How to Choose a Dog Bed by Sleep Style: Curlers, Sprawlers and More

The best dog bed is the one that matches your dog's sleep style. Dogs that curl into a ball usually settle best in a round or donut bed with a raised rim, dogs that stretch out on their side need a large flat mattress, and dogs that prop their head on the couch arm tend to like a bolster bed. Burrowers do well with a hooded or cave-style bed, and dogs that run warm often prefer a raised cot with a breathable mesh surface. Watch your dog for a few nights, measure them in their favorite position, and compare the numbers with the sleep surface on each listing.

Links in this article point to PetAtoZ collections; product details vary by listing.

Dog Bed Styles by Sleep Position

Dog bed styles matched to sleep position

Sleep style	What you will notice	Bed style to try	Check on the listing
Curler	Sleeps nose to tail in a tight ball	Round or donut bed	Inside sleeping area and rim height
Sprawler	Lies on one side with the legs stretched out	Flat mattress, pillow bed or crate mat	Sleep-surface size and base thickness
Leaner	Props the head on armrests or leans on walls	Bolster or sofa-style bed	Inside sleep area and entry height
Burrower	Digs under blankets or laundry	Hooded or cave-style bed	Weight range and care instructions
Hot sleeper	Sleeps belly-up or moves to tile floors	Elevated cot with breathable mesh	Size, height and weight capacity

Matching the Bed to Your Dog's Sleep Style

Most dogs have a favorite position that shows up night after night. Notice the shape your dog sleeps in, what they lean on and where they go when the room feels warm. If your dog curls up on cold nights and stretches out on warm ones, a bolster bed with a roomy flat center suits both habits.

Curlers: Round and Donut Beds

Curlers sleep in a tight circle, often with the nose tucked against the tail. A round or donut bed matches that shape, and the raised rim gives them something to lean into and rest their chin on. Many donut beds have a plush, faux fur or sherpa surface, and some add a non-slip bottom for hardwood or tile.

Size a donut bed by the curled-up circle, not full body length. Measure across your dog while they are curled up and compare that with the inside sleeping area on the listing. The rim takes up part of the outer size, so the sleeping area can be several inches smaller than the bed itself.

Sprawlers: Flat Mattress and Pillow Beds

Sprawlers lie on one side with their legs stretched straight out, or flat on the belly with the back legs behind them. They need length and width more than walls, so a flat mattress, pillow bed or crate mat suits them.

Choose a base thick enough that your dog's hips and shoulders don't press through to the floor. If you can easily feel the floor when you press the center with your hand, a heavier dog will likely sink through too. Flat beds also fit crates well, and many crate mats are labeled for a crate length, such as 36 or 48 inches.

Leaners: Bolster and Sofa-Style Beds

Leaners like a raised edge for their head or something to press their back against. Bolster beds, also called sofa or couch beds, have cushioned sides on three or four edges, while L-shaped chaise styles put bolsters on two sides and leave the rest open. Because bolsters take up room, compare the inside sleep surface with your dog's stretched-out length, and look for a lowered front entrance if your dog is small, short-legged or older.

Burrowers: Hooded and Cave-Style Beds

Burrowers dig under blankets and fall asleep with only their face showing. A hooded or cave-style bed, or a round bed with an attached blanket, gives them a covered spot of their own. These styles are often sized for small dogs and cats, and listings typically give a weight limit for each size. Choose a hood your dog can push off easily, skip loose blankets if your dog chews fabric, and remember that a plush covered bed can feel too warm on summer nights.

Hot Sleepers: Elevated Cots and Cooler Surfaces

Dogs that run warm often sleep belly-up or leave their bed for the kitchen tile. An elevated cot lifts your dog off the floor on a metal frame, with a breathable mesh surface that lets air move underneath. Cots are also popular on porches and patios because the surface sits up off damp ground.

When comparing cots, check the overall size, height, weight capacity and any maximum pet length on the listing. Some cots add a guardrail or a sloped headrest, which also suits leaners, and non-slip feet help on smooth floors. Indoors, a thin crate mat or a cooling-style mat is another option.

Beds for Senior Dogs and Dogs That Are Slow to Get Up

Older dogs often spend more of the day resting, and many find it harder to get up from a thin bed or a slippery floor. Look for three things:

• Supportive foam. Many beds for older dogs, often sold as orthopedic beds, use memory foam or egg-crate foam several inches thick. Choose a thickness that keeps hips and shoulders off the floor.
• A low entry. A lowered front edge or an open side lets your dog step in instead of climbing over a tall bolster.
• A non-slip bottom. A bed that slides on hardwood or tile makes lying down and standing up awkward.

A waterproof liner between the cover and the foam makes accidents easier to clean up; check which parts it covers, since some listings note that the sides are not waterproof. If your dog still likes the couch or your bed, pet steps or a ramp can make getting up and down easier. Our Senior Pet Comfort collection brings supportive beds, ramps and steps together in one place. If your dog seems stiff, sore or reluctant to lie down, check with your veterinarian.

How to Measure Your Dog for a Bed

Bed sizes vary from brand to brand, so measure your dog instead of choosing by breed alone.

1. Measure the sleeping length. With your dog stretched out, measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. For curlers, measure across the curled-up circle instead.
2. Add room to move. A common rule of thumb is to add about 6 to 12 inches so paws and head don't hang over the edge.
3. Check the weight range. Many listings give a weight range for each size, and your dog should fall comfortably inside it.
4. Use the sleep surface. Outer dimensions include bolsters and rims, so compare your numbers with the sleep-surface size when a listing gives one.
5. Measure the spot. Check the floor space where the bed will go, or the inside of the crate, before you order.

If your dog falls between two sizes, many size charts suggest choosing the larger one.

Covers, Cleaning and First-Night Setup

• Removable, machine-washable covers are the easiest to care for. Many zip off so you can wash the cover on its own.
• Foam inserts usually aren't machine washable. Follow the care label for both the cover and the foam.
• Vacuum-packed beds need time to expand. Many foam and plush beds arrive compressed, so allow the full time given on the listing, often a day or two, before you judge the size or thickness.
• Chewers need supervision. Some listings note that a bed is not suitable for heavy chewers. Remove a bed if your dog starts tearing at seams or pulling out stuffing.

Put the bed in a quiet spot where your dog can still see or hear the family, away from drafty doors and at a safe distance from space heaters, fireplaces and radiators. Moving your dog's usual blanket onto the new bed, along with a few treats, helps it feel familiar.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Dog Bed

• Buying by breed instead of measuring. Two dogs of the same breed can need very different beds.
• Reading only the outer dimensions. Rims and bolsters shrink the space your dog actually lies on.
• Choosing a bed that is too thin. If a large or older dog's hips reach the floor through the bed, look for a thicker base.
• Ignoring how warm your dog runs. A plush hooded bed can be too warm for a dog that seeks out cool floors.
• Judging a vacuum-packed bed too soon. It can look small and flat until it has fully expanded.
• Keeping a chewed bed in use. Loose stuffing and torn foam can be swallowed, so replace the bed, and call your veterinarian if you think your dog swallowed any.

FAQ

What kind of bed is best for a dog that curls up?

A round or donut bed with a raised rim usually suits dogs that sleep curled in a ball, because the rim gives them something to lean against. Measure across your dog while curled up and compare that with the inside sleeping area on the listing.

How do I know what size dog bed to get?

Measure from the nose to the base of the tail while your dog is stretched out, then add about 6 to 12 inches. Compare that with the sleep surface on the listing, not the outer size, and check the weight range for that size.

Are elevated dog beds good for dogs that get hot?

Many dogs that run warm like an elevated cot, because the mesh surface lets air move underneath and the frame keeps them off the floor. Check the cot’s size, height, weight capacity and any maximum pet length.

What kind of bed is best for an older dog?

Many older dogs are comfortable on a thick, supportive foam bed with a low entry and a non-slip bottom, plus a washable cover and a waterproof liner. If your dog seems stiff or uncomfortable, check with your veterinarian.

Should I put a bed in my dog’s crate?

Most dogs rest more comfortably on a crate mat or flat bed that fits the crate floor. Measure the inside of the crate, choose a mat sized for it, and remove any bed your dog starts to chew.

Final Note

The easiest way to choose a dog bed is to let your dog show you. Watch how they sleep for a few nights, match the bed to that position, measure for the sleep surface and pick a cover you can wash. A bed that fits your dog’s habits is a bed they will actually use.

Sources and further reading

• AVMA: Resources for pet owners

These resources provide general pet care guidance. They don't replace advice from your veterinarian.

Quick Recap

• Curlers: a round or donut bed with a raised rim.
• Sprawlers: a large flat mattress, pillow bed or crate mat.
• Leaners: a bolster or sofa-style bed.
• Burrowers: a hooded or cave-style bed.
• Hot sleepers: an elevated cot with breathable mesh.
• Measure nose to base of tail, add about 6 to 12 inches and compare with the sleep surface, not the outer size.
• Older dogs: thick supportive foam, a low entry and a non-slip bottom.