In the past, it used to be a simple task when came choosing a dog bed, you just threw a blanket into the corner of a room or into a wicker basket, but those days are gone. It is important, that you put some thought into choosing a dog bed as your main aim is to find a bed that matches your dog's breed, personality and lifestyle. When choosing a dog bed, you should start by evaluating how much you want to spend, you can spend anything from a few dollars/pounds up to hundreds.

A few things that you need to take into consideration are;

• Size of your dog

Obviously a fully-grown Labrador will need a different sized bed to a Yorkshire terrier puppy.
• How your dog likes to sleep

Some dogs like to sleep curled up in a ball, while others will stretch out and lie on their sides. They may just sprawl out, or lie on their stomach. What you need to do is measure the area that your dog takes up while sleeping, then add 4 to 5 inches all round, this will give you the minimum size of the bed you need.
• Material the bed is made from

You will want to buy a bed with a suitable construction and materials, or the bed will not be suitable for its use. If you have a large outdoor type dog that gets muddy and wet you'll want a bed that is waterproof and easily cleaned. On the other hand if your pampered pooch only gets wet during its weekly visit to the pamper parlour then a soft a cuddly velvet might be the perfect material.

Dogs are creatures of habit and enjoy sleeping in the same spot, so it is important that you choose the right bed to fit into your dogs current habits. Dog bed come in several different shapes; round nests, donut or cuddler beds, round fluffy balls or pillows, square flat mattresses and sofa shaped furniture. Dog beds are also available in a variety of different fabrics: canvas, denim, fleece, cotton, and more. Size- The bed must be big enough and strong enough to match your dog's breed, but not so big that you waste money on unused bed space. If you will be buying a mattress dog bed, add 12 inches. Beds that are too small may not be comfortable for your dog. You want to allow room for growth, if you dog is still growing, and you want to allow room for movement regardless of whether your dog is still growing or if he's already at maximum size. Buy a bed that matches the room where your dog spends the most time sleeping, usually where ever the family spends the most time. Small dog or dogs with arthritis may have a hard time climbing up onto a platform or furniture type dog bed. If your dog curls up when sleeping, then a nest or ball is the right choice for him. There are basically four types of dog beds. Nesting beds are usually available in the shape of a donut and are perfect for small dogs that like to curl up to sleep. The next step is evaluating the size and personality of your dog.

Choosing a bed for your furry friend can be just as hard as picking one for yourself. Choosing the type of fabric to go with depends on the climate you live in and the breed of dog that you own. The two key issues when choosing a solid foam mattress are firmness and density. For smaller breeds, try choosing a bed that is a little less sturdy and is softer. However, before you blow a fortune on choosing the right designer bed for your beloved dog, you might want to consider a basic fleece bed because of its many great features.

| 25.10.2007 | | Print |