Curled Up or Sprawled Out? Choosing a Dog Bed

How does my dog actually sleep?

Watch for a few nights, without disturbing them. Dogs change position through the night, so note the one they settle into first and the one you see most often. The table above lists the common positions. An older dog may favour whichever one is easiest on a stiff or sore body, so what you see today may change. A short phone video is the easiest way to see what your dog really does once they are settled.

Which bed suits a dog who sleeps curled up?

Many curlers like something to tuck into: a round or oval bed with a raised, padded rim they can lean against. For these beds the inside space matters more than the outside length. Measure the footprint of your dog when curled, the length and width of the ball they make, and compare it with the bed's inner space, not just its label.

Check the base too. A cushioned base with a soft rim is cosy, but a heavier dog may want firmer support under the hips. Beds with a soft filling can flatten over time, so press on the base before you decide.

Which bed suits a dog who sleeps sprawled out?

A flat, rectangular bed gives room for legs to extend, with nothing in the way. Length matters most: aim for the stretched-out length plus about 15cm, as shown in our dog bed size chart. A rim can get in a sprawler's way, and some dogs end up half on and half off the bed.

What if my dog does both?

Many dogs do. Choose for the position your dog uses most, and size up. A larger flat bed with a folded blanket along one side gives a curler something to lean on without boxing in a sprawler. If your dog is stiff, ask your vet what suits them, and see dog bed for arthritis for what to look for.

Round Comfort Bed
A soft, round bed with a raised rim for dogs who like to curl up. View

How big should a round bed be?

Think about the curled-up ball, not the stretched-out dog. Most curlers need the inside of the bed to be a little larger than their curled-up footprint, so they can turn round, settle and tuck their legs in without pressing against the rim. If your dog also stretches out at times, measure that length too, because a dog who has to hang their legs over the rim will not use it for long.

Our guide how to measure your dog for the right product size has the steps for taking a measurement, and the dog bed size chart covers rectangular beds.

What is our Round Comfort Bed like?

Our Round Comfort Bed has a raised, padded rim, a cushioned base and a ribbed corduroy-style cover, with polyester filling. The cover is removable, and the page asks you to check the care label. It comes in Small, Medium and Large.

It is a soft bed rather than an orthopaedic one, and we do not claim that it calms any dog. See calming bed vs normal bed for an honest look at what raised-rim beds can and cannot do.

When is a round bed not the right fit?

• Your dog sprawls, or sleeps on their side with legs stretched out
• Your dog is stiff and finds a rim hard to step over, or needs firm support: the Classic Orthopaedic Memory-Foam Bed is a rectangular bed with a 9cm memory-foam base
• Your dog is very large: the biggest size of the Round Comfort Bed is Large, and its page does not list measurements
• Your dog leaks urine: the page does not describe the bed as waterproof, so read waterproof vs standard dog beds

Before you buy

The Round Comfort Bed page lists Small, Medium and Large but no measurements, so email us before ordering and ask what we can confirm for your dog's curled-up size. If you are between sizes, choose the larger. We dispatch from a UK warehouse and offer 30-day refunds: see returns. Our guide how to measure your dog for the right product size shows how to take a measurement.

Last reviewed on 9 November 2026. General information, not veterinary advice.