| > | | | | with really long or short hair, there are many dog |
| There are hundreds of different dog breeds in the | | | | beds that are specifically designed to help keep your |
| world, and they are all unique. So you want to pick | | | | pet warmer or cooler. |
| out the best dog bed for your pet, especially if he | | | | There are a couple of different styles designed to |
| has special needs. Does you dog have a dog bed? | | | | keep your dog cool. One popular style is actually |
| There are hundreds of different types of dogs in the | | | | more of a cot than a bed. The surface is lifted a |
| world, they range from really small, like the | | | | couple of inches off the ground, generally the |
| Chihuahua, to giant breeds, like the Irish Wolfhound. | | | | material is a cool fabric or mesh. Since air can circulate |
| There are short hair breeds that like hot weather, | | | | under your dog, this really helps to keep her core |
| and breeds that like cold weather. There are also | | | | body temperature down. Others are just thinner |
| many other variances in dog breeds. Different dogs | | | | pads, some with bolsters and some without, that use |
| also have a large variety of personalities. Some traits | | | | cooler fabrics that help keep your dog cool because |
| run in different breeds, but all dogs are unique, just | | | | there is less insulating material underneath them. |
| like people. Dogs even have favorite positions to | | | | There is even a dog bed that you fill with cool water. |
| sleep in, as well as places to sleep. Most like a dog | | | | Usually these are also thin, no more than an inch or |
| bed if one is provided, but how do you find the | | | | two high. |
| perfect one for your dog? | | | | Many beds designed to keep your dog warm use an |
| Basic dog beds are a flat, thick pad, usually | | | | electric pad that you place under or in the dog bed. |
| rectangular, round or oval. Though the outside may | | | | Most of these are designed so that they can be |
| look similar, the inside can differ. Most have poly fill, | | | | plugged in all the time and have a special thermostat |
| others have cedar chips. A majority of them have | | | | that maintain a temperature that is about 12 to 15 |
| removable covers that can be washed. | | | | degrees higher than a dogs body temperature. |
| A variation of a basic dog bed is the bolster. A | | | | If you live somewhere that experiences hot |
| bolster has raised sides and back for your dog to | | | | summers and cold winters, don't worry, you don't |
| lean against, they stop him from rolling off the back | | | | need two dog beds. You can find a dog bed that |
| of his bed. They also give added warmth. | | | | both heats and cools. Usually they have |
| A newer type of dog bed that I had not seen until | | | | interchangeable inserts, one that is cooler in the |
| recently was a bed made out of memory foam. Why | | | | summer, and a heated one for the winter. |
| would a dog need a bed made out of memory | | | | Regardless of the type of dog bed that you choose |
| foam? I asked myself. But it turns out that they are | | | | to get, they almost all come in a variety of colors |
| recommended for older dogs or dogs with bones, hip | | | | and sizes, something to suit both you and your dog. |
| or joint problems, such as hip dysplasia. If this sounds | | | | And as you can tell, there are plenty of specialty |
| like a good thing for your dog, make sure that the | | | | beds available to fill special needs. I know that my |
| pad is thick enough so that your dog does not | | | | dog always feels special and more comfortable when |
| "bottom out" on the floor. | | | | he has his own dog bed, a place that he can call his |
| If you live in a hot or cold climate, or have a dog | | | | own. |