Best Dog Beds for Great Danes
Measure your Dane lying down, then choose by how they sleep.
- Curls up: about 52 inches long is enough. Our XL (52 x 36 in, $188) fits many Danes who sleep this way.
- Stretches out: go bigger, around 60 x 48 in.
- Either way: 6 to 7 inches of solid foam and a washable cover.
Updated October 2026 · By the EachPaw team, the makers of the EachPaw Orthopedic Dog Bed. Great Dane heights and weights are AKC averages. Bed sizes and prices were checked against our product page and competitor sites on October 23, 2026.
On this page
- What is the best dog bed for a Great Dane?
- What size bed does a Great Dane need?
- How to measure a Great Dane for a bed
- How thick should a Great Dane bed be?
- Will an XL dog bed fit a Great Dane?
- Bolster or flat bed for a Great Dane?
- Bed for a senior or chewing Great Dane?
- Indoor or outdoor bed for a Great Dane?
- What bed should a Great Dane puppy get?
- How do you keep a Great Dane bed clean?
- Great Dane dog bed FAQ
- Ready to choose?
What is the best dog bed for a Great Dane?
The best type of dog bed for a Great Dane is a rectangular solid-foam bed with a sleeping area longer than your Dane's measurement plus room for their sleeping style, solid foam deep enough that they can't feel the floor, and a cover that goes in the washer. Rectangular beds suit Danes better than round or donut beds, which leave no room to stretch the legs out.
- Length: enough for how your Dane sleeps, curled, on the side with legs bent, or fully stretched out.
- Foam: press your palm hard where the hips lie. If you feel the floor, it's too thin.
- Cover: zips off and goes in the washer, since Danes drool and shed.
- Bottom: non-slip, so a 150 lbs dog flopping down doesn't push the bed across the floor.
Size labels vary by brand, and one brand's XXL can be shorter than another's XL. The giant sizes we checked on October 23, 2026 were 55–60 in long, so compare the sleeping area in inches, not the label.
Giant beds also vary a lot in price. On October 23, 2026, a 55 x 47 x 4 in memory foam pad from Dogbed4less was $125, while 60 x 48 x 7 in beds were $359.95–$459.95 at Big Barker and $399.99 at Bully Beds. Most of the difference is foam depth, cover and edge style, so compare those before price.
See what size bed a Great Dane needs
What size bed does a Great Dane need?
Most adult Great Danes need a bed about 52–60 in long and 36–48 in wide. Where your Dane falls depends on their size and how they sleep.
| Great Dane | Shoulder height | Weight | Bed length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 28–30 in | 110–140 lbs | 52 in curled up, 54–60 in stretched out |
| Male | 30–32 in | 140–175 lbs | 54 in curled up, 60 in stretched out |
Heights and weights are AKC averages. Bed lengths are our estimate from typical adult sizes, not measured averages; your own measurement decides.
For width, measure from your Dane's back to the tips of their paws while they lie on their side with legs out. If that is more than 36 in, the EachPaw XL is too narrow and a giant-size bed about 48 in wide fits better.
How to measure a Great Dane for a bed
Measure your Great Dane lying down, from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, then add room for how they sleep.
- Wait until your Dane is lying in their usual sleeping position.
- Measure in a straight line from the nose to the base of the tail.
- Add about 6 in if they curl up, or 10–12 in if they stretch out.
- If they sleep on their side with legs out, measure from back to paws for the width.
| Nose to tail | Bed, curled up | Bed, stretched out |
|---|---|---|
| 40 in | 46 in | 50–52 in |
| 44 in | 50 in | 54–56 in |
| 48 in | 54 in | 58–60 in |
Compare the total with the sleeping area, not the outside of the bed. Walls and bolsters take up part of the outside size on many beds.
See the allowance for each sleeping style
How thick should a Great Dane bed be?
The giant-size beds we checked use 4–7 in of foam, and for an adult Great Dane the upper end, 6–7 in, makes more sense. A 110–175 lbs dog presses thin foam or loose fill flat, so they end up lying on the floor with a cover on top.
Use the press test above on any bed you're considering, pressing where the hips and elbows lie. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists Great Danes among the large and giant breeds that often get hygromas, swellings over pressure points such as the elbow, linked to lying on hard surfaces.
The EachPaw XL has 6 in of foam, the deepest EachPaw makes. Big Barker's Giant bed uses 7 in.
Read Merck's page on hygromas in dogs
Will an XL dog bed fit a Great Dane?
An XL dog bed fits a Great Dane only if its sleeping area is longer than your Dane's measurement plus their allowance. The EachPaw XL has a 52 x 36 in sleeping area, so it fits a Dane up to about 46 in nose to tail that curls up, or about 40–42 in that stretches out.
That covers many females and most Danes that sleep curled or with legs bent. A large male that sleeps fully stretched out will likely hang off the end or sides, and a giant-size bed about 60 x 48 in suits him better. Big Barker's Giant size is 60 x 48 x 7 in, from $359.95 as of October 23, 2026, and some owners use a twin mattress.
| Size | Dog weight | Sleeping area (L x W x H) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Up to 30 lbs | 36 x 20 x 3 in | $92 |
| Medium | 30–60 lbs | 42 x 24 x 4 in | $104 |
| Large | 60–100 lbs | 48 x 30 x 5 in | $140 |
| XL | 100 lbs and up | 52 x 36 x 6 in | $188 |
H is foam depth. Sizes are the sleeping area, not the outside of the bed, and weight ranges are fit suggestions, not limits.
The XL has a 6 in step-on edge, a raised bolster at one end and a non-slip bottom. The 90-day comfort trial includes size exchanges, and the 10-year warranty covers flattening.
Bolster or flat bed for a Great Dane?
A bolster bed suits a Great Dane that rests their head on the edge or curls up, while a flat bed suits a Dane that sprawls. Walls on every side shorten the usable length, and a long Dane can end up draped over them.
On a bed with bolsters on three or four sides, the sleeping area is smaller than the outside size. A bolster at one end only, like the EachPaw bed's, leaves the front and sides open so a long Dane can stretch out past the edge without climbing a wall.
Compare bolster and flat dog beds
Bed for a senior or chewing Great Dane?
A senior Great Dane does best on a bed with a low edge to step onto, deep solid foam and a non-slip bottom. A young chewer needs a bed you can supervise, or a raised cot, until the chewing stage passes.
For a senior, check the edge height in inches: the EachPaw XL edge is 6 in, the same as its foam depth, with a bolster at one end only. Open sides let a stiff Dane walk on instead of climbing over a wall. If your Dane has joint pain, talk to your vet; a bed is for comfort and doesn't treat it.
For a chewer, expect any foam bed to be torn up by a determined Dane. Chewing damage isn't covered by the EachPaw 10-year warranty, which covers flattening. Pick the bed up when you can't watch your Dane, or use a raised cot with the fabric fixed inside a metal frame so there are fewer edges to grab. No dog bed is truly indestructible. Even Bully Beds, which sells a chew-resistant bed with a 200-day guarantee and one replacement, says no dog bed is indestructible against a strong or determined chewer (checked October 23, 2026).
Read the guide to beds for older dogs
Indoor or outdoor bed for a Great Dane?
Use a foam bed indoors and a raised cot outdoors. A cot keeps your Dane off wet, hot or cold ground and lets air pass underneath, but it gives firm support with no cushioning.
Check the cot's sleeping area and weight rating. Kuranda, for example, suggests its 50 x 36 in size for Great Danes. The EachPaw bed is a foam floor bed with a machine-washable cover, so keep it off wet ground and out of the rain.
What bed should a Great Dane puppy get?
A Great Dane puppy can use either an adult-size bed from the start or a cheaper bed until house training is done.
Buying the adult size now saves a second purchase. A cheaper bed first protects your main bed from accidents, since only the EachPaw cover goes in the washer and the foam is spot-clean only. Weigh and measure your puppy every 4–6 weeks; on EachPaw's sizes, move to the Large at about 60 lbs and the XL at about 100 lbs, or sooner if paws hang off the end.
Compare EachPaw sizes by dog weight
How do you keep a Great Dane bed clean?
Keep a Great Dane bed clean by washing the cover often and spot-cleaning the foam, since drool and hair land on the cover first.
For the EachPaw bed, unzip the cover from underneath and machine wash it cold on a gentle cycle. Chlorine or oxygen bleach (like OxiClean) is safe on the cover that comes with the bed. Tumble dry low and make sure the cover is fully dry before zipping it back on.
Wash the cover weekly for a Dane that drools or sheds heavily, and right away after an accident. Shake or vacuum hair off it between washes. If drool soaks through to the foam, blot it with mild soap and let it air-dry; never put the foam in the washer. Enzyme pet-accident cleaners are OK on the foam.
Great Dane dog bed FAQ
Do Great Danes prefer soft or firm beds?
Most Great Danes settle best on firm foam that keeps its shape under their weight. A 110–175 lbs dog sinks through soft fill or pillow-top stuffing until hips and elbows rest on the floor. Press your palm hard into the bed where the hips go; if you feel the floor, it's too soft.
How long does a Great Dane sleep?
The AKC says middle-aged dogs can sleep about half the day, and its chief veterinarian says large and giant breeds generally sleep more than small breeds, some up to 18 hours a day even in middle age. For a Great Dane, the bed is where they spend half the day or more.
Are dog beds necessary for a Great Dane?
A bed is worth having for a Great Dane because of their weight on hard floors. The Merck Veterinary Manual names the Great Dane among large and giant breeds that often get hygromas, fluid-filled swellings over pressure points such as the elbow or hock, linked to lying on hard surfaces. A bed also gives your Dane one spot that is theirs instead of the couch.
What can I use instead of a dog bed for a Great Dane?
A twin mattress is the most common swap for a Great Dane. At 38 x 75 in it is about 2 ft longer than a 52 in XL dog bed, so a large male can stretch out. A crib mattress is about 52 x 28 in, which fits a Dane that curls up but is narrow for one that sprawls. Choose firm foam and add a cover you can wash.
Where should a Great Dane sleep?
A Great Dane should sleep on their bed in a spot they already choose to lie, on a flat floor out of walkways and away from drafts, heat vents and direct sun. A bedroom corner works well if your Dane likes to sleep near you. Measure the spot first: it should be longer and wider than the bed's 52 x 36 in sleeping area, since the outside of the bed is bigger.
What dog bed do vets recommend for a Great Dane?
Ask your own vet, since the right bed depends on your Dane's age, weight and joints. Whatever your vet suggests, check two things: the bed is long enough for your Dane to lie flat, and the foam doesn't press to the floor. The EachPaw bed is recommended by our 20+ veterinarian partners.
What if my Great Dane drools or has an accident on the bed?
Unzip the cover and machine wash it cold on a gentle cycle (chlorine or oxygen bleach, like OxiClean, is safe), then tumble dry low and make sure it's fully dry before zipping it back on. If anything reaches the foam, blot it with mild soap or an enzyme pet-accident cleaner and let the foam air-dry; never put the foam in the washer.
Do Great Danes need orthopedic beds?
A Great Dane doesn't need a bed labeled orthopedic, but a 110–175 lbs dog does need solid foam deep enough that it doesn't press flat to the floor. "Orthopedic" has no set standard, so check the foam depth in inches and whether it's solid foam or loose fill.
Is a Large dog bed big enough for a Great Dane?
A Large dog bed is usually too small for an adult Great Dane. The EachPaw Large is 48 x 30 in and suggested for dogs 60–100 lbs, so it suits a Dane puppy that is still growing, not a grown one.
Ready to choose?
For a Great Dane that curls up or sleeps with legs bent and measures up to about 46 in nose to tail, the EachPaw XL (52 x 36 x 6 in, $188) is a good fit. For a Dane that stretches out and measures more than about 42 in nose to tail, look for a giant-size bed of about 60 x 48 in instead.
Standard shipping is free (contiguous US and DC), and size exchanges are allowed during the 90-day comfort trial.