So you have decided that your pooch needs to get a better quality sleep and are ready to look at the great beds available on the market. You’re making a terrific choice!
But now you need a dog size chart in order to know how to measure for a dog bed. I’ve created a chart and some guidelines that will help you determine the perfect size bed for your special dog. Check them out below!
Dog Size Chart By Weight
The first thing you’ll want to do is find out your dog’s weight. This will put your dog into one of the following categories:
- Small — Up to 18 pounds
- Medium — 15 to 26 pounds
- Large — 24 to 55 pounds
- XLarge — 55 to 90 pounds
- XXLarge (Giant) — 90 pounds and up
These categories are a basic guideline, and if you noticed, some of the weights overlap into the next size.
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or instance, a dog is considered small if it weighs as much as 18 pounds. But a dog that weighs just 15 pounds can be considered medium.
This is due to the fact that each breed has a unique physical makeup. An 18 pound dog with a lot of muscle mass can actually be smaller than a 15 pound dog with a very light frame.
A great example of this is our male, Tahlen, and our daughter’s dog, Bruiser.
Tahlen is a good size German Shepherd and weighs 80 pounds. Bruiser is an American Bullie who weighs 82 pounds. Take a look at the picture to the right of the two of them–Bruiser is a much smaller size even though he weighs 2 pounds more!
American Bullies are short in stature with a lot of muscle mass packed into that body. German Shepherds have a taller, longer frame and are a bigger size for their weight.
So the weight of your dog is just one part to consider when measuring him for his new bed.
==>==> See 8 Orthopedic Dog Beds Worth Your Money Today <==<==
Height and Length
You’ll next want to measure your dog’s height and length. Measure the height from the floor to the top of the ears.
Many people measure their dog’s length from their nose to their rear. However, I recommend measuring from the nose all the way to the end of their tail.
The reason for this is that you want to have room for a dog to stretch out on their bed. Measuring the extra distance to the end of the tail will give you the extra length needed to be sure the bed you buy is wide enough.
Sleeping Style
You may think that once you have your dog’s height, weight, and length, you have all the measurements needed. But if you don’t consider your dog’s sleeping style, you may wind up with a bed that your dog doesn’t like to sleep in.
If you’re looking for a rectangle bed for a dog who loves to sleep sprawled out, those measurements are all you need.
But if you are looking for something like a bolster bed for your snuggler, you’ll also want to measure your dog when they’re curled up sleeping.
On a bolster bed, the area available for your dog to sleep on is smaller and depends upon how much room the bolsters take up. So you’ll need to get the size that has enough room for your dog to lay comfortably.
Especially for large dogs, it’s very important to choose the right style of dog bed based upon how your dog sleeps. Once you’ve found the right bed, be sure that you know the area available for your dog and pick a size with adequate space for him.
==>==> Have a large breed dog? See how to pick the best bed for your pooch <==<==
Weight Support For Orthopedic Beds
If you have an older dog, a dog with joint problems, or a large dog, you’re probably looking at orthopedic beds. You’ll want to check the depth of the support foam and whether it is adequate in the size bed you’re considering.
Some orthopedic beds are made with a smaller base of foam in smaller beds. For instance, they may have a full 6 inches of foam in their largest bed, but just 4 inches in their other sizes.
Dogs like my daughter’s dog, Bruiser, may not need the largest bed for their size, but need the bigger foam base to support their weight.
==>==> Is an Orthopedic Dog Bed right for your dog? Check it out here <==<==
It’s important to make sure that you match the size and support that your dog needs to get the full benefit of an orthopedic bed.
The Right Measurements To Get The Right Bed
If you want to know how to measure for a dog bed, use our dog size chart and guidelines, and get your dog the bed he’ll love sleeping in.
If you have any comments or questions, we’d love to hear from you!
And remember,
Life Is Always Better When You Share It With A Dog!
Hello! Thank you for sharing such an informative article. I like your post because you help me so much. My wife buys the dog recently. Then she asks me to find the beg for him. Importantly, I don’t have a dog before so I know nothing about that. I have to learn everything about that from zero. It wastes me a ton of time to search and learn about that.
Fortunately, I landed your post. Thank you
You’re very welcome!
I have a dog that loves to have a snug bed, if there is too much room he will not sleep in it. Weirdest thing I ever saw. I was always curious why the size charts by weight overlapped, thank you for answering that. Those are some very pretty dogs you all have, how did you get them to pose like that?
That picture was lucky since I’m not the greatest photographer, lol. They both stood up and looked in the direction of our gate because they heard my husband’s truck, and I was able to snap a picture quick!
Hi Janelle,
Thanks a lot for the informative and helpful article. The chart you shared is very helpful in choosing the bed for our dog and our dog falls in the category of large (40 kg).
Thanks for the insights on measuring the height and length. To be honest, I was not aware that I need to measure from nose to tail. I must say I found your post highly uplifting and educational.
I have read your article on Orthopedic Dog Bed article and BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed is on my list.
The first dog bed that I ever bought was for our Black Lab, Malcolm, years ago. I measured from his nose to his rear end and bought a bed that I thought would fit him pretty well.
Unfortunately, I didn’t take into consideration that he was a sprawler! He hung off the bed a little bit and never really liked sleeping in it. Later on, I got one that was a little bigger by using the measurement that went from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. He loved it!
So I’ve always used that measurement as a rule of thumb and never had a problem with a bed being too small if any of our dogs wanted to stretch out.
Thank you for stopping by!
I finally found a size chart that makes sense! I have two dogs, both weigh about the same, but Buddy is much taller than Holly. Buddy is lean and Holly is stocky and full of muscle. When I read your article, I was happy to see the comparison of the two dogs you pictured. Now I am a bit more comfortable about buying beds for them.
These dogs are just my best friends and I sure want to keep them healthy and comfortable for as long as I can. I really believe, just like humans, they need good support for their joints, especially as they get older. You have given me a great resource to follow.
Thank you!!!!
You’re very welcome!
Wow a lot of thought and measurements have to go into a dog bed, more than I even knew!
Never once have I thouht about just how my dog sleeps,till now. I have bought beds in the past that my doxie has loved. Have also bought a few she hated and wouldnt touch. Thank you for pointing out the different measurements and opinions on how to get that right bed.
You’re welcome, and I’m glad you found it helpful for your girl!
Thanks for this excellent article on how to measure for a dog bed. I have two dogs and they each like to have their own space (they will not share with one another, I need to have two). Since the ones we are using now are ready to be changed out, I wanted to get some information on how to order the right replacements.
It is all here for me, how to measure the dogs and also the sizes of beds that will accommodate my dogs. I now know what to get for sizes. I still have to decide on the materials, the shapes, etc. but there again you have provided some good advice. I will get an orthopedic bed for both, as my favorite companions are getting old like me. You ave saved me time today, and I and the doggies appreciate that! Now I am off to order them their new resting places!
I’m so glad you found my site helpful, and I hope your precious pooches love their new beds as much as mine do!