Best Dog Beds for Great Danes – Our Top 5 XXL Bed in 2023 Reviewed

This article will cover the basics of choosing the perfect indestructible dog bed for your Great Dane as well as discussing the pros and cons of our top picks.

Extra Large Dog Beds for Great Danes – Summary Table

What Makes a Good Great Dane Dog Bed?

There are so many beds around for large breeds, many promising comfort, support and large size fit for the Apollo of dogs, but we need to remember the weight of our beloved Great Danes is not far off from us humans (and sometimes even higher).

Orthopaedic? Elevated? Indestructible? Choosing the wrong bed can have long-lasting effects on your dog, and even your wallet; choosing a poor quality bed can result in multiple replacements, adding up to a cost higher than that of a single good quality bed.

With that said, there are some greats dog beds for every budget.

Before you go off on a shopping spree, you need to consider a couple of things first.

Shape of the Great Dane Dog Bed

We’ve all seen a fluffy doughnut bed or the mattress bed which would fit perfectly in our room, but we need to think about the appropriate shape of the bed for your dog, not for the room.

We will start by grouping the beds into round and square beds, as this is the easiest starting point.

It is best to take note of your dog’s sleeping habit on different surfaces and choose the shape from that. One of our Great Danes always curls up when sleeping, even when she’s napping in the sunny spot on the wooden floor. She tends to keep her head either on her paw or against her body. A rounded bed, with or without bolsters, would be the best option for her.

A curled up dog can sometimes indicate that a dog is trying to keep warm, so not only do you want a rounded bed, it might be good to look into ones which retain heat better. Doughnut-shaped beds are good for this, as they tend to have a bolster around the edges (or some sort of a wall), they are better at retaining heat.

Keep in mind that if you live in a place where it’s always sunny and warm, it’s unlikely that your dog is trying to warm up; they just like to sleep in that position.

Our Dane boy has a different set of preferences; he likes to stretch a lot during sleep, and rarely curls up when sleeping. He also prefers sleeping on raised surfaces and loves resting his head on pillows or anywhere that keeps his head up.

One of our other dogs, who is not a Dane, usually sleeps stretched out as well but does not like to have his head up higher than his body, so for him, a flat mattress would work best.

As you can see, the shape isn’t a matter of aesthetics, but rather a matter of comfort and preference for your dog.

Size of the Great Dane dog bed

It might seem like an obvious thing to consider, however as there doesn’t appear to be a reliable standard for dog bed sizes, it is really important to pick the correct size for your dog.

Great Danes vary in shapes and sizes, so a snug fit bed suitable for a 28inch female Dane, is unlikely to be a good choice for someone like Freddy, the biggest dog in the world.

It’s not uncommon for giant dogs like Great Danes to try and squeeze into tiniest of beds or chairs, but this isn’t a good long-term option.

The most common size for Danes is XL, or XXL, but make sure you know your dog’s measurements, and always check dimensions of the bed before buying.

Our recommendation is to account for dog’s fidgeting, stretching, and generally moving at least a little bit. If it seems like the bed is going to be a tight fit, get the next size up.

Considering the Health and Age of Your Great Dane

Great Dane puppies are anything but small, and they grow at a much faster rate than many other breeds. Make sure you plan for this by avoiding the cute little beds or prepare yourself for buying multiple beds during their first year.

Another thing to consider with puppies is toilet training. An easy to wash bed that doesn’t soak up moisture is a good investment. There’s a lot of wee, so avoid overly soft beds and beds which don’t have removable covers.

The same goes for elderly dogs, as they can suffer from incontinence (a common problem with spayed females); don’t forget that incontinence is not your dog’s fault. You can often buy a spare set of covers, which you can swap out while one set is in the wash.

Great Danes can suffer from arthritis, but even for healthy elderly dogs, it is important to provide the right support. Thick memory foam will provide the best support for ageing bones. Memory foam beds often come with washable covers too so you can keep your elderly Dane comfy and clean.

Finally, allergies can be a nuisance at any age, so if you know the specific allergens, try looking for a hypoallergenic bed.

Your Great Dane’s Behaviour

We already mentioned that having puppies can result in a lot of laundering, but couple that with teething, or simple boredom, and you have a big mess in your home.

Puppies are active, and although Great Danes are often labelled as lazy, many adults are very active too. Ultimately, many Great Danes like a good ‘zoomie’ session, so there is likely to be some mud on that cosy bed at some point.

A common reason for beds being destroyed is digging. This is something all dogs do at some point, but couple that with 100lbs or more, and the bed will be shredded in no time. If you don’t keep up with nail trimming, this is an even greater risk, especially as Great Danes are avid diggers.

If you have an active dog, you should consider an easily washable bed, or one with removable covers, and ideally a very tough bed that can withstand various naughty activities such as chewing and digging.

On the opposite side, a shy, or a calm dog might prefer a cosy, snuggly, nest type of bed.

Weather in your area

Consider the weather in your area when choosing a bed, as it should also impact your decision.

If you live in a cooler climate, look for a bed which easily retains heat. For warmer climates, choose either a cooling type bed or a raised bed which allows for easy air flow.

For places with distinct seasons, you can pick a bed which suits other criteria and add a cooling pad in the summer, or a heating pad in the winter if necessary.

Raised or Elevated beds are also a good choice, as they often have additional covers you can use during the winter. Make sure you keep an eye on your dog and make changes based on what they need. A dog with a long thick coat is unlikely to need additional heat during winter.

Location of the Great Dane dog bed in your home

Lastly, take the location of the bed into consideration. It shouldn’t be your first criterion when choosing a bed for your dog, but if your dog likes a spot in the house which gets a lot of drafts, for example, look for something that works best in that situation.

One of our dogs likes to sleep in drafty spots in the house, as he gets easily overheated, so a cooler bed or a raised bed would suit such a dog the most.

Overall Best Great Dane Dog Beds

1. PetFusion Ultimate Jumbo XXL WATERPROOF Memory Foam Dog Bed

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	PetFusion Ultimate Memory Foam Dog Bed Lounge Comfortable Waterproof Bed For Dogs Jumbo Bed for...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

Orthopaedic beds are not only comfortable but are good options for dogs with mobility issues such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. Keep in mind that this bed is huge. We recommend the Jumbo XXL size as it seems to be the most popular size for Great Dane parents.

The heavy-duty high-quality Jumbo bed measures at 127x102x33cm so if your Great Dane is dinky and likes to curl up when sleeping, there will be plenty of space for you to join them for a cuddle on their bed.

Makes a change from them joining you and hogging all the space on your bed!

Alternatively, go for the XL size, which at 112x86x25cm would suit a smaller Great Dane, or a Dane cross.

Cons: – it is huge, a very large sleeping surface – if space is an issue, this might not be the bed for you.

2. Big Barker 7″ Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed – Giant Size [USA]

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	Big Barker 7" Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed - Large Size - 48 X 30 X 7 - Khaki - For Large and Extra...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

Proudly made in the United States. This American made orthopaedic foam bed is often called the Rolls Royce of dog beds by customers.

This dog bed offers the ultimate support for any dog with joint problems, hip dysplasia and mobility issues. This would suit any giant breeds who can always use a bit of help when carrying such a big body; providing this much comfort might even prevent painful conditions from developing.

Big Barker recommends the giant size for Great Danes, however, check the size before purchasing. One of our dinky Danes would do just fine on a large sized bed.

Cons:
Design – although this is a luxury dog bed, the design is not to everyone’s taste
Size – if space is an issue, this might not be the bed for you

3. The Dog’s Bed, Premium Plush Orthopedic Memory Foam

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	The Dog’s Bed, Premium Plush Orthopaedic Memory Foam Waterproof Dog Beds, Eases Pet Arthritis &...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

Aptly named, The Dog’s Bed is another good orthopedic bed option in the world of memory support foam dog beds.

Suitable for all dogs, at any age, particularly those who love to stretch out and laze about offering them a very comfortable place to snooze. The bed comes with a waterproof removable cover, which is useful for those pesky puppy accidents.

The bed fabric is resistant to moulds, mildews and dust mites, and it might suit a dog prone to allergies.

For the same bed without the headrest, see here.

Cons: size – the XL might not be suitable for the biggest of Great Danes.

4. HiK9 The Original Extra Large Mesh Raised Pet Bed (Olive) [UK]

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	HiK9 The Original Extra Large Mesh Raised Pet Bed (Olive)	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

We only ever hear praise about the HiK9 raised elevated beds from Great Dane owners and for a good reason.

This extra large bed will suit most Great Danes, and offers good air flow allowing dogs to regulate body temperature.

It is suitable for dogs with allergies as dust and hair fall through the mesh, stopping dust mites from breeding in the bedding.

It is easily cleaned, and dries quickly, so it will be back in use in no time.

Suitable for use outdoors, as it doesn’t retain water. Durable bed with easily removable covers.

Cons: – raised beds are not to every owner’s liking

5. AmazonBasics Elevated cooling pet bed, XL, green

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	Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed - Green, XL	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

AmazonBasics raised bed could be a great option for a quick purchase on a budget.

From our experience, it wouldn’t suit largest of Great Danes, whether in height or weight, as we don’t think it’s that sturdy, but it would be a perfectly good option for an average sized Dane.

It has all the benefits of a raised bed; breathable, cooling comfort, easy to clean, doesn’t retain water, resistant to dust mites, and it is light enough for portability.

Cons: – the colours are pretty basic
Not as sturdy as some of the higher-end options
Not at all suitable for a destructive dog

Summary

We hope you found our article on best dog beds for Great Danes helpful. As with all extra large dog breeds, finding space within your home can be a challenge but selecting the right spot and a good bed will help your dog get a good nights sleep. Consider not only the comfort of a Great Dane dog bed but the requirements for your dog’s temperament and health needs.

If you have any other recommendations please let us know in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.