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Labrador Retrievers are fairly large dogs that expend plenty of energy during the day, so it’s very important for them to have a place where they can get a good rest.
If you own a lab, 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?
Don’t worry — this article is just what you need. We’ll review and compare our picks for the best dog beds for labs 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 Labs
Based on our own testing, research, and experience, here are our top selections:
- Majestic Pet Contemporary Lounge Dog Bed
- Bully Beds Round Sherpa Top Bolster Bed
- FurHaven Plush & Suede Sofa Pet Bed
- Tall Tails K9COT Elevated Mesh Dog Bed
- Majestic Pet Crate Mat
1. Majestic Pet Contemporary Lounge Dog Bed
This luxurious bed by Majestic Pet is designed for warmth, rest, and supreme comfort. With full bolsters on three sides, it can support practically any sleeping position for your lab.
What’s great about the Contemporary Lounge Bed is that the center cushion is reversible, revealing soft sheepskin on the other side. You can reverse the cushion according to your dog’s preference or whether the environment is hot or cold.
The bed comes in small, medium and large sizes. We recommend the large size for your Labrador, just to be sure that it has plenty of room even when it’s fully grown.
Features
The bed is stuffed with high-loft, premium polyester fiber fill, while the outside material is made of a polyester/cotton twill.
The bed is also made with heavy-duty YKK zippers that will hold up to years of washing and use. The machine-washable slipcover can be put in a delicate wash at a cool temperature; it should not be bleached, ironed or dry cleaned.
The particular design pattern on the bed pictured above comes in black, gray, mocha, and yellow colours as well. Over ten additional patterns and colour sets are also available for the Contemporary Lounge Bed.
2. Bully Beds Round Sherpa Top Bolster Bed
Bully Beds is one of the highest-rated and most popular dog bed makers for large breeds in particular. Their beds have excellent durability and are made of high-quality materials.
The Round Sherpa Top Bolster Bed is referred to by Bully Beds as their “snuggliest” bed yet. It has an impressive 4.9/5 average customer rating on the Bully Beds website and is designed for labs that like something to curl up against.
A bolster runs along half the width of the bed, providing enough room for two dogs to snuggle up at the same time.
Features
The Bully Beds Round Sherpa Top Bolster Bed has a soft sherpa top with a heavy-duty fabric, chew-resistant zippers, and cover accent piping for enhanced aesthetics.
The microfiber cover is, of course, washable, and the base is non-slip.
The bed is waterproof and washable, with CertiPUR-US Certified orthopedic (4.5 lb density) foam that supports the hips and joints and maximizes comfort. The foam is also free of various harmful substances including TCEP flame retardants, heavy metals, CFCs and formaldehyde.
The large size of the Round Sherpa Top Bolster Bed may be a little small for an adult-size Labrador, so we recommend the XL size, especially if the length of your dog from neck to rear is more than 40 inches.
3. FurHaven Plush & Suede Sofa Pet Bed
The Plush & Suede Sofa Bed by FurHaven is an excellent bed for a medium-large dog like a Labrador Retriever. Out of 198+ customer reviews, it has a 4.9/5 average rating on the FurHaven website, which is awfully impressive.
The sleep surface is made of plush faux fur that gives your dog a warm and cozy rest. Like the two beds reviewed above, this one has bolsters: they are suede and are on three sides, providing a great deal of additional support.
Features
This bed offers several different mattress and filling types: high-loft fiber filling, convoluted orthopedic, full-support foam, memory foam, and cooling gel foam.
It’s up to you to determine which you think would be best for your Labrador; you can discuss it with customer support here. We suggest cooling gel foam if tends to overheat or other foams if it needs orthopedic support.
Note that FurHaven uses CertiPUR-US foam, made in the USA and without harmful heavy metals, flame retardants, or other potentially harmful chemicals.
The Plush & Suede Sofa Bed is available in five different colours. It has, of course, a machine washable cover, and clear wash instructions are provided. The bolsters should not be 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. This includes nesters and sprawlers.
4. Tall Tails K9COT Elevated Mesh Dog Bed
Does your lab have trouble staying cool? Does it make a mess with urine or other liquids? Is it a chewer that destroys every bed you buy for it?
This elevated bed by Tall Tails is meant to solve all of these problems.
The K9COT Elevated Mesh Dog Bed is comfortable, durable, and conforms to your dog’s preferred sleeping positions. It’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, keeping your dog off hard surfaces while providing orthopedic support for joints.
The K9COT comes in medium, large, XL and double-XL sizes. We recommend the XL (42″ x 28″) size for your lab, but you should measure your dog from the nose to the base of the tail just to be sure.
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.
The K9COT Elevated Dog Bed is a bit unusual, so you should see it in action in this video:
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.
This bed is great for Labrador Retriever owners who want an effective, practical dog bed and aren’t so concerned with aesthetics.
5. Majestic Pet Crate Mat
Maybe you don’t want something super plush or fancy for your dog. Maybe you don’t need bolsters, or maybe you just want something simple and effective that your lab can lay on while in a crate or dog house.
If that’s the case, Majestic Pet’s Crate Mat is an excellent option. They’re ideal for use in dog houses, crates, carriers, cages or vehicles, but they can also be used anywhere around the house to great effect.
Features
These mats have a simple yet high-quality construction, stuffed with a premium high-loft polyester fiber fill. They fit crates of most major brands including Midwest, Precision and Titan.
This mat is designed and assembled in the USA. The entire bed is machine-washable — no need to unzip and zip a cover! Just put it in the wash on the gentle cycle and tumble dry.
The Majestic Pet Crate Mat comes in an array of different patterns and colours, so it should be easy to find a look that suits you and your dog. We recommend the large (42″ x 27.5″ x 1.5″) or XL (48″ x 30″ x 1.5″) size for your Labrador.
Buying Guide
Without a doubt, your lab is a member of your family. And we want to make sure our family is happy and healthy, right?
Getting a bed for your lab gives it a comfortable place to rest that it can claim ownership over. But there are so many beds available, so how can you know what is the best choice?
Here are some things to keep in mind:
Health Conditions
Like any other breed of dog, Labradors are predisposed to certain health conditions. This does not mean that your lab is guaranteed to have these conditions, but it does mean that it’s at an increased risk of developing them.
Some of these conditions may even impact your choices when looking for a bed for your dog.
Conditions That Call For Orthopedic Beds
Some conditions cause your dog to suffer from joint, bone, or ligament pain, as well as swelling. This may also impact your dog’s mobility.
Below are some conditions that labs seem to be predisposed to that may make an orthopedic bed a good idea for your dog.
1. Hip & Elbow Dysplasia
Joint problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia are common in Labradors and other large dog breeds.
Hip dysplasia is caused when the dog’s femur does not correctly fit into the hip socket. This causes pain, immobility, and arthritis. Elbow dysplasia can be caused by arthritis, loss of cartilage in the elbow joints, or loose bone chips, and it also causes pain and immobility.
2. Cruciate Ligament Injury
Labradors are naturally very playful dogs; this makes them more at risk of tearing their ACL.
This injury can be caused by sudden turning while the dog is running or playing, and it is a painful condition that requires surgery to fix.
3. Panosteitis
Panosteitis is also known as “wandering lameness” and is a painful condition caused by inflammation in the front leg bones.
4. Arthritis
Arthritis is a fairly common condition among all adult dogs (research shows that about 20% of adult dogs develop some form of arthritis), but medium and large dogs like labs are at an even higher risk of developing the condition.
Dogs who are extremely active have an increased risk of damaging the cartilage, which leads to osteoarthritis. Dogs with arthritis may avoid activity, limp, and experience stiffness.
Orthopedic beds will provide extra support for your dog, especially around the hip and elbow joints. These beds will also be more comfortable for your dog than resting on the floor, but will still be easy for it to get in and out of, unlike a bed that is pillowy soft.
Even if your Labrador does not have any of these conditions, an orthopedic bed is still a great option because it offers excellent support for your dog.
Conditions That Call For Hypoallergenic Beds
A hypoallergenic bed will be made with hypoallergenic materials, as well as have a tighter weave to prevent the colonization of fleas and dust mites.
Even with a hypoallergenic bed, it is still important to wash your dog’s bed regularly to keep it clean and free of allergens.
1. Allergies
Just like people, dogs can suffer from allergies. Labradors, especially female labs, seem to have an increased risk of developing allergies.
Your dog’s bed can be a breeding ground for allergens. Some dogs are allergic to certain materials that make up their bed, like a latex-based filling or a cover made with a synthetic material.
Your dog’s bed is also a great place for fleas or dust mites to collect, which could also trigger its allergies.
Labrador Retriever Bed Checklist
Even if your dog doesn’t have any of the above conditions, there are still some things that you should look out for when choosing a dog bed. Here is a checklist to help you find an ideal bed:
1. Comfort
Look for a bed that is firm but not hard. It is also important to make sure that the bed is thick enough so that when your dog lays down, it doesn’t flatten under its weight.
2. Durability
Make sure that the bed you pick is durable and can withstand the normal chewing, scratching, and digging that comes with dogs.
Look for material that is double-layered, has ripstop fabric, and/or has heavy-duty zippers.
3. Washable
Experts recommend that you wash your dog’s bed every one to two weeks. A bed that is washable will make it easier for you to keep your dog’s place clean and comfortable for them.
4. Waterproof
A waterproof bed is a wise idea for puppies who are still being housebroken or older dogs who are dealing with incontinence issues.
But it is also a good idea for other types of dogs because waterproof beds make it easier to wipe up spills, accidents, or even muddy paw prints.
Conclusion
The best dog bed for your Labrador Retriever will depend on its body type, 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.
It’s also worth noting that because labs are a medium-large breed, they will require larger beds which tend to cost a little more than smaller sizes. Still, most quality dog beds are very affordable.
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 experts, 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 lab? Do you have any questions? Feel free to leave a comment below.
