The best bed for a Border Collie
A Border Collie's bed has to survive an active dog with a working coat, not just look good in the corner of the room. Size, a washable cover and a spot where your dog can still see the room usually matter more than padding thickness or plush styling.
Size and shape for a Border Collie's build
Most adult Border Collies need a bed with enough floor space to lie fully stretched out on their side, not just curled into a ball — this is a breed built to run, and a bed that only fits the curled-up position gets abandoned in favour of the cold floor within a week.
A rectangular or oval bed generally suits the breed's build better than a small round bolster, and if your dog likes to rest their chin up and watch the room — a very Collie habit, given the breed's herding instinct to keep an eye on everything — a bed with one raised bolster edge to rest against gives them somewhere to do that comfortably.
Coat, mud and washability
Border Collies carry a dense double coat that sheds heavily twice a year and picks up mud, grass seeds and general outdoor debris on every walk. A removable, machine-washable cover is worth more here than almost any other feature, because it is the difference between a clean bed and one that slowly turns grey.
A raised bed base that keeps the sleeping surface off a cold or damp floor is also worth considering if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or comes in wet regularly, since it dries faster and holds less ground chill than a flat mat.
Durability for an active dog
This is not a breed that treats a bed gently. Reinforced seams and a tightly woven or chew-resistant cover fabric are worth paying for over a softer, more delicate finish, particularly for a young or high-energy dog still working out what counts as a toy.
A bed that is too soft or too deeply stuffed can also be surprisingly hard for a lean, athletic dog to get comfortable on — a firmer, supportive base often suits the breed better than the thickest padding on the shelf.
Calm, noise-sensitive dogs
Some Border Collies are noise-sensitive or prone to anxiety, a trait linked to the same alertness that makes them such good working dogs. For a dog like this, a bed with raised, enclosed sides, or a calming bed designed to feel more like a den, can genuinely help them settle rather than staying half-alert on an open mat.
Position matters here too — a bed placed in a quiet corner where your dog can still see the door tends to be used far more than one tucked somewhere they feel they cannot keep watch.
Beds and kit for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
L-Shaped Bolster Sofa Dog Bed
A supportive L-shaped sofa bed with a raised bolster back and side for your dog to rest their head. The thick padded base cushions joints, and the soft rose-velvet cover is removable and washable for easy care.
From£44.99
Waterproof Pet Furniture Protector Blanket
A quilted waterproof throw that shields beds and sofas from hair, mud and accidents.
From£11.99
Quilted Cotton Pet Floor Mat
A soft, washable quilted cotton mat that gives cats, dogs and small pets a cosy place to rest. Lightly padded with a pretty patterned finish, it lies flat over floors, crates or pen bases and machine washes easily.
From£10.99
Four-Sided Washable Dog Bed
A cosy bolstered dog bed with raised sides for a sense of security and a fully removable, machine-washable cover. The layered cushion and mattress lift out for easy cleaning, ideal for autumn and winter.
From£46.99
Round Plush Pet Bed with Attached Hooded Blanket
A soft round pet bed with a fleece-lined hooded blanket attached, so cats and small dogs can burrow in and stay cosy. The raised bolster sides offer a sense of security for calmer, warmer sleep.
From£23.99
Padded Pet Crate Mat with Corner Ties
A padded crate mat with corner ties that stays put inside a cage or carrier.
From£8.99
Enclosed House-Shaped Pet Bed
A cosy house-shaped enclosed pet bed in soft, water-resistant down-jacket fabric, with a padded roof and removable cushion. The snug cave design keeps cats and small dogs warm and gives them a private place to retreat.
From£24.99
Cooling Bolster Pet Sofa Bed
Supportive bolster pet bed with a breathable cooling top that keeps dogs and cats comfortable in warmer weather. Raised sides cushion the neck and the cover fully detaches for easy washing.
From£65.99
L-Shaped Bolster Dog Sofa Bed
A roomy sofa-style dog bed with a raised L-shaped bolster along the back and side for support. The flat cushioned base gives large dogs plenty of space to sprawl and rest.
From£65.99
Bolstered Orthopaedic Dog Bed
A supportive bolstered dog bed with a thick cushioned base and raised sides that cradle joints and give a place to rest the head. Ideal for older dogs or any pet who likes to stretch out for restful, comfortable sleep.
From£45.99
Memory Foam Bolster Dog Bed with Washable Cover
A supportive memory-foam dog bed with raised bolster sides for head and neck resting. The soft cream boucle cover removes for washing, making it easy to keep fresh while giving your dog proper rest.
From£69.99
Padded Roll-Up Pet Travel Mat
A quilted, water-resistant travel mat that gives your dog a comfy resting spot anywhere. Folds and rolls up with the attached strap to carry like a tote, ideal for car boots, picnics and trips away.
From£26.99
Common questions
- What size bed does a Border Collie need?
- Large is right for most adult Border Collies, since the breed is built to stretch out fully on its side rather than curl up. Measure your dog lying flat and add a few inches on each side rather than sizing purely by breed name.
- Do Border Collies need a raised bed?
- It is not essential, but a raised base helps if your dog is often wet or muddy from outdoor exercise, since it keeps them off a cold floor and dries out faster than a flat mat left on the ground.
- Why does my Border Collie destroy their bed?
- It is often a mix of high energy, boredom, or teething in a younger dog. A more durable, reinforced cover helps, but plenty of exercise and mental stimulation through the day usually reduces the destructive chewing more than the bed itself does.
- Is a calming bed worth it for a Border Collie?
- It can genuinely help a noise-sensitive or anxious individual, which is not uncommon in a breed this alert to its surroundings. It is not a fix for every dog, so watch whether your own dog settles into it before assuming every Collie needs one.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.