Which dog bed suits which breed? From Chihuahua to Labrador

Two dogs arrive at our atelier, both weighing 11 kilos. The first is a Whippet, long and narrow, who stretches out the moment he lies down. The second is a Corgi, short and compact, who struggles to make himself small. Same weight, two different beds. That is, in one image, the answer to the question of which dog bed suits which breed: the breed points you in the right direction, your dog's body decides the rest.

Even so, the breed is a logical place to start. In this article we go through the breeds we see most often, from small to large, and explain why we deliberately recommend a size up for some of them. By the end you will know which Pooch Pouch suits your dog, or whether a blanket or a sleeping bag makes more sense.

Why the breed is only half the story

Breeds are an indication. Within a single breed there is a lot of variation: a small Cocker Spaniel lies comfortably in a Ø50, a large male of the same breed needs the Ø60. That is why, in the atelier, we always look at three things together: the breed, the back length and the way your dog sleeps.

Back length is the measurement that counts. Measure your dog in its sleeping position, from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, and add about 5 cm. If you end up at 48 cm or less, the Ø50 fits. Above that, up to 58 cm, it is the Ø60. The size guide has the full breed list per size and explains how to measure.

The sleeping position tells you the rest. A dog who curls up wants a bed that fits snugly, with a rim to lean against. A dog who stretches out needs room and can go a size up. Young dogs curl up more often, older dogs stretch out more often.

When in doubt between two sizes, we always recommend the larger one. A little spare room is no problem, as long as the bed fits your room. In a bed that is too small, your dog ends up half over the rim.

Which dog bed suits which breed: from small to large

Below are the breeds we see most often in our dog beds, grouped by the two Pooch Pouch sizes. The list is an indication, not a guarantee. Always measure.

Small breeds: Ø50 cm

The Ø50 is the bed for dogs with a back length up to 48 cm. Think of the Chihuahua, the Miniature and Kaninchen Dachshund, the Maltese, the Bichon Frise, the Shih Tzu, the Lhasa Apso, the Westie, the Pomeranian, the Boston Terrier, the Toy Poodle, the Havanese, the Brussels Griffon and the Italian Greyhound. Small Yorkies, small Jack Russells, small Cocker Spaniels and the toy versions of larger breeds belong here too.

What these dogs have in common: they like to curl up and look for a rim. A Chihuahua or an Italian Greyhound prefers to lie with his back against the rim, sometimes half underneath it. That is why a Ø50 does not feel small to these dogs, but safe.

Medium breeds: Ø60 cm

The Ø60 is meant for dogs with a back length up to 58 cm. This is where the Standard Dachshund, the French Bulldog, the Cocker Spaniel, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Whippet, the Sheltie, the Cockapoo, the Beagle, the medium Doodle, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, the Basenji, the Schnauzer and the Pug lie.

Two breeds in this group deserve a note. The Whippet weighs little but has a long back and likes to stretch out. His weight says Ø50, his body says Ø60. The Pug is exactly the other way round: a short back, but a compact, heavy body that does not curl up easily. Here too the Ø60 wins, even though the back length seems to suggest a smaller bed. With compact breeds we let the weight decide.

Large breeds: Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd and Border Collie

Here we are honest: our dog bed stops at Ø60 cm. A Labrador, a Golden Retriever, a German Shepherd or an adult Border Collie has a back length well beyond that. We do not make a bed for those dogs. What we do make are dog blankets and throws of 70 x 100 cm, in teddy and in merino wool. They lie on the sofa, in the crate or on an existing large bed, and give a large dog his own place with his own scent too.

Breeds and sizes at a glance

A dog bed for a Dachshund: where it all began for us

Studio Sif grew up around a Dachshund, so this is the question we get most often. A Dachshund has a long back on short legs. His weight is that of a small dog, his back length that of a medium one. That is why the Miniature Dachshund sits in the Ø50 and the Standard Dachshund in the Ø60, and why measuring matters more with this breed than with any other.

A Dachshund also does something many other breeds do not: he digs. Sif roots around in her bed for half a minute before lying down, and ends with her nose under the rim. For that behaviour a bed needs a rim that holds its shape and seams that can take it. Our beds are made to hold their shape, so the rim stays up even when it is dug in every day.

Many Dachshunds also prefer to sleep under something. For those dogs a dog sleeping bag sometimes makes more sense than a bed: a Pouch Roll of 60 x 70 cm that the dog crawls into himself, with a chenille outer and a faux fur lining. Sif uses both. The bed at home, the sleeping bag on the terrace and in the restaurant.

Sleeping position and character: what your dog shows you

Watch how your dog sleeps for a week, preferably at different times of day. If he lies curled up with his back against the sofa or the wall, he is looking for a boundary. A round dog bed with a raised rim suits him. Choose the size that fits snugly, not the roomy one. If he stretches out on his side or on his back, he wants space. Take the larger size, or consider whether a throw on the sofa makes more sense than a bed. You can read why dogs sleep on their backs in an earlier article.

If he crawls under a blanket or a cushion, a sleeping bag is a better place than an open bed. If he digs for a long time before lying down, pay attention to the firmness of the rim and to the seams. And if he wanders from one spot to the next, from kitchen to living room to bedroom, a bed with handles is more practical than a heavy bed that stays in one place. We have written before about where your dog prefers to sleep.

Which fabric suits which breed and which coat

The breed also says something about the coat, and the coat says something about the fabric. An Italian Greyhound or a Whippet has a thin coat and seeks warmth. For those dogs a bed from the Teddy collection is a logical choice, with a thick, full rim of teddy fabric that the dog can press his head or back against.

A Cocker Spaniel or a Beagle comes back from a walk with wet ears and muddy paws. Then a bed you can simply wipe down is handy: the faux leather Pooch Pouch has a smooth outer with a faux fur lining. Whatever still ends up in the bed goes in the wash.

For dogs with a curly coat, such as the Cockapoo and the Doodle, what matters most is that the whole bed can go in the washing machine. Sand, leaves and hair get caught in curls and end up in the bed. All Pooch Pouches go in the washing machine at 30 degrees on a low spin, and dry hanging from the handle or flat on a drying rack. Exactly how is explained on the wash and care page.

The solid colour beds in linen-look upholstery fabric are the choice for anyone who sees the bed above all as part of the room. From soft green and dove grey to petrol: colours you would also choose for an armchair or a curtain. With this fabric, the breed matters less than the interior.

Common mistakes when choosing by breed

The first mistake is choosing on the breed name alone. A Jack Russell may fit the Ø50 or the Ø60, depending on his build. Always measure, even if your dog is on the breed list.

The second is buying for a puppy at his current size. A Cocker Spaniel puppy lies beautifully in a Ø50, but not a year from now. Look at the adult back length of the breed, or accept that you will buy a second bed. With a puppy who chews fabric, you are also better off waiting for the teething phase to pass before buying an upholstery fabric bed.

The third is choosing the dog bed for the room and not for the dog. A bed that looks good but that your dog will not lie in becomes a cushion for the cat. Choose the size for the dog first, and only then the fabric and colour for the room. At Studio Sif you can do it in that order, because every edition comes in Ø50 and Ø60.

If you want an independent overview of the breeds themselves, with their build and character, the Breeds A to Z of The Royal Kennel Club is a reliable place to start.

Conclusion

Which dog bed suits which breed? Small breeds with a back length up to 48 cm lie in the Ø50, medium breeds up to 58 cm in the Ø60, and for large breeds a blanket or throw is the more logical choice. But the breed is the beginning, not the end. Your dog's back length, sleeping position and coat together decide which bed and which fabric suit him. If you want to go through the sizing step by step once more, read what size dog bed you need. All editions in Ø50 and Ø60 are in the Pooch Pouch dog beds collection.

Frequently asked questions

What size dog bed does a Dachshund need?

A Miniature or Kaninchen Dachshund usually fits a Ø50 cm bed, a Standard Dachshund a Ø60 cm. Always measure the back in sleeping position, from neck to tail base, and add 5 cm. Two Miniature Dachshunds together fit a Ø60.

Which dog bed suits a French Bulldog?

At Studio Sif a French Bulldog lies in the Ø60 cm. His back is short, but his body is compact and heavy, so he struggles to make himself small. With compact breeds, let the weight decide the size, not the back length.

Does a Labrador or Golden Retriever fit a Pooch Pouch?

No. The Pooch Pouch comes in Ø50 and Ø60 cm, for a back length up to 58 cm. A Labrador or Golden Retriever is too large for it. For large dogs Studio Sif makes blankets and throws of 70 x 100 cm, for the sofa or the crate.

How do I measure my dog's back length for a bed?

Let your dog lie the way he prefers to sleep and measure from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. Add about 5 cm. Up to 48 cm choose Ø50, up to 58 cm choose Ø60. If in doubt, take the larger size.

Can two small dogs share one dog bed?

Yes, if they already sleep against each other at home. Two Miniature Dachshunds or two Italian Greyhounds fit together in a Ø60 cm. Dogs who each seek their own spot are better off with two separate beds.