Buying a dog bed that’s too small is the most common and most preventable mistake in dog bed shopping. A dog that doesn’t fit their bed properly will abandon it for the couch or floor within a week. This guide walks through exactly how to measure your dog, what size categories mean across major Australian brands, and breed-specific recommendations.
Size guidance verified with Snooza, Kazoo and major AU retailer sizing charts | Vet nurse reviewed
Step 1 — Measure Your Dog
Use a soft tape measure. With your dog lying in their typical sleep position (curled, stretched or side-splayed), measure: LENGTH — from tip of nose to base of tail. WIDTH — widest point across the body. Then add 25 cm to length and 15 cm to width. This gives your minimum bed dimensions.
Sleep Position Matters
CURLED SLEEPERS can choose a bed matching their nose-to-tail length (they compress themselves). A calming cuddler or donut bed suits them perfectly. SIDE SPRAWLERS need maximum width — often a size larger than their length would suggest. BACK-SLEEPERS need both adequate length and width. BURROWERS need a bed with blanket options or a hoodie cuddler design.
Australian Breed Sizing Guide
XS (up to 50×35 cm): Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Toy Poodle Small (60×45 cm): French Bulldog, Cavalier, Pug, Miniature Schnauzer, Dachshund Medium (75×55 cm): Cocker Spaniel, Border Terrier, Basenji, Whippet, Beagle Large (90×65 cm): Labrador, Boxer, Bulldog, Standard Poodle, Dalmatian XL (100×75 cm): German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Golden Retriever, Dobermann XXL/Giant (130×100 cm): Great Dane, Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard, Irish Wolfhound
Snooza Size Reference Chart
Snooza Small: 65×50 cm | Medium: 75×60 cm | Large: 90×65 cm | XL: 110×80 cm The Big Dog Bed: 130×100 cm (giant breeds only) Note: always cross-reference with the specific product page as sizes vary by range.
When to Go Up a Size
Always go up a size if: your dog is still growing (measure at 6-monthly intervals for puppies), your dog is between sizes, your dog is a sprawler, your dog shares the bed with another pet, or your dog has orthopaedic issues (more space = more comfortable repositioning).
Measuring for Calming / Cuddler Beds
For donut and cuddler beds, measure your dog curled tightly in their natural sleep position. The bed diameter should be at least 10 cm larger than your dog’s curled diameter on each side. The bolster walls should come above shoulder height when the dog is lying inside. If in doubt, size up — too large loses calming effect; too small loses comfort.
What to look for – expert buying advice
Common Questions
What size dog bed does a Labrador need?
A Labrador needs a Large bed (minimum 90×65 cm) for comfortable sleeping. If your Lab sprawls, go to XL (100×75 cm or larger). Snooza’s Large in any range fits most Labradors well; for Labs over 35 kg or sprawlers, the XL or the Big Dog Bed is more appropriate.
What size bed does a French Bulldog need?
French Bulldogs are medium-framed dogs despite being short — they need a Small to Medium bed (60×45 to 75×55 cm). Their flat face and compact body makes them suited to calming cuddler beds in S-M size, which provide the bolster walls they tend to sleep against.
How do I know if my dog’s bed is too small?
Signs a dog bed is too small: your dog hangs their legs off the edge while sleeping, frequently readjusts to fit, starts sleeping on the floor or couch instead, or can’t perform a full turn-around circle before lying down. Any of these indicate the bed needs replacing with a larger size.
Do dogs prefer bigger or smaller beds?
It depends on sleep style. Curlers and anxious dogs prefer beds sized close to their curled dimension — too large loses the security of the enclosed space. Sprawlers need beds larger than their fully-stretched body. When choosing between two sizes, sprawlers should always go larger; curlers should consider the smaller option if it still fits their curled body dimension.