Dog beds

[rockybalboa]

I am writing a shopping list for our new puppy (a springer/cocker cross). I am confused by beds: there seem to be two types 1) a round bed with sides which looks like a typical pet bed, and 2) things described as duvets/deep duvets which look like big puffy cushions.

Ultimately I want the dog to be comfortable and the bed needs to be washable. Oh and do I get a bed the size the dog is likely to be fully grown or do puppies need a smaller bed to start off with for any reason (I've not read anything which suggests that but just wondered). Can anyone guide me through this confusion please?

And whilst I'm at it with the newbie questions, can anyone help me with crate sizing? It's all very well measuring the puppy but surely they grow super fast? I was looking at the Pets At Home small crate? Would that last the 6 months or so needed for the crate training purposes?

If your puppy is typical you'll probably get through 2 or 3 beds in the first few months so I'd get something cheapish which you won't mind being destroyed!

My dog likes a bed with raised sides as he likes resting his head but others (often bigger dogs) like stretching out on a big cushion- bit hard to tell what your dog will like until he's home

And as far as crates go I'd get the medium size and divide a bit off if it's too big at first

In regards to the crate. We bought an Ellie bo one from amazon. Think it was a large size for £35. Same size in pets at home was £90! So I'd recommend looking online for that first :).

Our pup shredded his first bed so we just used old blankets and fluffy jumpers which he shredded too but it didn't cost us anything.

hi we have a 9 month old cocker x springer, I'd say buy a cheap bed as it will be replaced. We actually have a pillow and blankets in her crate now as sprockers are renowned for destroying their beds!

She is a small sprocker shes about 12kg and the 30 inch crate is about right for her to stretch out but if yours is likely to be bigger then you may need a bigger one.

good luck with your new pup it's v exciting

agree with shopping online for a crate, much cheaper

also if you're on Facebook there are fab sites like sprockers rule and springers, sprockers and cockers, where you will get tons of tips and support when the pup drives you crazy

I have mentioned these before and really recommend them www.dfordog.co.uk/luxury-bolster-dog-bed.html

They are so well made and lots of stuffing. I can't stand dog beds that are only like an inch thick on the base/bottom.

The covers zipper off for washing. What is great about these Combo beds is that they are a cushion inside plus the bolster sides, so not a flat mattress and not a high sided bed. Best of both worlds. My dogs sometimes curl up in them and sometimes stretch out.

Here are my oldies enjoying their new beds

after 3 beds being destroyed by our pup (one only lasted one night, we came downstairs and filling was everywhere!) we started using vet bed, much cheaper, machine washable and you can cut to size.

He stopped teething/chewing and got his first proper bed at around 18 months. Still use some of the vet bed for the boot of the car and a place in the house he sometimes snoozes during the day.

Brilliant, thanks all.I had been looking at the vet bed stuff so will look further into that. We have a number of cheap Primark fleece blankets kicking around which will probably do to go in the crate to start with. I shall hold off bed buying until the worst has passed, ha ha!

And thanks Lotsa for the FB group tips, I will check them out.

Our puppy trainer has given me a recommendation for a good local pet shop (we are newish to the area) so I will check out crates there and then compare prices online.

we gave up on beds after the millionth one was eaten, my dogs now have a plastic bed and I put a fleece blanket in them, fleece blanket washes easily and cheap to replace.

Like the sturdy plastic beds. We buy thick pads to go in them (washable and also dry easily) and then a couple of fleecy blankets on top.

We used to buy the soft padded types, but found they got wet as our labs are often damp. They ended up musty.

I got the vet bed from Amazon and cut to size - it is absolutely indestructible and quick and easy to wash and dry.

The crate has to be the right size for the dog or they use the extra room for shitting in apparently. They are often to be found cheap on local FB selling pages.

We went straight for the big 42" crate but it came with a divider for when he was a puppy.

We also liked this one because of the up and over door which meant we could leave it open and he slept in it during the day through his own choice. Door was shut at night as we had night time wandering and chewing problems. The bedding that comes with it is rubbish and quickly destroyed and we used cut to size vet bed instead.

Moved to a proper dogbed and thankfully got rid of the huge crate when he was ~18 months and past the chewing stage.