Best gun dog beds: which one will suit your faithful companion best?
After giving us their all in the field all day, our gun dogs need somewhere comfy to rest their weary heads. Here's what we've found.
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We recently wrote about the amount of time a dog spends asleep and as you might expect, it’s quite a bit of the day (and night of course). So a welcoming bed is what your faithful companion deserves. We’ve searched the best gun dog beds around that we think hit the mark. They’re made from practical yet comfortable fabric, look good and will act as a haven for your hound. They’re supportive but soft, warm but not too hot.
Possibly most important of all, they’re all washable. (Read our tips on how to keeping gun dogs warm in kennels.)
Mind you, however much your gun dog likes his own bed, you can almost be sure that when you have canine visitors your own dog will try theirs. Seeing a full-size springer squeezing into a bed designed for a cavalier spaniel always brings a smile. Perhaps it’s something to do with dominance: you’ve moved into my territory, so I’m going to sleep in your bed. (You might also like to read rules for caring for your dog after a shoot day.)
Then again, given a dog’s propensity for jumping up on a nice cosy sofa, we sometimes wonder why we bother about finding the best gun dog beds at all. The fact is, every dog needs to have its own secure space, which is what a dog bed should provide.
David Tomlinson, Shooting Times contributor noted: “Many years ago, I interviewed a couple who had, if I remember rightly, 22 golden retrievers, all of which lived in their bungalow. I never visited the property, though friends who had done so said it was an interesting experience, as each dog had its favourite chair. Quite where their owners sat was a mystery.”
Favourites
We asked our contributors which dog beds they rate. Tuffies came out as a real favourite.
Shooting Times writer Richard Negus says: ” I swear by Tuffies beds. My cocker Mabel, after a rigorous and muddy morning on the marsh, dries off in joint saving comfort on her seemingly indestructible nest. However, by the evening she invariably has found her way onto the sofa!”
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More of the best gun dog beds
Top choice
Original VetBed £25.75
Best for versatility
- Material: 100% Polyester
- Sizes: 62 x 49 x 5.6 cm
- Colour: Grey
- Weight: 720 Grams
- Washable: Yes
+ Veterinary approved
+ Other sizes can be ordered
In our view, one of these (or more) is almost a must for every gundog so it certainly has a place on the list of best gun dog beds. It’s not a bed as such (although you can use it alone), but a robust, warm fleece fabric that can be used in a variety of ways. On top of an existing bed to make it extra soft, in the back of a car, in a crate and in a whelping box. The fabric is completely washable and dries quickly. This is a bed that will be used from puppyhood through to old age. Veterinary approved, anti-bacterial, hygienic, durable. What’s not to like?
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Danish Design Woodland Stag Luxury Deep Duvet Large from £36
Best for all-round value and practicality
In a country-appropriate design and is basically a duvet for dogs with a cover that’s fully washable. Older dogs will appreciate the way it nestles up to tired joints and younger dogs will enjoy snuggling into its folds after a tiring day. If you have two small spaniels they could curl up on the large one together.
- Material: 100% Cotton
- Filling: Supersoft Thermal Polyester Fibre
- Sizes: M and L (138 x 87 x 20cm)
- Washable: Yes, removable cover
+ Extra covers available
+ Robust and longlasting
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Le Chameau Dog Bed £90
Best for stylish dogs
- Sizes: S-XL
- Colour: Vert Chameau (shown), grey, bleu fonce
- Washable: Yes
+ le Chameau logo on centre front
+Non-slip fabric on base
Let your four-legged companion sleep in style with this comfortable bed from le Chameau. It features inner soft tweed, a scratch resistant outer shell, firm foam bed wall and a removable inner foam wall that can be washed.
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Rosewood Partridge Print Dog Mattress £40.00
Best for country kitchen style
- Sizes: One size 76 x 51 x 10cm
- Colour: Design as shown
- Washable: Yes
+ Partridge design
+ Non slip base
This is the bed that will always look spruce, clean (and smelling good) thanks to the fully washable removable cover. It has a faux fur topper for luxurious comfort and if you like the design, you can buy a matching partridge print blanket or soft dog toy.
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Silentnight Orthopaedic Dog Bed from £48
Best for older dogs
- Material: 100% Polyester
- Sizes: S, M, L
- Colour: Grey
- Washable: Yes, removable cover
+ Prevents and alleviates sore joints
+ Supports weight evenly to reduce pressure points
The bed manufacturer has turned its attention to dogs here, creating a bed especially designed to soothe older bones. If your dog has served you faithfully and now enjoys a restful slumber, then this is a good one to consider. Although the cover is washable it will also withstand stains, wear and tear. It has a non-slip base and the high sides will make your pet feel cosy and secure, although senior dogs will appreciate the dropped front.
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Hound & Yard Deluxe Dog Bed in Country Tweed with Removable and Washable Cushion Cover Grey (Medium) from £42.99
Best for tweedy interiors
- Material: Tweed
- Sizes: M, L
- Colour as shown
- Washable: Yes, removable interior cushion with zipped cover
+ Bolstered sides
+ Non slip base
Tweed is of course a favourite amongst fieldsports fans, so you can carry the theme through to your home with this smart dog bed from Hound & Yard. The plump interior cushion can be removed allowing the cover to be unzipped and washed in a machine. After a long day in the field, your dog will enjoying resting a weary head on the bolstered sides, keeping a dozy eye on proceedings and any food being served.
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OYELF Memory Foam Dog Bed Small Orthopedic Dog Bed & Sofa with Removable Washable Cover from £39.99
Best for soothing
- Material: Polyester
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Colour Grey
- Washable: Yes, removable cover
+ Bolstered sides
+ Non slip base
Your dog will sink into this gratefully after a hard day in the field. The memory foam will cradle your dog to a peaceful sleep and the waterproof internal liner will protect the foam from any accidental spillage.
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Kysler Pet Bed from £55
Best for fabric choice and colours
- Material: Polyester, nylon
- Finish: Fleece, corduroy, velvet
- Sizes: M, L
- Colours : Grey, gold, burnt orange, navy, grey, mustard, sage green, pink
- Washable: Yes, removable cover
+ Bolstered sides
+ Non slip base
If you’re a fan of corduroy, treat your dog to this comfortable (and importantly washable) dog bed from Made. As well as the navy corduroy shown, it comes in five other colours and two different sizes, so there’s one for spaniels and Labradors.
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Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed from £15.61
Best for heatwaves
- Material: Mesh PVC
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Colours : Green, grey
- Washable: Yes, just using tap water or a hosepipe
+ Simple to assemble
+ Durable and stable
If your dog suffers from the heat, then this could be a useful idea. The bed keeps hot dogs off the ground, allowing air to circulate through the mesh base. You can clean it easily. When it’s a bit cooler you could put the VetBed on the top for added comfort. (Wondering if you should clip your spaniel’s coat for summer? Read on.)
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rucomfy Beanbags Jumbo Cord Large Burrower Dog Bed with Comfort Blanket 125 x 94 x 20cm. Reversible Water Resistant, Machine Washable (Platinum Grey) £69.99
Best for dogs that like burrowing
- Material:
- Sizes:
- Colours : Platinum grey, slate grey, mustard
- Washable: Machine washable cover
+ Made in the UK
+ Reversible waterproof base
Last in the list of best gun dog beds had to be a beanbag. Dogs seem to like beanbag beds. They certainly find them comfortable, plus which they are light, easy to move and have excellent insulative properties. This one caught our eye because it has a flap which a dog can snuggle into. Flip over the bed to show the water-resistant underside where your dog can dry off, then flip it back so it has a cosy bed to burrow down into.
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More on dogs and sleep
If you’ve ever wondered about what sleeping dogs are dreaming about then read on – it’s not always rabbits.
Should a gundog live in or out? Professional gundog handlers almost all keep their dogs in kennels but amateurs think that the gun dog should live with us in the house. (In fact a recent survey showed that more than half of dog owners let their dogs sleep on their beds).
You might like to take a look at our article “Working dog as family pet?” to help you decide on the boundaries you are going to set.
A half-way house can be to allow your dog to live in the kitchen but come into the sitting room (for a bit of tv) in the evening. Or maybe into the office to keep a home worker company.
This article was originally published in 2021 and has been updated.
