Dog beds for large dogs
A large dog bed needs to be big enough for your dog to lie fully stretched out, not just curled up, and sturdy enough that the filling does not flatten out within a few months. Most problems owners have with large beds come down to buying on breed name alone rather than measuring the dog, so that is the place to start.
Measure before you look at the label
"Large" and "extra large" are not standard sizes between brands, so the label on its own tells you very little. Measure your dog from nose to tail base while they are lying stretched out, then add at least 15cm so they are not curling up to fit the bed rather than choosing to.
A dog that sleeps curled up in a bed that is too small is more common than owners realise, and it is worth watching for. If your dog always seems to sleep half off the edge, the bed is the wrong size, not the dog's preference.
What the filling actually does
Cheaper polyester-fill beds are fine for a dog that mostly naps upstairs and does not weigh much, but a large or giant breed sleeping on one every night will flatten the filling within a few months, and a flattened bed gives no support at all.
Memory foam or a supportive orthopaedic base holds its shape far longer under sustained weight and is worth the extra cost for an older or heavier dog, particularly one with any stiffness getting up. A bolster or raised edge also gives a dog something to lean their head on, which many genuinely use.
Washable covers are not optional
A large dog bed picks up mud, drool and hair fast, and a cover you cannot get in a washing machine ends up smelling long before it looks obviously dirty. Check the cover comes off separately from the filling and fits a standard domestic machine — some "extra large" covers do not.
A waterproof or water-resistant liner underneath the cover is worth having if your dog is a puppy, elderly, or prone to accidents, since it protects the filling rather than just the surface you see.
Where it goes matters as much as the bed itself
A raised bed off a cold floor suits an older dog with joints that stiffen overnight, while a low, wide bed on carpet suits a younger dog who likes to sprawl. If your dog currently sleeps on the sofa or your bed, putting their new bed in the same room rather than a separate one makes it far more likely to actually get used.
A spot near an external door or a cold hallway rarely gets chosen over a warmer corner, however good the bed itself is, so it's worth watching where your dog already settles before committing a large bed to one fixed place. In a house with more than one large dog, a single bed rarely satisfies both — a second, cheaper bed nearby usually gets more genuine use than expecting two dogs to share, and it cuts down the squabbling over the good spot that otherwise follows.
What we stock
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
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
Plush Ribbed Mattress Dog Bed
A soft, ribbed faux-fur mattress bed that gives dogs a cosy, supportive place to stretch out and nap. The removable cover is machine washable, and a non-slip base keeps it steady on smooth floors.
From£28.99
Common questions
- How do I know what size bed my large dog actually needs?
- Measure your dog lying flat from nose to the base of the tail, then add at least 15cm to that figure. A bed that only fits them curled up is too small, even if the label says large or extra large for their breed.
- Is memory foam worth it for a large dog bed?
- For an older or heavier dog, yes — ordinary polyester filling flattens under sustained weight within a few months and stops supporting joints properly. A supportive foam base holds its shape for much longer and is worth the extra cost for a dog sleeping on it every night.
- Can I just wash the whole bed in the machine?
- Check first — most large beds are designed with a removable cover that washes separately from the filling, and the filling itself is often too bulky for a domestic machine. Buying a bed with a genuinely removable, washable cover saves a lot of hassle later.
- Where should a large dog's bed go in the house?
- Wherever your dog already chooses to settle. A bed placed in an unused spare room away from the family is far less likely to be used than one in the living room or bedroom where your dog would naturally lie down anyway.
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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.