Dog Beds for Small Dogs: How to Choose the Right Size and Shape

Your dog may be small enough to carry, but their sleeping position can occupy an impressive amount of sofa. Choosing dog beds for small dogs starts with that sleeping position, rather than the word “small” on a label.

The aim is simple: a spot where they can curl up, stretch out and settle in their own particular style. Here is how to find it.

Measure the dog, then check the sleeping space

Watch your dog when they are comfortably resting. Do they tuck into a tight little loaf, lie on their side with their legs out, or switch between the two? Measure the space they use at their most stretched out, including their legs, and allow room to change position.

Next, compare that measurement with the bed's usable sleeping area. External measurements include the sides. A bed listed as 65 cm long does not necessarily give your dog 65 cm of flat space inside it, especially when it has chunky bolsters.

• Measure the length and width your dog uses while resting.
• Check whether the product dimensions describe the whole bed or its inner cushion.
• Check the height of the entrance as well as the sides.
• Measure the floor space where you plan to put it.

If the inner dimensions are missing, ask before ordering. Size letters vary between beds, so your dog's “medium” in one style may be a different size in another.

Bolster bed or flat dog mat?

For the chin-on-the-edge sleeper

A bolster bed has raised sides that give your dog an edge to lean against or rest their chin on. It is worth considering if they often choose the corner of a sofa or tuck themselves against a cushion.

The Plonk Down Bolster Dog Bed has an oval shape and a reversible fleece and Oxford-fabric cushion. Compare the dimensions of your chosen option with your dog's resting space, remembering that the raised sides take up part of the footprint.

For the enthusiastic sprawler

A flat mat leaves the edges open, giving a dog who likes to stretch somewhere to flop without fitting between bolsters. It can also suit a corner where a tall-sided bed would feel bulky.

The Toastie Time Washable Dog Mat comes in 60 × 40 cm, 75 × 45 cm and 100 × 70 cm options, with a plush surface and removable zipped cover. Choose by measurement, rather than assuming the smallest option is right for every small dog.

Shopping for a Dachshund, Cockapoo or Cocker Spaniel?

Breed names are a useful starting point for browsing, but they are not a size chart. A Dachshund's longer body, a Cockapoo's individual build and a Cocker Spaniel's sprawling habit can all change the space needed. Even two dogs of the same breed may prefer completely different shapes.

Use your own dog's measurements and habits to make the final choice. The winning bed is the one that fits the dog you live with.

Think about the spot and the clean-up

Choose a quiet place where your dog can rest without being stepped over. Check that doors can open and that the bed stays clear of busy walkways. Then read the care instructions: a removable cover may be easier to manage than washing a whole bed, but washing methods differ between products.

Our washable dog bed guide explains the differences. For a finishing layer, see our guide to fleece dog blankets.

Quick questions before you choose

Should I buy a bigger bed for a small dog?

Buy enough usable space for your dog to stretch and turn comfortably. A larger label alone does not guarantee a better fit; check the inner space and your dog's preferred shape.

Does a small dog need raised sides?

It depends on how they rest. Bolsters offer an edge to lean on, while an open mat gives a sprawler more freedom at the sides.

Little dogs. Grand lives. Start with a bed that fits their version of doing absolutely nothing.

Header image is an AI-generated editorial illustration, not a photograph of a specific product.