Best Dog Beds For German Shepherds | 5 Beds Reviewed

German Shepherds are large dogs that are quite susceptible to mobility and joint issues. And so part of our duty as German Shepherd owners is to keep our dog healthy and prevent the onset of such medical conditions. One way to do so is by getting a dog bed that’s not only comfortable but also fully supports your dog’s joints and body. So in this article I present a list of the best dog beds for German Shepherds so you and your beloved GSD could rest easy.

Overview: Best Dog Beds For German Shepherds

• PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed
• Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed
• The Dog’s Bed Orthopedic Bed
• Brindle Orthopedic Memory Foam Pet Bed
• Kuranda Chew Proof All-Aluminum Heavy Duty Vinyl Fabric Dog Bed

What To Consider When Buying A Dog Bed For Your GSD

Style

There are multiple types of dog beds, each with their own design and features. The number of choices alone make it quite difficult to decide which one to get, especially if you don’t understand how each type differs. So to make things simple, I like to narrow down my choices and categorize these beds in terms of style instead of type. The styles are as follows:

Standard Beds. Think of these beds as smaller mattresses. They’re flat, square or rectangle-shaped and are perfect if your German Shepherd sleeps stretched-out or sideways. They’re also ideal if you’re planning to place a bed in your dog’s crate.

Bolstered Beds. These beds are simply standard beds with walls or raised edges on at least one to three of its sides (one generally being left open for easy entry and exit.) Get this type of bed if your German Shepherd likes to sleep stretched out or curled up.

Donut Style Beds. Donut style beds are round and bolstered all over. They’re great for dogs that primarily sleep in a curled position. That said, should you go for a donut style bed, be sure to get one with enough space to allow your German Shepherd to stretch out as needed. Otherwise, these beds are typically best for smaller dogs and are thus not recommended.

Elevated Beds. Also known as raised beds, these beds are used to keep your dog off cold floors, concrete, or dirty surfaces. They’re great for temperature control and provide excellent orthopedic support. Senior dogs, particularly those with mobility issues may benefit from these beds.

Your German Shepherd’s Usual Sleeping Position

If you noticed, the different styles highlighted cater to different sleeping positions. And so, it’s important that you check and consider how your German Shepherd usually sleeps. Don’t worry about the particulars, simply determine if your German Shepherd sleeps stretched out or curled up. After that, you can then determine the style of dog bed you should go for.

To reiterate, if your German Shepherd prefers to sleep in a stretched out position, you should primarily consider a standard bed. If on the other hand, your dog prefers to be curled up, then get a bolstered bed instead. Should your GSD switch between both positions your best bet would be to get a standard bed or a bolstered bed with a large enough surface space for stretching out.

Your German Shepherd’s Preferred Sleeping Spots

You may also need to consider your German Shepherd’s preferred and current sleeping spots. Your German Shepherd may have already deemed these locations as comfortable and may thus prefer the bed to be placed there. So be sure to measure these areas for proper fitting.

Size

You want to get a bed that’s big enough to support your German Shepherd’s body. Meaning no part of your dog should be hanging off the bed when it’s fully stretched out. Generally speaking, you’d be good with large or extra-large beds, but given that different brands may have different standards, the best way to guarantee proper fitting is by measuring your German Shepherd and comparing them with each brand’s specifications. 

So, bring out that measuring tape and take note of your dog’s height and length. Here’s how to do so:

• Height. Have your German Shepherd stand up then measure the length from the floor to your dog’s withers(where the shoulder blades and neck meet.)
• Length. Place the start of the tape measure on the base of your German Shepherd’s neck (where the collar sits) and pull it straight across your dog’s spine up until you reach the base of the tail.

As a general rule, get a bed that’s bigger than your German Shepherd.

Weight

Be sure to take your German Shepherd’s weight and compare that to the brand’s or manufacturer’s specifications. That way, you can be sure that the bed will be able to withstand and fully support your dog.

Convenience

Not only should you consider your dog’s comfort but yours as well. So, look into beds that are easy to clean and manage like those that can have removable and machine washable covers.

Durability

Lastly, you should consider durability. Keep in mind that German Shepherd’s have strong teeth and claws that they’re not shy of using. So always check if a bed is made up of high-quality and tear resistant material like nylon or canvas before making a purchase.

The Best Dog Beds For German Shepherds

PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed

The PetFusion Ultimate is a simple yet effective dog bed that’s perfect for German Shepherds that love to curl. 

The bed features a solid memory foam base that’s comfortable for puppies and senior dogs alike. It also provides excellent support and helps alleviate joint pain and other mobility issues.

What’s also great is that this bed is highly convenient to use. It features a water resistant cover that’s also removable and machine-washable for easy cleaning. To add to that, it also has a waterproof liner that surrounds the memory foam base and protects it from getting soaked. This helps a lot especially if your dog tends to have accidents at night or has incontinence issues.

Lastly, this bed is made of tear-resistant polyester cotton twill. So you can be sure that you’re not paying for something that will easily break. Expect this one to last for quite some time.

Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed

As an alternative to the PetFusion Ultimate, you can also check out the Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed. It’s a much more affordable bolstered bed that’s still packed with the necessary features.

It features an orthopedic memory foam that’s designed for proper joint support. It will relieve pressure on your German Shepherd’s joints and help prevent the onset of common GSD mobility issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia. But not only that, this bed is also extremely comfortable and your dog will love sleeping and relaxing on it.

That said, it does have some drawbacks.

First off, while it is durable, it isn’t by any means indestructible. And so, it can at some point give in to wear and tear, especially the covers. And so it is quite troubling to know that replacement covers aren’t available.

There’s also the fact that it is only water-resistant and not at all waterproof. So this may not be the best bed if your dog is prone to accidents or has incontinence issues.

The Dog’s Bed Orthopedic Bed

The Dog’s Bed Orthopedic bed comes in two variants. One being a standard bed, while the other comes with a headrest (bolstered on one side.) Either way, this bed is perfect for German Shepherds that prefer to stretch out as they sleep.

The bed itself is well designed for your dog’s needs. It features two inches of orthopedic memory foam over a solid four inch premium foam base that provides great support and comfort. As such this bed helps alleviate joint pain and prevent the development of joint related issues. This is especially important given that German Shepherds are known to be vulnerable to mobility problems.

Furthermore, this bed also features a removable cover that’s easy to wash and clean. Couple that with a waterproof lining that protects the mattress, then you’ve got a highly convenient bed that’s well suited for accidents or incontinence.

One downside though is that the bed does face some durability issues. Especially, if your dog loves to chew. But if your German Shepherd’s well trained, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Brindle Orthopedic Memory Foam Pet Bed

If you want something more affordable but doesn’t sacrifice much in terms of functionality, try out the Brindle Orthopedic Pet Bed. It’s a standard bed that’s suited for German Shepherd’s that love to stretch out.

As far as features go, this bed is very much similar to the Dog’s Bed Orthopedic Bed. It has two inches of memory foam on top of a two inch high-density foam base for comfort and support that helps relieve achy joints and prevent the onset of mobility issues. It also comes with a removable and machine washable cover for easy cleaning as well as a waterproof lining to prevent the foam from getting soaked and dirty.

Unfortunately though, the similarities don’t stop there. The Brindle Orthopedic also has durability issues and is far from being the ideal choice if you have a heavy chewer.

That said, it remains to be of great value because of its price and is most definitely worth the consideration.

Kuranda Chew Proof All-Aluminum Heavy Duty Vinyl Fabric Dog Bed

As you may have noticed, dog beds tend to have issues when it comes to durability. And it’s true, many if not most dog beds won’t be able to withstand heavy chewing. Fortunately though, there are beds specifically designed for just that. One of which is the Kuranda Chew Proof Dog Bed.

This bed’s frame is made of lightweight aircraft grade aluminum that supports as much as 250lbs. Furthermore, it makes use of heavy duty vinyl fabric that’s strong and tear resistant. This elevated bed is as durable as it gets and is perfect if you have a German Shepherd that aggressively chews and digs.

What’s also great is that this bed is super easy to maintain. The fabric is smooth and a simple vacuum and wipe is all it should take to clean it. Also, the frame and its parts don’t rust, so you can freely use this bed outdoors without having to worry about deterioration in quality.

I say the only issue with this bed is that it isn’t soft. So it can be perceived as uncomfortable. But rest assured, it’s orthopedic and provides the necessary support for your German Shepherd’s body and joints. Also, should you find it to be too hard, a soft blanket or liner on top it would do the trick.

Conclusion

That’s it for my list of the best dog beds for German Shepherds. I hope that it provided you with the necessary information to help you with your next purchase.

Always remember the considerations I listed as they will help you choose the ideal bed for your dog. Again, if your German Shepherd prefers to sleep in a curled position, get a bolstered bed like the PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed. Otherwise, go for a standard or elevated bed that fits your needs.

Thank you for reading, and may your German Shepherd sleep and rest in comfort.