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Many dog owners are concerned with buying the best dog bed for large breeds and small breeds, but medium-sized breeds should not be left out in the cold.
If you own a medium-sized dog such as a Border Collie, Australian Shepherd or Beagle, you’ll want to get them a quality bed that will serve them well for a long time. Every dog deserves the best in practical comfort.
Medium dogs are generally considered to be 8-27 inches tall and weigh 30-65 pounds. Choosing a dog bed for them 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 medium breeds 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 Medium Breeds
Based on our own testing, research, and experience, here are our top selections:
- Brindle Shredded Memory Foam Orthopedic Dog Bed
- FurHaven Deluxe Chaise Lounge Dog Bed
- FurHaven Orthopedic Sherpa & Suede Oval Dog Bed
- Majestic Pet Memory Foam Rectangle Dog Bed
- Tall Tails Dream Chaser Bolster Bed
1. Brindle Shredded Memory Foam Orthopedic Dog Bed
There are a couple reasons why this particular dog bed by Brindle earns the #1 spot on our list. The first is that it’s very popular among dog owners.
The second is that it’s filled with shredded memory foam. We think this is one of the best bed fillings for medium-sized dogs because it strikes a nice balance between pillowy softness and orthopedic support.
Features
The defining feature of this Brindle bed is a 3-inch thick layer of orthopedic shredded memory foam, which:
- increases breathability and airflow
- conforms to your dog’s sleeping position
- relieves aching joints and improves comfort
The foam pieces are held in place by stitched inner baffles, preventing the filling from shifting and clumping.
The microsuede cover is soft and durable, and it’s also removable (zipper) and machine-washable. To wash, use cold to hot water on a gentle cycle and tumble dry on low. Note that the pad is not washable.
The bed itself is very versatile. It it designed to fit neatly inside standard dog crates, and it can also be put in an open space like a living room or bedroom.
The Brindle Shredded Memory Foam Dog Bed comes in seven different sizes (17″x11″ smallest to 52″x34″ largest) and four different colours. It’s a great, well-rounded bed that dogs just love. Note that the bed will arrive vacuum-sealed and needs some time to plump up initially.
2. FurHaven Deluxe Chaise Lounge Dog Bed
The Deluxe Chaise Lounge Bed by FurHaven is an excellent choice for medium dogs because of its range of mattress options. Based on your dog’s breed, size and other factors, you can choose supportive foam or pillow-like fiberfill.
This bed is another top seller with a massive amount of customer reviews on the FurHaven store and a high average rating. Moreover, FurHaven is one of the most recognized and reputable dog bed brands out there.
This particular bed is made of plush, flecked faux fur on the sleep surface, with suede-covered bolsters and gussets, ensuring that your dog gets a cozy, snuggly rest. The two-tone design does a better job at hiding dander and dirt than traditional plush sleep surfaces.
Small, medium, large, jumbo and jumbo plus sizes are available. If your dog weighs under 55 lbs, we recommend the large, but if it weighs more, go for the jumbo.
Features
Here are some great benefits of the L-shaped, raised, rounded bolsters on this bed:
- they provide back and hip support for your dog
- they provide an ideal nook for dogs that like to nest
- your dog can lay its paws or neck on the bolsters, which helps align its spine and neck
- the open sides make it easy to climb on and off
As mentioned above, the bed offers several mattress options. They are fiber-filled pillow, memory foam, orthopedic foam, and cooling gel foam.
We think this bed is at its full potential with a foam mattress, but you can certainly go for the fiberfill if your dog likes to shape and nestle. The cooling gel foam can work well if your dog tends to overheat. It’s up to you, but you can discuss it with customer support here.
The Deluxe Chaise Lounge Dog Bed is available in four different colours. It has a zippered and machine-washable cover, and clear wash instructions are provided. The bolsters should not be washed.
3. FurHaven Orthopedic Sherpa & Suede Oval Dog Bed
This lounger-style nest dog bed is ideal for medium-sized dogs that like to snuggle and that weigh up to 55 lbs. It’s one of FurHaven’s best-selling dog beds with high average ratings.
This oval bed provides a fantastic napping spot for dogs. It features foam rail walls for hip & back support and an orthopedic egg-crate foam base.
Note that FurHaven uses CertiPUR-US foam, made in the USA and without harmful heavy metals, flame retardants, or other potentially dangerous chemicals.
The sleep surface is made of faux lambswool (sherpa) that is plush and soft, and it’s easy for any dog to step on and off the bed thanks to the front cut-out.
The exterior of the bed consists of lustrous, soft suedine fabric that is 100% polyester, enabling easy care. The cover is zippered, removable, and can be hand-washed or machine-washed, while the base and foam rails can be gently hand-washed.
It’s worth stressing that this bed is designed for smaller dogs. If you have a larger dog that is still considered a “medium-sized” breed, check out the other beds we’ve reviewed.
You’ll likely want the large size for your medium-sized dog. The bed is available in gray, cream and espresso colours. Many customers love the lightweight durability of the bed.
4. Majestic Pet Memory Foam Rectangle Dog Bed
We said above that we think shredded memory foam is an excellent bed filling for medium-sized dogs. Well, here’s another quality dog bed that uses shredded memory foam, made by Majestic Pet.
This bed pulls out all the stops. It can support practically any sleeping position for your dog, and it has a quality build that will last many years.
The shredded memory foam is very comfortable and orthopedic, so if your dog has joint issues, it’s well taken care of.
This rectangle bed comes in small, medium and large sizes. If your medium dog weighs 45 lbs or more, get the large size (36″ x 44″) to ensure it has plenty of room to stretch out.
Additional Info
In addition to this bed being filled with shredded memory foam, the base of the bed is made of heavy-duty 300/600 Denier fabric that is water-resistant.
The zippered slipcover of this bed, which can be easily removed, is woven from outdoor-treated polyester that is durable, resistant to chewing, stains and water, and provides 1000 hours of UV protection.
The bed can be used both indoors and outdoors, and the slipcover is machine-washable.
The large version of this bed weighs 5 lbs. What’s great is that it not only comes in an array of different colours, but over 25 (!) different patterns as well, meaning it’s easy to find the perfect aesthetic for you and your dog.
5. Tall Tails Dream Chaser Bolster Bed
We know there are a lot of dogs out that that are curlers, nesters and burrowers. Fear not, because the Tall Tails Dream Chaser Bolster Bed is perfectly suited for that.
We recommend the 30″ x 27″ large size for most medium dogs, which can accommodate weights up to 70 lbs. Charcoal (bluish) and khaki (cream) colours are available.
Features
The Dream Chaser Bolster Bed consists of:
- 100% polyester top and fill
- 65% cotton and 35% polyester sides and bottoms
- a non-leather patch
One neat thing about this bed is that the exterior line is reversible; one side is warm and the other side is cool. This makes it easy to change the bedding surface with the seasons or if your dog’s temperature preference changes.
Of course, your dog can take advantage of the bolsters for neck, head or back support.
Tall Tails suggests that you pair this bed with a Tall Tails blanket to create the perfect “dreamy”, warm environment. The bed is machine washable; use a cold, gentle cycle, and tumble dry on low.
Based on our own and others’ experiences, this bed is very plush and comfortable for dogs. Sure, it’s quite expensive, but it’s worth it because it’s so well-made.
Buying Guide
Are you confused as to which dog bed you should get for your medium-sized dog?
Worry not! We’ll now share with you a buying guide which will help you narrow down the best options for you. Once you evaluate the considerations highlighted below, choosing the right dog bed will become much easier.
Here are the factors that should influence your decision:
1. Durability
Without taking into account the durability of a dog bed, you could run into a lot of trouble.
Oftentimes, dogs have a tendency to chew their beds. This is why, if your dog is a chewer, you should make sure that the bed has a degree of chew resistance, meaning it has a chew-resistant cover or is made of ripstop fabric.
In addition, the bed should be able to stand up well to wear and tear over many months and years. A dog bed isn’t really worth buying otherwise.
The bed’s filling should also have a consistent feel and not become lumpy. Lumpiness will not provide proper support for your medium-sized dog.
2. Composition
You have to also look at the composition of the dog bed. This generally involves two different aspects:
Outer Cover
The outer cover comes in direct contact with your dog, and so it should be sufficiently soft and gentle on the skin. This way, your dog will be comfortable resting for long periods.
There is no particular cover material that is best for medium-sized dogs in general, but materials you might see on the market include polyester (resistant to dirt, water, etc.), faux fur or fleece.
Filling
As a general rule, large dogs do well with firmer, supportive dog beds, while small dogs can enjoy more pillowy and softer fillings because their body weight won’t sink through to the floor.
As you would expect, then, medium dogs fall in between. They should have some degree of firm mattress-like support, but they can also do well with a plusher, less-supportive bed as long as their weight doesn’t flatten it.
Note that the filling of a dog bed should be such that it can provide proper support to the joints. Some of the most supportive inner materials are orthopedic foam and memory foam, but they’re also more expensive.
3. Size
A medium-sized dog can weigh anywhere from 26 lbs to 50 lbs. The size of dog bed that can accommodate this is usually between 20 inches to 30 inches in diameter, but we recommend going up by about one foot to ensure your dog has enough space to stretch out.
Moreover, most dog bed vendors will have a sizing chart that will indicate the maximum your dog should weigh for any given bed size (e.g. 55 lbs for large, 95 lbs for extra large, etc.).
If the weight of your medium-size dog is on the upper limit, you should go one size up to be safe.
4. Ease Of Cleaning
There’s no doubt that your dog will get its odours and dirt onto the bed over time, no matter how often it bathes.
This is why it’s important to clean the bed frequently. The problem is that if you need to devote a lot of time and effort to hand-washing a bed, you’ll seldom do so. This can impact the health of your dog.
A much better option is to buy dog bed which is machine-washable. That way, you won’t have to spend a lot of time maintaining it.
Fortunately, most quality dog beds out there have a machine-washable cover at a minimum. Some beds even have a machine-washable inner core.
5. Thickness
It may not be immediately obvious why the thickness of a dog bed matters. But consider that thickness is directly related to the degree of support and amount of insulation provided to your dog.
A base with a good thickness will not only support the weight of your dog (as we alluded to above), but it will also prevent your dog from sinking through to the floor and experiencing the ground temperature. This is especially important when you put the bed outside or on a cold stone floor.
A good dog bed should be at least six inches thick. Ideally, it should also provide multi-point joint support.
6. Type
As you probably know, there are many different types of dog beds out there. Some dogs will prefer certain types over others.
Here are the most common bed types:
Orthopedic
Orthopedic dog beds are designed to provide proper support to the joints and bones of a dog. They are particularly beneficial to large breeds and older dogs, but they can also be great for medium-sized dogs.
Heated
If the winters in your area are pretty harsh or your dog has trouble staying warm, it may be a good idea to buy a heated dog bed.
There are generally two heating methods for dog beds: electric and self-warming. Electric heating requires an outlet, while self-warming beds use a dog’s own body heat to warm themselves up.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is a type of orthopedic foam that works by conforming (or molding) to the shape of your dog’s body, thereby reducing pressure points.
They provide support to the entire body and are great for dogs that often suffer from inflammation or joint problems.
Crate
If you plan on keeping the bed in your dog’s crate, there are a few things that need to be considered like the shape, dimensions and design.
Crate beds often take the form of simple mats or pads, but it’s also possible to find beds that offer enough support so that the dog doesn’t feel the hard bottom of the crate.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, medium-sized dogs don’t require anything particular when it comes to dog beds.
The best bed for your dog will depend on the breed, its preferred needs and sleeping positions, size, and body type. 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.
If we could say anything, it would be this: think about striking a balance between the support of a firm mattress and the pillowy, soft nature of a high-loft filling that you would often find in a donut bed or something similar.
This assumes that medium-sized dogs don’t weigh enough to completely flatten a bed but also don’t weigh so little that they could sit on a cloud.
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 medium dog? Do you have any questions? Feel free to leave a comment below.
