Best Dog Beds for Great Danes

Best Dog Beds for Great Danes: A Big Dog Owner’s Guide

So you’ve got yourself a gentle giant, huh? Bringing home a Great Dane is both an exciting and daunting task for any pet parent. These noble breeds are total lovebugs, but man, are they massive! From feeding to grooming to creating a comfortable living space, everything requires some special accommodations for their larger-than-life statures.

And perhaps no piece of doggy equipment is more important than their bed. After all, where else is a giant furbaby supposed to rest those weary bones after a long day of, well, being a Great Dane? Sprawling out on the couch just doesn’t quite cut it for these gentle giants.

But finding the perfect bed for a breed this size is easier said than done. You can’t just grab any old dog mattress off the shelf and call it a day. Nope, you’ll want to invest in a bed tailor-made for a Great Dane’s unique needs – we’re talking spacious, durable, and with ample joint support.

As a longtime Great Dane parent myself, I’ve gone through my fair share of trial-and-error with dog beds over the years. I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and what truly matters when it comes to setting up the ultimate lounging oasis for my beloved fur babies.

So let’s dive into everything you need to know about selecting a bed suited for your Great Dane’s larger-than-life lifestyle. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover!

Pick the Proper Bed Size – Go Big or Go Home

Let’s start with what’s arguably the most crucial consideration – size. When it comes to beds for Great Danes, you simply cannot underestimate just how much real estate these pups need to fully stretch out.

A male Great Dane can easily clock in over 200 lbs and top out around 32 inches tall at the shoulder. Their long bodies and endless legs require ample square footage to splay out in natural sleeping positions without getting all contorted.

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to look for beds specifically marketed as “giant” sized or at the very least “extra-extra large.” And I really do mean giant here – we’re talking beds that could pass for small sofas or even twin mattresses.

Pay very close attention to the exact product dimensions rather than just going by breed names or size labels. Manufacturers can sometimes be a little…generous with their size classifications let’s say.

For my current pair of male Dane besties, anything less than 54 inches wide simply won’t provide enough room for them to both fully stretch out side-by-side. It’s downright comical watching them try to squeeze into a too-small bed, with random body parts awkwardly dangling over the edges.

Prioritize Orthopedic Support to Protect Joints

Their massive size is only one part of the Great Dane bed equation, though. We mustn’t forget that bigger dog breeds are significantly more prone to joint issues like hip and elbow dysplasia, especially as they age.

All that weight puts immense pressure and strain on their bones and connective tissues over time. Without proper orthopedic support from their bed, your gentle giant could be facing a world of chronic aches and pains that’ll only intensify with age.

So what exactly makes a dog bed “orthopedic”? It all comes down to the quality of the foam interior and how well it contours to support the natural curvature of the spine.

You’ll want to look for thick (at least 4 inches) high-density memory foam that evenly distributes body weight to relieve pressure points. This allows muscles, bones, and joints to fully relax and recover overnight rather than remaining in strained positions that can restrict blood flow.

Many top orthopedic beds will use multilayered foam systems, pairing sturdy base layers with ultra-plush comfort layers on top. This prevents compression and sagging over time while still providing that coveted deep sinkage for maximum cushioning.

Premium medical-grade foam designed specifically for orthopedic applications is also a must. You’ll often see these higher-end options branded as “orthopedic foam” or “mobility foam” to indicate their therapeutic properties.

Elevated or Flat Bed – The Danes Debate

In the world of giant dog beds, there’s an ongoing debate around whether elevated or flat surface models reign supreme for big breeds like Great Danes. Each style has some notable pros and cons:

Elevated beds, sometimes called “cot-style”, keep the dog’s body raised a few inches off the floor. This allows air to circulate underneath, providing a cooler sleeping experience that can feel quite luxurious in hot summer months. Many are made of tight-weave fabric or vinyl stretched across a metal frame.

They can also make it easier for arthritic or elderly dogs to get up from a lying position since they aren’t having to lift their full body weight from floor level. However, some dogs seem to feel less secure elevated so high off the ground.

Flat orthopedic foam beds lack this raised airflow but offer supremely cushioned comfort and shock absorption. Their solid base reduces impact stress when a giant dog plops down or stands back up – a huge plus for preventing joint compression over time.

The downside is they retain more body heat. Those dense foam mattresses can make for a sweltering night’s sleep for some hot-natured pups.

For most Great Danes, I generally recommend starting with a high-quality orthopedic foam mattress, especially if your dog is already struggling with any mobility issues. The thick cushioning and contouring support tends to outweigh other factors for this breed’s needs.

However, an elevated bed could provide ample summertime relief for dogs who overheat easily or have a tougher time getting up and down as they age.

Build for Battle – Durability Matters for Rowdy Danes

Let’s be real here – Great Danes can be downright rowdy and destructive in their play and behavior if they aren’t properly exercised and stimulated. I don’t think I need to remind anyone who’s owned one of these gentle giants before of their propensity for rough play, drooling puddles, and the occasional overzealous digging session.

Long story short – you’re going to need an exceptionally durable and resilient bed to withstand the inherent wear and tear that comes with housing a giant, energetic dog breed.

Look for thick, heavy-duty outer materials like ballistic nylon, rubber-reinforced seams, and tight double-stitching to prevent rips, tears, and fraying over time. Many brands will give you denier ratings upfront to indicate just how scratch and chew-resistant their fabric is.

Water-resistant or waterproof interior liners are also a big plus to protect internal foam from accidents or drool saturation. Some ultra-premium beds go as far as encasing the entire foam core in a waterproof vinyl shell for easy cleaning and moisture protection.

Removable, machine-washable outer covers are an absolute must too. Trust me, you’ll want to regularly strip those covers to eliminate built-up pet odors, shed hair, and general grime that inevitably accumulates over time.

While you’ll pay a heftier price tag upfront, investing in a quality bed built specifically to withstand the chaos of life with a Great Dane will save you money in the long run through minimal replacement needs.

Consider Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance

Speaking of keeping that giant dog bed fresh and clean, it’s definitely worth evaluating the overall maintenance required for any model you’re considering buying.

As I just mentioned, beds with completely removable outer covers that can go straight into the washing machine are going to be the easiest to keep smelling and looking their best despite constant use by a big messy pooch.

But beyond just the cover, some bed designs are simply less hassle to routinely clean than others too. Elevated cot-style beds typically have an edge here since the sleeping surface remains raised off the floor. A quick spray with a pet-safe disinfecting solution and wipe down is often all that’s needed.

Flat mattress beds obviously require a bit more elbow grease and effort to keep from getting too grungy on the bottom exterior that makes constant contact with the floor. So easy access to lift or rotate the bed is key to simplify deep cleaning.

Don’t Skip the Cooling Features for Hot Napping

Those long, lusciously insulating Great Dane coats serve an important purpose for keeping these big pups warm. But they can also cause serious issues with overheating and disrupted sleep if their beds don’t allow for proper air circulation and cooling relief.

If your dog is a self-proclaimed “hot sleeper” who has a tough time regulating their body temp, you’ll definitely want to prioritize cooling properties in their bed design. Things like gel-infused memory foam, breathable fabrics on both exterior and interior materials, and options for elevating the sleep surface off the ground.