What size dog bed should you buy for a puppy?

A puppy will outgrow its first bed sooner than you might think. The question is whether to buy a size designed for an adult dog from the outset.

Large breeds: choose a bed to grow into For a Labrador, German Shepherd or Retriever, buy a size suitable for an adult dog straight away. Your puppy will not mind the extra space, and you will save yourself another purchase. If the bed feels too empty, place a blanket along one side.

Small breeds: a smaller bed can make sense Chihuahuas, Dachshunds and Maltese reach their adult size within a year, and the difference between sizes is small. Choose their final size from the outset.

Crates are a different matter In a crate, however, too much space can be counterproductive — your puppy may designate one corner as a toilet area. Use a crate divider or a smaller mat instead.

How to measure Measure your puppy from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail and compare the result with the breed guide in our [Breed Atlas](/breeds). For a crossbreed, use their estimated adult weight as your guide.

A temporary solution If you are unsure how large your puppy will grow, start with an affordable mat and buy their permanent bed at around nine months, when most of their growth is complete.