Durable, tough dog beds SHOULD be the norm. However, as a bed manufacturer, achieving the right balance between making hard wearing tough dog beds that are also ultra-comfy, warm and inviting is a real challenge.
We took a step back and looked at the reasons why a dog bed is thrown away and ends up in a landfill site.
Probably the biggest reason is that it simply doesn’t do the job that it was bought for in the first place. Usually it has either lost it’s shape, become lumpy and flat, has developed holes or has simply disintegrated! Your dog won’t use it any more and, within a disturbingly short time, you have lost your money.
There are only really two main constituents to a dog bed – the filling and the cover – so why is it so difficult to get it right?
Unfortunately, most dog bed manufacturers build down to a price point and not up to a quality standard. The majority are made in low cost producing countries and shipped into the UK in containers. Common sense dictates therefore that the less filling you put in a dog bed the more you can fit in the container.
Foams and polyester fibre is easily compressed yet can be ‘fluffed-up’ convincingly at the point of sale. However, it doesn’t take long for your dog to flatten the filling and / or cause it to migrate to the edges / corners of the bed or clump up so that he or she is virtually lying on the floor. No comfort, no support, no correct spinal alignment, no insulation, no effective cushioning of exposed joints.
So what makes our dog bed mattress so different? Firstly we use a unique layered structure using up to 12 individual layers of largely natural materials that surround a central mat of individual pocket springs. The pocket springs provide bounce and an effective ‘anchor’ for the deep layers of filling. These are then tightly wrapped in a cotton drill inner cover and ‘tufted’ using super strong thread to prevent the filling moving.
The first thing you’ll notice when you pick up our Waterproof Orthopaedic Mattress is just how heavy it is. Even with the very heaviest dog, there is no danger of the bed compressing to the point where it becomes ineffective.
To then protect the mattress we add a robust and waterproof cover which is both removable and replaceable. It prevents damp entering the filling and guards against infestation and mould / mildew growth. Any dirt and grime can be spot-wiped or machine washed on a cool, gentle cycle.
And finally, we offer a choice of fabric covers that slip over the waterproof covers to add even more warmth, comfort and practicality. Again, these are all fully washable and removable.
We only use upholstery grade fabrics with an exceptionally high rub factor. These are more expensive than the thin cotton covers used by some of our competitors but they’re built to last.
We are convinced that a Berkeley Waterproof Orthopaedic Dog Bed is one of the most tough dog beds available. We have used the same mattress on three generations of our own dogs and they are still as comfy and supportive as when they were first made.