Measure your dog lying stretched out, from nose to the base of the tail, and add 6 to 12 inches for a dog who sprawls. That's the bed's length (or the inner sleeping area, on a bed with bolsters). A dog who sleeps curled up can go a size smaller, measured across the curl. Then check the maker's weight limit and leave a margin. As a rough guide: under 25 lb is a small bed, 25–45 lb medium, 45–70 lb large and 70 lb up extra-large.
Weight gets you in the right aisle, but length is what decides whether your dog's back legs end up on the floor. Two dogs of 60 lb can need different beds: a long, lean shepherd who sleeps flat out, and a compact one who curls into a ball. Here's how to measure, then charts by weight and by breed.
Step 1: watch how your dog sleeps
Spend a couple of evenings noticing which of these your dog does most:
- Sprawler: flat on the side, legs out. Needs the most length. Go for a flat mattress or a bed with low bolsters.
- Curler: nose to tail in a ball. Needs less floor space and often likes a rim to lean into. A donut or round bed suits them.
- Leaner: head propped on the sofa arm or a wall. A bed with a bolster on two or three sides gives them a headrest.
Most dogs do a bit of everything, so size for the position that takes the most room. Older dogs often sleep sprawled rather than curled, so size up for a senior if you're between sizes (more in our senior dog bed guide).
Step 2: measure your dog asleep
- Wait until your dog is lying stretched out, ideally asleep or very relaxed.
- Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail (not the tip). Barker Beds sizes its beds by this number. If your dog won't stay still, lay the tape on the floor beside them and read it off.
- For a sprawler, add 6 to 12 inches. That's our rule of thumb. It matches Barker Beds' sizing, which puts a dog up to 40 inches long on its 48-inch bed.
- For a curler, measure across the widest part of the curl and add a few inches. On a donut bed, compare that to the inner ring, not the outside size.
- For a bolster bed, use the inside measurement. A bed sold as 45 inches can have a much smaller sleeping area. Casper lists its Large as 45 × 35 inches outside but 35 × 25 inches inside.
- Check the weight limit, and leave a margin if your dog sits near the top of it.
- Measure the floor. A 60 × 48 inch bed takes up 5 feet by 4 feet. Make sure it fits the corner you have in mind, or the crate if it's going inside one (see what size crate).
Dog bed size chart by weight and length
Our data. We compiled this from five makers' published size charts (Barker Beds, Casper, Orvis, Best Friends by Sheri and Furhaven), checked for our bed roundups in October 2026. "Size" labels vary between brands, so treat the weight bands as a guide and go by the maker's chart for the bed you buy.
| Your dog | Size to look for | Rectangular foam bed | Bolster bed | Donut (curlers) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 25 lb (Chihuahua, Frenchie, Beagle) | Small | Casper Small, 26 × 19" (to 30 lb) | Orvis Small (to 25 lb) | Sheri 23" (to 25 lb) |
| 25–45 lb (Corgi, mini doodle) | Medium | Casper Medium, 33 × 25" (to 60 lb) | Orvis Medium (25–45 lb) | Sheri 30" (to 45 lb) |
| 45–70 lb (golden, Lab, Standard Poodle) | Large | Big Barker Large, 48 × 30" (dogs up to 40" nose to tail) or Casper Large (to 90 lb; curlers) | Orvis Large (45–70 lb) | Sheri 36" (to 100 lb) |
| 70–120 lb (big shepherd, Rottweiler) | Extra-large | Big Barker XL, 52 × 36" (up to 50" nose to tail) | Orvis X-Large, 53 × 36" (70–120 lb) | Sheri 45" (check the listing's weight rating) |
| 120 lb and up, or longer than 50" | Giant | Big Barker Giant, 60 × 48" | Few bolster beds go this big | Most giant dogs lie across the rim |
- Length beats weight. A 70 lb dog who's 44 inches nose to tail needs the 52-inch bed, even though a 45–70 lb "Large" sounds right.
- Thickness matters as much as size for big dogs. K9 of Mine treats 4 inches of foam as the minimum for a large dog. Below that, a heavy dog's hips and shoulders press through toward the floor. More on foam in our orthopedic dog bed guide.
Dog bed size by breed: the 10 breeds we cover
Our data. Weights are from each breed's AKC standard (GANA for Goldendoodles). Bed sizes come from the maker charts above, and for golden retrievers, Labs and German shepherds, from the size Barker Beds lists the breed under. The same method is behind the 13-breed chart on our large dog beds page. Breed figures are standards, not your dog: the tape measure wins.
| Breed | Weight (AKC) | Bed size to start with | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua | Not exceeding 6 lb | Donut, 23" (to 25 lb) | Loves to burrow and curl; WDJ says curlers can size down |
| Dachshund | Mini 11 lb and under; standard 16–32 lb | Small round (mini); medium round or flat (standard) | Low sides so they step in, not climb; measure the curl |
| French bulldog | Under 28 lb | Small (Casper Small, to 30 lb) | Medium if your Frenchie sprawls on its side |
| Beagle | Under 20 lb (13"); 20–30 lb (15") | Casper Small (13") or Medium (15") | Medium gives a 15" Beagle room to stretch |
| Corgi (Pembroke) | Up to 30 lb (male), 28 lb (female) | Medium (Casper Medium, 33 × 25") | Long body: buy for length, not weight |
| Poodle | Toy 4–6 lb; Mini 10–15 lb; Standard 40–70 lb | Toy: small donut. Mini: small to medium. Standard: large | Most Standards need the Casper Large rather than the Medium |
| Goldendoodle | Petite 25 lb or less; Mini 26–35; Medium 36–50; Standard 51+ (GANA) | Small, Medium, Medium to Large, Large | Doodles vary a lot; measure your own |
| Golden retriever | 65–75 lb (male), 55–65 lb (female) | Large (Big Barker Large, 48 × 30") | Barker Beds lists goldens under Large |
| Labrador retriever | 65–80 lb (male), 55–70 lb (female) | Large (Big Barker Large, 48 × 30") | Barker Beds lists Labs under Large |
| German shepherd | 65–90 lb (male), 50–70 lb (female) | Large; XL for a long male who sprawls | Barker Beds lists shepherds under Large |
What size dog bed for a 70 lb dog?
Usually Large, sometimes Extra-large. Seventy pounds sits right on the line in most charts: Orvis rates its Large to 70 lb and its X-Large from 70 lb, while Casper rates its Large to 90 lb. So let length decide. If your dog measures up to 40 inches from nose to tail base, Barker Beds puts them on its 48 × 30 inch Large; up to 50 inches, the 52 × 36 inch XL. A 70 lb sprawler near the top of a limit should go up a size.
What size dog bed for a 55 lb dog?
A Large for most 55 lb dogs. It's inside the Orvis Large range (45–70 lb). The Casper Medium is rated to 60 lb, but at 33 × 25 inches outside it's tight for a 55 lb dog who stretches out, so we'd only choose it for a curler. For a curler who likes a rim, the Sheri 36" donut is rated to 100 lb.
What size dog bed for a golden retriever?
Large, about 48 × 30 inches for a rectangular bed. Barker Beds lists goldens under its Large, which fits dogs up to 40 inches nose to tail. A golden who sleeps curled can use the Casper Large (inner area 35 × 25 inches, rated to 90 lb). Measure a big male before you buy; some need the XL.
What size dog bed for a German shepherd?
Large for most, XL for a long male who sprawls. Males run 65–90 lb per the AKC, and Barker Beds lists shepherds under its Large (up to 40 inches nose to tail). If yours measures over 40 inches, the 52 × 36 inch XL is the safer buy. Look for at least 4 inches of solid foam, more at 80 lb and up.
What size dog bed for a Standard Poodle?
Large for most. Standard Poodles run 40–70 lb by the AKC standard, with males at the top end. They're tall and leggy, and many sleep stretched out, so the Casper Large (rated to 90 lb) or an Orvis Large (45–70 lb) is a better fit than a Medium.
What size dog bed for a golden retriever puppy?
Our take: a golden puppy will need a Large within months, but it may also chew and have accidents. Either buy the adult Large now with a washable cover and a waterproof liner, or use a crate pad through the chewing stage and buy the good foam bed once your golden is grown. Measure again at around a year old before you spend on big foam.
Gear that helps
Big Barker 7" Orthopedic Dog Bed
Best for large and giant breeds. Evidence level: specs (maker) and K9 of Mine's Best Overall for Large Dogs. (TechGearLab named the Headrest edition its Best Bed for Large Breeds.) Barker Beds sizes it by nose-to-tail length: Large 48 × 30" (up to 40"), XL 52 × 36" (up to 50") and Giant 60 × 48". It has 7 inches of three-layer foam. Barker Beds won't take foam back once it's out of its wrapping, so lay the empty cover on the floor first and check your dog fits. Full review in our large dog beds roundup.
Casper Dog Bed
Clearest weight limits. Evidence level: tested by TechGearLab (Best Overall Bed) and by Reviewed (one year with a 50 lb golden). Small 26 × 19" to 30 lb, Medium 33 × 25" to 60 lb, Large 45 × 35" to 90 lb. The sleep area is smaller than the outside size, so it suits curlers and leaners best.
Best Friends by Sheri Original Calming Donut
Best for curlers. Evidence level: tested by Whole Dog Journal in its washable beds test. Sizes by weight: 23" to 25 lb, 30" to 45 lb, 36" to 100 lb, plus a 45". WDJ says it can be sized down if your dog is between sizes, because curlers like a snug fit. It's fiber-filled, not foam, so for an older or heavy dog see our donut bed roundup for picks with a foam base.
For a dog who leans, the Orvis Memory Foam Couch Dog Bed (tested by Whole Dog Journal) has bolsters on three sides and four sizes up to 120 lb. For a small burrower like a dachshund, the Furhaven Snuggery Burrow Bed (specs only) comes in 18, 26, 35 and 44 inch round sizes with a hood.
FAQs
Is it better to get a bigger dog bed?
Usually, if your dog sprawls and you have the floor space. A bed that's too small means legs or head hanging off. The exception is a curler who likes to feel tucked in; WDJ says a snug donut suits them.
Should a dog bed be bigger than the crate?
No. A bed or pad inside a crate should match the crate's floor so it doesn't bunch up. Measure the crate tray, not your dog.
How do I measure my dog for a bed?
Nose to the base of the tail while they lie stretched out, then add 6 to 12 inches for a sprawler. For a curler, measure across the curl and compare it to a donut bed's inner ring.
Does my dog's weight or length matter more?
Length decides the size; weight decides the foam and the limit. Use length to pick the dimensions, then make sure the bed's weight rating covers your dog with a margin.
What size bed does a 40 lb dog need?
A Medium in most brands: Orvis Medium (25–45 lb), Casper Medium (to 60 lb) or a Sheri 30" donut (to 45 lb). A long 40 lb dog who sprawls may need a Large.
Grab a tape measure tonight while your dog's asleep. That one number saves you a return.
