My dog Koopa and I tested 15 dog beds — here are the ones that held up

Finding a good dog bed sounds simple, but it can actually be pretty hard. There are dozens of beds out there, and some cost hundreds of dollars. A writer decided to test 15 different dog beds — with help from his lab mix, Koopa — to figure out which ones are truly worth the money.

The writer has tested all kinds of products, from sports cars to smartphones, for many years. He has also been a dog owner his whole life. That made him a good person to figure out which dog beds work and which ones fall apart.

Koopa is a 70-pound, 20-month-old lab mix who loves to dig and chew on just about everything. That made him a tough but fair tester for every bed in the group. If a bed could survive Koopa, it could probably survive most dogs.

To test the beds, the writer first checked how easy each one was to set up. Some were ready to use right out of the box. Others took up to 20 minutes of unpacking and stuffing before Koopa could even try them out.

For indoor beds, the writer spread them around the house and watched to see which ones Koopa chose to sleep on. Each bed also got some time alone with Koopa so the writer could see how he really felt about it. The beds Koopa avoided were noted just as carefully as his favorites.

For outdoor beds, the writer looked closely at the materials and hardware used to build them. He checked how well each bed held up after a few rainstorms and looked for any rust or other signs that a bed was not built to last. Outdoor beds need to handle more than just a sleepy dog.

Washing was also a big part of the test. The writer took apart every bed and washed it the way the instructions said, checking for shrinking, staining, and shedding. A bed that shrinks after washing can be really hard to put back together.

After testing was done, all the beds were either sent back to the companies or given to local animal shelters. The writer hoped those beds would bring comfort to dogs waiting to find a home. It was a kind way to end a long testing process.

So how do you pick the right dog bed? First, measure your dog while it is sleeping to get an idea of how much space it takes up. If the bed has bolsters — padded walls around the edge — you need extra room so your dog can really stretch out.

Also think about durability, which means how well something holds up over time. A very soft bed might not survive a dog that likes to chew and dig. A calm, older dog, on the other hand, might love something soft and cozy.

Finally, always check the care instructions before you buy. Some beds can be washed in warm water on a normal cycle, while others need a gentle cycle. If your dog makes a mess, you want a bed that can handle a tough wash without falling apart.