How to Measure Your Dog for an Assembled Bed Size

By Harry Barker | Luxury Dog Accessories and Products | Published: 2026-10-22

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to accurately measure your dog for an assembled bed to ensure a perfect fit. Follow these simple steps to choose the right size for comfort and style.

Quick Answer

Measure your dog's length from nose to tail base and add 4-8 inches for a comfortable assembled bed size. For the Giraffe Cotton Canvas Dog Bed, use these measurements to pick the right cover.

Why Accurate Measurements Matter for Assembled Beds

Assembled beds come with fixed dimensions, so choosing the right size upfront prevents your dog from hanging off the edges or feeling cramped. A bed that's too small can cause restless sleep, while one that's too large may not provide the cozy, secure feeling many dogs prefer.

The Giraffe Cotton Canvas Dog Bed offers a classic rectangular shape that works well for most breeds. Its custom print adds style, but the fit depends entirely on your dog's measurements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't measure your dog while they are curled up—that gives a smaller number than needed. Always measure when they are standing or lying stretched out. Also, avoid relying on breed averages alone; individual dogs vary widely even within the same breed.

Step-by-Step Measurement Guide

Measure Your Dog's Length: Have your dog stand on all fours. Using a soft measuring tape, measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail (where the tail meets the body). Write down this number. Common mistake: measuring to the tip of the tail instead of the base, which adds unnecessary inches.
Measure Your Dog's Width: While your dog is standing, measure the widest part of their body—usually across the shoulders or hips. Add 2-4 inches to this number for side-to-side comfort. Checkpoint: if your dog is a side-sleeper, add more width to allow space for legs to stretch.
Choose the Bed Size: Compare your length and width measurements to the bed's dimensions. For the Giraffe Cotton Canvas Dog Bed, ensure the bed's length is at least 4 inches longer than your dog's nose-to-tail measurement. If in doubt, size up. Common mistake: choosing a bed that matches your dog's length exactly, leaving no room for movement.
Test the Fit with Your Dog's Sleeping Position: Observe how your dog sleeps most often. Curled-up sleepers can use a slightly smaller bed, while stretched-out sleepers need the full length plus allowance. Adjust your choice accordingly. Checkpoint: if your dog frequently shifts positions, go with the larger size for versatility.

Product Fit Note

Giraffe Cotton Canvas Dog Bed: This custom print pays homage to African explorers Martin and Osa Johnson. Looking both distinctive and classic, the Giraffe Bed Cover is the perfect resting accouterments for the most stylish of little Barkers. Its rectangular shape and cotton canvas construction make it ideal for dogs that stretch out, so accurate length measurement ensures the cover fits well and looks great.
Giraffe Cotton Canvas Dog Bed