Most dogs will benefit from a high-quality bed, but you don’t want to settle for the first one you find.
Instead, you’ll want to select one that suits your pet’s specific needs. And while you should certainly consider your dog’s age, health, and personality when picking a bed, it is generally best to begin by considering his breed.
We’ll be focusing on the best beds for greyhounds today.
Note that the beds listed here may also work well for similar dogs, such as Whippets, Afghans, and other lanky sighthounds. But first, let’s look at some of the general characteristics and features you’ll want when picking a bed for any breed.
Important Dog Bed Features and Characteristics
Whether you need a bed for a mastiff or a Maltese, you’ll want to look for a model that possesses a few key features, including the following:
Durability
Assuming your dog likes his new bed, he’s going to use it a lot. He’ll not only sleep on it at night, but he’ll lay on it for cat naps dog naps too. This type of frequent use can cause seams to rip, fabric to thin, and holes to form.
These holes and weak spots will not only make the bed look terrible, but they may also allow your dog to access (eat) the filter material, which could lead to serious health problems.
But, if you select a bed made from premium materials and held together with high-quality stitching, it is sure to hold up to the wear-and-tear of daily use better than an economy-priced model.
A Removable and Machine-Washable Cover
Even if your dog doesn’t venture outside very often and is not the type to splash in every mud puddle he encounters, the cover of his bed will become dirty over time.
In fact, his bed will not only accumulate dirt, saliva, and droplets of urine, it’ll also become coated in his hair.
Accordingly, you’ll want to look for a bed that has a removable cover, so you can keep it clean and looking its best. If you don’t mind washing the cover by hand, you can ignore the “machine-washable” criteria, but most owners will find this unnecessarily labor intensive and will want to opt for a machine-washing-friendly cover.
It Must Be the Right Size for Your Pet
There’s probably nothing wrong with giving your pet a gigantic bed, but you must be sure that it isn’t too small.
Your dog’s bed must be large enough to accommodate his entire body, and it must also provide a bit of extra space, so he can spin around in a circle before lying down, as some dogs like doing depending on their favorite sleeping position.
There is no simple formula for figuring out the proper bed size for your dog. The best way to arrive at an estimate is to simply measure the amount of space (length and width) that your dog takes up while he’s sleeping comfortably.
A Non-Skid Bottom
If you intend on placing your dog’s bed on a carpeted floor, you don’t really need to worry about the material used on the bottom. However, dog beds destined for a tile, linoleum or hardwood floor definitely need a non-skid bottom. Otherwise, you’ll find that the bed tends to slide around a bit.
Non-skid bottoms are also important for those who want to place the bed inside a crate. Most crates have relatively smooth plastic trays which will allow beds with fabric bottoms to slip and slide.
A Manufacturer’s Warranty
Durable dog beds will generally last for several years before they require replacement (and some may last for your dog’s entire life), but manufacturing defects can occur with any product. And because dog beds aren’t exactly cheap, it is generally a good idea to stick to those that come with a manufacturer’s warranty.
Note that few warranties cover chewing damage, but they usually do cover things like torn stitching, discoloration, and similar problems.
Greyhound-Specific Considerations
In addition to the things that all dog owners should seek when selecting a dog bed, owners must also look for a bed that addresses their dog’s breed-specific needs. In the case of greyhounds, this means looking for a bed that exhibits the characteristics detailed below.
Note that while the characteristics listed here are important, you needn’t select a bed that checks off every box. In fact, it can be difficult to find all of these characteristics in a single product. Just try to select a bed that satisfies as many of these criteria as possible.
A Memory Foam Core
Greyhounds love to run, so you’ll want to be sure that you take good care of your pup’s joints. This will help ensure that he can continue to remain active well into old age, and it’ll help keep dogs with arthritis or other joint problems more comfortable.
One of the best ways to take care of your pooch’s joints is by giving him a bed with a memory foam core. Beds featuring memory foam cores are often labeled as “orthopedic,” but this term is used a bit haphazardly among manufacturers, so always verify that the bed you are considering does, in fact, include a memory foam core.
Also, try to find a bed that uses a single sheet of memory foam. The small pieces of shredded memory foam used in some low-quality beds can end up clumping around the edges, thereby eliminating the benefits the foam is supposed to provide.
Bolsters Are a Bonus
Some greyhounds are a bit anxious, and they often appreciate a bed that provides lots of body contact – this helps them (and most other nervous dogs) feel safer while snoozing.
You can add a blanket or small pillow to your dog’s bed to help provide this type of nest-like sleeping situation, but it is easier to do so by selecting a bed that features bolsters.
Ideally, you should select a bed that includes bolsters on three or four sides. However, beds that have a single bolster (sometimes called a pillow or headrest) are better than those without any.
A Cover That Matches Your Dog’s Coat
Greyhounds don’t shed as much as huskies or German shepherds do, but they still leave quite a bit of hair in their wake. Washing the cover regularly will help remove the shed hair, but it’ll still start to look pretty gross between washings.
One of the best ways to ensure the bed looks good between trips through the laundry is to select a bed that matches your greyhound’s coat. For example, if you have a grey-colored greyhound, you’ll want to buy a grey-colored bed. This will help make the shed hair inconspicuous and keep the bed looking good.
The Bed Should Be Warm
Because of their slender build and short coats, greyhounds can catch a chill pretty easily. Most will appreciate a thick bed that insulates them from the cold ground and keeps them warmer at night.
A warm bed also ensures that their hips, knees, and ankles receive sufficient blood flow. This will help prevent joint pain and help your pup feel better as he ages.
There are a few different ways a dog bed can be heated – this can be done through electrically-generated warmth or self-warming material that retain your dog’s natural body heat.
The Five Best Dog Beds for Greyhounds
The five beds detailed below address some of the most common issues greyhounds face. They are all high-quality products, but be sure to select the one that best suits your pet.
1. Brindle Memory Foam Soft Dog Bed
About: Brindle manufactures a few different dog beds, including their Memory Foam Soft Dog Bed. A high-quality, yet affordable bed, this model lacks a few of the features many greyhound owners would want, but it still deserves consideration – especially from budget-conscious buyers.
This is a sponsored placement, in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Learn more
Brindle Memory Foam Soft Dog Bed
Super soft dog bed featuring 3″ of memory foam and a removable, microsuede cover
Features: The Brindle Soft Dog Bed features a 3-inch-thick core to help provide your greyhound with a comfortable place to sleep. The foam is in shredded, rather than sheet form, but the pieces are contained within an inner cover. This should help prevent some of the clumping problems that occur with other shredded foam beds.
This super soft dog bed also comes with a removable, microsuede outer cover, which can be machine washed and dried (just be sure to use a low-heat or tumble-dry setting on your dryer). The bed is available in several different sizes, most of which are designed to fit perfectly into a standard dog crate.
The Brindle Soft Dog Bed is available in four different color combinations (Khaki, Red, Stone, and Teal), and it is backed by a 3-year warranty.
PROS
The Soft Dog Bed is a relatively affordable bed, which is perfect for greyhound owners who’d like to save a few bucks. It will work very well with most standard crates, comes in several colors that’ll likely match your dog’s fur, and features a machine-washable cover.
CONS
The Soft Dog Bed’s shredded foam core is not ideal, but it is hard to find beds with solid-foam cores at this price point. Additionally, we’d generally recommend looking for beds with at least 4 inches of padding, but the 3 inches provided by this bed is probably sufficient. This bed also lacks a non-skid bottom, so it may slide around on slick floors.
2. PetFusion Ultimate Dog Lounge
About: The PetFusion Ultimate Dog Lounge is a premium dog bed, which includes all of the features that greyhound owners would want. The Ultimate Dog Lounge is a bit pricey, but that’s to be expected from such a feature-packed and well-made product.
This is a sponsored placement, in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Learn more
PetFusion Ultimate Dog Lounge
Premium dog bed with a solid 6″ of memory foam base and supportive bolsters
Features: The first thing you’ll notice about the PetFusion Ultimate Dog Lounge is that it is almost completely encircled with bolsters (there’s a small break at the front that serves as an entryway). The bolsters are removable and feature recycled polyfill cushions.
The solid 6-inch-thick memory foam core provides plenty of comfort and support for your pet. The zippered cover is water-resistant and machine washable. It is made from a polyester-cotton blend to provide a great mix of comfort and durability. The bottom features a non-skid material, making it suitable for hardwood or tile floors.
The PetFusion Ultimate Dog Lounge is slate grey in color and comes in four different sizes. It is backed by a 12-month warranty against manufacturer defects.
PROS
If you are looking for a thick and solid memory foam core, the PetFusion Ultimate Dog Lounge may be the perfect choice for your pet. Additionally, this is one of the few beds that features three or more bolsters, so it is a great choice for skittish greyhounds. The cover is also very durable, yet comfortable, and easy to remove when soiled.
CONS
The Ultimate Dog Lounge is only available in one color, which may force owners of brown or multi-colored greyhounds to spend a little extra time removing hair between washings. The warranty also seems a little short for such an expensive bed.
3. Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed
About: The Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed is another high-end dog bed that will cost you a pretty penny, but it’ll provide your dog with a very comfortable place to sleep.
One of the thickest beds on the market, the Big Barker is a great bed for dogs with hip dysplasia, joint problems, or owners who simply want to spoil their pet.
This is a sponsored placement, in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Learn more
Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed
Premium 7″ foam core designed for large dogs with joint issues
Features: The Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed provides a 7-inch-thick core made from a combination of two different types of foam to support and cradle your dog’s body. It also features a 4-inch-thick, contoured foam headrest. The 100% microfiber cover is removable and machine-washable.
The Big Barker is specifically designed for large dogs. The manufacturer even suggests that the bed is not appropriate for small breeds, as it is too firm for their body weight. It comes in three sizes and four different colors (Burgundy, Charcoal Gray, Chocolate, and Khaki).
The Big Barker is made in the USA and backed by an unparalleled 10-year warranty. If the bed doesn’t retain 90% of its loft over this time, you can get your money back.
The University of Pennsylvania recently completed a clinical study that focused on the Big Barker’s ability to reduce joint pain and improve mobility in big dogs with arthritis.
The study involved 40 dogs, each of whom were at least 3 years of age and 70 pounds in weight.
An independent data analysis of these dogs showed the following:
- 17.6% enjoyed improved joint function
- 21.6% experienced a reduction in pain severity
- 12.5% exhibited reduced joint stiffness
- 9.6% displayed an improved gait
- 15.1% enjoyed an overall improvement in their quality of life
- 50% of the dogs exhibited a 13% decrease in nighttime activity
Learn more by reading our full hands-on review of Big Barker!
PROS
To our knowledge, the Big Barker is the thickest bed on the market and one of the few that uses human-grade memory foam. The removable cover and included headrest are both great features, and the 10-year warranty provides much more protection than the warranties included with most other beds.
CONS
The biggest drawback to the Big Barker is its price – this bed is certainly not cheap. It may also be too firm for small greyhounds. And unfortunately, the Big Barker does not have a non-skid bottom. But, because these are large and relatively heavy beds, they shouldn’t slide around as much as smaller beds.
4. Kuranda Chewproof Dog Bed
About: The Kuranda Dog Bed seeks to support your dog in a different manner than most other beds. Rather than using a thick memory foam core, the Kuranda Bed supports your dog via an elevated frame.
This is a sponsored placement, in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Learn more
Kuranda Chewproof Dog Bed
Elevated orthopedic dog bed that’s easy to clean for indoor and outdoor use
Features: Made from a durable PVC frame and a vinyl weave sleeping surface, the Kuranda Dog Bed features a cot-like design.
This elevated bed structure all but guarantees that your dog’s hips and joints won’t press into the ground, and it also helps let air flow beneath the bed. This helps to keep dogs cool during the warm summer months.
The PVC frame is quite strong and will support dogs weighing up to 125 pounds. But it is still quite light, as it weighs less than 12 pounds. It is also easy to assemble, making it a great choice for owners who travel with their pup. The frame and sleeping surface are both very easy to clean – just wipe them down with a damp rag.
The frame is walnut colored, but you can choose from four different colors for the sleeping surface (Birch Forest, Sierra, Royal Blue and Forest Green). The Kuranda Bed is made in the USA, is available in six different sizes, and comes with a 1-year warranty on the frame.
PROS
The Kuranda Chewproof Dog Bed is great for owners on the go, as well as dogs who are problem chewers. And while greyhounds are more likely to have trouble staying warm than staying cool, this may also be a good bed for those living in warm climates.
CONS
Despite being made of plastic and vinyl, this particular Kuranda Bed is not intended for outdoor use (however, they do offer other beds that can be used outside). Also, easily spooked dogs may be reluctant to climb up on the bed because of the elevated design.
5. Brindle Orthopedic Dog Bed
About: The second bed from the Brindle product line in our review, the Brindle Orthopedic Dog Bed features a solid foam core and a few other features that the Brindle Memory Foam Soft Bed lacks. You’ll pay a little more for these features, but the difference in price between the two is relatively minor.
This is a sponsored placement, in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Learn more
Brindle Orthopedic Dog Bed
Budget-friendly waterproof dog bed that’s flat enough for a crate
Features: The Brindle Orthopedic Dog Bed features a core comprised of two different foam pieces: a 2-inch-thick piece of support foam and a 2-inch-thick piece of memory foam. This helps keep the price of the bed low, while still providing your dog with excellent support and comfort.
The soft velour cover features a zipper closure and is removable and machine washable. It also includes a secondary internal cover that is 100% waterproof to protect the core from spills or accidents. The bottom features a non-skid surface to keep the bed from sliding around on slick floors.
The Brindle Orthopedic Dog Bed comes in three sizes and three colors (Khaki, Mocha Blue, and Charcoal Black). It is also backed by a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.
PROS
The Brindle Orthopedic Dog Bed is very affordable, yet it comes equipped with most of the features owners would want. In particular, it is one of the cheapest beds to feature a solid foam core. The waterproof secondary cover is also a very nice addition, which should help protect the core from spills or accidents.
CONS
There aren’t many drawbacks to the Brindle Orthopedic Dog Bed. The primary differences between this bed and some of the more expensive beds in our review are the thickness of the foam, the lack of bolsters, and the length of the warranty. It is likely a perfectly acceptable choice for owners looking for a high-quality, but affordable bed.
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Greyhounds are amazing dogs who often make fantastic family pets. But, while they may be famous for their running speed, greyhounds are also serious nappers, who spend plenty of time snoozing. Try to keep your greyhound as comfortable as possible by picking one of the five beds mentioned above.
Have you found a bed that works particularly well for your greyhound? Tell us all about it! Let us know what you like about it, fill us in on anything you don’t like, and tell us how easy it has been to maintain.
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