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Considerations for Great Danes
Great Danes are giant dogs and they need a big, tough bed. Since Danes grow so fast, you should consider getting one of the largest size dog beds right from the beginning. Here are some tips for buying a bed and some of Scout’s picks for the best beds no matter what your budget is. If you like a project then consider one of our DIY options.
How Old is Your Great Dane?
Puppies tend to go through a chewing phase so you might want to get a less expensive bed that is a little smaller than what a grown Dane will need. This can save you from spending a lot only to have them tear apart the bed. Senior dogs may do better with dog beds that are made of orthopedic foam to provide extra comfort and support.
What is Your Budget?
There are a lot of different dog beds, so setting a budget is important before shopping. Don’t expect to get a dog bed sized for a Great Dane that costs next to nothing. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Cheap materials are not going to hold up to what a giant breed puppy can throw at them. For example, there are some great LL Bean dog beds, and while they do cost a bit extra, they last for many years with proper care.
Is it Washable?
A lot of dog beds come with washable covers but not all. You can always put a sheet over a dog bed and wash that but being able to take off the cover each bed comes with can be a big help and encourage you to keep things cleaner. Paying a little extra for something that is washable is often worth it.
Furhaven Pet Beds for Small, Medium, Large, and Jumbo Dogs and Cats
Furhaven does a good job providing a great dog bed for less money. This bed is plenty big enough for giant breeds like the Great Dane. The bolstered edges provide a nest-like feel and offer support for heads or legs. Egg crate foam helps support and comfort your dog. The poly canvas base is non-slip and water resistant; if you have a puppy or a dog that is not quite house trained or that drools a lot this can help. The cost is low enough that even if you go through one of these in the puppy years it’s not a big deal. The dimensions of this bed are 44″ x 35″ x 4.5″ (sleep surface – 32″ x 29″).
Perfect for pets young and old, the Furhaven Orthopedic Ultra Plush Faux Fur & Suede Traditional Sofa-Style Living Room Couch Pet Dog Bed is designed to provide your loved one with maximum comfort for a good night’s rest.
This bed measures 54″L x 37″W x 3.6″H, so it offers a lot of sleeping space. The faux fur exterior and poly bolster design offer support and comfort for your Great Dane, and the price is right! The entire bed is machine washable so it’s a great choice for those that have a Great Dane puppy. It is designed to fit 54″ dog crates so if you are a fan of crate training or travel with your dog, this bed offers versatility. This bed can be folded up if necessary for travel.
Turn your dog's crate into their forever home! Use a pet bed in conjunction with their dog crate to entice your pet to use their crate.
This mattress style bed measures 60″L x 43″W x 8″H, making it a super plush and supportive dog mattress. The bed is made of heavy-duty canvas with a plush top. The bottom is skid and water resistant. The cover comes off for easy washing in any machine. This is a bed that is big enough that a giant dog and a smaller dog together, so if you have dogs that like to cuddle this is a good one to consider.
This durable dog mat is filled with extra-thick, 100-percent poly fills for maximum comfort. Its zippered cover is machine washable. Dogs will love to nap on the ivory silky soft plush top.
Petlo Giant Orthopedic Pet Bed for Big Breed Dogs with Head Rest
You love to spoil your dog, don't you? It's every pet owner's goal to make sure that not only their pets remain happy but live a life that's filled with absolute comfort and luxury. Allow your beloved pet to live like the king or queen they are with Petlo's super comfortable Pet Bed! A sweet and cozy space to give your cute pet a piece of heaven to lay on.
This is a more upscale dog bed that measures 62″ x 50″x 7″ thick! The bolster measures 10″ thick and offers a great place for your dog to lay their head. The bed has 3″ of support foam and 4″ of memory foam, making this bed is a solid and supportive choice for those with dogs that need extra support for hips and joints (like the Great Dane). I would avoid this bed for those that have puppies that are at the chewing stage because it is a really nice bed. After the puppy stage or for those with senior Great Danes, this is a good deal. The soft suede cover comes off with ease so you can toss it in the washer when needed. The cover is water resistant so drool doesn’t sink in to the interior!
KOPEKS Deluxe Orthopedic Memory Foam ROUND Sofa Lounge Dog Bed – JUMBO XL – Grey
Your Spoiled one spends more than half its life sleeping. A KOPEKS Memory Foam Bed Will immediately become their favorite spot!
This 50” Diameter bed is 6″ thick for great support and comfort for your dog. The waterproof inner cover keeps spills and moisture out of the interior. The exterior cover is made of soft suede that can be put in your washer for easing cleaning and deodorizing. This is a good bed for dogs that like to be in a nest but are too big for a lot of other beds. There is plenty of room in there for another smaller cat or dog to cuddle up with your Great Dane!
Big Barker 7″ Orthopedic Dog Bed with Pillow-Top (Headrest Edition)
Meet the world-famous Big Barker, the only dog bed scientifically calibrated, and clinically proven to improve the quality of life for large dogs.
The Big Barker might cost a lot more but it does come with a 10-year warranty. A full 7″ thick means it provides a lot of support and comfort. The bed measures 60″ x 48″ x 7″ so there is a lot of room for your dog to flop out or cuddle up with some of their friends! This bed is handmade in the United States and comes with a machine washable cover. The Big Barker is only recommended after you get your dog past the chewing phase. This is an ideal bed for adult dogs because you won’t have to buy any other bed and it offers plenty of support for seniors.
PLS Pet Paradise Orthopedic Pet Bed, Orthopedic Dog Bed
Sweet dreams with hip support for Golden Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds, Labradors, Pointers, and other large breeds who enjoy therapeutic support and space to stretch out
Bonamico Cosy Buddy Coco Dog Bed
Do you need a dog bed for your pet that is washable and suitable for any occasion? The Bonamico Cosy Buddy Coco dog cushion is a portable dog bed that provides your dog with a comfortable place on the living room floor and can also be used as a car dog bed.
Bonamico is dedicated to making pet products that will make your furry friend smile. Their Cosy Buddy Coco Dog Bed is a comfortable, easily transportable dog bed. There’s a carry handle on each side so you can easily scoop it up and take it with you wherever you go. It fits nicely in the trunk of your car as well as a a crate.
Measuring 26 x 35.4-inches, this super soft dog pillow is large enough for your Great Dane to sleep comfortably. The neutral colors will fit in with any home decor and as for maintenance, this bed can simply be thrown in the washer!
K&H Pet Products Original Bolster Elevated Dog Bed
Give your pet an incredibly relaxing snooze with the K&H Pet Products Original Elevated Bolster Cot Dog Bed. Possibly the most comfortable pet cot ever made, it pairs the classic cot design with an ultra-fluffy bolster that is perfect for nestling and resting their head against.
K&H Pet Products have been around for decades and it shows in their incredible commitment to producing the very best products for your much-loved pet. This Original Bolster Elevated Dog Bed is a fantastic choice for your Great Dane whether they are an indoor or outdoor pet. The material of the bolster is waterproof 600 denier nylon and the center part is made from mesh. Also, the bed sits 7-inches off the ground so even if it’s wet out, your dog and their bed will not be!
The mesh center helps keep your dog cool, whilst the bolster is soft and inviting so they can rest their head on it for the perfect nights sleep. If you travel a lot with your dog then you’ll be pleased to know you can disassemble and reassemble this bed with no tools, making it easy to take with you wherever you go.
This bed comes in three size, with the largest size measuring 42 x 30-inches, ample space for your big fur baby.
FurHaven Plush & Suede Orthopedic Sofa Cat & Dog Bed
Curling up for a quick nap or a long night’s rest has never felt better when your sleepy pet has the FurHaven Plush & Suede Orthopedic Sofa Cat & Dog Bed.
FurHaven has your pets best interests at heart in all that they manufacture, but in particular, the Plush & Suede Orthopedic Dog Bed. Firstly, they want to be inclusive and make a product for everyone, therefore this bed comes in 5 different colors and 5 different sizes, from small up to jumbo plus! Of course, with a Great Dane, you’re going to be looking at the jumbo plus size which measures 53 x 42-inches. This is one of the largest bed sizes around.
The faux fur cover and three suede bolsters make this bed super comfortable, even if they sleep in it all night long. There’s only three sides so that an older dog or dog with arthritis can still get in and out easily. Again thinking about the health of your pet, FurHaven has used an orthopedic, egg crate foam for the base. This increases airflow but also offers support in all the right places. Your dog will thank you for this level of luxury and you will thank FurHaven for making the cover compeltely machine washable, giving your dog bed an even longer life.
DIY Options
Use an Old Foam Mattress
After researching large dog beds for my own dogs, I came to the realization that we had an old 8-inch thick foam mattress. It was one of those that have two inches of memory foam on top and a firmer foam base. It became a bit worn, so we set it aside. When it was obvious it was not needed we used an electric kitchen knife to cut the foam. If you cut a queen size foam mattress in half you get a bed that is 45″ x 60″!
You can get two good size dog beds out of one old foam mattress. I used fleece blankets or fitted sheets as washable covers. It worked great, and since we got a puppy that wanted to chew, I am thankful I did not spend a lot on his first dog bed. We really didn’t lose anything by using something that was just going to go to the dump if we didn’t upcycle it.
Toddler or Twin Size Foam or Inner Spring Mattress
There are foam mattresses and innerspring mattresses for sale that make great large dog beds and they cost less than a lot of high-end dog beds. You can also easily buy sheets and coverings for them. A twin mattress is about 39″ x 75″ and the sheets and blankets are really inexpensive and easy to find.
Toddler and crib mattresses are in the 52″ by 29″ range, which could work but may seem a bit narrow for some grown Great Danes that really like to flop out entirely while they sleep. The price is comparable to a twin size mattress, so If you want a nice wide bed for your Dane, the twin is the way to go. Also, the sheets are easy to find for covers compared to toddler sheets.
Linenspa 8″ Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress, Twin
Combine hypoallergenic memory foam with the traditional support of an innerspring mattress for a medium-firm feel perfect for kids' rooms, guest beds, or an affordable low-profile option.
Linenspa 6 Inch Innerspring Mattress – Twin
Get a restful night's sleep on this traditional spring mattress from LinenSpa. A quilted fabric cover and inner foam layer provide comfort and resilience, while heavy gauge steel coils offer lasting support.
Milliard Memory Foam Crib Mattress + Waterproof Cover | Premium Hypoallergenic Toddler Bed and Next Stage Baby Mattress | 27.5″x52″x5.5″
This crib mattress is constructed of a firm foam base and topped with a luxurious layer of high quality memory foam. This ensures it will keep its shape, and won’t bottom out over time while offering supreme comfort and ultimate support.
Raised Dog Beds
For staying cool and elevated, a raised dog bed has some advantages. You can also put these outside so your dog has a clean place to lounge. They are very lightweight and you can add a pad or pet mattress to them part or all of the time if desired.
Coolaroo Elevated Pet Bed – Green
Treat your furry friend to the comfort he deserves with the Coolaroo Steel-Framed Elevated Dog Bed. This bed is elevated off the ground and is made from a breathable fabric, which helps increase airflow and keep your pet cool.
Maintenance
Some beds last longer than others because they have removable covers. You can also sew covers or use old fitted bed sheets and some velcro or elastic to make them fit better. Remember that chewy puppies can mean you want to avoid spending a lot before they get over gnawing on everything. To prevent mildew and water damage you can use a mattress encasement to help beds last longer.
Changing Needs
Over the years a giant breed dog needs more support for their hips and joints. If they have a softer bed when young you may need to upgrade to a firmer or orthopedic dog bed. Scout hopes you have found the bed for your Great Dane that will make them the happiest and most comfortable all the time.
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