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Are you struggling to find a comfortable and supportive bed for your Labrador retriever? If so, you’re in the right place! In this article, TheDogClinic.com editor Richard Cross lists the five best dog beds for labs, along with some tips for choosing the right product for your pet.
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All dogs deserve a comfy bed. As labs are relatively large dogs, however, it’s important to buy a dog bed that meets their specific requirements.
Aside from being comfortable after a long day of playing, the best dog beds for labs should provide enough support for your pet’s joints. As Labradors are prone to hip dysplasia, a supportive or orthopedic bed is particularly important.
Unfortunately, choosing a dog bed isn’t always easy. There are hundreds of options on the market, each with different fillings, covers and price ranges. This can make choosing the best option for your lab difficult.
For this reason, I’ve put together a list of the five best dog beds for Labradors. Each of these beds can support your lab’s heavy joints whilst providing a comfortable place to rest.
Note: We also have a guide to the best dog beds for larger breeds. As labs are typically seen as medium-large, and are also one of the most popular breeds, we thought it would be useful to have a separate article for them.
High-quality bed that’s great for Labs
Our top pick for a Labrador bed is the excellent Big Barker. Designed specifically for large breeds, the Big Barker has a thick mattress made of supportive foam. It’s also durable and has a cozy pillow for your dog to rest on.
Before we get to the picks, however, it’s important to know what to look for in a bed for a Labrador. Here are the most important considerations.
Another consideration is the position your lab likes to sleep in. If he sprawls out, look for either a rectangular bed or one with a single bolster (such as the Big Barker below). This allows for almost any sleeping position – although without the option of curling against something.
If your dog regularly sleeps against a wall or cushion, a bed with bolsters on three sides might be the better choice. A nest or doughnut bed may also be a good option, as these allow for snuggling and help some dogs to feel secure.
Each of the following dog beds is a good option for Labrador retrievers. They are supportive and durable – plus I think they provide great value for money. Make sure you read the pros and cons of each bed though, as it’s important to choose the right one for your pet. I’ve chosen these beds with fully grown labs in mind, so if you’re buying for a puppy they might be too big (although probably not for long!)
The Big Barker appears on many of our “best bed” lists because it’s an outstanding option for larger breeds. With 7″ of foam (including two layers of comfort and one layer of support foam) and a cozy pillow, it’s one of the best beds for Labradors.
What makes this bed so special though? The main reason is that the foam is specifically designed to support the joints of larger breeds. It has just enough “give” to be comfortable for a heavy dog to lie on, but doesn’t allow your pet to sink right to the floor. This makes it great for any dog, but particularly comfortable for pets with joint pain.
It’s also a durable bed. The cover won’t last long if your dog is determined to destroy it, but it can withstand the occasional chew. It’s also machine-washable, so it’s easy to keep clean.
Big Barker offers an impressive 10-year guarantee for the foam. That means if the foam loses more than 10% of its loft at any time within the next decade, they’ll replace it free of charge – regardless of the weight of your pet. This shows great confidence in the product and virtually guarantees a bed for life.
As we noted in our reviews of the best dog beds, the biggest problem with the Big Barker is the price. I still think it’s worth the money due to its comfortable and supportive design though – especially with the 10-year guarantee.
VIEW PRICEThe Kuranda Elevated dog bed is a good choice if your lab likes to chew – which, let’s face it, isn’t unheard of for this breed! While the frame isn’t quite as strong as raised beds with steel frames, the fabric edges are hidden within the frame. This means there isn’t a tempting edge for your lab to grab hold of when chewing.
Aside from the tough and durable design, the Kuranda is a comfortable option that’s great for preventing overheating. This isn’t so much of a problem for labs as breeds with longer fur, but they can still get too hot after exercise or during the summer. The raised platform means air can circulate around your pet to keep him cool.
The downside is that it isn’t as comfortable as other options – especially those made from foam. It also doesn’t spread your lab’s weight evenly, so I don’t recommend it if your pet has joint pain (especially in the hip).
Even so, for young labs or those that often get too hot, it’s a great option. It’s also cheaper than the plush foam beds on this list. For extra-aggressive chewers, there’s an aluminum frame version too – which also made our list of the toughest dog beds.
VIEW PRICEThere are plenty of great dog beds on the market, but one of the best is the DogBed4Less Orthopedic Memory Foam bed. With 4″ of solid memory foam it provides top-notch support for medium and large dog breeds – including Labrador retrievers.
Unlike many alternative products, the bed is made from a single layer of memory foam. This molds to your lab’s body shape to provide even support across the entire body. If your lab suffers from joint pain, he’ll almost certainly love this bed. It also doesn’t sink too far, which means it’s easy for your pet to get up from.
An advantage of the DogBed4Less compared to the Big Barker is that it comes with a waterproof inner liner. This, combined with the lower price, makes it an attractive option for Labradors and one of the best memory foam dog beds (especially if yours is prone to toilet accidents).
If you’re looking for a nest bed your lab can really curl up into, the PetFusion Ultimate is a great choice. It’s a memory foam bed that’s almost entirely surrounded by polyfill bolsters, so it provides a comfortable place for your dog to feel secure.
The stand-out feature of the PetFusion is the 4″ memory foam base (large size or above.) This is made from a solid single layer, which increases durability and provides excellent support for your lab’s joints. If your dog has joint pain, he’ll almost certainly feel less stiff after sleeping on this bed compared to lower-quality options.
Unlike the Big Barker, the PetFusion is a nest bed. The bolsters are made from recycled polyfill, making them comfortable for your dog to rest his head on but sturdy enough to snuggle against.
As you would expect from a top-quality dog bed, the PetFusion comes with a removable cover that can be machine washed. The manufacturer also claims the cover is water resistant, which helps protect the mattress against accidents.
Keep in mind that this is a nest bed, so the actual sleeping area is smaller than the quoted sizes. Even so, the larger options should provide enough room for your Labrador.
VIEW PRICEThe final bed on this list is also the most “plush” – so it’s great for labs that enjoy the finer things in life!
The Integrity Bedding Bolster is an orthopedic dog bed. It’s a good option if your lab needs joint support but also loves a cozy wall to snuggle against. It’s not the largest bed for Labradors, but comes with a wrap-around bolster that’s also acts as a pillow.
In terms of structure, the base of the bed is 5″ thick and made with a combination of memory foam top layer and polyurethane centre and bottom. This doesn’t provide the same support as a true memory foam bed, but is enough for most dogs to feel comfortable. A bonus of this multi-layer design is that the bed stays cooler than a solid memory foam bed, which helps stop your dog overheating.
Another advantage of this bed is the faux-fur cover. This is softer than many other dog beds, so your lab will love sleeping on it. There’s also a zip for easy removal and washing.
There are a few drawbacks though, which is why it’s only #5 on the list. It’s not the most durable bed, although this shouldn’t be a problem if your dog doesn’t tend to chew or dig. A bigger issue is that Integrity Bedding doesn’t sell replacement covers. This means that if the cover gets torn, you’ll need to replace the entire bed. So while it’s one of the best dog beds for labs, I can only recommend it if you’re fairly certain your pet won’t rip the cover.
Labradors make fantastic pets – so it’s only fair they have a great bed to sleep on! The best beds for Labrador retrievers should provide excellent support, comfort and durability.
If you’re looking for the best all-round bed, I recommend the Big Barker. It’s pricey but provides outstanding support. It’s also guaranteed to not lose its shape for 10 years – so it’s a good long-term investment. If your dog prefers sleeping against a wall, the PetFusion is a great alternative.
Do you have any questions about choosing the best dog bed for labs? Or does your Labrador love a bed that I haven’t included? Let me know! You may also want to read our guide to the best brushes for Labradors.
Richard is a journalist who specialises in dog behavior. He's written hundreds of articles and books related to dogs, including for the Continental Kennel Club, Dog Fest (the UK's biggest dog festival) and various veterinary surgeries. When he's not spending time with Jess and Rudy (his beloved Labrador and Golden Retrievers), he enjoys reading, hiking and watching sports. You can find him on Facebook or Twitter.
