You bring home a new bed, set it on the floor, and watch your dog's first reaction. Maybe they circle twice and lie down with their back legs hanging over the edge. Maybe they sink into a bed so large that they look lost in it. Either way, the bed is not doing its job, and the cause is usually the same: the size was a guess. A few minutes with a scale and a tape measure will save you that disappointment.
The short answer: choose a dog bed by your dog's weight, not by breed, and go up one size if your dog falls between two. Then check the sleeping surface, meaning the space where your dog actually lies down, rather than the outside dimensions of the bed. The steps below show you how.
Dog bed size guide: the quick version
Renato's Calming Covered Pet Bed is a 2-in-1 corduroy bed. With the zip closed it is a covered den, and with the hood folded back it is an open, cuddly bed with a soft blanket-style rim. It comes in four sizes, each matched to a weight limit:
- Small: for dogs up to 20 lbs, $59.95 (was $79.95).
- Medium: for dogs up to 30 lbs, $69.95 (was $89.95).
- Large: for dogs up to 38 lbs, $79.95 (was $99.95).
- X-Large: for dogs up to 58 lbs, $89.95 (was $109.95).
Shipping within the US is free, and the bed is available in grey and brown. If you already know your dog's weight, you can pick the matching size right now. If you are not sure of the weight, or your dog sits right on the line between two sizes, read on.
Step 1: Weigh your dog
Weight is the number that matters most, so get a real one rather than a rough guess. A dog that "feels like about 30 lbs" may be a good deal more or less, especially if the coat is thick and fluffy.
Here are a few easy ways to do it:
- Use a bathroom scale. Weigh yourself first, then weigh yourself holding your dog, and subtract the difference.
- Check the vet's records. Most vets weigh dogs at every visit, so the last number is often on your paperwork or in the patient portal.
- Ask at the vet's front desk. Many clinics let you use their scale without an appointment. A quick call will tell you.
Write the number down. If your dog is still growing, think about where the weight is heading, and read the section on in-between sizes below.
Step 2: Watch how your dog sleeps
Weight tells you which size to start with. Your dog's sleeping habits tell you whether it will feel right. Watch your dog for a day or two and notice the position they choose most often.
- The curler. Nose to tail in a tight ball. These dogs usually fit comfortably in the size that matches their weight.
- The sprawler. Stretched out on their side with legs extended. This dog needs the most floor space, so lean toward the larger size if the weight is close.
- The burrower. Pushes under blankets and into corners. This dog tends to love the covered design, because the hood gives them a den to settle into.
To get a feel for the space, have your dog lie down in their favorite position on the floor. Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, and then across the widest part of the body. Compare those numbers to the sleeping area of the bed rather than to its outer edge. That brings us to a detail that is easy to miss.
Step 3: Measure the sleeping surface, not the outside
A bed with soft, plump walls looks big from the outside, but the walls take up room. On Renato's bed the walls are 4 to 5 inches thick. That thickness is what makes it so cozy, but it also means the usable lying area is smaller than the overall footprint.
When you compare sizes, always ask: how much room is there on the inside, where my dog lies down? Your dog should be able to stretch out or curl up without pushing against the wall and without hanging over it. If you only look at the outer dimensions, you may end up choosing a bed that is a touch too snug.
When your dog is between sizes
It is tempting to choose by breed. "Cockapoo, so medium." The trouble is that dogs of the same breed can differ widely in weight and build. A Cockapoo, for example, can be quite small or noticeably sturdier depending on the parents and on the individual dog, and mixed breeds make the guesswork even harder. Weight takes the build, the coat and the age into account all at once, which is why Renato's sizing is based on it.
So what if your dog weighs just over the limit for one size? Choose the larger size. A bit of spare room is easier for a dog to live with than a bed that is too tight, and a dog that cannot stretch out will often skip the bed and head for the sofa.
Go up a size in these situations:
- Your dog sprawls instead of curling into a ball.
- Your dog is still growing and has not reached their adult weight yet.
- Your dog has a thick or fluffy coat that takes up extra space.
- Your dog shares the bed with another small pet or likes to bring a toy along.
Does a bigger bed come with a downside? A bed that is far too large can feel less secure, especially for a small, nervous dog who likes to be tucked in. That is why we say to go up one size, not two. The covered, den-like shape works best when your dog fills most of the space.
Why a good fit matters
Dogs spend much of their day asleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, adult dogs typically sleep 12 to 14 hours per day, though the amount varies with age, breed, activity level and overall health. With that many hours spent lying down, it is worth getting the size right.
A well-fitting bed does a few things for you and your dog:
- It gives your dog a spot that is clearly theirs, which tends to make settling down easier.
- It stays where you put it. The anti-slip base grips wood floors and tiles, so the bed does not slide away when your dog climbs in.
- It is easy to live with. The bed is light enough to lift with one hand, and the whole thing goes in the washing machine. Wash it cold on a gentle cycle and let it dry flat in the air, not in the dryer.
One honest note: this is a warm, soft bed, not a supportive orthopedic one. It has a single soft body of polyester fiberfill with no firm core and no layers. If your dog needs firm joint support, keep that in mind when you choose.
Frequently asked questions
How are dog bed sizes measured?
The most useful measurement is weight. After that, measure your dog from nose to base of tail while they lie in their usual sleeping position, and compare that to the sleeping area of the bed. For Renato's bed, simply match your dog's weight to the size: Small up to 20 lbs, Medium up to 30 lbs, Large up to 38 lbs and X-Large up to 58 lbs.
Can a bed be too big for a dog?
Yes. A bed that is much too large can feel empty and less secure, particularly for small dogs who like to be snug. If your dog falls between two sizes, choose the larger of the two, but there is no need to jump up two sizes.
What size dog bed is best for a Cockapoo?
There is no single answer, because Cockapoos vary quite a bit in size. Weigh your dog and pick the size that matches. If the weight sits between two sizes, take the larger one.
What if my dog does not use the bed?
Give it some time, because some dogs need about a week to get used to a new bed. If it still does not work out, you can return the bed for a refund within 14 days of delivery, as long as it is unused and in its original packaging.
Once you have your dog's weight and a good look at how they sleep, choosing a size becomes much easier. If you are still unsure, feel free to get in touch with Renato through the contact page on the website. Questions are usually answered the same day, and with a 14-day return window you can try the bed with confidence.