The 6 Best Dog Beds for Big Dogs, Tested and Reviewed

We've tested nearly 70 dog beds

Steven Asarch, Freelance Writer By
Steven Asarch
Steven Asarch, Freelance Writer
Steven Asarch
Steven Asarch is a freelance writer who has worked for a wide range of publications and specializes in product reviews. He loves everything high tech, especially if it's a product that he can use with his cats.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/06/23
Fact checked by
Emily Estep
Emily Estep
Fact checked by Emily Estep
Emily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Science in Plant Biology from Ohio University. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than 200 articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process

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Two dogs laying down on the K9 Ballistics Tough Orthopedic Dog Bed

The Spruce Pets / Hang Pham

Finding the right dog bed for an especially big dog can be challenging, whether it’s a golden retriever with back pain or a mastiff who just likes to lie around.

“Dog beds should be large enough so canines can comfortably sit up and lie down,” Integrative Veterinarian,Dr. Carol Osbornetold The Spruce Pets. “High-quality, chew and water-proof materials are best for most dog beds.”

We've tested nearly 70 dog beds, including popular and well-reviewed orthopedic and cooling models. Our tests use a methodology written in advance, which guides our army of volunteer testers through a battery of observations and questions. Dozens of dogs have now spent hundreds of combined hours trying out our favorites, while their human roommates reported back to us.

After months of testing, our favorite dog bed for big dogs is the K9 Ballistics Tough Orthopedic Rectangle Dog Bed, which is durable enough for rough-housing and provides the comprehensive support big dogs need. It's got a a non-skid bottom and a chew-proof core too.

But there are other dog beds that might work even better for you and your big dog.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
K9 Ballistics Tough Orthopedic Bed at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Budget:
FurHaven Ultra Plush Luxe Lounger Orthopedic at Chewy
Jump to Review
Best Cooling:
Kuranda Walnut Elevated Dog Bed at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Memory Foam:
KOPEKS Orthopedic Bed at Chewy
Jump to Review
Best Luxury:
PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed at Chewy
Jump to Review
Best Crate Bed:
Big Barker Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed at Chewy
Jump to Review
In This Article

Best Overall

K9 Ballistics Tough Orthopedic Dog Bed

A dog laying down on the K9 Ballistics Dog Bed

K9 Ballistics
View On Amazon View On K9ballistics.com
Our Ratings
  • Quality
    5 /5
  • Size
    5 /5
  • Ease of Cleaning
    4 /5
  • Value
    4.5 /5
  • Support
    4 /5
What We Like

  • Water-resistant fabric cover

  • Chew proof

  • Non-skid bottom

What We Don't Like

  • A bit expensive

Your dog is going to spend a lot of time chilling in their bed, so it's important to find one that’s comfortable and practical. Your dog might be happy to just plop down on a couch cushion, but larger dogs can deal with joint problems stemming from poor support that can be eased with a good bed. K9 Ballistics offers a wide array of dog beds, from options for smaller dogs to those that cover the bottom of a crate. But our favorite is the orthopedic options that can handle heavy chewers and biters.

The mattress is made in the United States and uses its own CertiPUR-US foam that won’t get flattened by even the largest mutt. The bed itself is water-resistant and comes with a completely waterproof, machine-washable cover for dogs that might slobber or leave larger messes where they lie. The bottom of the bed is non-skid to keep it from sliding around or getting dragged around a room.

Price at Publish:$159

Dimensions:33 x 27 x 5 inches |Materials:Orthopedic foam, polyester|Colors:5+ colors

  • Two dogs laying down on the K9 Ballistics Tough Orthopedic Dog Bed

    The Spruce Pets / Hang Pham
  • K9 Ballistics Tough Orthopedic Dog Bed components before assembly displayed in a home

    The Spruce Pets / Hang Pham
  • Two dogs laying down on the K9 Ballistics Tough Orthopedic Dog Bed

    The Spruce Pets / Hang Pham
  • A zipper close-up of the K9 Ballistics Tough Orthopedic Dog Bed

    The Spruce Pets / Hang Pham

Best Budget

FurHaven Ultra Plush Luxe Lounger Orthopedic Dog Bed

A dog laying down on the FurHaven Pet Orthopedic Ultra Plush Lounger

Amazon
View On Chewy View On Amazon View On Walmart
Our Ratings
  • Quality
    5 /5
  • Size
    5 /5
  • Ease of Cleaning
    5 /5
  • Value
    5 /5
  • Support
    5 /5
What We Like

  • Removable machine washable cover

  • Contours to your dog

  • Orthopedic or Cooling options

What We Don't Like

  • Not waterproof

Getting a great bed for your large dog doesn’t mean it must be expensive. Furhaven offers a great bed in multiple sizes, all the way up to jumbo plus. The contouring design also offers a plushy surface that's available in both orthopedic and cooling options. Inside is a medical-grade foam slab that maintains its shape even after long use. Since it doesn’t flatten, you don’t ever have to worry about your pet dealing with aching joints from a slumping mattress. It's a cozy dog bed that won’t cause your pup to overheat, making it a fantastic option for hairy larger breeds.

Price at Publish:$49

Dimensions:36 x 24 x 5.5 for Large |Materials:Polyester, Synthetic Fabric |Colors:10+ colors

  • A dog laying down on the FurHaven Pet Orthopedic Ultra Plush Lounger

    The Spruce / Ellie Storck
  • A dog sitting on the FurHaven Pet Orthopedic Ultra Plush Lounger

    The Spruce / Ellie Storck

Best Cooling

Kuranda Standard Walnut PVC Dog Bed

Kuranda Standard Walnut PVC Dog Bed

Amazon
View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kuranda.com
Our Ratings
  • Cooling
    3.5 /5
  • Quality
    5 /5
  • Size
    4 /5
  • Ease of Cleaning
    5 /5
  • Value
    4 /5
What We Like

  • Holds up to 100 pounds

  • Easy to assemble

  • Orthopedic support

What We Don't Like

  • Doesn’t have plush

大狗有很多头发,就很难t to keep them cool in the summer months. A dedicated cooling pad, like this one from Kuaranda, allows even the fluffiest husky to get some relief from the heat. The chew-proof design is made with a PVC frame and aluminum to hold up to 100 pounds of pure dog. The company offers a one--year chew-proof guarantee if the pad ever starts to see some wear and tear. There’s also an optional double-sided fleece pad to add extra cushion to the bed. It may not look like a traditional dog bed, but that extra space at the bottom allows heat to escape in ways that it couldn’t if it was lower to the ground.

Price at Publish:$104

Dimensions:40 x 25 x 7 for Large |Materials:PVC frame (Aluminum also available), Stainless Steel fasteners, Mesh, Nylon, or Vinyl surface |Colors:5+ colors

  • Kuranda Dog Bed (elevated)

    The Spruce Pets / Anna Knief
  • Kuranda Dog Bed (elevated)

    The Spruce Pets / Anna Knief
  • Kuranda Dog Bed (elevated)

    The Spruce Pets / Anna Knief

Best Memory Foam

KOPEKS Orthopedic Pillow Dog Bed

Frisco Plush Orthopedic Front Bolster Cat & Dog Bed

Amazon
View On Chewy View On Amazon View On PETCO
Our Ratings
  • Quality
    5 /5
  • Size
    5 /5
  • Ease of Cleaning
    5 /5
  • Value
    5 /5
  • Support
    5 /5
What We Like

  • Hypoallergenic

  • Perfect for Senior Dogs

  • Plush suede cover

What We Don't Like

  • Odd shape

Made of seven inches of thick memory foam, the bed will give your dog plenty of support while they do their thinking. There’s even a three-inch headrest that they can just plop on top of it and ponder. The memory foam material is great on joints and perfect for senior dogs. There’s also a waterproof inner protector and a plush suede zipper cover to keep everything inside from getting wet or damaged.

Price at Publish:$110

Dimensions: 35 x 28 x 5.5 for Large |Materials:Suede, Natural Fabric, Orthopedic foam|Colors:棕色、灰色、白色&Brown

  • A dog laying down on the KOPEKS Orthopedic Memory Foam Pillow Dog Bed

    The Spruce Pets / Lisa Pezzuto
  • A dog laying down on the KOPEKS Orthopedic Memory Foam Pillow Dog Bed

    The Spruce Pets / Lisa Pezzuto
  • Two dogs laying down on the KOPEKS Orthopedic Memory Foam Pillow Dog Bed

    The Spruce Pets / Lisa Pezzuto

Best Luxury

PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed

Amazon PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed

Amazon
View On Chewy View On Amazon View On PETCO
Our Ratings
  • Comfort
    5 /5
  • Quality
    5 /5
  • Size
    5 /5
  • Ease of Cleaning
    5 /5
  • Value
    5 /5
What We Like

  • Solid Memory Foam

  • Unique shape adds support

  • Water-resistant

What We Don't Like

  • Not chew proof

  • Requires assembly

PetFusion offers a cotton, polyester, and memory foam mattress to give your dog maximum support. The uniquely shaped pillows on the side give your dog a head or tail rest to lay about while keeping their joints relaxed and healthy. The cover is removable and washable, allowing you to get rid of any stains or pet hair with ease. The bed does require a bit of assembly, you’ll need to insert the memory foam base and zip it up.

Price at Publish:$130

Dimensions:36 x 28 x 9 inches (large) |Materials:Cotton, polyester, natural fabric, synthetic fabric|Colors:石板灰色、棕色,砂岩

  • A dog laying down on the Pet Fusion Ultimate Dog Bed

    The Spruce Pets / Angela Sievers
  • A dog laying down on the Pet Fusion Ultimate Dog Bed

    The Spruce Pets /Angela Sievers

Best Crate Bed

Big Barker 7 Inch Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed

Big Barker Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed

Amazon
View On Chewy View On Amazon
What We Like

  • Available in multiple sizes

  • Waterproof

  • Tear resistant

What We Don't Like

  • Just a foam pad

If your dog spends a lot of time in a crate, you want to make sure they are comfortable inside their box. Giving them a comfortable pad to lay on will ease their joints and keep them from laying on hard plastic. Big Barker offers a wide array of dog beds, but their foam pad for crates is an absolute gem. The foam inside won’t flatten over time, regardless of how much time your dog spends on top of it. It’s also American-made with a cover that is water-resistant and tear-proof. If it does get dirty, the pad is machine washable and is built for durability.

Price at Publish:$280

Dimensions:48 x 30 x 7 inches |Materials:Foam|Colors:Burgundy, charcoal, chocolate, khaki

Final Verdict

Our best overall choice is theK9 Ballistics Tough Orthopedic Rectangle Dog Bedwhich offers great joint support for a large-sized dog. Chew-proof and water-resistant, it can also hold up to even the most aggressive of doggy sleepers. If you need something to line a crate, then theBig Barker Orthopedic Crate Bedis a great option. Also made with orthopedic foam, it should make those hours spent locked up just a bit more comfortable.

How We Test Dog Beds

我们进行了三轮的狗床上测试,totaling 67 dog beds across a wide range of uses, including elevated cooling beds and orthopedic beds designed for dogs with limited mobility.

While we've tested hundreds of pet products in ourNew York testing lab, the best way to evaluate dog beds is with real dogs, so we shipped each dog bed out to a volunteer home for extensive testing. We developed a methodology to guide our volunteer dog owners through a series of observations, telling us in detail about a dog bed's quality, durability, and how easy they are to clean.

After our initial round of testing—which lasted several weeks—we checked back in with our tester volunteers and their dogs to see how much they're enjoying the dog bed long-term.

What to Look for in Big Dog Beds

Type

When buying a dog bed, there are multiple different types available with each having its strengths and weaknesses. For example, orthopedic beds use a certain foam that is good for your animal's joints but can be a bit expensive.

Here are just a few of the types.

  • Cooling
  • Bolstered
  • Sofa
  • Crate
  • Mat
  • Orthopedic

Foam

Bid dogs require a certain amount of support to help keep their joints from hurting as they age. According to Dr. Osborne, “memory foam is ideal for many dog beds” especially if they suffer “from aches and pains, arthritis, as well as hip and spinal issues.” Do keep in mind that some foams can contain toxic materials if ingested, so they can be dangerous to big chewers.

Chewing

If your dog is an aggressive chewer, Dr. Osborne recommends getting a dog bed with a “written guarantee against damage due to chewing.” Eating foam or plastic could potentially lead to health problems, so its best to keep an eye on your dog that you think is going to chew through its bed.

FAQ
  • How big should my dog’s bed be?

    The bed should be large enough for them to sit up and lie down easily.

Why Trust the Spruce Pets

This article was written bySteven Asarch, a freelance writer and product expert for The Spruce Pets. A devout cat dad of two, Steven specializes in analyzing large data sets to come up with comprehensive recommendations, like oursprawling list of the essentials for your new kitten.

For dog beds for big dogs, he relied on data pulled from thousands of hours of combined testing, with dog beds placed in the homes of dozens of dogs, with long-term feedback provided over weeks and months.

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