New dog owners often ask me what supplies they are going to need in order to properly care for their new furry family member. Along with the usual dog foods, bowls and treats, I always recommend that they invest in a quality dog bed. But which is the best dog bed? With so many choices on the market, if you can afford one, then Big Barker dog beds currently have no competition. Watch the video above or read my review below to learn why that is.
I was lucky to receive the famous dog bed for big canines from Big Barker for this pet bed review free of charge. It took me (or rather, my dogs) a few weeks of testing to see how well this pet bed was constructed and how my dogs like it compared to the many other dog beds we've tested previously.
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Why would a dog need a bed? There are several reasons. First, a top quality dog bed provides insulation for your pet all year round. It will keep your dog up off the cold floor in the winter and insult to help cool him in the summer months.
On top of that, orthopedic dog bed can either prevent potential canine arthritis problems, or alleviate the pain of arthritic dogs. We've also learned that dogs quickly take a liking to their beds and prefer them for sleeping on over any dog crates, mats or other supplies.
By now, we know that having a dog sleep in your bed is not good for anybody. Most dog owners also agree that providing our dogs with their own dog beds have many benefits, no least of which are preventing injuries and keeping them away from jumping onto furniture.
A dog bed gives your pooch a place to relax that is all his own. Just like you enjoy having your own bed that you can crawl into and relax when you're having a bed day, your dog wants that too. It makes him feel special to have a place that is all his own.
How do orthopedic dog beds improve our pups' health?
We've had Dr Sarah Wooten, DVM and Eric Shannon, founder of Big Barker dog beds, on our Theory of Pets fourth podcast episode. The three of us discussed health benefits of dog beds, what type of joint support canines need when sleeping and how to pick the right type of pet bed for your dog to ensure it benefits your pup instead of harming him.
In short, the most important advantage of high quality orthopedic dog beds is that they give your dog the support that he needs while he sleeps. The problem many owners face, however, is finding the best dog beds for large dogs, which is uncommon.
Fortunately, a family-run company called Big Barker came up with a solution and created one that is specifically made dog beds for big dogs such as Great Danes or Mastiffs that require that extra joint support and additional space. Read more on this below.
So how good are these Big Barker dog beds, and do you even need one? Let's delve into more details and see if this is the right type of pet bed for your Fido.
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Big Barker Dog Bed Review
First of all, before I begin my Big Barker dog bed review, I have to apologize for the messy bed in the picture above. We give our dogs raw bones to chew on and between the bones themselves and the slobber from our dogs, the beds in our home get pretty messy from time to time.
Now, on to the review that I've promised you…
I'll just start out by saying that I was not paid by Big Barker to write this review and this is by far the most high quality dog bed that I've ever owned, used or even seen. Consider it a spoiler for the rest of this write-up.
To put it simply, this dog bed for big dogs is made with top-quality materials, it's truly well-made and it comes with an unbelievable warranty of 10 years, unlike many other tough dog beds we've tested previously.
However, Big Barker dog beds are also (one of) the most expensive dog beds on the market. But if you're looking for quality, Big Barker definitely delivers. I'll explain how.
There are actually quite a few large breed dog beds available for purchase, and we've all tried many of these dog beds in the past that have gone flat in a matter of weeks. Especially if you have a large breed dog, it's difficult to find a bed that will give your Fido the support that he needs.
In my Big Barker dog bed review video above, I'm demonstrating you one of the other beds that we bought for our dogs about 6 months ago. It's completely flat in many spots and very lumpy in others. And our dogs aren't even that big! Our chocolate lab weighs 80 pounds and our boxer weighs about 60 pounds.
The Big Barker dog bed comes with a 10 year “Can't Flatten, Won't Flatten” warranty. All you have to do is make sure to register your Big Barker dog beds using the instructions included when upon your purchase. Pretty simple.
The company guarantees that the beds will retain 90% of their original shape and loft for ten years or they will give you a full refund.
As I explain in my video review, Big Barker dog beds are specifically calibrated for large dogs. These are not 100% chew-resistant dog beds, but they're sturdy enough to sustain a lot of damage even from big dogs.
This picture to the right shows the interior makeup of the ‘Headrest' addition, which is what I have. The ‘Sleek' addition is the same, but without the 4″ contoured foam headrest on the top.
You can get a Big Barker dog bed in one of three sizes:
- Large – 48″ X 30″ X 7″
- Extra Large – 52″ X 6″ X 7″
- Giant – 60″ X 8″ X 7″
It's also available in three colors: chocolate (which I have), burgundy and khaki. The look of Big Barker dog beds is stylish, and the color options make it easy to find one that will match your homes décor.
As I demonstrate in my video, the cover of Big Barker dog beds easily zips off and is machine washable with cold water. You can dry it on low heat, too! I've washed mine 5 times now, and it's still just like new.
A Big Barker dog bed is made with orthopedic foam. That's what keeps it from flattening, but it also provides the support that your big dog needs. These beds have been hailed as the best orthopedic dog beds by countless veterinarians and experts in the pet industry.
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As you can see in the above photo, both of my dogs rest peacefully and comfortably on a single bed with plenty of space for my third one, who later joined the company.
Big Barker dog beds help to reduce the stress and pressure on the dog's joints. The unique 3-tier foam engineering process keeps your pooch up off the floor so he's not putting all his wight on vulnerable pressure points. This saves your dog a lot of pain, especially if he's already suffering with hip or joint issues. You can read more about this on the product's page on Amazon.
According to the company, Big Barker dog beds can help dogs who:
- Are getting stiffer with age;
- Recovering from an injury;
- Have arthritis or hip dysplasia.
The 7-inch orthopedic dog bed has the thickness that makes it easier for large dogs to stand up, as they won't have to raise themselves from the floor. All the beds are manufactured in the USA, and no China-made materials are used (unlike with many other dog beds currently available on the market).
You'll be hard pressed to find any negative reviews on the Big Barker dog bed – their Amazon page is littered with praise and positive feedback. And you can obviously tell that I (and my dogs) LOVE ours!
But there is one major drawback to these wonderful dog beds: they are very expensive.
Compared to many other dog beds, the price of Big Barker dog beds seems extremely high, but bear with me. You can pick up the cheapest model for about $200 on Amazon. The most expensive 7-inch Big Barker dog bed model will cost you about $400.
I know that seems outrageous for a dog bed, but remember the 10 year “no flattening” guarantee I told you about. As I mentioned before, I have personally spent $50 on a dog bed that went flat in less than 6 months. If I replaced that dog bed every 6 months for the next 10 years, I'd spend $1,000 on dog beds.
If you think about it that way, a Big Barker dog bed only costs $20-$40 per year for 10 years. If it lasts longer than that, then it would be even cheaper.
I know it's a large investment up front, but if you factor in all the health benefits that it will offer your dog and think about the cost savings over the 10-year period, this dog bed is a great investment.
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Summary of the Big Barker Dog Beds
PROS:
Made of orthopedic foam that is specifically designed to support large breeds- The helps reduce the stress and pressure on your dog's joints
- Made with the highest quality materials
- Made in the USA
- The company guarantees that the beds will retain 90% of their original shape and loft for ten years or they will give you a full refund
- Available in 3 sizes and 3 colors
- Cover is easily removable, machine washable and can be dried on low heat
CONS:
- More expensive than virtually any other dog bed on the market. But to be fair, there is not a comparable product available in terms of quality. The cheapest Big Barker dog beds start at $200.
Now it’s your turn to review the Big Barker Dog Bed
Does your pooch sleep on a Big Barker dog bed? Have you ever tried one before? Do you have a senior dog or a pet suffering from hip and joint issues who really benefits from having a Big Barker? I'd love to hear your honest review. Feel free to share your opinion of Big Barker beds in the comments below, or leave us a review along with a photo of your Fido on our Facebook page.
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