What Size Dog Bed Do I Need? A Simple Measuring Guide

To get the right dog bed size, measure your dog from nose to base of tail while they're lying stretched out, then add about 15 to 30cm. That gives a bed big enough to sprawl in but cosy enough to feel secure. The exact figure depends on how your dog sleeps and which bed style you choose, so let's make it foolproof.

How to measure your dog

Do this when your dog is relaxed, not standing to attention.

• Length: with your dog lying on its side, fully stretched, measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Add 15 to 30cm to that figure for the bed's internal length.
• Width: measure across the widest point, or just take the length measurement of a dog that likes to curl up tight.
• Watch the sleep style: sprawlers and back-sleepers need more room than tight curlers, so lean to the larger end of the range if your dog likes to stretch out.

Always check the internal dimensions of a bed, especially bolstered ones, because a raised rim eats into the usable sleeping area. A bed listed as 90cm might only give 65cm of flat space once you account for the sides.

Matching size to bed style

Style changes how much bed you need, which is why two beds with the same external size can suit very different dogs.

• Donut and bolster beds are sized for curlers who like to nest against a raised edge. A snug fit is the point; too large and the dog loses the cradled feeling. A donut calming bed suits anxious dogs and tight sleepers.
• Flat mattress and pillow beds suit sprawlers and bigger dogs who want to stretch out. Go to the upper end of your length range. A round plush bed works for dogs that switch between curling and sprawling.
• Sofa-style and multi-dog beds need sizing for the biggest occupant, or all occupants if they share. A four bed home use style setup helps if you've got more than one dog or want a bed in more than one room.

If you're torn on style, our guide Donut vs Flat Dog Bed: Which Style Suits Your Dog? walks through which sleeping personality each suits.

A quick reference by dog size

Use this as a starting point, then always confirm with your own measurement.

• Small dogs (terriers, dachshunds, up to ~10kg): around 50 to 70cm internal length.
• Medium dogs (spaniels, border collies, ~10 to 25kg): around 70 to 90cm.
• Large dogs (labradors, retrievers, ~25 to 40kg): around 90 to 110cm.
• Giant breeds (great danes, mastiffs, 40kg+): 110cm and up.

These are guides, not gospel. A leggy lurcher needs more length than its weight suggests, so the tape measure always wins over the chart.

When to size up

There are a few times bigger is better:

• Puppies who are still growing, so buy for the adult size or accept you'll replace it.
• Older or arthritic dogs who need room to shift position without rolling off, and who benefit from extra support. An orthopedic dog beds with proper memory foam is worth it for senior or large-breed joints.
• Dogs who run hot and like to sprawl right out to cool down.

For big breeds especially, don't skimp on length; a cramped bed means a dog that sleeps on your cold kitchen floor instead. Our large dog beds range is sized properly for them, and the Dog Supplies hub covers the rest of the home setup.

The two-minute method, recapped

Measure your stretched-out dog nose to tail base, add 15 to 30cm, check the bed's internal not external size, and nudge larger for sprawlers, seniors and growing pups. Pick the style that matches how your dog sleeps, and you'll get it right first time instead of donating an expensive mistake to the charity shop.