The 4 Best Great Dane Beds Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

There is a reason that Great Danes are our favourite famous dogs.

Marmaduke. Scooby Doo. These gentle giants are particularly infectious and wonderful. We can see why you love them so much!

Your Great Dane has specific needs meaning they need the best dog bed possible. We have mentioned many times before that the pet industry has a sizeism issue when it comes to dog products. Dog beds in particular often come up small, which leaves our favourite giant breeds left behind.

To address this concern, our team gathered and tested various beds that would meet your dog's needs. After several months of looking for the best brands in Australia and working with professionals and pet parents, we created a list of brands with the best Great Dane beds.

So, in this article, we aim to give you a complete guide to Great Dane beds. Considering your pup's unique physiology, size, weight, and health necessities, your search must be particularly focused. We'll discuss those unique needs first, then give you our expert recommendations for great beds for your Great Dane.

Let’s jump in!

Australia's Best Great Dane Dog Beds Reviewed

We’ve gone through the strengths of a Great Dane bed (all puns intended) so let’s dive into our favourites on the Australian market. We tried to keep your pup’s unique needs in mind with these in terms of support, size, and durability. We hope this buyers guide helps you find the one!

The Barney Bed range is absolutely one of our favourites in camp Gentle Dog Trainers. It is definitely a high-end product that is worth its salt.

Starting with the sizing, the Barney Bed comes in an impressive range of sizes. For your extra-large Great Dane, you will need either the extra-large size or the “epic” size.

The extra-large which measures 155 cm x 170 cm overall, with a sleeping surface of 120 cm x 75 cm.

This will suit a female Great Dane, depending on her sleeping style and weight.

Most will need the epic size which measures 200 cm x 130 cm overall. The sleeping surface is 160 cm x 90 cm. This is hyped as “the largest dog bed in the world” and it’s certainly the largest bed we have seen being made and sold in Australia. No sizeism here!

Unlike the second option, Milliard Orthopedic Dog Bed with sizes available only from small to large, so you can make ensure that your gentle giant will be comfortable in whatever position they sleep on this Barney Bed.

Speaking of size, be sure to purchase the correct size for your dog as you cannot return the bed after purchasing (due to how they are packaged and posted). They have a handy sizing guide on their website, so make sure you measure twice as this bed is also an investment.

The Barney Bed’s most impressive feature is its orthopedic foam mattress. This is perfect for your dog’s heavy joints. It provides unrivalled support and comfort for your Great Dane at all stages of their development. You can buy this for your growing puppy to develop strong bones. Or for your resident senior canine to help soothe those rickety elbows.

This bed has an interesting structure with four high boulders around the perimetre. This is perfect for dogs who like a chin rest as the sleep, or want that added security of feeling slightly “enveloped” by their bed.

With lining is water-resistant and bite resistant. If there are any accidents, it’s no problem - the microfibre covers are completely machine-washable.

Onto the durability of the bed; the cover and mattress are built to last. The manufacturer has made the mattress to be strong and supportive, not losing shape or bowing over time. The standard covers are made of thick, tightly woven microfibre to be as scratch-resistant as possible.

Now, grey may suit your home perfectly, but if you like to have colourful furnishings as I do, you may be interested in the linen covers you can purchase to customise this bed even further. They come in cream, black, pink, and deep green.

Though this bed comes at a high price point, it is a supreme quality that is worth the investment. We recommend the Epic Barney Bed as a top choice for Great Danes.

What we love about this brand is its variety in terms of size and colour. Not every brand has these options for dog owners, especially for those who have large breeds of dogs like the Great Dane. This brand considers the need of every dog, no matter the size.

Also, we like the materials used in their beds as well as the design. This brand is the highest-rated dog bed, and we can definitely see why. The various parts of the bed are made of high-quality and durable materials that can last for a long time.

The Barney Bed is great but it is certainly pricey. If you want a good quality bed for your Dane on a budget, we recommend the Milliard Orthopedic Dog Bed.

As a cheap dog bed for large dogs, this is not a bad option at all. The extra-large size is 120 cm x 74 cm which is a little smaller than the Barney Bed but should be fine for your Great Dane (unless they are spread-eagle sleepers like my dog!).

Compared to the previous brand, the Barney Bed, this brand offers a good quality dog bed at a more affordable price without compromising the comfort of our dogs. The Barney Bed can be expensive for some fur parents, so this is a great alternative to stay within your budget. Especially as most large sizes in the dog world come with the highest price tags - owning a gentle giant can certainly add up!

This is an orthopedic bed first and foremost with egg-crate foam technology. It is unlikely to be the thickest and spongiest foam in the world, but for the price, you are getting a good deal.

Another reason we recommend this for Great Danes is that it is warm. The quilted cover is not only cozy, it is plush and warming. Great Danes are short-haired so they will appreciate this added layer of snugness.

The cover can be easily zipped off of the mattress and thrown in the washing machine whenever you need. The covers are made to withstand many washes and maintain its plush softness over time.

To top it all off, Milliard have a 100% moneyback guarantee. This is a no-brainer if you want a great budget option for your extra-large dog.

We chose this as our second option because aside from the good reviews, the covers are very easy to clean, which is a plus, especially for large beds. However, even if they are machine-washable, it does not mean that they are made of rough materials because the covers are very snuggly for your Great Dane to sleep on.

Since The Barney Bed is in our top spot, we have a tight second in the luxury category. Introducing the fabulous Ambient Lounge Luxury Bed.

Supportive, large, and imperishable - this bed has it all.

As a luxury dog bed, this comes at a pretty penny, but I promise you it is worth it. This bed is heavy, with a dense bean bag like base to give your dog great support. This isn’t an orthopedic bed per se, but it will be supportive of your dog’s joints.

The base is also water-resistant so you can use it indoors and outdoors.

Unlike the second option, the Milliard Orthopedic Dog Bed, this brand is a versatile dog bed because of its waterproof feature that any dog owner would love. This allows the mattress to be dry so you can be confident in using it outdoors.

The Ambient Lounge is all about comfort. It has a plush, faux fur top lining that is completely removable if need be. Your Great Dane will love that extra layer of warmth during the winter months. It is also machine-washable.

The XXL size measures 125 cm x 150 cm in a rounded oval shape. Your Great Dane can curl up, spread out, and roll around with ease. It is also 30 cm off the ground. Your dog will practically be at eye level as you all lounge in your living room!

The bed is easily cleaned with soap and water. It is also 99% chew-proof ensuring this bed will last for a long time.

This is a wonderful option for your gentle giant!

We recommend this dog bed, especially if your Great Dane loves to chew on things or if you have a dog at home that will possibly chew on it. This feature ensures that it will last for a long time and you are getting your money's worth.

Also, we like the waterproof feature because not all of the dog beds can be used outdoors, which is great, especially if you and your dog are spending most of your time outside.

In the support camp, we are going to take things up a notch! The Barney Bed and Milliard Bed are both orthopedic beds, but the Laifug is a whole other level.

When caring for a senior Great Dane, we need to keep their potential arthritic joints in mind. I have mentioned it many times during this piece but joint care is so important. I have an arthritic dog at home myself. It upsets me to see her struggle!

We included this on our list because, unlike the previous brand, the Laifug bed considers comfort for our senior Great Dane companions. More than the durability and quality of a dog bed, this brand offers extra support for our older canine buddies.

This is the giant slab of orthopedic foam that you need in your dog’s life. Comfort is king.

This bed measures 127 cm x 27 cm, with a height of 25 cm. So, it is long and skinny. Bear this in mind with your dog’s sleeping style - this bed is made for side loungers. It is ideal for dogs up to a weight of 90 kg so your Great Dane should suit it perfectly.

The covers are removable and machine-washable for easy cleaning. There is also a waterproof liner between the cover and the mattress to keep the memory foam fresh.

The memory foam is Laifug’s pride and joy. They guarantee that it won’t flatten in 3 years or they will replace it.

Overall, elderly Great Danes will do excellently with the Laifug. The reviews are fab and your senior pup will surely love it!

We highly recommend this brand for Great Dane owners who are looking for a dog bed that has a high-quality mattress, machine-washable cover, appropriate size, and of course, comfortable material that can meet the needs of a senior dog, specifically for our large breed buddies.

What I Look For When Buying a Bed for Great Danes

Your Great Dane is heavy. Your Great Dane is tall. Your Great Dane is short-haired. So we need to keep all of those things in mind when choosing the perfect resting place for your big pooch. Here are the key factors for the ideal bed for a Great Dane.

Support

First, all heavy dogs, especially Great Danes, need a large bed that can support their weight.

Have you ever been to a really cheap hotel with bargain mattresses that bow in the middle? As you lean your body weight on the bed, you literally sink in despair, as your dreams of a restful night’s sleep slip away.

Dogs also need support as they rest. This is doubly important for the Great Dane Breed as large dogs are much more likely to develop arthritis and hip dysplasia into their older years due to heavier, more cumbersome joints.

Extra-large dogs also age much faster than small dogs. The Australian Dog Lover writes, “In general, giant breed dogs age faster than smaller breed dogs. A Great Dane is considered to be senior by roughly 5-6 years old whereas a Chihuahua would likely only be middle-aged then, and probably not considered a senior until 10-11 years.” (1)

With this in mind, it’s imperative you choose a bed that is comfortable and supportive on your dog’s joints.

For this reason, we have mostly recommended beds with orthopedic benefits in the review section of this article.

Beyond the orthopedic aspect, you need to make sure that the bed you are reviewing can support your dog’s weight. An adult male Great Dane can weigh up to 90 kg (that is heavier than me!). An adult female can weigh up to 58 kg. (2)

So, a bed that can take the weight of your, frankly, human-sized dog is a must!

Size

The bigger the better when shopping for a Great Dane, right?

Well...principally yes, but there are some nuances. The size of the bed you need roughly depends on your dog’s sleeping style.

I have two dogs. One sleeps completely spread-eagle across their beds in a comical starfish fashion. The other sleeps in a tightly coiled circle so tight and perfect. This is oddly correlated to how they are in life; one is open and free, the other is highly-strung and anxious.

Your Great Dane may curl up the smallest they can and sleep like that all night. Therefore, the size of the bed you need definitely needs to be large, but not elephantine.

Durability

I completely believe in getting a good deal for your money. I also believe in investing in high-quality products. The meeting between the two comes down to durability.

How long does that bed last?

Granted, all beds eventually need to swapped due to misshapen mattresses or worn-down bolsters. You want to get the most use out of the bed as possible.

Durability is shown best through its materials. Not all memory foams are created equal. Not all covers have a hardy high thread count that can withstand consistent washing.

Also, think of your particular dog’s habits. Are they a chewer? Do they dig and scratch their beds? Were they just a bit too heavy for all the beds they loved before?

Take this all into consideration for your next Great Dane bed purchase.

My Final Say

Overall, you can tell we advocate for orthopedic models when it comes to Great Danes. You just can’t rival the support and comfort you get from them overall. For our money, the Barney Bed is a winning combination of a durable memory foam mattress, machine washability, and giant sizing apt for your pooch.

As a runner up, the Ambient Lounge is also a fabulous choice. It has that added benefit of the super soft faux fur cover for added heat and chew-proof materials for boisterous dogs.

We hope this guide will help you find the perfect dog bed for your gentle giant, considering the pros and cons of each brand.

References

1. “Caring For Your Older Dog”. 2015. Australian Dog Lover. Retrieved November 12, 2023. https://www.australiandoglover.com/2015/10/caring-for-your-older-dog.html
2. “Great Dane”. Dog Time. Retrieved November 12, 2023. https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/great-dane
3. “Choosing the right bed for your dog”. RSPCA UK. Retrieved November 12, 2023. https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/environment/dogbeds