Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
The scoop on dog bedsby Scott Rose
Any human who says a dog doesn't need a bed is simply barking up the wrong tree.
Veterinarians are in virtually universal agreement that providing a dog of whatever age with a proper bed promotes the health of his/her bones and joints. For older and/or heavier dogs that may have developed sore joints or arthritis, an orthopedic bed assuages their pains and helps prevent a worsening of their condition.
Some smaller dogs heedlessly endanger themselves by taking flying leaps off high furniture; for such animal companions, a low-placed doggie bed can be a lifesaver. Dogs of all sizes are sensitive to temperature; superior quality dog beds will warm them in the winter and cool them in the summer.
Of course, the ideal beds for your dog must be selected according to his lifestyle. If, for instance, you live in estate country and have your dog spend hours out of doors, you'll want to provide him with an indoor/outdoor bed in his outside space. Then too, if your dog is a heavy shedder, buying him a bed with an easily-cleaned covering is something you'll have to take into account.
Doggies take comfort from knowing there is a dedicated space for them in their homes. In the past, the sillier among dogs' human companions failed to provide their dogs with beds and then acted surprised when the dogs took over particular pieces of furniture in the house or excavated resting pits in the lawn.
Whatever your dog's specific bedding needs, there will be a quality product to meet them, thanks to the huge selection of dog beds that have appeared over the last ten years. The human caretaker of a toy breed, for example, might desire an elegant but small and cozy space to give the dog an added sense of security. The crown jewel of this class of dog bed has appeared previously on Pampered Puppy but merits a repeat mention by virtue of its excellence: the Imperial Bed by Pawsitively Posh (www.pawsitivelyposh.com). Its style inspired by that of Fabergé, the Imperial Bed is made of luxuriously soft foam covered in machine washable royal blue velvet, piped in gold and lined with gold velour. At 23.5" by 17.5", it is the ideal "nest" bed size, and its regal appointments make it worthy of a truly pampered puppy.
Imperial BedPawsitively Posh
At Cryptonfabric.com, you'll find easily-cleaned doggie beds of comfort and durability. The special textile covering, Crypton, is time-tested in settings such as hotels and cruise ships. Crypton also is stain, moisture, odor and bacteria resistant. One of its great advantages as a dog bed covering is its impermeability. We know your dog doesn't drool (of course not!), but if he did, the drool would never go through the Crypton to the cushion. An aesthetic plus is that Crypton comes in various finishes (twill, velour, suede, woven) and the company affords you the opportunity to design your own doggie bed and monogram it with your loved one's name.
On Dogbedworks.com, the emphasis is on soft plush comfort for dogs of all sizes. A wide array of beds with microsuede coverings is on offer. One especially aesthetic option is the Saint Tropez Dog Cushion placed inside the Saigon Day Bed Frame with its fine hardwood, cherry finish supporting structure. Also characteristic of the company is its Eloise Outdoor Bed in a decorator sunbrella fabric. The inner cushion is a rest-promoting 5" thick, and that inner cushion is as easily washed as the sunbrella exterior.
Of course, there will be times when you'll want to provide your dog with a nice, sanitary resting place even though an actual bed is impractical. We're thinking, for example, of car travel. Contentedpets.com sells pet throws appropriate to making any piece of furniture or car seat cozier for your dog. They are made from a soft acrylic plush that doesn't fade or shrink when washed.
Apartment dwellers are particularly enthusiastic about the Murphy dog bed available through Callingalldogs.com. With lovely cabinetry made from environmentally-friendly tree-farmed rubber wood, this folding dog bed can be fixed to the wall for stability and features a comfort cushion with a launderable cover.
Grand ChaiseDJ Pets
DJPets.com has many different dog beds modeled on museum-quality furniture pieces. Representative are the "Grand Chaise," a divan whose form might have been suitable for the Empress Eugenie when she needed to recline, and the Max Sofa, available in such tasteful colors as forest green, mandarine and ebony Kodiak.
A separate article could easily be dedicated to therapeutic dog beds for those who need them. One item along these lines is the high-density therapeutic memory foam bed available at Dog.com. Atop it, a dog enjoys form-fitting coziness with correct, gentle support eliminating undue stress at pressure points. A dog's weight is evenly distributed on such a cushion; the healthful body alignment makes for sounder sleep. The high density foam conforms to the shape of the resting dog and then returns to its normal form when the dog gets up. High-density foam, actually, revolutionized the sofa bed industry for humans; whereas in the past sofa beds were torture racks with protruding metal rods that encouraged guests to leave, they now are as, if not more comfortable than standard beds. We haven't yet actually heard a story of a human leaving its bed to curl up with their dog in a high-density foam doggie bed, but such an event wouldn't necessarily surprise us.
If you like to pamper your puppy with over-the-top frou-frou, the Napoleon bed from Petsalley.com could be just for you. The boa trim around the luxurious velour interior is available in a mix-and-match variety of colors and prints. All parts of the Napoleon bed, including the boa trim, are machine washable.
Do beware, not of dog, but rather of dog bed salespeople who might give you incorrect advice about measuring your dog for a bed. Some will actually tell customers that if their dog likes to sleep curled up, they only need a bed as large as the curled-up-dog. As if a dog who generally likes to sleep curled-up didn't deserve space to stretch out to his full length when the mood strikes him! Your best bet is to ensure that the bed supports your dog even when stretched out, which means measuring him while he's in that position and adding at least 3-6 inches.
A fine resting place for your dog needn't absolutely take the form of a conventional bed. Dogottoman.com offers dog ottomans by Angel Baby Design whose suspension system is augmented by a shredded foam interior and a softly-rounded top. At www.Wood-Nymph.com you'll find a "Log Hammock" made from natural birch wood branded with a paw mark and given a clear lacquer. The cushion is done in a wild leopard pattern. Mushucanineboutique.com offers a "Furcedes" dog bed in the shape of a German luxury automobile.
Murphy Dog BedCalling All Dogs
Though the luxury doggie bed industry is dominated by offerings for smaller dogs, we at Pampered Puppy understand that a Collie or an Irish wolfhound is every bit as worthy of being spoiled rotten as a Pomeranian or a Yorkie. High quality sleepy time products are indeed available for the larger bowwow set. Cpmpetsupplies.com, for example, sells a Luxury Sofa 36" deep and 54" wide. Beyond its high tech memory foam, the Luxury Sofa has a patented "Odor Adios!" carbon-based fabric covering that absorbs odors and holds up against repeated washings.
Thermoregulating doggie beds are a class unto themselves and can keep your animal companion warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Fancypaws.com has a fluid-based, cooling dog bed that absorbs heat from a dog's body and then radiates it to the surrounding air so that the dog is kept continuously cool and comfy. The molding effect of the materials conforms to pressure points, the item can easily be wiped clean, and it even comes with a two year warranty. Cozywinters.com, on the other hand, is one source for heated dog beds. Many other companies purvey combo heated and orthopedic beds that may be appropriate year-round for more mature dogs.
There neither is nor should be any upper limit on luxury and exclusivity in doggie beds. The designer bed collection at Pettails.com includes a bed with a Victorian wrought iron frame and decorative pontabla, a wooden "sleigh" bed available in chinchilla or vintage mink, and the "Little Mary Sunshine" tent bed.
Elizabeth Taylor and Vera Wang are known to patronize Le Chien in New York City, who offer an impressive "Bed Royale" with Italian fabric detailing. We also happen to know that Dawn Moffit custom designed two monogrammed doggie beds that exactly matched the luxurious fabrics and comfort levels of the human bed in the owner's suite of a megayacht.
Custom designing, naturally, is what offers you the greatest flexibility and opportunity for having your doggie beds harmonize with the rest of your décor. Pollaro Custom Furniture, Inc., with a web presence at Doggybed.com, accept commissions for beds of peerless elegance. A characteristic Pollaro design features an exterior of Brazilian rosewood inlaid with ivory and finished with a traditional French polish; the interior features fine fabrics from Clarence House. Pollaro further completed a custom doggie bed for Jamie Lee Curtis of yin/yang design with mahogany and walnut woods and a beautiful Indian fabric supplied by the actress.
These are the things that make us say "Bow wow wow"!
