Best Dog Bed for Border Collies: Size Guide and Top Picks

The best dog bed for a Border Collie is a large bed, usually around 36 to 42 inches long, with a firm foam base and a washable cover. Pick an orthopedic memory foam bed for adults and seniors, a donut bed for dogs that curl up, a crate-sized pad for crate time, and an elevated cot for hot weather.

Border Collies work hard and sleep hard. A good bed protects their joints, gives them a spot of their own and keeps hair and dirt off your furniture.

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, ColliePoint may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Best Dog Beds for Border Collies at a Glance

Bed	Type	Best for
PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed	Orthopedic with bolsters	Most adult Border Collies
Barker Beds 7″ Pillow Top	Thick orthopedic	Seniors and dogs with hip problems
BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper	Orthopedic with bolsters	Dogs that lean on a pillow
Milliard Orthopedic Bed	Flat orthopedic	Sprawlers on a budget
Best Friends by Sheri Calming Donut	Donut	Dogs that curl into a ball
MidWest QuietTime Plush	Crate pad	Crates and car travel
MidWest QuietTime Bolster	Crate bed with bolsters	Crates, budget pick
K&H Original Pet Cot	Elevated cot	Hot weather and outdoors
Chuckit! Travel Pillow Bed	Roll-up travel bed	Camping and trips
K&H Lectro-Soft Heated Bed	Heated	Cold garages and kennels

What Size Dog Bed Does a Border Collie Need?

Most adult Border Collies need a large dog bed, roughly 36 to 42 inches long. Males stand about 19 to 24 inches tall and weigh 31 to 55 pounds, while females are a little smaller. A dog that sprawls out needs the longer end of that range. A dog that curls up can use a smaller round bed.

Those ranges come from the Border Collie breed profile on Wikipedia, and they are wide. A small working-line female and a big show-line male can be very different sizes, so measure your own dog before you buy.

How to measure your Border Collie for a bed:

1. Wait until your dog is lying down in its usual sleeping position.
2. Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.
3. Add 6 to 12 inches so your dog can stretch and turn.
4. Compare that number to the bed’s inside sleeping area, not the outside edge.

Sleeping style	Bed type	Typical size for a Border Collie
Sprawls out on its side	Rectangular orthopedic or flat mattress	Large, about 36 to 42 inches long
Curls into a ball	Round donut or bolster bed	About 30 to 36 inches across
Sleeps in a crate	Crate pad that matches the crate	36 or 42 inch crate size
Rests outside	Elevated cot	Large

In most brands, the large size fits a Border Collie well. Bolsters eat into the sleeping space, though, so go up a size if a bed has thick sides.

Does a Border Collie Need a Dog Bed?

Yes. A Border Collie needs a dog bed for joint support, for a spot of its own and to keep hair off the rest of the house. Sleeping on hard floors puts pressure on hips and elbows, which matters more as your dog ages. A bed also gives a busy herding dog a clear place to settle.

A Place of Their Own

Without a bed, your Border Collie may feel like it doesn’t have anywhere to call its own. A bed becomes a safe spot to rest, calm down after play or get some alone time when the house is busy.

That spot is also useful for training. Teaching “go to your bed” is one of the handiest cues for a Border Collie, and the Border Collie training guide covers how to build a solid settle.

Joint Health

Hard surfaces are tough on a dog’s joints, especially in older dogs. Hip dysplasia shows up in Border Collies, and the OFA explains hip dysplasia as an abnormal formation of the hip joint that can lead to arthritis. A supportive orthopedic bed won’t cure it, but it does make lying down and getting up easier.

You can read more about joint and eye conditions in the guide to common health problems in Border Collies.

A Cleaner House

A bed catches a lot of the dirt, dander and Border Collie shedding that would otherwise end up on your floors and furniture. Most good beds have a removable cover you can toss in the washer.

Keeping Them Off the Furniture

A comfortable bed makes it easier to keep your dog off the couch and your own bed. It also cuts down on jumping on and off high furniture, which is hard on joints over time.

How Border Collies Sleep

Border Collies follow your schedule more than most breeds. Many sleep through the night when you do, then nap in short bursts during the day, especially after a good run. Most adult dogs spend around half of the day sleeping or resting, and puppies and seniors need even more.

My Border Collie follows the same sleep pattern I do, but he’ll also nap on and off during the day after hard exercise. One morning, about 15 minutes after I got up, I could hear him “dreaming” in the other room.

A working breed may sleep a little less than a couch-potato breed because it needs more stimulation. If your dog won’t settle, look at the day first. A Border Collie that gets enough exercise and brain work sleeps much better. The guide on how much exercise a Border Collie needs and the post on Border Collie toys can help fill the day.

Watch how your dog sleeps for a week before you buy. Does it stretch out on its side, curl into a ball, or lean against a wall or the couch? That one detail narrows down the right bed fast.

Best Orthopedic Dog Bed for Border Collies

An orthopedic dog bed has a thick, solid foam base, usually memory foam, that keeps your dog’s hips and shoulders off the floor. It’s the best choice for adult and senior Border Collies, and for any dog with hip dysplasia or arthritis. Look for solid foam, not shredded foam pieces, and a removable washable cover.

PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed

The PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed is a solid all-round pick. It has an orthopedic memory foam base with bolsters around most of the bed, so your dog can stretch out or rest its head on the edge.

The cover is waterproof and removable for washing, which helps with a dog that tracks in mud and hair. It works for Border Collies of all ages and is especially good for older dogs. The large size is the usual fit.

Barker Beds 7″ Pillow Top (Big Barker)

If you’re willing to spend more for the best orthopedic bed you can get, look at the Barker Beds 7″ Pillow Top orthopedic bed. The company was called Big Barker until a 2024 rename, so you’ll still see both names.

It’s a thick rectangular foam bed with a headrest on one side, a good match for Border Collies with hip or joint problems and dogs that sprawl. The company says the beds are made in the USA and backs the foam with a 10-year guarantee against flattening. The price is high, but so is the build quality.

The large size is listed for dogs around 50 to 70 pounds, which covers bigger male Border Collies. Smaller dogs will have plenty of room.

BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper

The BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper is like the PetFusion with a softer, plusher feel. It has a solid orthopedic foam base and soft bolsters on three sides for dogs that like to lean against something or rest their head.

The bottom has a non-slip backing and the cover comes off for washing. It comes in fewer sizes than most beds, so pick the larger one to be safe.

Milliard Orthopedic Memory Foam Bed

The Milliard orthopedic dog bed is simple and gets the job done. It’s a flat memory foam pad with a waterproof layer and a non-slip bottom, and it’s usually the cheapest of the orthopedic beds here.

There are no bolsters, so it suits Border Collies that sprawl out and don’t care about a pillow. The large size fits most adults.

Best Dog Bed for Border Collies Who Curl Up

If your Border Collie sleeps curled into a tight ball, a round donut bed with a raised rim is the best fit. The rim gives your dog something to lean on and holds in warmth. Choose a size about 30 to 36 inches across for most adults.

Best Friends by Sheri Calming Donut Bed

The Best Friends by Sheri Calming Donut Bed is the classic round donut bed. It has a soft faux shag cover, a raised rim all the way around and a water-resistant, non-skid bottom.

Your dog sinks into the middle and can rest its head on the edge. The cover doesn’t come off, but you can wash the whole bed if it fits in your machine. Pick a medium or large depending on your dog’s size, and remember the rim takes up some room.

Best Crate Bed for Border Collies

The best crate bed for a Border Collie is a flat, washable pad that matches the crate’s floor size, so it doesn’t bunch up. Most adult Border Collies use a 36-inch crate, and taller dogs may need a 42-inch. Buy the pad in the same size as the crate.

Crate makers don’t always agree on Border Collies. Weight charts usually point to a 36-inch crate, while MidWest’s own breed list puts Border Collies in its 42-inch size. Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around and lie flat on its side.

Choose a cheap, chew-resistant pad for young puppies. They often chew their first bed, so save the nice one for later. The Border Collie puppy guide covers crate training, and the new-dog essentials checklist lists what else to buy.

MidWest QuietTime Deluxe Plush Bed

The MidWest QuietTime Deluxe plush bed is an everyday plush pad. It’s rectangular, so it fits a MidWest crate cleanly, and it can go in the washer if it fits. It also works in the back of a car or on the floor next to your bed.

Match the bed to your crate, which for most Border Collies means the 36-inch or 42-inch size.

MidWest QuietTime Bolster Bed

The MidWest QuietTime bolster bed is another budget option for crates. It doesn’t have much padding on the bottom, but it has fleece bolsters around the edge for your dog to rest its head on.

Some owners say it runs a little small, so check the measurements against your crate. Put it on top of a thicker pad if your dog is older.

Best Outdoor and Cooling Dog Beds for Border Collies

The best outdoor dog bed for a Border Collie is an elevated cot. It lifts your dog off hot ground, lets air flow underneath and cleans off with a hose. In hot weather, a cot in the shade plus fresh water does more to keep a Border Collie cool than any special cooling gel.

That thick double coat holds heat, so Border Collies can overheat on hot days. Watch for heavy panting and slowing down, and bring your dog inside when it’s hot.

K&H Original Pet Cot

The K&H Original Pet Cot is an elevated dog bed with a breathable mesh center. Air moves around your dog, which keeps it cooler than lying on concrete or a padded bed.

It goes together without tools and is easy to spray clean with a hose. It’s good for the backyard, camping or a day by the water. The large size is the right fit for a Border Collie.

Chuckit! Travel Pillow Bed

The Chuckit! Travel Pillow Bed is made for road trips, camping and hikes. It’s a quilted, water-resistant pad that works almost like a sleeping bag for your dog.

It rolls up for packing and goes in the washing machine when you get home. The listing is sized for medium to large dogs.

Cooling Mats

A cooling mat is a thin pad you lay on the floor or on top of a bed. It can help on warm nights indoors. Supervise dogs that chew, because a punctured gel mat isn’t something you want them to swallow.

Best Heated Dog Bed for Border Collies

A heated dog bed is only needed for a Border Collie that sleeps in a cold garage, barn, kennel or basement, or a senior with stiff joints in winter. Indoor dogs in a heated house rarely need one. Pick a bed with a built-in thermostat and a chew-resistant cord.

K&H Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Bed

The K&H Lectro-Soft heated bed has an orthopedic foam core and a waterproof outer shell, so it works indoors or out. K&H says a built-in thermostat warms the surface to your pet’s normal body temperature, about 102°F, when your dog lies on it.

It doesn’t feel hot to the touch when empty, which surprises some owners. It comes with a washable fleece cover and a steel-wrapped cord. The large size is 25 by 36 inches, which fits a Border Collie lying curled or on its side.

What to Look For in a Border Collie Dog Bed

The features that matter most are the base, the cover, the shape and how easy it is to clean. Here’s what to check before you buy.

Base Material

Memory foam is the best base for joint support. Plain foam is fine for younger dogs, and polyfill or plush beds are the cheapest but flatten fastest. Thicker, solid foam lasts longer than shredded foam.

Cover

A removable, machine-washable cover is worth paying for. A waterproof liner under the cover protects the foam from accidents and wet dogs. Cotton and polyester covers are the most common, with suede and faux fur on fancier beds.

Shape

Rectangular beds without sides suit dogs that sprawl. Round beds with raised sides suit dogs that curl up. A bed with a bolster on one side gives you a bit of both.

Cleaning and Odor

Border Collies get into everything, so plan to wash the cover every week or two. Many beds claim to resist odor, but almost every padded bed holds a smell over time. A clean dog keeps a clean bed, and the guide to the best shampoo for Border Collies can help between baths. Elevated cots stay the freshest because nothing traps the smell.

If you live in a small space, look for a bed that fits the room, too. The guide to Border Collies in apartments has more tips for smaller homes.

Border Collie Dog Bed FAQ

What size bed does a Border Collie need?

Most adult Border Collies need a large bed, about 36 to 42 inches long. Measure your dog from nose to the base of the tail while it lies down, then add 6 to 12 inches. Dogs that curl up can use a round bed about 30 to 36 inches across.

Do Border Collies need an orthopedic bed?

Not every Border Collie needs one, but most benefit. A memory foam base supports the hips and elbows and makes getting up easier. It matters most for seniors and dogs with hip dysplasia or arthritis. Starting with an orthopedic bed can save you an upgrade later.

What size crate bed is right for a Border Collie?

Most adult Border Collies fit a 36-inch crate, and taller dogs may need a 42-inch. Buy the crate pad in the same size as the crate so it lies flat. Your dog should be able to stand, turn around and stretch out on its side inside the crate.

Can a Border Collie sleep in your bed?

Yes, if you’re comfortable with it. Many Border Collies are happy to sleep with their people. The downsides are hair, dirt, and jumping on and off a high bed, which can be hard on older joints. A dog bed next to yours is a good middle ground, and it still lets your dog stay close.

Are elevated dog beds good for Border Collies?

Yes, especially outdoors and in hot weather. An elevated cot lets air flow under your dog, keeps it off hot or wet ground and cleans with a hose. Cots are firm rather than soft, so add a thin pad on top for a senior dog that needs more cushion.

How often should you wash a Border Collie’s bed?

Wash the cover every one to two weeks, and more often during heavy shedding seasons. Vacuum the bed between washes to pull out loose hair. If the bed starts to smell even after washing, the foam may need airing out or replacing.