Getting the size right is the single most important part of buying a dog bed. Too small and your dog will never fully relax on it. This takes two minutes and a tape measure. For an instant answer you can also use our Dog Bed Size Calculator.
Step 1: Measure your dog
With your dog standing, measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. This is body length. Then measure the height from the floor to the top of the shoulder if you want a bed with the right depth of side support. Write both numbers down.
Step 2: Watch how your dog sleeps
How your dog lies down decides how much extra space to add. Watch them nap for a day and pick the closest match.
| Sleeping style | Add to body length | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Curled in a ball | 10 to 15 percent | Uses less floor space, a nest or bolster suits them |
| Leaning on a bolster | 15 percent | Rests against the raised rim |
| Mixed or changes position | 25 percent | Room to turn around comfortably |
| Sprawled or stretched out | 40 to 45 percent | Needs full length plus stretching room |
Step 3: Work out the bed size
Add the allowance to your dog body length to get the minimum sleeping surface length. For example, a Labrador with a 34 inch body that sprawls needs about 34 plus 45 percent, which is roughly 48 inches. Bed width is usually about three quarters of the length. Round up to the nearest standard size rather than down.
Step 4: Factor in weight and age
Heavier and older dogs need deeper, firmer foam so they do not sink to the floor. A bigger dog also tends to spread out more, so lean towards the larger size if you are between two. See the size chart by weight for a quick cross check.
Step 5: Check crate fit if needed
If the bed goes inside a crate, the bed should be a couple of inches smaller than the crate floor on each side so it lies flat and does not ride up. Our calculator matches crate sizes to bed dimensions automatically.
Once you have your numbers, our best orthopedic dog beds guide covers supportive options in the common sizes.
