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.
Moderna Plastic Dog Bed Warm
Moderna's Domus plastic dog bed in warm grey, moulded from over 98% recycled plastic, in five sizes from Small to Giant.
From£14.99
Moderna Plastic Dog Bed Warm Grey Extra Large
A wipe-clean recycled plastic dog bed frame, 78.8 x 49.2cm inside
£29.99
Extra Large Orthopaedic Dog Sofa Bed
An extra-large sofa-style dog bed with a cushioned mattress base and bolstered sides, sized for big breeds who want to stretch out rather than curl into a nest.
From£68.99
Dubex Nordic Dog Bed Griege
A linen dog bed in a soft greige tone, with a removable washable cover
From£33.55
PawHut Raised Cooling Dog Bed with UV-Resistant Canopy and Mesh — Dark Blue
An elevated mesh dog bed standing 18cm off the ground with a water- and UV-resistant canopy, so air moves underneath and the sun stays off. Packs into a travel bag.
£58.99
Sharples Moderna Plastic Dog Bed
Moderna's Domus plastic dog bed in olive green, black or blue: over 98% recycled, BPA-free plastic, in five sizes from Small to Giant.
From£14.99
Machine Washable Self-Heating Plush Dog Mat, Six Colours, Two Sizes
A plush self-heating mat that actually goes in the washing machine, which most reflective mats do not, offered in six colours and a choice of small or large.
From£19.99
Cartoon Cat and Shiba Inu Fleece Cave Bed, Four Sizes to 80cm
A domed fleece nest with a cartoon cat or Shiba Inu face, filled with rebound PP cotton to hold its shape, in four sizes running from 50cm across to 80cm.
From£21.99
Moderna Plastic Dog Bed Extra
The extra large Domus bed, moulded from over 98% recycled plastic with a ventilated base
£29.99
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
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
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
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.