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Before we delve into the best dog beds for German Shepherds, it’s important to discuss this large breed, their sleeping habits, any health problems, types of dog bed available and how to get the best use from them.
German Shepherd Dog Beds – Summary Table
| Listing | Bed | Bed Type | Online Rating | Available Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PetFusion Ultimate Solid 10cm Waterproof Memory Foam XL Dog Bed | Memory Foam / Orthopedic | Buy on Amazon | |
| 2 | Big Barker 7" Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed - Large and XLarge Size [US] | Memory Foam / Orthopedic | Buy on Amazon | |
| 3 | HiK9 The Original Extra Large Mesh Raised Pet Bed [UK] | Raised Dog Bed | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 | The Dog’s Bed, Premium Plush Orthopedic Memory Foam | Memory Foam / Orthopedic | Buy on Amazon | |
| 5 | AmazonBasics Elevated cooling pet bed, XL, green | Raised Dog Bed | Buy on Amazon |
German Shepherd Sleeping Habits
As the owners and fosterers of several large breed dogs, including German Shepherds, we quickly became accustomed to their tendency to sleep anywhere comfortable.
One common habit, especially those who have had their German Shepherd from a puppy, is their tendency to want to sleep in your bed with you at night. This is a deeply divisive issue between GSD owners with opinions ranging from “WHAT?!?!” to “of course, that’s perfectly normal”. We fell into the latter opinion and unfortunately began to regret it as he grew.
Putting hygiene aside (again a divisive topic which I’m avoiding in this article), having an XL dog in your bed can result in a poor nights sleep for a human (or humans, not to mention awkward). It also breaks boundaries and may result in more obedience problems. And once it becomes the norm, as we found out, it’s a difficult habit to break.
Dog owners often consider alternatives to this. Placing the dog in another room, outdoors (this is usually in the US and not very common in the UK) or in crates. Another options pet owners explore is getting their German Shepherd their own bed.
Types of German Shepherd Dog Beds
Standard dog beds are usually large cushions or mattresses – soft, padded and very comfortable. They can be made from a range of materials including faux fur, nylon, denim and fleece. Shapes, colours and designs vary as do the amount of padding and warmth. A lot of dogs are introduced to these, and many fall in love with them. If you’re looking for something comfortable for your German Shepherd to laze about and sleep in – these are probably sufficient.
What most standard dog beds don’t cater to is extras. Dog beds can smell over time, which if they’re not cleanable means binning them and getting another. If they’re not waterproof – they’ll get ruined by puppy pee and muddy paws. They may not be good if your dog has allergies. They might not suit a German Shepherd dog (GSD) who has mobility problems and could benefit from a foam mattress. Perhaps you need something that folds away or can be added to your dog’s crate. They may be chewers or scratchers so finding a chew resistant dog bed or something robust and indestructible may be essential.
Orthopaedic beds or memory foam beds are a very popular choice amongst dog owners. For elderly German shepherds or those with mobility pains and issues, they may benefit from a special orthopaedic or memory foam bed. These are not only comfortable, taking the pressure from your dog, but are also easy to get on and off from.
For others, like with humans, these are just great beds to get your GSD. They’re comfortable, they’re stylish and they result in a sound nights sleep.
They are usually also easy to clean, waterproof, chew-resistant and of high quality.
Alternatively, you may look at raised beds, these are elevated, are great for sleeping, can be great for allergies, help circulate air better if your dog gets hot and can be made waterproof if needed.
Crate dog beds are thinner and are designed to be placed inside a dog crate. Some owners prefer to keep their German Shepherd’s in their crates overnight – so these padded bottom layers are ideal for those situations. Though thin, these are greatly more comfortable than standard crate flooring or blanket. They may also be waterproof, making them easy to clean.
There are also bolster beds, foam beds, steel frame beds, cooling beds and heated dog beds. So plenty to choose from. This article will focus on orthopaedic and raised beds – but check out the next section for general guidelines on what makes a good bed for your German Shepherd.
What to Look for in a GSD Dog Bed
Depending on the age, temperament and physical health of your German Shepherd may influence your choice of a dog bed. If you have a puppy GSD, for example, you may consider a waterproof bed or something with a machine washable layer.
In addition, your German Shepherd may have a lot of energy and jump into their bed after parading around in the mud, so being easy to clean may be a factor. If they’re full of energy, or become bored, they may chew on the bed, or scratch (or even rearrange if they’re nesting).
Essentially you don’t want a bed that will be torn to shreds within days. For this type of temperament, you may consider a chew proof dog bed which is heavy duty and fairly indestructible.
On the flip side, if your German Shepherd is calm or shy, then a nice cosy bed may do the trick.
As mentioned previously, you may have a senior dog, or a dog with hip dysplasia, arthritis, other hips and joint issues as well as general mobility or back problems. In this instance, it’s important to look for something with comfort and support such as an orthopaedic bed or similar support sleeping surface.
Most important – your dog needs something which will give them a good nights sleep. Sizing can be one of the most important factors in this.
What Size Dog Bed for a German Shepherd
Trying to identify the best size dog bed for a German Shepherd isn’t as simple as just your dog’s size. One of the first things people often overlook when choosing large breed dog beds (we certainly did the first time!) is the amount of space they could potentially take up.
If you have a large house with many rooms, this may not be a problem – but for those living in a smaller house or apartment, this may cause issues.
For sizing, people generally select XL or XXL sizes of bed depending on the dog’s size and space they have available. For comparison, an XL PetFusion bed measures 112x86x25cm whereas an XXL measures 127x102x33cm.
Our 5 Best Dog Beds for German Shepherds
1. PetFusion Ultimate Solid 10cm Waterproof Memory Foam XL Dog Bed
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | PetFusion Ultimate Memory Foam Dog Bed Lounge Orthopaedic Comfortable Large Waterproof Bed For Big... | Buy on Amazon |
This is a hugely popular dog bed for those of all breed types. It’s also one of our favourite extra large dog beds for German Shepherds.
Made with a combination of polyester (65%) and cotton (35%), the PetFusion dog bed is durable and comfortable. It’s very well designed and the base and bolsters (the raised rests) provide optimal support and comfort. The bolsters contain recycled ‘green’ polyfill.
The water-resistant and tear-resistant cover is removable and machine-washable, which makes it easy to clean and get rid of excess hair from your German Shepherd.
As an orthopaedic bed, this offers great support for your dog, especially if they are elderly or have mobility issues. The four inches of memory foam will reduce joint pain and help with over-all energy levels from a good nights sleep.
This is frequently rated the best orthopedic dog bed for a german shepherd. It’s a wonderfully designed pet bed which should not only give your dog a pleasant sleep – but last for ages. The memory foam will reduce pressure points over time which can cause your dog pain or discomfort when they lay down.
2. Big Barker 7″ Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed for Large and Extra Large Breed Dogs [USA / Limited UK]
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Big Barker 7" Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed - XL Size - 52 X 36 X 7 - Khaki - For Large and Extra... | Buy on Amazon |
These are not the cheapest dog beds out there – but like a specialist mattress for a human – the price reflects what it can do.
These are unbelievably well constructed and a lot of work went into designing them. They use a proprietary 3-stage blend of memory foam to deliver a comfortable experience that envelops your German Shepherd’s joints when they lay on it.
This is reinforced with high-density support core guards to alleviate pressure points from the floor or hard surface the bed rests on. They even (rightly) boast their industry-leading ten years “Can’t flatten, Won’t flatten” warranty.
The materials are of exceptionally high quality with a 100% Microfiber cover. It won’t tear or deteriorate and is incredibly soft to the touch.
If you have a large German Shepherd who prefers to stretch out – you may want to go one size up to Jumbo, but as it is – this is a superior high quality dog bed you’ll get a lot of years out of.
3. HiK9 The Original Extra Large Mesh Raised Pet Bed [UK]
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | HiK9 The Original Extra Extra Large Mesh Raised Pet Bed (Blue) | Buy on Amazon |
We were first introduced to the raised HiK9 bed while on holiday in rural England. The house we were renting was dog-friendly and packed with loads of different dog beds, harnesses and other paraphernalia.
All of our dogs instantly took to them. Now, these beds may not be for every owner – they look like trampolines and you may look aghast as having one in your home. But, they’re genuinely great for some dogs.
These extra-large beds are both elevated as well as offering good airflow. It’s perfect for hot summer days, or outdoors. It can be easily cleaned and any covers can be simply added or removed. Just leave it out to dry and it’s good to be used again.
This may also be a good option if your dog suffers from allergies as dust and hair will fall through the mesh base (made from tough-plastic coated polyester) of the bed.
The top mesh layer is actually comprised of two layers. This means that if you have a puppy or a GSD with incontinence issues, you can slip puppy training pads between the mesh.
If you’re looking for a bed that’s easy to move, assemble and clean – this could be a perfect choice. It’s also foldable so great for visiting doggy guests.
4. The Dog’s Bed, Premium Plush Orthopedic Memory Foam
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The Dog’s Bed, Premium Plush Orthopaedic Memory Foam Waterproof Dog Beds, Eases Pet Arthritis &... | Buy on Amazon |
The Dog’s Bed is another example of a good orthopedic bed. It uses memory support foam just as a human bed does.
This is for dogs who love to stretch out and laze about. The bed comes with a waterproof removable cover, which is useful for puppy accidents.
The bed fabric is resistant to moulds, mildews and dust mites.
5. AmazonBasics Elevated cooling pet bed, XL, green
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed for Dog, X-Large, Green, 153 x 94 x 23 cm (L x W x H) | Buy on Amazon |
If you’re looking for raised and affordable dog beds, this AmazonBasics could be a great German Shepherd bed for you. It’s a similar style to the HiK9. It uses the same raised bed principal, is breathable, easy to clean and is good for dogs with allergies.
Summary
Choosing the best bed for a German Shepherd can depend on your dog’s needs, temperament, mobility and age as well as your living environment and preferences.
