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The German Shepherd is a dog breed originating in Germany (hence the name) that is loyal, confident, alert and intelligent.
German Shepherds are strongly built, medium-large dogs that can grow up to 64 cm tall and weigh up to 90 lbs. Because they are very active and have many characteristics found in hunting dogs, it’s very important for them to have a place where they can get a good rest.
If you own a German Shepherd, you’ll want to get it a quality bed that will serve it well for a long time. Your dog deserves the best in practical comfort.
Choosing a dog bed might seem like a simple enough task. But there are a ton of options out there on the market, so how do you narrow them down to the best picks?
Worry not — this article is just what you need. We’ll review and compare our picks for the best dog beds for German Shepherds across a range of different budgets.
We have tested all of these beds, and all give excellent value for the cost.
Our Top Dog Bed Picks For German Shepherds
Based on our own testing, research, and experience, here are our top selections:
- Bedsure Orthopedic Memory Foam Bed For Extra Large Dogs
- FurHaven Faux Fleece & Corduroy Chaise Lounge Dog Bed
- Tall Tails K9COT Elevated Mesh Dog Bed
- FurHaven Plush & Suede Sofa Dog Bed
- Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed
1. Bedsure Orthopedic Memory Foam Bed For Extra Large Dogs
The Bedsure Orthopedic Memory Foam Bed will give your German Shepherd the support it needs for an effective rest.
This bed consists of CertiPUR-US memory foam and provides a large, flat sleeping surface for your dog. There is ample space to stretch out, curl up, or settle into any other sleeping position.
The XL size is 42″x32″x4″ and is what we recommend for German Shepherds because it can accommodate dogs that weigh up to 100 lbs. However, the bed can also be purchased in medium and large sizes. Available colours are grey, brown and light blue.
Features
The top layer of this bed is made of quilted, ultra-plush velour, in a design that fits nicely with many different home decors.
The rectangular shape of the bed is simple and straightforward for a dog to rest on, and it also fits easily inside most dog crates, rooms, and car trunks.
The inner mattress consists of two layers: 35D orthopedic memory foam on top, and 40D high-density support foam on the bottom. This gives your dog comfort and a conforming surface, but also firm support that ensures even heavy dogs don’t feel the floor through the bed.
The inner layers of the bed are waterproof to protect from spills, and sliding is prevented with a non-slip bottom.
You’ll be pleased to know that the cover is machine-washable. More than that, it has a double pull zipper that makes the process of removing and putting the cover back on very easy.
This bed just rocks. Dog owners love its affordability and how comfortable it is for other animals (or even people!) to lay on. Keep in mind that the memory foam may feel firm initially, but it will quickly soften up nicely.
2. FurHaven Faux Fleece & Corduroy Chaise Lounge Dog Bed
It’s tough to write any dog bed buying guide without featuring FurHaven, one of the best dog bed brands out there.
Their Deluxe Chaise Lounge Bed is an excellent choice for German Shepherds, particularly with a foam mattress filling. It has a perfect 5-star rating on the FurHaven store and is generally very popular.
This particular bed is made of snuggly, faux fleece on the sleeping surface, a soft corduroy gusset, and a bolster on one side that supports the head and neck. It fits in nicely with typical home decor and is really effective at keeping dander and fur off of furniture and floors.
Small, medium, large, jumbo and jumbo plus sizes are available, but we hear that this bed is being discontinued soon, so grab one while you can. The jumbo size will be suitable for most fully-grown German Shepherds.
Features
Here are some great benefits of the bolster on one side of the chaise:
- it provides head and neck support for your dog
- it helps offer relief to aching joints
- it helps to align the spine
The bolster is filled with recycled fluffy fill. The corduroy bolster surface is ideal for resting paws and noses, and the bed is easily accessible to dogs with reduced mobility.
This bed offers several different filling types: high-loft fiber filling, orthopedic foam, memory foam, and cooling gel foam.
We recommend a foam to ensure that the weight of your GSD is well-supported. It’s up to you to determine which you think would be best; you can discuss it with customer support here.
Note that FurHaven uses CertiPUR-US foam, made in the USA and without harmful heavy metals, flame retardants, or other potentially harmful chemicals.
The Faux Fleece & Corduroy Chaise Lounge Bed is available in three different colours. It has a removable, machine-washable cover, and clear wash instructions are provided. Neither the bolster nor the inner mattress should be put in the washing machine.
We’ve found that almost all dogs really love this bed, especially ones that like to stretch out!
3. Tall Tails K9COT Elevated Mesh Dog Bed
As we mention in our buying guide, elevated beds are among the best choices for a German Shepherd. This one by Tall Tails has a high-quality aluminum frame and is one of the best elevated dog beds you’ll find online.
The K9COT Elevated Mesh Dog Bed is durable and conforms to your dog’s preferred sleeping positions. It’s suitable for both outdoor and indoor use, keeping your dog off hard surfaces while providing orthopedic support for joints.
The K9COT comes in medium, large, XL and double-XL sizes. Your German Shepherd will likely do with the large or XL size, but the largest individuals may require the double XL.
Features
The anodized aluminum frame of this bed not only adds a ton of stability to the build, but is lightweight, chew-proof, and resistant to rust and corrosion. The construction of the frame also hides the mesh fabric edges, which is another layer of protection against chewing.
The mesh fabric of the K9COT allows for plenty of airflow and for liquids to drain through and away from your dog.
Keep in mind that there’s a lifetime guarantee on the frame and a 1-year warranty on the mesh surface. For more information, go here.
Want your GSD to be able to comfortably lounge outside while you’re having a pool party? Want it to be able to lie down over an inconvenient surface like sand or grass? It can all be done easily with this bed, making it very versatile.
4. FurHaven Plush & Suede Sofa Dog Bed
This is another fantastic dog bed by FurHaven that has an impressive 4.9/5 average rating with 198+ customer reviews on the FurHaven store. The sleep surface is made of plush faux fur that gives your dog a warm and cozy rest.
Unlike the Chaise Lounge bed reviewed above, this one has bolsters on three sides, allowing for a wide variety of sleeping positions. The soft, supportive suedine bolsters are perfect for nesters and sprawlers.
We recommend the jumbo size for your German Shepherd because it suits dogs that weigh up to 95 lbs.
Features
Aside from the suede bolsters, the sleep surface consists of a plush faux fur that provides plenty of warmth.
This bed offers the same mattress options as the Chaise Lounge bed above but with two differences: convolute and solid orthopedic foam. Our advice is the same, but if your GSD tends to overheat, consider cooling gel foam.
The Plush & Suede Sofa Bed is available in five different colours, but be aware that some may be unavailable or discontinued.
The bed has, of course, a machine washable cover. Use cold water and tumble dry on low. The bolsters and mattress core should not be machine-washed.
The great thing about this bed is that it can accommodate just about any sleeping position, thanks to its ample surface area and bolsters. It has the feel of a couch, so if your dog is a couch lover, you don’t have to worry about it taking your favourite spot or marking up your furniture anymore.
5. Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed
We think it’s a very good idea to include another elevated dog bed on this list. If you want something more affordable than the Tall Tails K9COT model above, consider this elevated dog bed by Amazon Basics.
The Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed (made under Amazon’s own private label brand) has a cheaper construction than the K9COT bed but is still very effective.
The bed consists of an iron frame and mesh cot fabric that keeps your German Shepherd at least 7 inches off the ground. This produces an airflow cooling effect that is ideal for warm interiors or hot days.
Additional Info
The mesh PVC fabric of this elevated bed is strong and breathable, although the edges are exposed, which leaves it vulnerable to chewing. Watch out for this if your dog is a chewer.
The iron frame is sturdy and easy to assemble, with corners that are gently curved. The legs, tubes, screws and hex tool needed for setup are included with the purchase.
The Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed is also lightweight. It comes in extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes; the large size is probably the best choice for a GSD.
Wiping the bed with a damp cloth is usually all that’s needed for cleaning.
Although the bed can be used by small and large dogs alike, we find that larger dogs tend to get the most out of it, making it a great choice for a German Shepherd.
Buying Guide
As dog owners, we love to give our dogs the best of everything, including places to sleep. But if you own a German Shepherd, you may not want them to sleep on the bed or the couch.
This is not only because a dog can shed onto the furniture, but also because it can be inconvenient to get up from the couch to get a drink only to come back to find that man’s best friend has stolen your spot on the sofa!
This is where dog beds come in. For German Shepherds, a quality dog bed is just as important as with any other breed.
In this buying guide, we’ll go over the important factors to consider when getting a bed for your German Shepherd. Let’s get right into it:
Size
There are many different types of dog beds out on the market today. While the choice can often come down to personal preference, there are still a few things to keep in mind.
Firstly, unless you have a super tight budget, we recommend buying a large dog bed, regardless of the stage of life your dog is in.
When fully grown, German Shepherds can weigh as much as 90 lbs. This means that they will need a large dog bed to sleep on once they’re fully grown.
If your GSD is a puppy, still invest in a large dog bed; they will not only grow into it over the years, but they will also develop an attachment to it and will treat it as their little home as they grow older.
Material
Does your GSD chew a lot? Is it an older dog that has problems going to the bathroom? Does it have joint or bone issues? These are the questions you need to ask yourself when looking at the material of the dog bed.
If your dog likes to chew, consider a dog bed with a cover that is made of a tough, chew-resistant material like ripstop nylon.
If your dog is older, then consider a dog bed that is easy to get in and out of — many of these beds will have bolsters but be open on one side. You could also get a cover that is meant for dogs that are prone to accidents and can be washed easily.
German Shepherds shed a lot. They have a double coat that they tend to shed twice a year. This means that fur will get everywhere, ped bed included.
For this reason, it would be beneficial to buy either a bed that is easy to clean and/or a cover for the bed that can be placed in the washer and dryer for easy cleanup and ridding of stubborn undercoat hair.
Bed Type
There are many different types of dog beds including mattress, elevated, donut, and lounge. In this section, let’s go over the two main types that are most ideal for a German Shepherd: mattress and elevated.
Mattress-Style Dog Beds
Just like the name suggests, this style of dog bed is similar to a typical mattress humans lay on at night. It’s supportive, soft, comfortable, and usually orthopedic.
This can be a great space for your dog to lay if it just wants a nice spot to sleep on. They usually come assembled in the box and can come in a wide variety of styles, materials, and colors.
Depending on the type, they may be compatible with a variety of aftermarket covers that reduce the need for cleaning or make the cleaning process easier.
The biggest downside is this: if you have an older dog, it may have trouble climbing onto some of the bigger, fluffier beds on the market. Also, if your dog is a chewer, then you may have to shell out more money for a durable bed cover.
Having said all this, mattress-style beds are one of the best bed options for German Shepherds because they can support their weight and sooth aching joints.
Elevated Dog Beds
Elevated (or raised) dog beds typically have a mesh sleep surface and are raised off the ground using a frame made of aluminum or another material.
These are excellent beds for dogs that like to chew because they are more durable than normal mattress-style dog beds. They are also easier to pack up because they can be disassembled into pieces if need be.
Another thing about elevated dog beds is that increased airflow through the mesh surface helps to cool the dog, allowing it to be more comfortable in hot weather.
Note that elevated dog beds typically aren’t pre-assembled, which means you’ll need to do some work to set it up initially. Also, it could be more difficult for a dog to get on and off the bed compared to a mattress-style bed.
German Shepherds are prone to hip problems later in life that can make it difficult to get onto a dog bed, and having the sleep surface at a higher elevation can exacerbate this problem.
However, in our view, the benefits of elevated beds far outweigh the cons, and we think they are fantastic options for dog owners looking for function over aesthetics.
Conclusion
No matter what breed of dog you own, good sleep is very important. This is perhaps even more true for German Shepherds because they are active and athletic dogs.
With the right dog bed, you and your dog can awaken rested and ready for whatever the day brings.
The one suggestion we have regarding German Shepherds in particular is to avoid overly soft beds with weak fillings like fiberfill. Try to make sure the bed is supportive (ideally foam) or has a durable elevated style, as this will show sufficient respect to a GSD’s tougher and more stoic nature.
Having said that, at the end of the day, the best dog bed for your German Shepherd will depend on its size, habits, and individual needs. But it’s possible that your dog will like most or even all of the beds listed here, so don’t overthink finding the “perfect” bed.
When you decide to buy one, the dog beds reviewed above along with our buying guide will help you come to a good decision.
It’s also beneficial to read customer reviews of dog beds and/or get the opinion of knowledgeable people, if possible. This can help you a great deal in the decision-making process.
Thanks for reading this guide. Which bed are you interested in for your German Shepherd? Do you have any questions? Feel free to leave a comment below.
