Contents
You may be wondering if a large breed dog (50+ pounds) really needs a bed to sleep on. The answer is yes. Most large breed dogs exhibit one particular tendency: joint pain and issues arise with age. Many large dogs develop general hip and joint problems, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteoarthritis. Plus, old age and weight gain place stress on joints and the spinal cord which increases chances of these problems.
German Shepherds and other large breed dogs can greatly benefit from sleeping on a high-quality bed. Dog beds act as insulation against a cold floor. They cushion joints and bones from hard floors. The soft support gives a psychological sense of comfort and security – a place of their own to relax and sleep. For your benefit, sleeping in one place every night contains the dog hair to one place, which makes for easier cleanup. Plus, more comfort at night means the dog won’t wake you up in the middle of the night.
We’ve concocted a list of high-quality dog beds for German Shepherds and other large breed dogs as well as a buying guide with extra information about bed styles, fabric, support, slip covers, and sizes.
10 Best Dog Beds For German Shepherds and Large Breed Dogs
The following beds are our top choices for German Shepherds and large breed dogs such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. We divided the beds into three categories so it’s a little easier for you to decide which would be best for your dog.
| Brands | Types | Weight Capacity | Read Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walled/Bolster | Up to 200 lbs. | ||
 | Walled/Bolster | Up to 130 lbs. | |
 | Walled/Bolster | Up to 130 lbs. | |
 | Walled/Bolster | Up to 100 lbs. | |
 | Walled/Bolster | Up to 125 lbs. | |
 | Mattress | Up to 300 lbs. | |
 | Mattress | Up to 110 lbs. | |
 | Mattress | Up to 75 lbs. | |
 | Outdoor/Elevated | Up to 150 lbs. | |
 | Outdoor/Elevated | Up to 250 lbs. |
What type of dog bed are you looking for?
Category: Walled/Bolstered Dog Beds
Beds in this category are often called walled, bolstered, or couch beds because they have side and back cushions like a couch. This type of bed is great for dogs who stretch out when they sleep as well as dogs who curl up when they sleep. So, if your dog sleeps both ways, this is your bed! The beds in this category are all rectangular with 1 or more “walls” for your dog to use as a pillow.
All 5 beds in this category hit quite a few important points for us. Each of these beds has a removable slipcover that is machine washable. Just spot treats any stains and toss in the wash according to the care instructions.
Each bed is available in a size large enough for a German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever or other large breed dogs to sleep on. Be sure to check the exact sizes listed for each bed.
We’ve ensured all beds in this category are made with the appropriate level of support for a large breed dog. The padding inside each bed is either made of orthopedic foam or memory foam. Plus, the bottoms of the beds are equipped with non-skid gripping so the bed does not slip when your dog stands up or lies down.
As for price points, the 5 beds in this category range from $38.00 to $240, depending on the size of the bed you buy. (The two beds that cost $240 are extra large jumbo beds for Great Danes, but we’re including them here in case your dog loves having extra space to stretch out) So when you’re choosing a walled dog bed with these features, keep the price point in mind so you find a product that makes your dog happy but also doesn’t empty your wallet.
1. PetFushion Ultimate Dog Bed
In addition to the features discussed above, the PetFushion Dog Bed has a waterproof inner liner to protect the memory foam from those little accidents. The outer slip cover is also waterproof to protect against water, drool, or urine and to make clean up much easier.
The slip cover is 65% polyester and 35% cotton while the recycled polyfill support bolsters are generously stuffed to provide superior support and comfort to your dog. Simply unzip the bolsters and bed, remove the slip cover, and wash as instructed.
We chose the PetFushion bed as one or our top recommendations because it hits so many major points in the buying guide. Dogs who love to curl up for a nap will absolutely go for this dog bed. The side bolsters act as a comfortable pillow to rest a tired chin at the end of a fun-filled day. The supportive memory foam will ease any weary bones that might relax for the night.
This bed is great for puppies (who might have accidents at night) up to senior dogs (who might have incontinence issues).
2. KOPEKS Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed
The KOPEKS Orthopedic Dog Bed with a bolster pillow has an easy-to-remove washable cover and an anti-slip bottom. That means no sliding across the tile floor as your pup pounces on his favorite bed.
The waterproof liner prevents accidents from reaching the memory foam and makes clean-up tremendously easier. The removable and machine washable slip cover means you can use this bed from the young puppy stages up to the elderly senior stages, where little accidents could happen at any time. But no worries, this dog bed is easy to clean up!
KOPEKS uses high-grade memory foam for superior support and suede material on the outer slip cover for incredible comfort. Not only will your dog enjoy the soft fabric, but he will also stay on this bed as his tired body relaxes on the memory foam forming around him. The memory foam is the same high-end “human grade” materials you would find at your local furniture store. So, if the bed is comfy enough for you, it’s comfy enough for your dog.
3. Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed Lounge Sofa
The Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed features a removable cover that is 100% suede around a 4-inch memory foam mattress. With such amble foam, this bed can easily hold a large breed dog without sagging. Your German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, etc. will be quite comfy! Not only that, his joints, bones, spinal cord, and muscles will be supported!
Not only is the suede cover waterproof but also fur-resistant for easy clean up when your pup sheds. Dog hair removes with ease before tossing in the washing machine for a fresh, clean feel.
Your pup will be sleeping in luxury with the pressure-relieving memory foam from a young age to old, wise age. We placed this bed in the third spot because it hits so many important factors in a dog bed.
4. BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed
The BarksBar Orthopedic Dog Bed is made of premium materials with the ultra-soft polyester quilted cover and the 4-inch solid orthopedic foam base. The quilted pattern gives your dog the feeling of being extra cozy, like being wrapped in a quilt!
For extra comfort, the cotton-padded rim cushion contours to your dog’s neck. So, not only is he wrapped in a quilt of comfort but he is also swaddled in a malleable pillow that feels like a nest. As ancestors of wolves, dogs love curling up in dens and nests to feel protected from potential dangers. While danger is unlikely in your home, your dog will still enjoy the cozy feeling!
With the all-around design, this bed is best for a dog who prefers to curl up “doughnut” style. It won’t work so well with dogs who prefer to stretch out as much as possible, but it’s great for the pups who curl up!
5. Furhaven Orthopedic Ultra-Plush Sofa-Style Dog Bed
The Furhaven Pet Dog Bed features 100% recycled fluffy filled bolsters and plush faux fur atop 5 inches of medical-grade orthopedic support foam. If your large breed dog is closer to the “extra large” standards, this could be the perfect bed for him. That extra inch of foam can support a lot more weight!
The open three-bolster design makes the Furhaven bed accessible for elderly and disabled pets. Good ole’ Fido won’t have to step over bulky bolsters to reach his favorite napping spot. He can easily curl up or stretch out!
For cleanup, simply follow the washing instructions. Please note: Furhaven does not recommend this bed for puppies with teething habits. The fabric is not something you would want to watch puppy Fido destroy in a few nights.
Category: Mattress Dog Beds
A flat mattress style dog bed is often best for dogs who spread out when they sleep. Additionally, if you are planning on placing the bed in a crate, a flat dog bed works best. Just make sure you have exact measurements of the inside of the crate and the bed.
As for these next three mattress dog beds, cleanup is easy with washable waterproof slip covers made of super soft microfiber or suede. Just spot treat any stains or accidents and your dog’s bed will be back to new!
The supportive foam filling in each bed is high-grade therapeutic foam to support both young and old joints. The open layout of the mattress bed is perfect for elderly dogs who need a supportive place to sleep off the hard floor.
As for price points, these three beds range from $65 to $350. Again, keep in mind that the $350 bed is “giant” sized and probably only necessary if your dog needs extra space to stretch out.
6. Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed
The Big Barker Dog Bed is filled with 3 inches of support foam between two 2” layers of comfort foam. This amount of foam can support a dog that weights up to 300 pounds! Perhaps your pup doesn’t weight 300 pounds, but maybe you have two 75-pound pups who love to cuddle? This bed is perfect. It can easily hold two friendly pups.
The cover is machine washable microfiber with an easy zipper enclosure. Just follow the machine washing instructions for the best care routine.
All materials are proudly handmade in the USA by craftsmen with over 30 years of experience. The craftsmen promise a 10-year guarantee. The foam will retain 90% of its original shape and loft for 10 years! Your pup can enjoy this bed from a young age, through a full life, and into his elderly years.
7. Milliard Premium Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed
The Milliard Dog Bed features a 2” foam base and 2 inches of premium memory foam, which promotes proper spinal alignment. If you dog is between 50 and 75 pounds, this bed would be a great choice. The foam is thinner at only 4 inches, so it is ideal for smaller “large breed” dogs.
Cleanup of minor accidents is easy with the machine washable slip cover. As always, simply follow the instructions for care and your dog bed should last a lifetime.
And Milliard’s foam is certified by CertiPUR-US to contain only safe and chemical-free materials. This means that if your dog has allergies to chemicals or certain materials, this could be the perfect bed for him!
8. Dogbed4less Extra Large Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed
The Dogbed4less Dog Bed features 4 inches of non-toxic therapeutic-grade 100% gel-infused memory foam. Again, if your dog has allergic reactions to harsh chemical, this therapeutic-grade memory foam bed could be the solution to his problems.
It breathes easily which keeps dogs cool in summer and warm in winter. No dog will sleep well if he’s too cold or too hot. And dogs will love the soft cotton slip cover. Gentle fabric draws him into the bed while supportive foam keeps him comfy all night long.
You will love that the slip cover has a waterproof internal liner and easily unzips and machine washes. Follow the Dogbed4less washing instructions to ensure your slip cover lasts a lifetime.
The Dogbed4less bed is perfect for older dogs due to its ability to increase circulation and decrease pressure. And without bolsters, your senior dog can easily step onto and off the bed at will.
Category: Outdoor/Elevated Beds
Elevated dog beds are best for outdoor use where you want your dog off hard concrete, blacktop, or wet grass and dirt. They also work well in kennels, where they will last a lifetime. Outdoor/elevated beds are typically rectangular in shape with a metal or plastic PVC frame and a waterproof hammock.
Both beds in this category are made of durable materials and waterproof fabric. The hammocks are washable. These beds are available in multiple colors to match your backyard furniture.
These beds range in price from $32 to $165. With reasonable prices, you should be able to find the perfect outdoor elevated dog bed for your pup!
9. K&H Pet Products Original Pet Cot Elevated Pet Bed
The K&H Elevated Pet Bed is made of waterproof, 600-denier fabric that is breathable so dogs stay dry and comfortable. If your dog is outside playing in the rain, he will begin to air dry as soon as he’s laying on the K&H dog bed. Additionally, in the summer, he will not overheat with the breathable material of the hammock.
Non-skid rubber feet will not slide across the patio or floor. So, if your dog pounces on the bed, he will not fall or slide across a hard surface.
While the bed arrives unassembled, it is simple and tool-free to assemble on your own.
All materials are durable and tested for strength. Even a heavy, large breed dog will not weaken the strength of this bed.
The washable cover will remain clean as long as you need. And K&H offers a 1-year limited warranty plus a phone number for questions.
10. Kuranda Chewproof Elevated Dog Bed – All Aluminum
The Kuranda Dog Bed is made of patented, chew-proof high-strength, lightweight aircraft grade aluminum that supports up to 250 pounds. So, if you have two dogs who like to curl up together while playing in the backyard, this bed will hold them! Additionally, if this bed is used in a kennel, sibling puppies could easily reside together in comfort while they share a bed that keeps them off a cold concrete floor.
The orthopedic design of the hammock keeps dogs cool and dry. The vinyl weave is waterproof and allows water to drain through the open weave. On the other hand, if used in a kennel, the waterproof hammock prevents accidents from damaging the fabric.
Kuranda offers a 1-year warranty on the frame but not the vinyl weave fabric. If the frame does not hold up to your pup, you should have no problem replacing it!
9 Things To Consider When Choosing a Dog Bed for German Shepherds or Other Large Breed Dogs
Does buying the perfect bed for your dog feel overwhelming? Do you feel like there are so many choices on the market that you don’t know what to buy? Are you worried that you’ll spend a lot of money on a bed and your dog won’t like it? Take a deep breath. We’re here to help. We wrote this buying guide to organize all the details you can think about when buying a dog bed for your German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, or another large breed dog. Basically, if you read this guide step-by-step and select the options that best fit your dog’s characteristics and habits, you’ll find the perfect bed!
1. Consider your dog’s sleeping habits. Does he sleep through the night? Does he have a spot in the house where he consistently sleeps at night? He might enjoy a bed in that location. Does he take naps throughout the day? He might enjoy a bed in his usual nap spot. Not only should you consider what type of bed to purchase but also where to place the bed in your house. Make sure you measure the space where you will place the bed and that the bed will fit. If you put the bed somewhere he doesn’t usually sleep, he probably won’t use the bed.
2. Consider the shape and style of the bed. The shapes of dog beds vary from rectangular or oval to circular or square. Circular (also called ‘round’) and square beds are often not ideal for large breed dogs because they are not long enough. Large breed dogs often enjoy rectangular and oval beds the most, although rectangular gives them the most surface area to stretch out.
The styles of the most popular beds include mattress/pad (flat cushion), walled/bolster (pillow base with raised sides, sometimes referred to as ‘couch’ style), elevated/outdoor (metal frame with waterproof hammock), pillow/loose-fill (similar to beanbag), and orthopedic (specialized foam for senior dogs with aching joints.
For German Shepherds, we recommend an orthopedic bed even from a young age. Supporting their joints as early as possible reduces the chances of dysplasia when they’re older. Other large breed dogs tend to prefer mattress beds and walled beds the most. These styles give them the most support and room to stretch out.
3. Consider the size of the bed your dog needs. To do this, find your dogs measurements while he is standing. Measure his height at his shoulder. Measure his length from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail. These are the minimum dimensions your dog needs for his bed. We recommend purchasing a bed slightly larger than these minimum measurements so he can stretch out as much as he wants.
For a frame of reference, a male German Shepherd is typically 26 inches in height and 29 inches in length. Female German Shepherds are typically 24 inches in height and 27 inches in length. Generally speaking, a “large” or “extra-large” bed is adequate for a German Shepherd if you are not planning on using the bed in a crate.
Also, find your dog’s weight. We recommend weighing him at a veterinarian’s office. A heavier dog (50+ pounds) should have a bed with thicker padding to protect his joints from hard floors.
4. Consider your dog’s typical sleeping position. Check on your dog a few times each night or while he’s taking a nap during the day. What is his sleeping position? Does he often sleep in the same position? Is he curled up or stretched out?
Dog’s sleeping positions often fall into one of the following four categories:
– Doughnut: curled up in a ball, head turned back towards his hind end, nose tucked under the tail.
– Super Dog: lying on his belly with legs stretched out, chin resting on his paws or the ground.
– Flip Side: lying on his side, legs stretched out, head on the ground.
– Belly Up: lying on his back with his legs up in the air.
Here what you need to consider: dogs who sleep curled up may prefer walled/bolster beds in a rectangular or oval shape. This is so they feel nested into their bed. On the other hand, dogs who spread out (Super Dog, Flip Side, Belly Up) may prefer the mattress style bed with more surface area. In a third scenario, if your dog tends to sleep in both positions, the mattress style bed may be best.
5. Consider the ease of cleaning and care of the bed. German Shepherds are known for shedding quite a bit, especially during season changes when they shed their undercoat. While the breed isn’t known to be smelly, you never know when bugs or parasites might enter the house via your dog’s coat. You don’t want creatures infesting your furniture or carpet!
Therefore, to make your life easier, you may want a dog bed with a removable slip cover that you can easily unzip or un-Velcro, machine wash, tumble dry (depending on the material), and return to the bed padding. Be sure to check the wash instructions. Some slip covers may not be machine washable or tumble dry-friendly. You may have to hand-wash and hang-dry.
Slip covers are very common on dog beds so you shouldn’t have an issue finding the style you want with a cover. Please note, however, that orthopedic foam should NOT be washed under any circumstances. Only wash the cover.
6. Consider the level of comfort and support. The padding inside the bed is the most important detail. It’s the part of the bed that supports your dog’s body and joints. Cheap, low-quality bedding is so poorly made that it’s like not even sleeping on a bed at all.
The most common types of padding are a combination of polyester and foam. High ratios of polyester are often found in cheap dog beds. It flattens out very easily under a dog’s weight. The orthopedic foam is more expensive but also more important and more supportive. Don’t skimp on the orthopedic foam, especially in older German Shepherds!
Read the label to see what percentage of the padding has orthopedic foam versus polyester. More than half the padding should be foam to support your dog’s joints properly.
7. Consider the durability of materials and warranty. Durability is especially important if you are buying an outdoor bed. Does the metal frame feel sturdy or does it wobble and bend? Does the hammock material feel thick enough to resist punctures by claws? Are the materials waterproof? If the bed feels strong and the hammock is waterproof, then you have a durable outdoor bed.
For indoor beds, does the slip cover feel thick enough to prevent claw punctures? Is the padding mostly orthopedic foam? If you said yes to these questions, you have a durable dog bed.
As for the warranty, how many years does the warranty last? Anywhere from 1 year to a lifetime is good! You’ll know within 1 year if your dog likes the bed and if the bed can withstand your dog.
Does the warranty promise full replacement of the product? How about full reimbursement of your money if you’re not satisfied? These are important factors to consider.
8. Consider the prices of the beds you find. Prices of dog beds might range from $20 to hundreds of dollars. Have you ever heard the saying “You get what you pay for”? Dog beds are like that. A cheap $20 dog bed is probably poor quality, polyester filling, and thin material. You don’t want to buy a cheaply made bed for an older dog with aching joints.
You also probably don’t need to spend $200 or more on a top-of-the-line dog bed unless specific health concerns dictate so. Don’t break the bank if you don’t have to.
$50 to $100 should get you a good-quality orthopedic dog bed that will protect your German Shepherd or large breed dog from increased joint issues.
9. Consider a few miscellaneous things. First, allergic reactions to fabric, materials, chemicals, etc. may narrow down your options if your dog has sensitivities. If so, search for a hypoallergenic bed or a bed specifically made without your dog’s reactive material.
Second, consider the aesthetic of the bed. Does the bed match the décor of the room in your house? Does the bed stick out like a sore thumb? Are the colors of the bed similar to the colors of your furniture? If it all looks good together, then you’re good to go! Also keep in mind that black or dark colors hide stains that may appear of years of use.
Third, consider the age of your German Shepherd. If you have a puppy, you may want to start out with a smaller, cheaper bed for the first six months. Your puppy may chew on the bed and you wouldn’t want to watch him demolish a $100 bed. Your puppy may also have accidents on his bed. He will outgrow it rather quickly, as well, so don’t spend a ton of money as soon as you bring the pup home. Just make sure it’s supported with foam.
And fourth, consider any incontinence issues. If you have a puppy, using toilet training pads with your dog’s bed might be a good idea until he’s housebroken. If you have an older dog with incontinence issues, washable waterproof bed liners might be a good idea.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading our large breed dog bed buying guide and recommendations! We hope you found what you are looking for. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment. But remember that we are not veterinarians, so please consult a professional with any medical questions you may have.
The Truth Behind Shock Collars for Dogs
