Best Dog Beds for Golden Retrievers

If you’re bringing home a golden retriever or adopted one recently, you’ve made a great choice. Your new furry pal will be a smart, energetic social companion. But after a day of play, your golden retriever will need a comfortable bed on which to relax. 

Below, you can compare some of the top recommended dog beds for golden retrievers. You also can scroll down past the reviews for our buying guide, where we will go over what features are important to look for in a golden retriever dog bed.

Best Lounge Sofa

1. Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed

If you are looking for an orthopedic lounge sofa-style bed with bolsters, this memory foam bed with its removable suede cover is an excellent option. This type of bed suits dogs that typically like to sleep with a pillow or against the arm or back of your sofa. Dogs that sleep in corners also tend to like bolster beds.

Highlights

• Measures 44 x 34 x 10 inches.
• 4-inch thick mattress.
• 100-pound capacity.Memory foam filling with suede cover.
• Available in Pewter, Cocoa, Vanilla, or Khaki Beige.
• Backed by a limited 1-year warranty.

Why we chose it

• The suede cover is soft and comfortable, and fully removable so that you can wash it easily. It is fur-resistant so that hair will not stick to it, and is also rugged enough to stand up to rough play.
• Not only does the human-grade mattress foam offer ample support, but so does the cushioned poly-fill bolster.
• The neutral colors available for this bed will blend well with a variety of décor.
• The liner is water-resistant.

Points to consider

• The bed includes rubber grippers for traction on the bottom. While this is a good feature in and of itself, they can come off if you wash and dry the bed improperly.

Best contoured

For a contoured dog bed which is ideal for your golden retriever, consider the Furhaven Pet Dog Bed. While the product is available in several sizes (small, medium, large, jumbo, jumbo plus and giant), this overview is for the jumbo version of the product. With its curved surface, this is a best-of-both-worlds option between a flat bed and a sofa-style bed like the Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed.

Highlights

• Measures 30" x 45" x 6" (2.5" Center; 6" Edge),
• Contains orthopedic foam (you can also select gel foam or memory foam if you prefer),
• Available in Micro-velvet Gray, Clay, or Espresso.

Why we chose it

• The contoured shape of the bed is versatile, allowing your dog plenty of open space, but also offering raised portions to snuggle up against. The contouring also fills an ergonomic feature of providing extra back and neck support.
• The quilted micro-velvet cover is sturdy, yet offers a soft, soothing texture.
• The thick foam not only provides orthopedic support, but doubles as insulation. This may be extra-helpful for older pets. The foam has earned the CertiPUR-US certification, and contains zero TDCPP, TCEP, or PBDEs. It is free of harmful substances and is safe and healthy for your pet.
• You can remove the cover to wash it separately from the bed. Need to replace it? You can also purchase a replacement cover on its own without getting a brand new bed.

Points to consider

• There can be sizing issues with this bed, with many buyers recommending that one purchase a size up. This is why we recommend the jumbo size (the seller recommends this size as well). But you can also consider the jumbo plus size if you are really concerned about this.

Best high-end orthopedic

If you can spend on a high-end product for your dog, the Big Barker Orthopedic dog bed is one of the top options for golden retrievers with hip dysplasia, arthritis, or other joint issues. This overview is for the “large” size of the bed, also available in “extra large” and “giant” sizes.

This premium canine bed can give your four-legged friend superior comfort and support. Even though it requires a bigger outlay than a regular memory foam bed, the warranty-backed promise of enhanced longevity may make it a cost-effective option when you take its expected lifespan into account.

Highlights

• Measures 48 x 30 x 7 inches
• Backed by a 10-year warranty.
• Comes in Charcoal Gray, Chocolate, Khaki and Burgundy.

Why we chose it

• Big Barker’s claim to fame is their American-made therapeutic foam, which they guarantee to be a higher grade than regular foam with more lasting resilience. In fact, if your foam loses more than 10% of its original height and shape within a decade, you can get a full refund under the 10-year warranty.
• The cover is made of machine-washable microfiber, which is a great material for dogs that shed.
• This product is handcrafted, ensuring attention to detail and also providing jobs to skilled laborers.

Points to consider

• Replacement covers for these beds are pretty pricey.

Best for curling up

4. Villa Bagel Dog Bed by Majestic Pet Products

Do you have a golden retriever that curls up to rest or sleep? A bagel-shaped dog bed like the Villa by Majestic Pet Products, might be ideal for your pet. The product comes in multiple sizes, but this overview is for the large bed. Golden retrievers that like curling up into a ball should love the snuggly shape of this comfortable bed. You also can consider it for a dog that has spinal alignment issues and can make use of the bolsters for neck support.

Highlights

• Measures 40"L x 29"W x 9"H
• Can support dogs between 45-70 pounds.
• Many color options are available, including Navy, Apple, Storm and Pearl.

Why we chose it

• The interior of the bed is filled with premium high loft polyester fiber. Waterproof 300/600 Denier is used for the base.
• This bed is super easy to clean. You can put the entire thing into your washing machine on the gentle setting. Once it is done, leave it out to air dry rather than putting it in your dryer.
• There are some fun colors available. Most dog beds come in neutral hues, which are versatile. But if you want a dog bed that is a brighter color like orange, green or blue, those options are available for this product.
• Those concerned about overseas manufacturing will be glad to know that even though the materials for this dog bed are imported, production takes place on American soil.

Points to consider

• Sometimes there can be issues with the sides becoming flat, but this thankfully doesn’t seem to affect the vast majority of these beds (it might be the result of purchasing the wrong size).
• The filling on the bottom isn't always entirely even when you receive the bed. But over time, it should feel more even as your dog uses it.

Best bed for golden retrievers that love to burrow

If your pup enjoys a furry texture, the Best Friends by Sheri Donut Cuddler is a comfy option. For dogs that like to snuggle and get warm in enclosed spaces, this is a product that is hard to beat. It is even possible to burrow partly into the fur. So a dog that needs some extra warmth and cuddly comfort may really enjoy this shag bed.

Highlights

• Measures 45”x 45” with a donut shape. 
• Can support up to 150 pounds. C
• Color options are Taupe and Frost.

Why we chose it

• You can remove the cover completely from the interior cushions since there are three zippers.
• The faux fur is soothing and comfortable for your pet, while the nylon is sturdy, adding durability to the product.
• You can wash the product easily by putting it in your washing machine and running the gentle cycle. Afterward, move it directly to your dryer and run it on low. Make sure you don't delay when transferring it from the washer to the dryer. Otherwise the fur can mat.

Points to consider

• Sometimes these dog beds ship out without ample padding on the bottom. Thankfully, this is a flaw that only seems to affect a minority of units.

Best Value Orthopedic Dog Bed

6. BarkBox Memory Foam

The BarkBox Memory Foam Dog Bed is a less pricey option by the same manufacturer that creates the high-end Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed. Like the other dog beds on this list, it comes in more than one size. The overview you are reading is for the “X-Large” size. If the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed appealed to you, but you need something to fit a tighter budget, the BarkBox Memory Foam Dog Bed is an excellent alternative. With its high-quality materials and its bonus squeaky toy, it is a fantastic bang for your buck.

Highlights

• Measures 42" L x 31" W x 4" H.
• Color options are Blue, Espresso, Gray, and Sand.

Why we chose it

• The bed contains a combination of memory foam and gel foam to provide first-class comfort and support, making it a solid orthopedic option.
• As the bed is waterproof, cleaning up is easy after accidents. You should also have no problem cleaning fur, dust, dirt and debris off the product since you can do so in your washing machine.
• Your pet gets a free squeaker toy as a bonus with your purchase. This toy is high in quality and can offer addicting fun for golden retrievers.

Points to consider

• This bed can run a little small, especially for large dogs that like to spread out.

A Guide to the Best Golden Retriever Beds

To help you learn more about golden retriever dog beds as well as the criteria we used to select our recommendations, let’s talk about the specific criteria which matter when searching for the best dog bed for golden retrievers.

What Size Dog Bed Do You Need for a Golden Retriever?

First of all, golden retrievers are medium-large animals. Here are the measurements for adult dogs of this breed:

Measure your dog while sleeping from its nose to base of tail. Then, add 8-11 inches to ensure enough wiggle room. So, that tells you the size and weight capacity you'll need in a golden retriever dog bed. 

Types Golden Retrievers Beds

Beds for golden retrievers come in a variety of shapes and styles. Some popular options include:

• Flat and contoured beds
• Lounge-style beds
• Donut beds
• Cave beds
• Pillow beds

While multiple materials are used, memory foam is popular for orthopedic reasons (see below).

Important Features

Dimensions and capacity

As already discussed, you need to get your golden retriever a bed with appropriate dimensions and weight capacity.

A style your dog likes

Some dogs love flat beds, while others prefer bagel beds or a different shape. Paying attention to where your dog sleeps now can give you some ideas for what type of bed might be most suitable.

Cleans easily

You can expect your golden retriever to shed that lustrous golden coat on an annual basis—sometimes more than that. There is also ongoing shedding that you can keep under control to some degree through proper grooming. But you can still expect plenty of fur to wind up on the dog bed. So get one which you can clean with ease, as you will be doing it regularly.

Offers orthopedic support

It is extra important that a golden retriever dog bed provides ample orthopedic support, especially for an older dog. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) reports that hip dysplasia occurs at a rate close to 20% for this breed. Elbow issues are also common, affecting around 11.4% of golden retrievers.

Long-lasting

You don't want to buy a dog bed which is going to have a dent in it after a few months of use. Purchase a product that will hold up great to years of use and still retain its shape and support. Consider the upholstery fabric as well. How durable can you expect it to be? What about the zippers and seams? Customer reviews may shed some light on construction quality.

Waterproof

A golden retriever bed which is waterproof is easier to wash—especially if your dog wets it.

Aesthetically pleasing

While not as important as other criteria, consider the appearance of a dog bed as well and how it will fit with your home’s décor.

Final Thoughts