Our Final Verdict
We give the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed a rating of 4.95 out of 5 stars.
Quality: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Options: 4.9/5
Value: 4.9/5
If you have a big dog who’s big on comfort, you’re probably all too familiar with the struggle of finding a quality dog bed. The cheap ones don’t offer enough support and the more expensive ones don’t last long enough to justify the cost.
If this sounds familiar, I’d like to introduce you to Big Barker. This dog bed company specializes in BIG dog beds that offer all the comfort and support your big pooch desires. Equally important, each of these high-quality beds is made in the USA and comes with a 10-year “can’t flatten, won’t flatten” warranty.
These beds are made to last so you get your money’s worth. They’re also thick and sprawling, so even the biggest of dogs can get a comfortable night’s sleep.
I had a chance to try one of the most popular beds from Big Barker, their sofa-style Orthopedic Dog Bed. While my dogs hardly count as plus-sized, they are insatiable comfort hounds. And let me tell you, they LOVE this bed.
Keep reading to find out why it is such a hit, my impressions of the product, and more in my full Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed review, below.
About Big Barker
Big Barker was founded by Eric Shannon, a big dog owner looking for a better way to support his 92-pound furry best friend. Today, this company makes a variety of different beds for giant dogs as well as those under 50 pounds. No matter the style, quality and comfort are always paramount in the design.
Where Are Big Barker Beds Made?
Big Barker beds are made in the USA at the company’s Ohio facility. All beds utilize American-made CertiPUR-US foam and non-toxic glue. The covers are tear-resistant and thoughtfully crafted with tough seams and hidden zippers that last longer.
What Types of Dogs Is Big Barker Best For?
The first Big Barker beds were made specifically for large breed dogs. These dogs have a higher incidence of joint and bone disease than smaller breeds. The goal of Big Barker has always been to provide lasting support to help avoid issues as big dogs age.
These beds are especially great for older large breeds who need extra comfort and support to fight stiffness and joint pain.
But Big Barker beds can be enjoyed by dogs of all sizes and ages. The company even offers a few different 4-inch thick models made for dogs under 50 pounds.
My Big Baker Sofa Style Orthopedic Dog Bed has been a hit with my Chihuahua, 30-pound Dalmatian mix, and even my cat!
Orthopedic Dog Bed Overview
Here is an overview of the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed. We’ll look at the design, the different options available, the sizes, and the warranty.
Design
Each Big Barker bed is made with only four materials.
The first is the foam that makes up the inner layers of the bed. At the center of this foam sandwich is a three-inch blue support layer made of high-density foam that supports even giant dogs and prevents them from touching the ground. Surrounding this layer are two two-inch comfort layers made with foam that forms to the shape of your pooch.
All the foam used is American-made, CertiPUR-US material. It has very little odor and meets rigorous standards for performance, safety, and emissions. The glue used in the foam is equally safe and completely non-toxic.
The covers for all Big Barker beds are made with durable, washable, upholstery-grade fabric. These materials are tear-resistant, easy to clean, and don’t absorb odors the way cheaper fabrics do. These covers also feature durable, American-made zippers and reinforced seams.
Options
When it comes to the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed, you have a ton of options in style, color, and more.
The “Sleek” option is a standard flat dog bed. The “Headrest” option features a raised, rounded pad at one end. And the “Sofa” version features these raised pads at each end and along the back.
In all styles, you have ten colors to choose from, including coastal blue, pine green, and chocolate. The material is a soft, dense microfiber that looks elegant while being incredibly durable.
Beyond the standard options, you can also choose to have your dog’s name embroidered on the bed, add a waterproof cover, and add a cooling treatment to the top layer.
Sizes
The Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed is available in three sizes:
Large – 48” by 30”
Extra Large – 52” by 36”
Giant – 60” by 48”
The large size is big enough for Labs, Pit Bulls, and Huskies while the extra large is great for German Shepherds and Great Pyrenees. The giant size is big enough for Great Danes and Wolfhounds with room to spare.
I ordered the large size and it’s big enough to fit my 30-pound Dalmatian mix, space-hog Chihuahua, and my 12-pound cat—all at the same time.
Warranty
One of the most impressive things about this bed is the warranty.
Each bed comes with a 10-year “won’t flatten, can’t flatten” warranty. This coverage provides free foam replacement if the bed should lose more than 10% of its original thickness. And it’s good for a full 10 years.
The cover does not include a warranty against chewing or dog-related damage. But the site does offer replacement covers so you don’t have to buy a brand new bed. Plus, they carry Quick Fit covers that work like fitted sheets to add extra protection and make washing easier.
In Summary
Super-thick design
Foam does not flatten
Durable, well-made cover
Machine washable
Many colors and styles options
Key Features
Will Not Flatten
How many times has your giant dog laid down on a bed only to hit the floor? I can guarantee that won’t happen with this bed. The super-dense foam that makes up the core provides unparalleled support.
This bed barely flinches under the weight of my parent’s 80-pound labs. And even when I put all my weight on one foot, I don’t touch the floor. This support is crucial to caring for your large dog’s joints as they grow and get older.
So Comfortable
This bed is so comfortable that the humans in my house routinely use it as a couch. It’s more comfortable than my foam-top mattress and that comfort doesn’t dissipate even when you lay on it for long periods.
The different style options allow you to choose the best shape for your dog’s sleeping preferences. For sprawlers, the Sleek option is great. If your dog likes to prop their head up or nest, the Headrest or Sofa style are the best choices.
Looks Great In Your Home
Big Barker uses upholstery-grade material not just because it’s more durable, but because it looks great. The microfiber cover has an elegant look and the ten color choices make it easy to find the right option to match your decor. This is a big piece of furniture, so it has to look great.
Is the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed a Good Value?
I’m not going to lie, this dog bed is going to cost you more than other large dog beds. At a list price of around $300, you’ll pay about $50 more than the average quality big bed. But you have to keep in mind that this bed will last a lot longer than those options.
Not only will this bed keep its shape for ten-plus years, but the durable, American-made cover won’t split open and the zippers won’t break. This bed is an investment, but it will probably be the only bed you have to buy for the life of your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this bed machine washable?
Yes, the cover of this bed can be tossed in the washing machine. When washed on cold and tumble dried on low, it can withstand 1,000 cycles without shrinking or losing its shape.
Is the bed shrink-wrapped for shipping?
Yes, but it regains its shape almost immediately after removing it from the shrink packaging.
Does the foam smell?
The CertiPUR-US foam used in this bed has little to no odor. The glue used is water-based latex that is safe to inhale even during the initial application at the plant. It has no discernible smell and is non-toxic.
Our Experience With the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed
My Dalmatian mix, Ragz, is such a comfort hound but we’ve never really gotten her dog beds in the past. Why? Because she would much prefer to be on the bed or couch.
But now that she’s thirteen, she’s having a harder time getting up onto the furniture. I wanted to give her a comfortable bed that could compete with our super-soft mattress but would be easier for her to get on. That’s when I came across the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed.
I was especially excited when I saw the sofa version, since both my dogs prefer to curl up against pillows rather than sprawl out. I knew this thing would be a hit, so I ordered a large size in coastal blue.
As soon as this bed arrived, I was impressed. It immediately regained its shape after I pulled it out of the vacuum packaging. Even the cover was relatively wrinkle-free.
The bottom pad is thick, and I mean THICK. It’s also got a pretty decent weight to it. What it doesn’t have is any noticeable smell.
It took me a bit to wrestle the cover on and get the top pads in place. But once I did, I was very pleased with the look of this thing.
It’s sleek and the microfiber fabric has a nice look to it. I also love the color, which goes very well with our decor.
The real test, of course, was how Ragz would take to it. She jumped on immediately and curled up.
In fact, she liked it so much that even when my bully Chihuahua came to kick her off, she didn’t move. They ended up snuggling on it together for hours.
Even my cat has become a huge fan of this bed. He often snuggles up with Ragz when she’s using it. The fact that Ragz doesn’t move when he buddies up to her is a testament to how much she loves sleeping on this thing.
This bed is so comfortable that the humans in our house often use it as another piece of furniture.
Of course, I also love how easy it is to wash and keep clean. The care that went into making this durable bed is evident in every seam.
Honestly, I have almost no complaints about this bed.
It is big. Even the large, which is the smallest size option for this model, takes up a considerable amount of space. And it’s pretty hefty, too, which makes moving it around a bit of a chore.
But if you’re buying this bed for a giant dog, I think both these characteristics are going to be more pros than cons.
Overall, I have been incredibly impressed by this bed. I’ve recommended it to my parents, who are constantly going through beds for their two 80-pound labs. Even the durable ones they’ve tried end up in the trash after a year or less because the cheap poly-fill inside gets too flat.
Despite the higher price tag of the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed, I’m certain my parents won’t be disappointed in the investment.
Conclusion
If you have a big dog in need of more support or a comfier place to rest, I can’t recommend Big Barker enough. These beds are incredibly high-quality and made of safe and durable American-made materials.
My Dalmatian mix loves her Sofa Style Orthopedic Dog Bed and now chooses it over our bed most nights. And I love that this quality bed comes with a 10-year “won’t flatten” warranty and is machine washable and highly durable. Did I mention it looks great in our house?
