| We seem to be a nation of animal lovers, fixated by | | | | And why wouldn't you want to reward his loyalty |
| our pets, but there is one question that seems to | | | | and devotion with his own special bed? |
| completely divide us: should man's best friend be | | | | The main factors to take into account when |
| allowed on the furniture and in bed with us, or not? It | | | | choosing your dog's bed are the size and your dog's |
| seems half of us think this is fine, while the other half | | | | sleeping position. Small dogs like to feel cosy and |
| frown on it as wrong. With over ten million dogs in | | | | snug and will often curl up in sleep, while larger dogs |
| the UK, that is an awful lot of beds being invaded by | | | | prefer to stretch out. Observe your dog's usual |
| furry bedfellows. | | | | sleeping position and if possible measure it then |
| People give all sorts of reasons and excuses for their | | | | choose a bed to accommodate this, allowing an |
| pets to be given such freedom. Mostly it boils down | | | | additional 5-6 inches for comfort and movement. |
| to the owner's beliefs and preferences. If dogs are | | | | For dogs that like to curl up in sleep, fleece-lined beds |
| discouraged from the outset, they will soon learn the | | | | shaped like nests are ideal and offer a feeling of |
| rules, but if owners relax the rules on occasions, | | | | security as well as comfort because your pet is |
| confusion can set in and our canny canine friends will | | | | surrounded by cushioned walls. Pyramid, tents or |
| be quick to seize their advantage whenever the | | | | kennel-style beds offer even more warmth and |
| occasion arises. If the owner doesn't mind, the dog | | | | security as the dog can snuggle up in its private, |
| certainly will not. | | | | warm cocoon |
| The main reason dog owners give for allowing this | | | | The pampered pooch or the design-conscious owner |
| behaviour is that dogs enjoy this close physical | | | | might prefer smart leather-effect fabric beds, to |
| contact with their owners. What this generally means | | | | match their own leather furniture! The choice of |
| is that the owners enjoy close physical contact with | | | | fabric should be dictated by personal taste and also |
| their dogs! Perhaps this is because of some need in | | | | the climate and the warmth of the house. Another |
| the owner's life that cuddling dogs like babies can | | | | factor to consider is the dog's coat - long-haired dogs |
| fulfil. However it is also well known that young | | | | will need a cooler fabric cover. In general it is wise to |
| children, the sick and the elderly can benefit | | | | choose a washable fabric, to maintain hygiene and |
| particularly from the presence of a pet. | | | | freshness. |
| Of course dogs will prefer the warmth and comfort | | | | Your dog's bed needs to fit in with your own decor |
| of a human bed in cold weather but a bed of their | | | | and very stylish designer sofas are also available. |
| own can be just as warm and cosy. There are so | | | | These are hand-crafted and designed to look like the |
| many comfortable and colourful dog beds available | | | | real thing, so your dog cannot fail to feel like a valued |
| that any self-respecting pooch should feel very proud | | | | member of the family, as he reclines in the lap of |
| and protective of his own personal sleeping space. | | | | luxury on his own personal sofa. |