Measuring a dog bed: compare lying surface and placement correctly

In a photo a dog bed can look roomy, but at home its rim may take up part of the space. Or your dog might have enough room inside while the room door can barely open beside it. With three separate notes you can assess this better in advance: How much lying surface does your dog need, how large is the bed inside and how much space does it take up outside?

1. Observe the lying position

Watch your dog during different rest periods. Does it curl up, lie stretched out on its side or push its front legs forward? The animal welfare organisation RSPCA recommends a bed in which dogs can comfortably adopt their natural resting positions and can also stretch their legs out. A curled-up dog therefore shows only part of its space requirement.

Record the positions you actually observe. Do not wake your dog or place it in a particular posture. If it gets up when you handle the tape measure, try again later in a quiet, awake moment.

2. Measure the length and width of the lying surface

For an initial orientation we suggest the following practical procedure. It does not replace any specific measuring instructions from the manufacturer:

1. Prepare the materials: You need a tape measure and a note. Write the unit next to it, for example centimetres.
2. Look at the lying outline: Place the tape measure next to your relaxed dog. Record the longest extent of its lying position and the required width across it. Take into account the head and outstretched paws rather than looking only at the body.
3. Compare several positions: Record the measurements together with the posture, for example “stretched out on the side”. This way you won’t confuse the width of a curled dog with its requirement in side position.
4. Match the manufacturer’s measuring instructions: If the manufacturer requires a specific body length, measure that precisely according to their instructions as well. A body length and the entire occupied lying surface are different specifications.

Do not plan so tightly that your dog can only fit in a single posture. However, a blanket allowance in centimetres cannot be derived from these observations for all bed shapes.

3. Distinguish internal measurement and external measurement

Transfer the specifications of the specific model into a small comparison list. It is also crucial what the provider means by each measurement.

Specification	What you need it for
Internal measurement or lying surface	For comparison with the space your dog needs while lying down. With a bed that has a rim this surface is smaller than the whole bed.
External measurement	For the placement in the room, including the surrounding rim.
Height	For the spatial impression of the model. Check whether this refers to the rim, the cushion or the entire bed.

You can find a concrete example at the Doctor Bark Green Label dog bed at Fellino: For size S 48 × 34 cm internal measurement and 74 × 55 cm external measurement are specified. The larger set of numbers therefore does not describe the free lying surface. The example explains the difference; whether this size fits your dog only results from your comparison.

If the internal measurement is missing, ask for it instead of estimating the rim width from a photo. Also check whether the specifications refer to the finished, filled bed: some manufacturers use cut dimensions for certain products. These are not directly equivalent to the usable surface.

4. Check the placement with a template

Our practical tip: Transfer the external measurement of the desired bed onto paper and place this template at the planned location. Open the doors and drawers nearby, walk your usual routes and check whether the entry remains free. For this spatial test your dog does not have to lie on the template.

Also draw the internal measurement. This way you can see at a glance which part of the placement area is intended for lying. For round or oval beds you should also consider the shape; a rectangle with the same largest dimensions does not reflect the curves.

Choose a spot where your dog can rest undisturbed. A bed that has to be stepped over constantly in everyday life deserves a different location – not automatically a smaller lying surface.

Checklist before selecting a size

• Have you observed several natural lying positions?
• Have you noted length and width with unit and posture?
• Have you clearly assigned internal measurement, external measurement and height?
• Have you checked the measurements of the actual chosen variant?
• Have you tested placement, doors and access with the template?

Frequently asked questions

Is the size recommendation by dog breed sufficient?

Use it as a starting point. Then compare your own dog and its lying positions with the specific measurements. A breed designation does not replace this check.

Can I simply measure my previous dog bed?

Yes, as an additional comparison aid. For a bed with a rim measure the internal area and the external area separately. But first check whether your dog actually has enough room in the previous bed. Otherwise you will perpetuate the same tightness.

What if the suitable lying surface does not fit into the corner?

Check another placement or another bed shape and compare internal and external measurements again. Do not decide solely based on the free corner. Your dog should still be able to adopt its usual lying positions.

Author: Fellino editorial team. Editorial status: 22.10.2026.