When it comes to buying a new dog bed, it's a jungle out there!   Searching 'Dog Beds' on the biggest online retail site reveals a bewildering selection continuing for page after page.   So what to look for and take into consideration when next you decide to treat your best pal to a new bed..?   Here we discuss some key criteria as a guide before you part with your hard-earned cash.   A dog bed needs to be able to provide the optimum mix of 4 key elements – comfort, support, practicality, and durability.   Sadly, and inexplicably, the vast majority of dog beds offered ..read more

  How to Stop your Dog Pulling on the Lead - A Simple 5 Step Plan   We are asked this question so many times by concerned owners. We are not qualified trainers, but in over 30 years of owning and working Labradors, this simple method certainly works for us. You don't need any special equipment or a big area to practice in – just 15 minutes a day and a little perseverance and routine.   Step 1 – Leads   You will need a suitable lead – We prefer to use a Slip Lead when training to walk to heel. Slip Leads have had some largely undeserved bad press with people associating them ..read more

  OK, we admit it - We're a nosey bunch @berkeleydog beds. So when any new developments occur or new products are launched in the dog bed world we always like to know what's going on. This sometimes leads to us touring the pet stores and even ordering a few sample beds online to check the beds out for ourselves and test them on our own dogs. Following hot on the heels of 'Orthopaedic' Dog Beds the latest marketing craze seems to be all about 'Calming' Dog Beds. What are Calming Dog Beds? A quick internet search reveals a huge variety of Calming Dog Beds available in a wide range of sizes ..read more

    How to Wash a Dog Bed A Simple Guide by Berkeley Dog Beds     The dog bed sitting in the corner of your room is often the most used and abused piece of soft furniture in your home so it deserves to be cared for and kept in the best possible condition. Nobody loves a damp, smelly, dusty dog bed that may be harbouring mould, mildew, fleas, dog hairs and dander – least of all your dog.   Very few dog beds are designed to last and many end up in landfill alarmingly quickly. Washing is often impractical and can lead to the filling clumping and flattening thus rendering ..read more

    Memory Foam – Is it a Danger to Dogs?   What is Memory Foam?   Memory Foam was first developed by NASA in the late 1960's. It's primary function was to improve aircraft and spacecraft seating. However, it started to become popular and widely available during the 1980's for a wide range of other applications. Memory foam uses body heat to soften and mold to shape. This provides both support and comfort. Once pressure is removed, memory foam will bounce back very slowly to it's original shape and hence the name. It is also an excellent shock absorbing material.   Wha ..read more

    Memory Foam – Is it Dangerous to Dogs?   What is Memory Foam?   Memory Foam was first developed by NASA in the late 1960's. It's primary function was to improve aircraft and spacecraft seating. However, it started to become popular and widely available during the 1980's for a wide range of other applications. Memory foam uses body heat to soften and mold to shape. This provides both support and comfort. Once pressure is removed, memory foam will bounce back very slowly to it's original shape and hence the name. It is also an excellent shock absorbing material.   Wh ..read more

    Unfortunately, the term 'Orthopaedic' when applied to dog beds is just a marketing term and can mean very little. There is no industry or professional body accreditation or standards to give weight to what an 'Orthopaedic Dog Bed' should represent.   Having said that, as a potential dog bed buyer you expect an orthopaedic dog bed to fulfill certain essential functions -   Undoubtedly, the bed needs to be supremely comfortable It needs to have adequate and effective insulation to shield your dog from cold, hard floors It should protect, support and cushion your dog ..read more

Start with your dog! Let's start by measuring your dog - measure the height to the top of the shoulders and the length from the chest bone to the base of the tail. Then add around 15 cm / 6" to these dimensions to give a guide to the best bed size for optimum comfort. If in doubt, always choose a larger bed size. Do not make the mistake of trying to buy a dog bed that has to fit in a certain space within a room.- It's the comfort of your dog that counts. Allow for complete freedom of movement during sleep – dogs attempt to maintain a comfortable body temperature and relieve pressure on muscles ..read more

There is a growing consumer demand for 'Non-Toxic Dog Beds', 'Natural Dog Beds', 'Organic Dog Beds', 'Eco-Dog Beds' or 'Chemical-Free Dog Beds' This article highlights the background to this trend in order for you to make a more informed decision the next time you are ready to purchase a new dog bed for YOUR best friend. Background Your dog's bed is probably the most used and abused piece of furniture in your home. It is scratched, chewed, licked, jumped upon, soaked, shaken, dragged around and played with virtually every single day. However, few people are aware of the potential threat that t ..read more

All modesty aside, we do know quite a lot about Labradors having owned them continually for over 30 years. To be honest, we may even be a little obsessed with them and they form a big part of our lives. They were the reason that we started Berkeley Dog Beds in the first place as, in spite of the many hundreds of beds available for sale, we just couldn't find one that we were happy with for our Labs - so we ended up designing our own! Even now, our Labs are the best testers and judges we know of when it comes to developing and approving new products. So what makes the best bed for Labradors? La ..read more