How to choose the right dog bed size
The most common mistake when buying a dog bed is not choosing the wrong model. It's choosing the size by eye – and then the dog sleeps next to the bed, not in it.
Measure your dog before looking at sizes
You need one number: the length of your dog from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, measured when standing. Add 10 to 15 centimeters of extra space to the result. This is the minimum internal length of the bed you're looking for.
Treat weight as a check, not as a basis. Two dogs of the same weight can have completely different builds: a dachshund and a pug weigh similarly but need different proportions.
Internal dimensions are the only number that matters
In a bed with sides, the external dimension also includes the thickness of the walls. With a model with external dimensions of 80 × 60 cm, the actual sleeping area is 52 × 40 cm. The difference makes all the difference and it's where people most often make mistakes.
In our beds, we provide both dimensions side by side precisely so you don't have to guess.
How your dog sleeps
Dogs that sleep curled up use the sides for support and feel comfortable in a fitted size. Dogs that sleep on their side, with their paws stretched out, need one size larger, otherwise their paws hang over the edge for half the night.
Observe your dog for a week on the couch or rug. This is the best research you can do before purchasing.
A table to start with
In Harrow and Chelsea, the sizes are the same: XS, S, M, and L. If your dog falls on the border of two sizes, take the larger one. A bed that is too large is inconvenient only for the owner, who has to find space for it. One that is too small is uncomfortable for the dog, i.e., for the one who is supposed to sleep in it.
Three mistakes we see most often
- Buying "for growth" for a puppy. A puppy in an adult dog bed doesn't feel supported and sleeps worse. It's better to buy a smaller one now and a larger one in a year.
- Measuring a lying dog. A lying dog takes up less space than a dog that is stretching. Measure while standing.
- Being guided by breed. Breed refers to an average, but you're buying for a specific dog.
What's next
Once you have the size, it's time to choose the material. Harrow is smooth suede all over, Chelsea combines suede on the sides with a warm, ribbed weave on the cushion. The construction and filling are identical in both, so you only choose the texture and color.
