What Size Dog Bed Do I Need? A Measuring Guide by Breed

Written by The Stylish Dog Company.

Last updated: 18 July 2026 · By The Stylish Dog Company · Guidance sourced from UK veterinary and welfare charities and The Royal Kennel Club

Read time: about 8 minutes

Measure your dog from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail while they lie stretched out on their side, then add 15 to 30cm. That figure, not the bed’s label, is the size you need. The most common reason a dog ignores a new bed is simply that it is too small. Bed sizes are often named for the box they ship in rather than the dog that has to sleep in them, so “large” from one brand can be a snug “medium” from another. Below is how to measure properly, a size guide by breed, and the things that change the answer.

How do I measure my dog for a bed?

You need two measurements, both taken while your dog is relaxed rather than standing to attention.

1. Length. Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail while your dog is lying stretched out on their side. This is the figure that matters most.
2. Width or curl. For sprawlers, measure across the body at the widest point. For dogs that curl into a ball, measure the rough diameter of the circle they make when curled.

Then add room to move:

• For dogs that sprawl flat, add 15 to 30cm to the length so they can fully extend their legs without hanging off the edge.
• For dogs that curl up, a bed roughly the diameter of their curl plus a raised bolster edge is ideal. A snuggler that is too big can actually feel less secure.
• When you are between sizes, size up. A bed that is slightly too big is almost always better than one that is slightly too small.

The principle behind the extra centimetres is not fussiness. PDSA’s guidance on making a home dog friendly is that a dog needs a comfy bed somewhere quiet, with space to stretch out or curl up. Dogs Trust uses the same test for crate sizing, saying a crate should be large enough for a dog to stand up, turn around, lie down, sit down, wag their tail and stretch out fully. If a bed fails that test, it is too small, whatever the label says.

Dog bed size chart by breed

Use this as a starting point, then check it against your own dog’s measurements. Individuals vary a great deal, and crossbreeds especially can sit between sizes. These bands are our own practical sizing guide based on the beds we sell, not official breed figures.

Why breed standards will not size a bed for you

It is tempting to look up your dog’s breed standard and work backwards, but the official figures measure something different. The Royal Kennel Club breed standard for the Labrador Retriever gives the ideal height at the withers as 56 to 57cm for dogs and 55 to 56cm for bitches. That is shoulder height, not nose-to-tail length, so it tells you very little about how long a bed needs to be.

Breed standards are also written for the show ring rather than for the average pet. Plenty of much loved Labradors sit outside those numbers, and a working-line Springer and a show-line Springer can be noticeably different dogs. The Royal Kennel Club’s Breeds A to Z is genuinely useful for getting a feel for whether a breed is small, medium or large, and for filtering by size when you are choosing a breed in the first place. It is just not a substitute for a tape measure and your own dog lying on the floor.

What changes the size you need

• Sleeping style. A sprawler needs a longer bed than a curler of the same breed. Always size to the position, not just the dog. PDSA’s arthritis guidance makes the same point from the other direction, suggesting you let your dog choose whether to snuggle in an enclosed bed or stretch out on a flat mattress.
• Puppies. If you are buying for a puppy of a breed that will grow, buy for the adult size and use a divider or a smaller snug insert while they are little. It is cheaper than buying twice, and it is what Dogs Trust suggests for crates too.
• Two dogs sharing. Many dogs like to pile in together. If yours do, measure the pair as they actually sleep and size up accordingly.
• Where the bed goes. The RSPCA advises that dogs need a comfortable, dry, draught-free, clean and quiet place to rest undisturbed. Measure the spot as well as the dog, because a perfectly sized bed wedged into a busy hallway will still get ignored.

Sizing a bed for an older or arthritic dog

Older dogs shift position more through the night, so they benefit from extra room rather than a bed that fits exactly. A low, easy entry matters more than high walls, because climbing over a tall bolster is harder on stiff joints.

Filling matters as much as floor area. PDSA’s advice on arthritis in dogs is that memory foam beds are kind to joints, and that a special orthopaedic bed can help take pressure off the joints of a dog with arthritis. If your dog is slowing down, sizing up and choosing a supportive mattress is usually a better spend than a deeper bolster.

Why getting the size right matters

A correctly sized bed does more than look tidy. Dogs sleep a great deal, and PDSA puts it at 14 to 16 hours or more in a 24-hour period for most dogs, with puppies, older dogs and those recovering from illness needing the most. A bed is therefore the piece of equipment your dog spends more time on than anything else you buy.

A dog that can stretch out fully settles more easily, and a bed with the right support keeps joints comfortable, which matters more as they age. Get the fit wrong and even an expensive bed gets ignored in favour of the cool kitchen floor.

Every bed in our luxury dog bed range is offered across the full size span above, including the awkward middle sizes. If your dog tends to curl, look at the donut and snuggler styles; if they sprawl, the cushion beds give them room to stretch.

Frequently asked questions

How do I measure my dog for a bed?

Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail while your dog lies stretched out on their side, then add 15 to 30cm for a sprawler. For dogs that curl, measure the diameter of the curl and choose a bed roughly that size with a bolster edge. Take the measurement when your dog is relaxed rather than standing.

Is it better to size a dog bed up or down?

Up. A bed that is slightly too large lets your dog stretch and change position, while one that is too small will be hung off or ignored altogether. The main exception is snuggler and donut beds for small curlers, where a bed that is too big can feel less secure.

What size bed does a Labrador need?

Most adult Labradors suit a large bed, around 70 to 90cm of internal length, sized up to extra large if they sprawl or sit at the bigger end of the breed. Note that the Royal Kennel Club breed standard figure of 56 to 57cm is height at the withers, not body length, so it is not the number to buy from.

What size bed should I buy for a puppy?

For a breed that will grow, buy the adult size and use a divider or a snug insert while the puppy is small, rather than buying a small bed you will replace within months. Dogs Trust suggests the same approach for crates, noting you may need a larger crate as your puppy grows.

Can a dog bed be too big?

For a flat cushion or mattress, rarely. For an enclosed snuggler or donut bed, yes, because part of the appeal is the feeling of being held by the sides. If your dog likes to curl tightly into a corner, match the bed to the curl rather than buying the largest one available.

What size bed does an arthritic or older dog need?

Slightly larger than you would otherwise buy, so they can shift position through the night, and with a low entry rather than tall sides to climb over. PDSA advises that memory foam is kind to joints and that an orthopaedic bed can help take pressure off the joints of a dog with arthritis. Speak to your vet if your dog seems stiff or uncomfortable.

What size bed do two dogs sharing need?

Measure the pair in the position they actually sleep in, which is often overlapping rather than side by side, then size up from there. Many owners find two dogs who share are happier on one generous bed than on two correctly sized separate ones.

Do dog bed sizes mean the same thing across brands?

No. Sizes are not standardised, so a large from one maker can be smaller than a medium from another, and some labels describe the external dimensions rather than the sleeping area. Always check the internal measurement against your dog’s own figure rather than trusting the name of the size.