Round bed, sofa with a backrest or large mattress: all three give a dog somewhere to sleep, but not in the same way. The right choice depends on how they sleep, their size, their age and the space you have. Here is how to decide.
First, watch how they sleep
This is the best clue. Watch your dog for a few evenings, on the sofa, the rug or the tiles.
- They curl up in a ball and wedge their back against a cushion: they want support all around them.
- They sprawl on their side, legs stretched out: they need surface area, with no edge getting in the way.
- They rest their head up high, on the armrest or on your knees: a backrest or a thick edge will appeal to them.
- They change position several times a night: allow enough room for all of them.
Our guide to dog sleeping positions helps you read these signs.
The bed, for dogs that like to snuggle
The round or oval bed has raised edges all the way round. The dog curls up in it and feels surrounded, a bit like in a nest.
Who it is for
- Small and medium dogs that sleep in a ball.
- Dogs that feel the cold or are a little anxious, and like having support at their back.
- Puppies, who feel reassured in it.
What to check
The inner diameter must let the dog turn around without spilling over. The edge must stay easy to step over, especially for an older dog. The Nino bed comes from XS to L, in bouclé or corduroy, with memory foam and a zipped cover that washes at 30 °C.
The dog sofa, for those who like height
A dog sofa looks like a small sofa: a thick seat and a backrest to lean on. It suits the dog that climbs onto yours to be a little higher up and rest their head.
Who it is for
- Small and medium dogs that like to keep watch over the room.
- Dogs that sleep with their head on an armrest.
- Households that want to keep the dog off their own sofa, with a proper spot beside it.
What to check
The seat must let the dog lie out fully. Think about floor space too: a dog sofa is more visible than a cushion, so it must fit against a wall or near yours. The Lodie sofa comes in sizes S and M, in corduroy and memory foam. In size M, it measures 80 × 60 cm.
The mattress, for large dogs and those that stretch out
The mattress is a flat, thick bed with no edge. The dog gets on from every side and sprawls as they like.
Who it is for
- Large dogs, which often lack room in a round bed.
- Dogs that sleep on their side, legs stretched out.
- Older dogs or those with sensitive joints, which have no edge to step over and benefit from a foam that spreads their weight.
What to check
The thickness, so that the elbows and hips do not touch the floor. The length, measured with the dog lying down, from nose to base of tail. The Carré XL mattress measures 130 × 85 × 18 cm, in memory foam.
Other deciding criteria
Space in the flat
Measure the spot before choosing. A round bed fits into a corner. A mattress needs a proper stretch of wall. A dog sofa fits better against a wall or beside yours.
Age
A puppy grows: choose according to their adult size. An older dog needs easy access and a foam that supports. If your dog is stiff or struggles to get up, talk to your vet, then read our guide to the bed for an older or arthritic dog.
Weight
For the Nino bed, Purré gives these weight guides: up to 8 kg in XS (70 × 55 cm), 15 kg in S (80 × 60 cm), 25 kg in M (100 × 75 cm) and 35 kg in L (115 × 85 cm). If your dog is between two sizes, or likes to sprawl, take the larger size.
Style
All three shapes come in soft fabrics and natural tones. Choose the shape for the dog first, then the fabric and colour for the room.
In short
- Curled up, against a support: the bed.
- Head up high, one eye on the room: the dog sofa.
- Sprawled on their side, large dog or older dog: the mattress.
- Measure your dog lying down and the spot before choosing.
- If in doubt, start from how they sleep today.