You might want to provide your dog with the ultimate comfort, but at the same time you must also be responsible for their health and well-being. As every dog has different needs, finding the best dog bed for a German Shorthaired Pointer might prove to be a bit tricky.
Sure, you could just pick a random dog bed from a pet shop nearby, but that wouldn’t really benefit your best friend. German Shorthaired Pointers are medium to large dogs with physical traits that might require a special bed, and you need to be aware of those needs.
Simply put, German Shorthaired Pointers need pretty large beds, and they should be easy to get up on, as the breed is prone to hip dysplasia. On the plus side, as they are short haired, you can get away with being sort of indifferent about what fabric the bed is covered with.
I bet you didn’t think buying a bed for your German Shorthaired Pointer would make you think so much! But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In this blog post, we’re going to show you quite a few lovely, sturdy and comfy beds for your German Shorthaired Pointer. We’ll discuss how to pick the best one out of them, and also answer a few of the questions you might have in mind. Let’s get started!
The Best Dog Bed for German Shorthaired Pointers: 2022 Review
Whether you’re a first time GSP parent or you’ve been the parent of one for years, it might be confusing to pick a bed. After all, there are many new choices in the market every year. To make sure you don’t completely lose your way, we’ve made a list of the best beds for your GSP.
We’ve considered all the important features of a lot of dog beds and only placed the ones suitable for GSPs on this list. So if you’re in a hurry, you can go ahead and pick any one of these. If you want only the best for your dog, read on!
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MAJESTIC PET POLY-COTTON SHERPA BAGEL DOG BED
Main Feature
- Brand: Majestic Pet
- Size: 24/32/40/52 inches
- Color: Khaki, Gray, Black , Blue, Burgundy, Red, Green
- Material: Poly/Cotton twill, Faux Sherpa fabric
- Filling Materials: Polyester Fiberfill
Majestic Pet’s Bagel Dog Bed is one of those products not specifically designed for a German Shorthaired Pointer. But it is undoubtedly an excellent fit. The company aims to provide pets of all age and size with maximum comfort and that is what they deliver with this product.
This round bagel-shaped bed is not only a cozy little resting spot, it is also meant to help with recovery and nurture. Moreover, the bolster provides optimum spine support and helps to straighten the spine, which is good news for a GSP.
Besides, the 360 degree raised cushioning gives your pet a comfortable headrest to lean on for a stretch of time.
The stuffing is Premium High Loft Polyester Fill with durable poly/cotton twill on the cover. One of the best features is that it is fully machine washable. As a result, you can just pop the bed in the washer on gentle cycle, air dry or tumble dry on low, and voila! All done and ready for use.
Additionally, the base of the bed is made of water-resistant 300/600 denier to hold up against any kind of spills or accidents. It comes in a variety of colors to satisfy your aesthetics, also in four different sizes: small, medium, large and extra large, to fit dogs ranging from 10 lbs to 110 lbs.
Pros
- Can be personalized
- Easy to maintain and clean
- Machine washable
- 360° headrest and spine support
- Suitable for dogs of any age
- Durable against wear and tear
Cons
- Some customers encountered trouble with dryers and ended up having to air dry
- May not have a zip-off cover
Verdict
Overall, it’s a great option for a Pointer and offers features that could be the dream bed for your Pointer. If your GSP likes to rest its head on an elevated surface, this bed is the perfect choice. Plus, if you’re looking for a Large dog bed, this might be exactly it.
PETFUSION ULTIMATE DOG BED
Main Feature
- Brand: PetFusion
- Size: 25×20”/36×28”/44×34”/50×40”
- Color: Slate Gray, Chocolate Brown, Sandstone
- Material: 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton twill
- Filling Materials: Polyfill bolsters, Solid memory foam base
PetFusion brings us our next pick, an ultimate lounge for your dogs designed with both the pet and the owner’s comfort in mind. This orthopedic dog bed comes loaded with about six inches of solid memory foam as a base to provide consistent support.
As German Shorthaired Pointers are genetically prone to hip dysplasia, PetFusion seems to have kept the resulting complications in mind while coming up with this bed.
For senior Pointers, Ultimate aims to reduce aching joints for arthritis and hip dysplasia, improve health and quality of life, and promote overall luxury and comfort.
Furthermore, the lining of the bed is waterproof to avoid a wet base while the cover is water and tear-resistant. The covers can also be removed to wash separately.
With its four variations of sizes, even the larger breeds should fit nicely even when stretching out. In fact, even if you’re looking for medium size dog beds, this would be a good choice.
Lastly, though it doesn’t come in too many colors, the three colors that do appear are elegant enough to easily blend with the interior of your home.
Pros
- No-skid bottom
- Waterproof lining and tear resistant covers
- Great for early precaution for GSPs
- ‘Skin Contact Safe’ cover fabric
- Free shipping within the US
- 3 years warranty
Cons
- May have defective linings
- May be easily flammable
- On the expensive spectrum of the price range
Verdict
This bed is undoubtedly right for the senior GSP in your family. It has all the features that would help the aged and fragile pet have a comfortable rest. Moreover, if your GSP isn’t that old but is suffering from health issues, such as joint issues or incontinence, this bed can make life easier for them.
BARKSBAR GRAY ORTHOPEDIC DOG BED
Main Feature
- Brand: BarksBar
- Size: 26×20”/32×22”/40×30”
- Color: Gray
- Material: Polyester
- Filling Materials: Memory Foam
Barksbar presents yet another excellent entry in our list. The design of this bed is simple, in all the right ways. It uses high-quality human-grade orthopedic foam that is thick enough to provide pressure relief for a GSP’s joints.
At the same time, This bed also features a cotton-padded rim headrest that contours around the neck and the head to give constant support. The large sleeper can easily hold 100+ lbs and is one of the best options in the market for large dog beds.
It is especially a good choice for the elderly or ailing pointers, as it will let your dog sleep in overall comfort due to its design. Plus, the bed comes with a machine-washable, removable cover so you can rest easy and avoid the hassle of washing and drying the whole bed.
Want to know something even better? Continued use is said to reduce pain severity by 21.6% and joint stiffness by 12.5%, improves joint function by 17.6%, gait by 9.6% and quality of life by 15.1%.
Pros
- Easy to maintain and clean
- Head and neck alignment support
- Orthopedic foam base
- Easy to take apart and put together
- Non-Slip rubber backing at the bottom
Cons
- Foam thickness may vary
- Not waterproof
Verdict
This is the bed to get for the big boys. If you’ve been wondering if you’d ever find a bed big enough for your large GSP, look no farther. This bed will hold your large dog and give them a comfortable place to rest.
Big Barker Dog Bed
Main Feature
- Brand: Big Barker
- Size: 26×20”/32×22”/40×30”
- Color: Charcoal Gray, Burgundy, Chocolate, Khaki
- Material: MicroSuede
- Filling Materials: OrthoMedic Foam
Big Barker proudly claims to be the only dog bed scientifically calibrated and medically proven to improve the quality of your dog’s life. The company aims to satisfy their customers’ 3 main needs; medically proven benefits, easily cleaned, and looks great with the decor.
As a result, the product that comes from this intention, is a bed designed to be durable and provide excellent weight support. It is marketed as a therapeutic mattress to keep the young dogs in good shape longer and bring the older dogs back to a healthy state.
Moreover, a clinical study done by the University of Pennsylvania to determine the usefulness of the bed has reported a great insight. It says that the animals using the Big Barker dog bed showed marked improvement on the dogs’ health in just 28 days.
Lastly, the manufacturer also gives a 10 year guarantee that their product will not flatten out, so there’s that extra bonus!
Pros
- Medically proven benefits
- Good for all ages, especially for dogs prone to joint pains or arthritis
- 10 year warranty
- Durable
- Blends well with decor
Cons
- Might not be a good option for aggressive chewers
Verdict
This bed is good for dogs who don’t like bolsters and want as much space as possible to sprawl out. The simple design on this bed will comfort your big GSP. Moreover, since it’s proven to improve your dog’s health, you can’t really go wrong with it.
Chuckit! Travel Dog Bed
Main Feature
- Brand: Chuckit!
- Size: 39x30x3 inches (upto 25 lbs)
- Color: Blue
- Material: Blend
- Filling Materials: OrthoMedic Foam
Finally, we come to a recommendation of a medium size dog bed for the smaller GSPs. Chuckit! Travel Dog bag comes in a single size and is easily portable. Therefore it is an ideal bed to carry while traveling or camping in different environments with your dog.
The breathable material makes it machine-washable and suited for quick dry outs. Moreover, the soft cushion of poly-suede provides comfort and the ripstop at the bottom gives it a stable finish. Since our list is mostly made up of available beds for the large dogs, this one is great for the young ones.
Pros
- Portable and travel ready
- Compact size suitable for smaller or large dogs
- Suitable for outdoor use
- Water-resistant
- Easy to wash
- Built-in loops to help air dry or line dry
Cons
- Only available in one size
Verdict
If you’re looking for a cheap dog bed for your GSP puppy which nevertheless provides the best value for the money, this travel bed is just right for you.
Buying guide
While we’ve already given our verdict on the best dog bed for German Shorthaired Pointer, every dog is an individual and one of the other dog beds in this list might be the best for your dog.
But how to pick? Here are some points that would help you judge-
Measurements
As I’ve mentioned before, German Shorthaired Pointers are medium to large dogs, and you need to make sure they can curl up or stretch comfortably on the bed you pick.
Most beds come with a size chart that tells you which size to pick based on your dog’s weight or length. Keep in mind that you should always take your dog’s size measurements while they’re stretched out and asleep.
Moreover, it’s always best to buy a size larger than the size chart, especially if you’re buying for a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy, who’s inevitably going to grow a lot.
Padding
Any dog bed worth your money would have good quality padding inside. German Shorthaired Pointers are prone to back and joint issues, so choosing a bed equipped with memory or orthopedic foam would be the right thing to do, especially if the dog is old.
Plus, since GSP dogs are shorthaired, they may have trouble keeping themselves warm, especially in winter. The more padded the bed is, the easier it will keep your dog warm, so that’s also a feature you should look into.
Material
GSPs are very energetic, and unless you give them the chance to exercise vigorously, they might get destructive and inflict damage on whatever is near, especially their own bed.
Usually, only people who are able and willing to exercise their GSP regularly adopt this breed, but life doesn’t always go as planned. You might sometimes miss running or hunting with your GSP, and he might start tearing into the bed.
To tackle such a situation, it’s a good idea to look for beds for large dogs that are made of sturdy material and resistant to a lot of wear and tear.
Ease of cleaning
If you’re taking your GSP running or hunting daily, it’s only normal for their bed to get dirty very often. The responsible thing to do would be to wash the bed regularly.
However, unless the bed allows easy washing, that’s going to be a problem. I suggest getting a bed with a waterproof liner and a removable and easily washable liner. In that case, you wouldn’t have to worry about washing and drying the whole bed.
Crate compatibility
German Shorthaired Pointers should be crate trained. And since they should be sleeping in a crate, you should make sure the bed fits the crate well.
That doesn’t just mean getting a bed that’s the same size of the crate. You should also leave space for your dog’s food and water bowl and their toys. You might also think about keeping a heater in the crate in case the bed you’re picking isn’t warm enough.
Sleeping style of your dog
Observe your dog’s sleeping style before you decide on a bed for them. Do they like to curl up often? Do they sleep all stretched out? Do they prefer resting their head on a pillow?
- For dogs that like to curl up, you should probably opt for a cave-style bed. It would give them a sense of safety and security that they need.
- For dogs that like to stretch out, there’s no alternative to getting the biggest bed without any borders or bolsters.
- For dogs that like to rest their head on a slightly elevated surface, you’ll be better off getting a basket style bed with a border of bolster.
Value for the money
A lot depends on your budget. If you’re buying the bed for a GSP puppy, it makes sense to buy an inexpensive bed because they’ll outgrow it soon enough. On the other hand, right now your budget might not allow a lot as well. That doesn’t mean you should get a low quality bed.
What you should do is get a bed that gives the best value for the money. You might find a bed that’s cheap, but still have all the features you’re looking for. Pick that one without any hesitation.
On the other hand, even pricey and high end beds might not provide good value for money. You’ll find beds that seem spick and span but not very practical. That’s why value for money is a very important factor to consider before you commit on spending your money on a bed.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve walked you through some of the best dog beds in the market, you can judge for yourself which one is the best dog bed for German Shorthaired Pointers. Moreover, you know which one will suit your very own German Shorthaired Pointer!
Based on your budget, your dog’s age, size, and any other special needs, you can count on one of the beds in this list without a doubt. We only suggest the best dog beds!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should German shorthaired pointers sleep?
Some owners are comfortable with sharing their beds with their dogs. But studies show that it is detrimental for both you and your dog in the long run.
They also show that there is no negative effect to have your dog sleep in the same room, so a quiet corner away from direct sunlight but close to their family might be the place to put the best dog bed for your German Shorthaired Pointer.
How much sleep does a German Shorthaired Pointer need?
They need at least 6-8 hours of sleep depending on the exercise and excitement throughout the day. One thing to note for new owners, is that puppies need a sufficient amount of rest to properly grow so you shouldn’t over-exercise them.
Can German Shorthaired Pointers sleep outside?
GSPs can indeed sleep outside but shouldn’t be kept away from their family for long periods of time. Rather, it is better for the dog to stay outside only if the owner is an outdoors-y person.
Do German Shorthaired Pointers like to cuddle?
Like all sporting dogs, GSPs are high-energy and like attention and comfort. They are affectionate and happy to cuddle, but are less tolerant of other animals.
Should a dog bed be the same size as the crate?
It is best for the dog bed to be slightly smaller, so you can fit your dog’s food and water bowls as well as toys inside the crate.
How often should you change your dog bed?
A good dog bed can withstand wear-and-tear and provide comfort for quite some time. Generally, the bed is due for a change after 1 to 1.5 years of use, but it all really depends on its condition and needs of your dog.
Aging dogs may not suit the current bed any more and require an upgrade, or aggressive chewers may cause more damage to even the best dog bed for a German Shorthaired Pointer and need a replacement.
Do dog beds make a difference?
Yes, it really is a much better option for dogs than the hard floor. Especially in German Shorthaired Pointers’ case, they need good cushioning to lie on since they tend to develop hip dysplasia as they grow older.
A good dog bed can do wonders for the comfort and pain relief of your precious friend. Moreover, if your GSP has a tendency to hide and prefers privacy, a cave bed for dogs would be just the right thing for them.