you’re looking for. Certain long hair breeds have a tendency to overheat easily and a cooling bed can be particularly helpful.
Raised beds are one of the most common types of cooling beds. They provide cooling by the air that flows under the bed due to its elevation. Additional cooling can be provided by positioning a fan to blow under the bed.
A second common type of cooling bed is filled with either water or gel and lies on the floor. This may be the only choice for extra large and giant dogs, as raised beds are rarely big enough for the larger breeds.
Heated Beds
Larger and older dogs that suffer from arthritis and joint pain can find soothing relief from a heated dog bed. Heat also relaxes muscles, ligaments, and joints, providing additional relief.
In addition, heat increases circulation, and increased circulation promotes healing A heated bed can help soothe minor injuries suffered from a day full of activity.
There are several types of heated dog beds. Some use your dog’s natural body heat by using a simple reflective surface. Others use microwavable packs that can be heated and placed into a special cover.
The more expensive ones use a built-in electric heating pad to provide low-level heat, which means you can turn it off in warmer weather or when heat isn’t needed. Just be certain it has a chew-resistant cord.
A disadvantage of heated dog beds is that most of them only come in sizes up to ‘large’. You’ll find it difficult to find ones for extra-large or giant dogs.
Removable Cover
Many lower-priced dog beds are completely sealed – they do not have a cover that can be removed for washing.
You should always look for beds that have removable and washable covers. Otherwise, you may find that the outside surface of the bed gets so dirty and embedded with odors that you have to replace the bed, even though the inside supporting material is in good shape.
If the inside of the cover is water-resistant, that’s even better. Also, look for colorfastness and a zipper that can withstand multiple washings.
Special Needs Beds – Orthopedic and Hypoallergenic
Orthopedic beds and hypoallergenic beds are two types of special needs faced by many dog owners.
Orthopedic Beds
Simply defined, an orthopedic bed provides firm, even, all-over support. This means that the only true orthopedic beds will be made from high-quality memory foam.
Memory foam is the only type of material that will retain its shape, provides the extra support needed, and is resistant to flattening out over time. It reacts to your dog’s body weight and temperature so that it conforms perfectly to your dog’s unique curves and angles.
Studies have shown that your dog makes 30% more body contact with memory foam than with other types of bedding materials.
The best orthopedic dog beds will be made of layers of medical-grade memory foam, with the firmer foam (5 lb weight, the heaviest foam available) in the middle for support and the softer foam (3 or 4 lb) on top for comfort.
Orthopedic beds are the right choice for:
- Large dogs that can flatten out normal beds
- Dogs recovering from sickness and thus must stay in bed a lot
- Older dogs that suffer from arthritis and other joint problems
- Very active dogs
- Very thin dogs
Many veterinarians recommend getting orthopedic dog beds for younger pets, as getting firm and proper support can help prevent joint problems later in life.
Hypoallergenic Beds
If your dog suffers from allergies, then you’ll want a bed made from hypoallergenic materials.
The most common type of allergy is called ‘atopy’. Atopy is what’s called an environmental allergy, which means the things causing the allergic reaction – called allergens – are within the environment, specifically things such as mold, mildew, mites, or pollen.
Hypoallergenic materials reduce the build-up of allergens and thus reduce your dog’s allergic reactions.
There are many different types of true hypoallergenic materials, such as:
- 100% cotton
- Organic buckwheat hulls
- Recycled plastics (such as polyfill)
- Hemp
- Wool Fleece
However, if you have a large dog the problem with all of these materials is that they won’t provide the firm support needed by a heavier weight dog.
Consequently, if you have a larger dog with allergy symptoms, what you’re going to want is a memory foam bed that has also been treated to be hypoallergenic. Not all memory foam beds are hypoallergenic, so be sure to read the description carefully before purchasing one and ask questions if you aren’t sure.
True hypoallergenic memory foam will tend to be more expensive, but if your large dog suffers from any sort of allergies, this will be money well spent.
Consumer Concerns for Large Dog Beds
With any product being sold, there are lots of concerns and problems experienced by consumers and dog beds are no different.
The secret to avoiding these problems is to learn from the experience of others before you buy instead of after you’ve experienced the problem!
This is especially true of large-sized dog beds due to the additional wear they receive. The sheer size and weight of our large canine friends tend to bring out problems that might not exist with a smaller dog.
Here are the main problems others have had, to assist you in selecting the bed that will work best for your dog’s needs.
Flattening
Probably the single biggest complaint about dog beds is they get flat, especially in the middle. This makes them very uncomfortable. This is particularly important for large breed dogs, as they have more joint problems and need extra support.
Even worse, some beds flatten out immediately, causing tender elbows and joints to hit the hard floor the first time your dog flops down. To make matters worse, a flat bed is harder for your dog to lay down on and get up from, particularly for older dogs with arthritic joints.
Since giant dogs will often sleep up to 18 hours a day, this is a very valid complaint. The constant pressure of a 100-pound plus dog will invariably flatten out a poor quality bed or one made of non-supportive materials.
The result is a thin bed that offers no real support and can cause or aggravate the orthopedic issues that most large and giant dogs eventually have.
The worst material for flattening is probably the cotton-type fillers. These are very common in lower cost and poor quality beds. Online reviews are filled with consumer complaints about these types of beds, even for medium size dogs, much less the larger breeds.
High-end polyfill is better, but will still eventually shift around and flatten out over time. Complaints about flattening with polyfill beds are less but still very common.
The best protection against flattening is to buy a bed made of true memory foam and the thicker and heavier weight, the better. Look for a four or five-pound weight for the most resistance to flattening.
Even with true memory foam, flattening will still be a problem if the pad is too thin. For larger and giant breeds, at least five inches of quality foam is needed. This will not only prevent flattening but the extra height makes it easier for your large friend to get up and down.
Bad Zippers
If you buy a dog bed with a removable cover, that cover will almost always open and close with a zipper. For such a small part of the overall construction of a bed, zippers receive a disproportionate number of complaints.
Basically, you’ll find two types of zippers on bed covers: metal zippers and plastic zippers.
Metal zippers are usually made out of brass and are far more durable than plastic zippers. Plastic zippers are the source of almost all zipper complaints.
Complaints about plastic zippers fall into four main categories:
- Complaints that the zipper fell apart after one or two washings. This is probably the number one complaint about zippers. It’s a big one because the whole point of having a removable cover is so that it can be washed. If the zipper doesn’t last more than a couple of washings, the entire cover then must be replaced.
- Complaints that the zipper won’t close again properly after the cover is taken off. If the cover is a tight-fitting one, a plastic zipper can tend to jam when trying to close a tight gap.
- Complaints that the zipper ripped off when putting the cover back on. Plastic zippers frequently are attached with plastic strips, which can more easily rip off under pressure.
- Zipper teeth that break off. Worse yet, the jagged broken edges can shred the bedding material inside. This is most common for plastic zippers.
The lesson to be learned from these common complaints is to buy a dog bed that has a cover with a zipper made out of metal. This will avoid almost all problems with the zipper.
However, you’ll find that many dog beds don’t specify whether the zipper is metal or plastic, so you have no way of knowing.
A good rule of thumb is that the more expensive and the higher quality the bed, the greater the likelihood that the zipper will be made out of metal, but it’s still a gamble.
The bottom line is to always look at the detailed specifications of any bed you buy for an indication of the type of zipper. If it specifically says the zipper is made of metal, chances are the overall quality of the bed is also high.
Bed Cover Care: Water Resistant vs. Water Proof
Right behind flattening, bed covers that are not moisture resistant, or don’t hold up well after washing, are among the most common complaints. This is especially true for people who own older dogs that can be prone to accidents.
Many dog bed covers are simply that: a fabric cover. Even though they may be washable, they have no protection against liquids penetrating the cover and contaminating the filling inside.
You’ll read many reviews of poor-quality bed covers that ruin the bed the first time your dog has any sort of accident on it. Of course, once this happens you have no hope of returning the bed.
What you’ll want to look for to avoid these types of complaints is a bed cover that is either water-resistant or, preferably, waterproof. So what’s the difference?
Water-resistant means that a spill (or accident!) will not soak through the material right away -it will take a certain period of time. The more water-resistant the material, the longer it will take for the liquid to soak through.
So long as the cover is washable – and you catch the spill before it soaks through – you can throw it in the washer and all is well. That is, assuming the cover will hold up under multiple washings. Many don’t and the reviews are full of complaints about covers that fall apart after a few washings.
Waterproof, on the other hand, means that no liquid will ever make it through the material. You can wait until the spill dries completely. Even for bad spills, the inside of the cover will still be 100% protected.
Very few dog bed covers are waterproof and if they are it will say so prominently. If it doesn’t say waterproof, then assume it isn’t.
Unfortunately, while most dog bed descriptions will state that the cover is washable, they frequently don’t include detailed information about whether the liner is water-resistant or waterproof.
And don’t be fooled by the term “stain-resistant”. This may or may not mean water-resistant and most certainly doesn’t mean waterproof.
As an alternative to a waterproof cover, some bed manufacturers will sell a 100% waterproof liner for the bed, which is placed under the bed cover. The advantage to this is that when the cover wears out you can replace it without having to replace the waterproof liner.
Wrong Size – Advertised Bed Size vs. Reality!
As a large or giant dog owner, one of your challenges is finding a bed large enough for your super-sized best friend.
Buying a bed advertised as ‘Extra Large’, only to find out that it’s too small for your large dog is the source of many complaints, returns, and dissatisfied customers.
A big reason for this is that different bed brands have different definitions for ‘Medium’, ‘Large’, ‘Extra Large’, and ‘XX Large’.
To illustrate, we picked three different well-known dog bed brands and compared their definition of sizes. Here’s what we found.
For ‘Medium’, one site defined it as 36″ x 24″; another site defined it as 30″ x 20″, and a third side used 25″ x 40″.
For ‘Large’, one site used 43″ x 29″, another used 36″ x 23″, and yet a third used 30″ x 40″.
To make it more confusing, we found one brand that advertises ‘Extra Large’ as being 42″ x 28″, which is smaller than the ‘Large’ in the first example above! We found several instances of ‘XX large’ being smaller in one brand than the dimensions of a ‘Large’ in another brand.
Clearly, you can’t take the word of the manufacturer that their ‘Extra Large’ bed will be the right size for your extra-large dog.
The best – and only – way to avoid buying a bed you thought was the right size based on the description, only to find out when you receive it that’s it much too small, is to measure your dog.
Once you know your dog’s exact measurements, you can compare those to the advertised dimensions before purchasing a bed. Use the next larger size if your dog’s measurements are close to the dimensions of the bed size you are considering.
This will avoid buying a bed that forces your dog’s head or legs to hang uncomfortably over the edge.
Bed Covers That Don’t Fit Properly
Many otherwise high-quality dog beds are ruined because of low-quality covers, so it’s not surprising that this is another common area for complaints.
Since the cover is what protects the bedding material, you would think that a quality bed means a quality bed cover. Unfortunately, this is frequently not the case.
Online store reviews are filled with complaints about dog bed covers, ranging from poor fitting covers to covers that fall apart after washing, to covers that fall apart even when not washed!
By a large margin, the most common complaint about covers is that they fit poorly, making it difficult to get the cover back on again once it’s removed for washing.
There are two main reasons for this: one, that the cover shrunk after it was washed, and two, that the cover’s zipper wasn’t long enough.
Most good-quality dog beds will have covers made out of material good enough to resist shrinking when washed. Covers made out of canvas are the best in this regard, as canvas is a material that very rarely shrinks when washed and dried. However, the downside of the canvas is that it isn’t as soft or comfortable as other types of materials.
The bigger problem seems to be that the zipper on the cover frequently isn’t long enough.
By not long enough, we mean that the zipper only unzips 25-50% of the cover (one or two sides of a square bed and less than halfway around a round bed). This can make it very difficult to get the bedding material back inside the cover and zip it up.
If you combine this problem with a cover that shrinks when washed, the result is a cover that can be nearly impossible to get back on once removed. Look for a cover that unzips almost all the way around and you will minimize the frustration of struggling to get a poor-fitting cover back on.
The Best Large Dog Bed Brands
(Please note: we are not affiliated with these brands and do not receive a commission for recommending them. They are simply the ones we feel offer the best quality and price.)
Did you know there are over 600 brands of dog beds sold? Some sell only one or two models and others have dozens of different styles.
While this certainly provides a tremendous variety of choices and prices, it also leads to a lot of confusion, particularly since only a small number of brands are suitable for large dogs.
We have researched the brands that are most suitable for big dogs to save you the time of having to plow through hundreds of brands and to assist you in making a good decision.
We’ve narrowed it down to what we consider to be the four best brands for large dog beds.
Big Barker Brand – American Made and the Ultimate Quality for Large and Giant Dogs
This is the epitome of quality and comfort for large dogs! They make the most supportive, long-lasting – and largest – orthopedic dog beds in America. They are an American company that uses only American-made materials.
Headquartered in Pennsylvania, Big Barker only makes beds for large dogs. They have only three sizes: Large, Extra Large, and Giant. They are the only brand on Amazon that has achieved five-star reviews (the highest rating possible) on every single one of their products. They are that good.
This type of quality does come at a price. However, while they carry some of the highest prices, they also have the best and longest warranty of any brand.
We consider Big Barker to be simply the finest dog bed made anywhere. Period. Made in America using American-made materials only, these are the highest quality and most comfortable beds you can buy for large dogs.
Big Barker doesn’t make beds in sizes smaller than Large, so they advertise that if your dog weighs less than 50 pounds, these beds are just too powerful. Their beds are specifically designed for the size and comfort of a big, heavy dog.
Big dogs have more demanding support requirements than smaller dogs, so Big Barker sizes and memory foam densities are targeted to meet the demands of a big dog. In fact, in our experience, your dog should be at least 65 pounds or heavier to consider a bed from Big Barker.
Big Barker is the only brand you should consider if you own a giant-size dog – that is, a dog weighing 140 pounds or more. For mammoth dogs, these beds are the only game in town. Their ‘Giant’ size is a massive 60″ x 48″, making it the largest dog bed available in America.
Their beds are the only ones that will not flatten over time under the weight of our giant canine friends. A 175-pound English Mastiff can lay on these beds and it won’t even come close to touching the floor. Ever.
And they have the warranty to back this up: they guarantee that your bed will not flatten for ten years and if it does they will replace it immediately, 100 % free of charge!
That’s right – if it flattens (which has never yet happened with one of their beds) at the end of year nine, they will send you a new one. They also give as long as it takes for your dog to get used to the new bed. In the unlikely event that they don’t like it, you can return it for a complete refund.
This is by far the best warranty offered by any dog bed manufacturer. They are that confident in their products. As proof, they are the only dog bed brand that receives a five-star (the highest) rating on every single one of their products.
Here’s why:
- Every Big Barker bed is made with a full 7 inches of dense, ultra-high quality, medical-grade, made in America memory foam. There is no finer bedding material made.
- The machine-washable bed covers are made from a superior, tightly woven microfiber, which makes them far stronger than the typical cotton or polyester cover found in other brands.
- The unique 7-inch height is a real benefit for tall and heavy dogs because it means your dog can “walk off” their new bed, not struggle to raise themselves from the “grounded start” provided by other dog beds.
- Their innovative bed design hides zippers and seams (the favorite parts to chew on), which discourages chewing.
If your dog is extra large or a giant breed, these are the only beds we recommend.
K&H Pet Beds – Memory Foam Support at Reasonable Prices
K&H is a full-line pet products company. Many of their beds feature orthopedic memory foam at very reasonable prices. They are one of the few brands that also carry a full line of heated dog beds.
Their ratings are very good and they offer products and accessories not found anywhere else. We also like the fact that they work closely with MET Laboratories (a national testing and certification organization) to assure their products are safe for your dog.
K&H Manufacturing is an American company, located in Colorado Springs, CO. While they offer a large line of all types of dog products, their specialty is beds.
K&H offers many types of specialty beds, including:
- Orthopedic beds with medical grade memory foam
- Cooling beds
- Heated beds
- Sofa-style beds
- Indoor/Outdoor beds
For you large dog owners, the orthopedic memory beds will be of most interest. We give their memory foam a medium to high rating and the overall good reviews reflect this.
They also make beds with polyfill as the bedding material, but as with all brands, we do not recommend these for large dogs.
For those of you who have dogs with sore and stiff joints due to age or arthritis, the heating pads and beds from K&H are great for providing soothing heat to help relieve soreness and pain. They are one of the very few brands with a complete line of several styles of heating pads and heated beds.
You’ll also appreciate their large selection of car seat and cargo area covers, which they make in sizes to fit even the largest cars and SUVs. These are a must for keeping your car interior clean, especially with the long hair breeds.
One potential downside is that their largest size is “Large”, so they would not be a good choice for dogs weighing over 100 pounds.
DogBed4Less – Good Quality at Budget Prices
They sell a large line of memory foam dog beds, many of which are available in large sizes.
Although this is not an American company, we include them due to their large selection and the fact that virtually every one of their products receives a four or five-star rating.
They have the lowest prices on memory foam dog beds, though the very low-priced ones are shredded memory foam rather than a one-piece slab. However, even these receive high ratings.
DogBed4Less is a company located in Tracy, CA and they are our choice for people looking for quality beds at a budget price.
Their beds come in two levels of quality:
- Their top-quality beds are made with four to five inches of solid layer memory foam, with a density of 3.2 pounds, which is suitable for dogs weighing up to 160 pounds.
- Their lesser-priced but still highly rated ‘Pet Pillow’ beds are made with a combination of shredded memory foam and fiberfill. However, these are not a good choice for extra-large or giant dogs.
We like the fact that many of their bed covers are made with very durable (and washable!) 12 oz denim fabric, with a hidden zipper that reduces the chances of damage.
Their top-of-the-line bed comes with 4″ of solid memory foam and a waterproof (not just water-resistant) internal zipper cover, in addition to the external cover. This provides excellent protection for the bedding material and is also included in their lower-priced Pet Pillow line.
DogBed4Less is also one of the few brands that carry Extra Large and XXL beds for even the largest breeds. The only limiting factor is weight. They do not recommend their beds for dogs weighing over 160 pounds. For giant dogs, Big Barker is the best brand.
DogBed4Less has some of the highest customer ratings, so you can be very comfortable that your purchase will be of high quality.
If you’re looking for quality at a reasonable price, take a look at the DogBed4Less beds.
K9 Ballistics – Extreme Durability and Chew Resistant
K9 Ballistics is a company headquartered in Camarillo, California.
They specialize in extremely durable beds and cots for dogs that chew, although they also have a line of high-quality orthopedic memory foam beds that receive high consumer ratings.
Their prices tend to be on the higher side, but based on their durability and high ratings they are well worth the price. They even have a model guaranteed to be chew-proof or they’ll replace it!
Although K9 Ballistics is primarily known for its chew-resistant beds and dog cots, they also have a high-quality line of memory foam orthopedic beds, which are the ones you’ll want to consider for large and extra-large dogs.
Their orthopedic beds are all made with 3.5 inches of medical grade high-density memory foam, plus an additional 1.5 inches of medical grade comfort memory foam. The result is a high-quality bed that is well suited for larger and heavier dogs.
K9 Ballistics is also one of the few manufacturers that offers a true extra-large size on many of their beds. By this, we mean a full 55″ x 35″, which are the only dimensions we consider to be extra-large. Big Barker is the only brand we know of that offers a larger bed.
We particularly like that – true to their reputation – all of the beds made by K9 Ballistics use:
- durable ripstop ballistic fibers
- double-stitched seams for extra strength
- And they’ve removed the zippers and replaced them with concealed, industrial-strength, velcro closures on the undersides of the beds.
These features are what make their beds very chew-resistant.
If your dog is a heavy chewer and you’re looking for a chew-proof bed, the closest thing you’ll find is their Cujo Cot. This is the last resort for those of you who own a heavy, persistent chewer.
The Cujo Cot is a raised bed with aluminum-framed edges and strong, military-grade Ballistic Material. While no bed can be truly 100% chew proof, this is as close as you can get and it comes with a 120-day warranty against chewing, which no other brand offers.
K9 Ballistics also makes a full line of Fiber Fill beds which, while high quality, are not suitable for extra large dogs. Full, dense medical-grade memory foam is the only bedding material we find suitable for the larger and giant breeds.
If chew-resistant beds are what you’re looking for, K9 Ballistics should be your first choice.
The Last Word
We’ve presented what we feel is the most comprehensive large breed dog bed guide to be found anywhere.
But here’s the bottom line: the two most important factors to consider are proper size, and material.
If you choose a bed that is large enough and constructed using high quality memory foam, your dog will be happy and healthy. All other considerations are secondary.