A bed that is too small gets ignored. Measure your dog from nose to base of tail, pick how they sleep, and the measurer shows the length and width to look for, drawn to scale.
Includes where to put the bed, which shapes suit which sleepers, and when to ask a vet about older, stiff dogs. Sizes follow RSPCA advice and a common shop rule of thumb.
A dog bed that is too small gets ignored, and one that is far too big can feel like an empty field. The right size is simple to find: measure your dog, pick how they like to sleep, and add a little room. Then the bed is something they choose, not something you hope for.
The RSPCA says a bed should be large enough for your dog to lie comfortably in all of their natural positions, and that they should be able to stretch out, not only curl up. Watch a few naps first. Some dogs curl into a doughnut, some sleep on their side, and some sprawl flat on their belly with legs out behind them.
Measure the dog, add a little room, and when you are between sizes, go up.
The RSPCA suggests a warm, draught-free spot. It also suggests having one bed in a quiet corner where your dog can rest undisturbed and, if you like, another in a family room so they can be near you. If you have more than one dog, give each one their own bed, and a shared one only if they like to snuggle.
If your dog tears bedding and swallows pieces, take the bed away and tell your vet. Torn filling can be dangerous to swallow.
Prices for dog beds vary a lot. Around €20–50 buys a simple bed, around €50–100 gets a mid-range one, and around €100–150 is the top end for this size.
The length and width formula in the measurer is a common rule of thumb used by pet shops, not a figure from a vet or welfare group.
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A 75 × 65 cm bed, which the measurer's side-sleeper rule matches to a dog about 65 cm long, nose to base of tail. Check the length and width against your own dog before choosing.
75 × 65 cm · Trixie · Dog bed
A bigger 83 × 67 cm bed with more room to stretch, which suits a dog up to roughly 73 cm long if it sleeps on its side. Check the cover care label for washing.
83 × 67 cm · Trixie Vital · Dog bed
An 80 × 60 cm bed from the same maker's Vital line, for a dog about 70 cm long who sleeps on its side. If your dog is stiff or sore, ask your vet what kind of support it needs.
80 × 60 cm · Trixie Vital · Dog bed
