Dog beds for medium dogs
Medium-sized dogs range enormously, from a stocky Beagle to a lean Border Collie, so a "medium bed" label tells you far less than it would for a much narrower size category. Measuring your own dog rather than relying on their breed name is the single most useful thing you can do before buying.
Measure your dog, not the breed chart
Lie a tape measure along your dog from nose to the base of the tail while they are stretched out, then add at least 15cm onto that figure for the bed's internal length. A breed listed as "medium" can still vary by 20cm or more in body length between individual dogs, which is exactly why relying on the breed name alone goes wrong so often.
If your dog currently sleeps curled tightly rather than stretched out, it is worth checking whether that is genuine preference or whether their current bed is too small to stretch out in — the two look similar but are not the same thing.
Shape matters as much as size for medium dogs
A bolster or nest-style bed with raised sides suits dogs that like to curl up and lean against something, while a flat mattress-style bed suits dogs that stretch out fully, particularly in warmer weather. Watching how your dog currently sleeps tells you more than the shape shown in a product photo.
Dogs prone to joint stiffness, including many medium breeds as they age, benefit from a supportive foam base rather than loose polyester filling, which flattens with regular use and stops cushioning properly within a few months.
One bed per favourite spot
Many medium dogs settle in more than one place around the house depending on the time of day — by a radiator in winter, on a cool floor in summer. A single well-chosen bed moved between rooms, or a second cheaper mat for a secondary spot, tends to get more consistent use than one expensive bed left somewhere the dog rarely chooses to lie.
It is worth watching where your dog naturally chooses to lie for a week or two — perhaps with just a folded blanket down — before buying a bed for that exact spot, rather than guessing and finding they ignore it in favour of the sofa. Medium dogs shed and track in mud at roughly the volume of a much bigger dog if they are active outdoors, so a genuinely washable cover matters here almost as much as it does for a large breed, whatever the size label on the bed itself says.
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
- What size bed does a medium dog need?
- Measure your dog lying flat from nose to tail base and add at least 15cm to that figure for the bed's internal length. Because "medium" covers a very wide range of actual dog sizes, measuring your own dog is far more reliable than trusting the breed size printed on the label.
- Should I buy a bolster bed or a flat mattress bed?
- It depends on how your dog already sleeps. Dogs that curl up tend to prefer a bolster or nest-style bed with raised sides to lean against, while dogs that stretch out fully are usually more comfortable on a flat mattress-style bed.
- Do medium dogs need a supportive foam bed?
- Not always, but it is worth considering for older medium dogs or those showing any stiffness getting up, since ordinary polyester filling flattens under regular use within a few months and stops supporting joints properly. A supportive foam base holds its shape considerably longer.
- Why does my medium dog keep moving between different beds?
- Most dogs choose where to sleep based on temperature and what is going on in the house at the time, rather than sticking to one spot. Having a bed in more than one commonly used area, rather than a single bed in a room they rarely visit, usually solves this.
Related
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.