Decide what design and structural features are necessary in a dog bed before getting one. The size and shape of a bed should be determined by the dimensions and weight of your dog and whether it's a "baller" or a "sprawler" when lying down--does your pooch curl up into a ball with its nose tucked into its belly or does it sprawl out with its head, neck, and legs distended?

Calluses on canine elbows (above) and hair loss on hips are sure signs that a dog may need a better bed. Either condition indicates excess pressure on body parts whenever any breed of canine is lying at rest or asleep. A bed with a softer cover and a more supportive cushion could help to solve these health problems.

Likewise, size and shape choices may depend on how much room there is in your house or outside kennel. Decisions about materials include, for example, choosing between soft and breathable natural fibers versus tough and moisture resistant synthetic fabric. And, the cushioning inside a bed can range from natural odor absorbing material such as cedar ribbons or highly resilient synthetics made from spun polyester with chemical odor control added.

Let a Veterinarian Advise You
Every year veterinarians treat dogs with bad cases of hip dysplasia, joint diseases, and other physical disorders. People spend thousands of dollars on medications and operations to make their dogs better. Then some of them take their dogs home and make them sleep on the hard linoleum in the house or the concrete floor of an outside kennel.

A good dog bed could make a big difference in the recuperation of these dogs and could have had a possible preventative effect in the development of these problems in the first place. Though veterinarians may not sell dog beds, they might recommend specific types of beds for dogs with any kind of joint, bone, or muscle related illnesses.

Expand the Range of Dog Bed Use
Though most dog beds are designed to be used in a dog owner's house, they can also be put into an outside kennel where a dog might live part or full time. Likewise, there are special made beds for dog crates, dog trailers, or dog boxes mounted on truck chassis. Dog beds in these locations can help a tired dog rest up after a day of training or several days of hunting. And beds in a crate, trailer, or dog box can help a wet dog get dry and stay warm in any kind of weather.

Don't forget your gun dog's bed when you travel. Some beds that are portable and compact can be folded or rolled up and taken into a motel room or anywhere else you and your dog are staying. And a dog that is being boarded for a short or long term should have its own bed to ensure good health, comfort, and well being when away from home.

Dog Bed Maintenance
Pick a practical dog bed that can be easily and conveniently cleaned and maintained. Any dog bed when regularly used will get dirty so having a washable outer cover is important. And many beds may have an inner stuffing that breaks down or compacts over time and, consequently, may need to be replaced. In some cases, a dog bed with long term hard use may simply wear out, so tossing out a worn one and getting a new one might be necessary.

No matter what type of dog bed chosen and used, be sure to watch any dog's reaction to it. Some canines are born to chew and claw everything they can--including dog beds--most of which can all be destroyed by a dog dedicated to destruction. Tearing up a bed is one problem; a bigger one arises if a dog eats the pieces that can then plug up a digestive tract and cause major illness and as well a death.