In the past, many dogs were lucky to find a warm towel or a blanket to curl up on and sleep. Those days are in the past with the emergence of the dog as a member of the family. Dog beds have been created to provide the dog with a place of rest. There are dog beds of every shape, size, and texture. You can find everything that you’ll need to make your dog more comfortable while they “catch some z’s”. How do you decide on the right type of bed for your dog? Let’s look at several factors that should play a role in your decision.

Probably the biggest factor in deciding on dog beds is size. If your dog won’t fit on the bed, it’s most likely going to be a big waste of money. The bed needs to be appropriate to the average size of the breed as well. Don’t go out and buy a tiny bed just because your newborn Great Dane can fit on it now. In a few months, it’s going to eclipse the bed and then some. While this is a bit of an extreme example, just try to take into account the breed before you buy. Measure your dog from head to tail and then add about a foot to give it some room to move around. Look at the dog when it’s sleeping and see what position it likes to sleep in. Measure it when it’s sleeping and see if there is much of a difference. You want the bed to be a little bigger than the dog, but you want it to feel cozy at the same time.

Another big factor in dog beds is the environment that they will be located in. Do you want your dog to have extra warmth? Do you want it to be a nice cool bed that will allow breeze to get in? If you live near the equator, you probably don’t want to get a big fluffy, wool bed that is designed to keep animals warm. On the other hand, if you live in Canada, this is probably going to be the bed for your dog.

The shape is another critical factor for selecting dog beds. If you will watch your dog sleep for a few nights and see if they are always in the same position, this will help you in your decision. If they always curl up in a little ball every night, then a circular bed might be the way to go. If they stretch out as much as they can, you might want to go with a rectangular bed. If they like to cuddle up next to things, you might want to get a bed with sides on it.

Above all else, the comfort of the dog should be at the forefront of your mind.  Dog beds are an important investment for your dog. Take some time and make a good decision when it’s time to look for one for your dog. 

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