A dog bed is usually the largest object on the floor that nobody chose for how it looks. It doesn't have to be. A good bed can sit in the middle of a room the way an ottoman or a bench does. Here is how to choose one your dog will use and you will be glad to look at.
Start with how your dog sleeps
Watch your dog for a few nights. A dog who curls up tight is happiest with a round bed or one with a raised edge to lean into. A dog who sprawls on their side needs a long, flat surface; measure them stretched out from nose to tail and add a few inches. A dog who props their chin on the arm of the sofa will love a bolster.
Cushion, orthopedic or raised
Foam cushion beds suit most dogs. Look for high-density foam, which holds its shape, and a waterproof liner between the foam and the cover. Foam that has soaked up an accident is the one part you can't fully clean.
Orthopedic beds use thicker memory foam that spreads a dog's weight, which matters for older dogs, large breeds and dogs with stiff joints. A firm frame around the mattress also makes getting in and out easier.
Raised beds hold a mesh or fabric sling above the floor. Air moves underneath, so they stay cooler, and there is no cover to collect hair. They suit dogs who run warm and floors that get cold, though some dogs miss having something soft to sink into.
The cover is the bed's real lifespan
Whatever the shape, insist on a cover that zips off and goes in the washing machine. That is what keeps a bed looking new in its third year. Fabric matters too. Tight, flat weaves and short-pile velvets shrug off claws. Looped textures like bouclé look wonderful but can catch a nail, so they suit dogs who settle down rather than dig, and homes without a cat that scratches.
Think of it as furniture
Choose a bed the way you would choose a side chair: by where it goes. A round bed can sit in the open, beside a sofa or at the foot of the bed. A lounge-style bed with a backrest, which many people now call a dog sofa, reads like a small piece of seating and can stand against a wall. A wood frame ties a bed to the rest of the room's furniture.
What we carry
- The Circle by Mafé: a 30" round, ottoman-shaped bed for curlers, made to sit out in the room.
- The Modern Day Bed by Mafé: a low bouclé dog sofa with a bolster backrest, for dogs who like to lean.
- The Haven by Mafé: a dog sofa with a solid hardwood frame around an orthopedic memory-foam mattress, for dogs up to about 55 lb.
- The Yugen raised lounger by Bowsers: an oak-finish frame with a cool mesh hammock, for dogs up to about 70 lb who run warm.
All three Mafé beds have a waterproof liner and a zip-off cover that machine-washes cold. Not sure which suits your dog? Write to support@eraandcohome.com with their size and how they sleep.