Dog Bed Size Guide: How to Measure Your Dog and Choose the Right Fit

A dog bed size guide is a systematic method for matching a dog's actual body dimensions, weight, and sleeping style to the correct bed size — because pet bed manufacturers use inconsistent sizing labels ("small," "medium," "large") with no industry standard, and guessing based on breed alone leads to wrong-sized beds that dogs refuse to use. The right-sized bed allows your dog to stretch fully in their preferred sleeping position with 4–12 inches of extra space on all sides, while providing adequate fill depth for their weight class. At East Perry, we've measured hundreds of dogs across dozens of breeds to build our sizing recommendations — and the single most common reason dogs avoid their bed is that it's the wrong size.

This guide gives you the exact measuring process, a complete size chart by weight and breed, and guidance on how sleeping position changes the size you need. Five minutes of measuring now saves you months of watching your dog sleep on the floor next to the bed you bought.

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Step 1: Measure Your Dog

You need three measurements. All should be taken with your dog standing naturally on a flat surface — not sitting, not lying down, not being held.

Measurement A: Length (Nose to Tail Base)

Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail — where the tail meets the body, not the tail tip. Use a flexible tape measure along the dog's spine.

Add padding based on sleeping style:

• Side sleepers: add 10–12 inches (legs extend forward when sleeping)
• Curlers / donut sleepers: add 4–6 inches
• Sprawlers: add 10–12 inches
• Stomach sleepers: add 6–8 inches

Measurement B: Width (Shoulder Point to Shoulder Point)

Measure across the widest point of the shoulders (or chest, whichever is wider). View from above.

Adjust for sleeping style:

• Side sleepers: multiply by 2 (they lie across the bed's width)
• Curlers: width needed ≈ 60–70% of length needed
• Sprawlers: multiply by 2.5 (legs extend in all directions)
• Stomach sleepers ("sploot"): multiply by 2

Measurement C: Weight

Weigh your dog. This doesn't affect bed dimensions, but it determines the fill density and depth required. A 30-pound dog and a 70-pound dog may need similar bed dimensions if they're close in length — but the 70-pound dog needs significantly thicker, more resilient fill to prevent bottoming out.

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Step 2: Account for Sleeping Position

Sleeping position is the variable most people skip — and it's the most common reason a "correctly sized" bed still doesn't work. Two dogs of identical weight and length can need very different bed sizes based on how they sleep.

Side Sleepers

Side sleeping is the most space-intensive position. Dogs extend all four legs outward while lying on their side, requiring the bed to accommodate their full body length plus extended legs.

Bed size needed: Full body length + 10–12 inches, and width equal to roughly 2× shoulder width.

Common in: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Greyhounds, Whippets, and most large breeds during deep sleep phases.

Curlers / Donut Sleepers

Dogs who curl into a tight ball with their tail wrapped around their body need less bed space than their body length suggests. The curled position reduces their effective footprint to roughly 60–70% of their standing length.

Bed size needed: 60–70% of body length + 4–6 inches in both dimensions.

Best bed shape: Round or oval bolster beds that match the curled body shape.

Common in: Small breeds (Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Pomeranians), anxious dogs, and cold dogs seeking warmth conservation.

Sprawlers

Sprawlers extend all four legs in random directions, often rotating throughout the night. They need the most bed space of any sleeping type — sometimes comically more than their size suggests.

Bed size needed: Full body length + 12 inches, and width of 2.5× shoulder width.

Best bed shape: Large flat beds, pillow beds, or oversized mats without restrictive bolsters.

Common in: Puppies, Boxers, Huskies, and confident, relaxed dogs who feel secure in their environment.

Stomach Sleepers (Splooting)

Dogs who sleep flat on their stomach with rear legs extended behind them ("splooting") need length to accommodate the extended legs but less width than side sleepers.

Bed size needed: Full body length + 8–10 inches (accounting for extended rear legs), standard width.

Common in: French Bulldogs, Corgis, Dachshunds, and many brachycephalic breeds who instinctively optimize breathing by lying prone.

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Step 3: Use the Dog Bed Size Chart

This chart combines weight, breed, and sleeping position into specific bed size recommendations:

Size Category: X-Small (Dogs Under 10 lbs)

Size Category: Small (10–25 lbs)

For detailed guidance on small breed beds: Best Dog Beds for Small Breeds For French Bulldog-specific needs: Best Dog Bed for French Bulldogs

Size Category: Medium (25–60 lbs)

Size Category: Large (60–100 lbs)

For detailed guidance on large breed beds: Best Dog Beds for Large Breeds For Golden Retriever-specific guidance: Best Dog Bed for Golden Retrievers

Size Category: X-Large / Giant (100+ lbs)

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Common Sizing Mistakes

Mistake 1: Buying by Breed Label Alone

"Medium" and "large" mean different things to every manufacturer. A "large" bed from one brand might be 36" × 42" while another brand's "large" is 40" × 50". Always check the actual dimensions in inches — never trust the size label.

Mistake 2: Sizing for the Curled Position Only

Many owners measure their dog curled up and buy a bed that fits that position. But dogs change positions throughout the night. If your dog starts curled but stretches out in deep sleep, they'll hang off the bed or migrate to the floor. Size for your dog's largest sleeping position, not their smallest.

Mistake 3: Forgetting About Fill Compression

A bed that looks big enough when new may become effectively smaller as the fill compresses. If the fill compresses 30% (common with polyester and foam within months), the bed's usable cushioned surface shrinks accordingly. Dogs don't like sleeping on the compressed flat edges — they crowd toward the center where cushioning remains, making the effective bed size much smaller than the outer dimensions.

Natural wool and sheepskin maintain their loft, meaning the full bed surface stays usable over years rather than gradually shrinking to a central patch.

Mistake 4: Buying Too Small for Senior Dogs

Senior dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, or reduced mobility need more space, not less. They can't reposition as easily as young dogs, so they need room to find a comfortable position without the physical effort of maneuvering. Upsize by one category from the size chart for any dog over age 7 with joint issues.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Height for Brachycephalic Breeds

For French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and other flat-faced breeds, the bed's entry height affects breathing. Bolster heights above 3–4 inches can angle the head into positions that compress already-restricted airways. See our French Bulldog bed guide for detailed recommendations.

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Why Material Affects Sizing Decisions

The material inside the bed changes how the dimensions translate to usable sleeping space.

Foam beds: The fill compresses over time, reducing effective cushioned area. You may need to start with a larger bed to account for gradual effective-size reduction. Also, foam beds with tall bolsters lose bolster height as the foam compresses — a bolster that was 5 inches tall at purchase may be 3 inches within a year.

Polyester fill beds: These flatten quickly and unevenly. The center (where weight concentrates) flattens first, pushing the dog toward the edges. The usable sleeping area shrinks from the inside out.

Wool / sheepskin beds: Natural fiber maintains consistent loft across the entire surface. The bed you buy is the bed you have in year 3 — no compression-related size reduction. This means you can size accurately at purchase without overbuying to compensate for future degradation.

For a deep comparison of how dog bed materials perform under real-world use, read: Polyurethane Foam vs. Natural Wool: What's Actually Inside Your Dog's Bed?.

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East Perry Dog Bed Sizing

East Perry offers three core bed styles across multiple sizes:

Not sure which size? Measure your dog using the three-measurement method above, note their primary sleeping position, and match to the chart. If you're between sizes, go larger — dogs universally prefer beds that are slightly too big over beds that are slightly too small.

All East Perry beds use genuine European sheepskin with preserved natural lanolin, vegetable-tanned with our Relugan process (chrome-free, formaldehyde-free), on natural leather bases. The material performs identically across all sizes — we don't downgrade materials for smaller or less expensive beds.

Browse all East Perry sheepskin dog beds →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size dog bed do I need?

Measure your dog from nose to tail base while standing. Add 6–12 inches for stretching room depending on sleeping position (add more for side sleepers and sprawlers, less for curlers). Then measure shoulder width and double it for side sleepers. The bed should be large enough for your dog's most space-intensive sleeping position, not just their curled position.

How do I know if my dog's bed is too small?

Signs of a too-small bed include: your dog's legs hanging off the edge, your dog sleeping with their head on the floor instead of the bed, repeatedly getting up to reposition, or choosing the floor over the bed entirely. If your dog sleeps curled on the bed but stretches out on the floor, the bed is too small for their preferred position.

Is it better to go bigger or smaller with a dog bed?

Bigger. A slightly oversized bed gives your dog room to stretch, reposition, and change sleeping positions throughout the night. A too-small bed forces uncomfortable positioning that leads to joint strain and bed avoidance. The only exception is very anxious small dogs who feel more secure in a snug, enclosed space — for these dogs, a correctly fitted bolster bed is better than an oversized flat bed.

Do dogs prefer round or rectangular beds?

This depends on sleeping position, not preference. Dogs who curl into balls typically gravitate toward round bolster or donut beds. Dogs who sleep on their side or sprawl prefer rectangular beds that accommodate their stretched-out length. Dogs who switch between positions need a rectangular bed (it accommodates both styles; round beds don't accommodate side sleepers well).

Should I measure my dog for their current size or for their adult size?

If you're buying a bed for a puppy, consider buying two: a correctly-sized puppy bed for the first 6–9 months, and an adult-sized bed once growth stabilizes. An adult-sized bed is too large for a small puppy (makes them feel insecure) and wastes money if chewed during teething. For dogs over 1 year old, measure their current size — they won't change significantly.

What size bed for a dog who sleeps in multiple positions?

Size for the largest sleeping position your dog uses regularly. If your dog starts curled but stretches into side-sleeping during deep sleep, the bed needs to accommodate the stretched position. The curled position will work on any bed that fits the stretched position — but not the reverse.

My dog is between sizes — which should I choose?

Go with the larger size. Dogs who are between sizes on a chart are best served by the extra room. Excess space never causes problems. Insufficient space always causes problems — either the dog doesn't use the bed, or they contort into uncomfortable positions to fit.

Does sleeping surface material affect what size I need?

Yes. Foam beds compress over time, effectively shrinking the usable cushioned area. A 36" × 48" foam bed may have only 30" × 42" of adequate cushioning after 6 months of heavy use. Natural wool and sheepskin maintain their full dimensions because the fibers recover their loft. Buy the size your dog needs with non-compressing materials; buy one size up if using foam to account for compression shrinkage.

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Related Reading:

• Best Dog Beds by Size (Small, Medium, Large & Giant) 
• Best Dog Beds for Large Breeds (Lab, Golden, German Shepherd)
• Best Dog Beds for Small Breeds (Yorkie, Chihuahua, Pomeranian)
• Best Dog Bed for Golden Retrievers
• Best Dog Bed for French Bulldogs
• Indestructible Dog Beds for Aggressive Chewers
• The Best Materials for Non-Toxic Dog Beds

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