Breed guide
Best Dog Beds for Border Collies
Quick answer
What a Border Collies Needs from a Bed
Size
Males run 14 to 20kg and females 14 to 19kg, standing 56 and 51cm at the shoulder (Hill's Pet NZ). Dogs NZ gives 46 to 53cm. That puts most Collies in our mid sizes.
Rest After Work
Hill's lists a very energetic dog with over 40 minutes of exercise a day. A dense foam mattress is where that effort gets recovered, so choose one that will not flatten.
Coat and Mud
The Dogs NZ standard describes a dense, weather resisting double coat, and Hill's calls Collies average shedders needing weekly brushing. Muddy paddocks mean a cover that washes and a liner that wipes.
Boredom
Hill's warns that without activity and company a Collie can become unhappy and destructive. If the bed is the target, start with the Luxe Lounger. The base is chew resistant, not chew proof.
Border Collies Health, and Why Bed Choice Matters
This is not medical advice. Ask your vet about any existing condition.
0.34x
Ears
Border Collies had 0.34 times the odds of ear infection compared with crossbreds (O'Neill et al., 2021), so they are one of the protected breeds. Covers still need washing for mud, but not because of ears.
12
Hips
Across 15 years of BVA and Kennel Club hip scoring, 3,966 Collies averaged a score of 12 and a median of 10. On this scheme 0 is the best possible score. It only covers Collies whose owners put them forward, so treat it as a guide.
40+ Mins
Exercise
Hill's lists over 40 minutes a day for a Border Collie. Joints and muscles that work that hard appreciate a firm, supportive place to rest.
14
Size
Hill's Pet NZ lists 14 to 20kg for males and 14 to 19kg for females. Brooklyn's rule of thumb for the Nest is Regular under 15kg and Jumbo over 15kg.
What Size Bed Does a Border Collies Need?
How to Measure
Lay your dog flat on the floor and measure from nose tip to base of tail. Measure curled too. Add about 10cm (Kuranda sizing guide).
If you are between sizes, go larger.
For puppies, buy for the adult size.
| Brooklyn® bed | Size | Dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ultra Memory Foam - Large |
Large | 100 x 60 x 10cm | Smaller females. Check length first |
 Luxe Lounger |
Jumbo | 120 x 70 x 30cm | Chewers |
 Nest |
Jumbo | 113 x 93cm, inner 80 x 55cm | Bigger Labs who like a rim |
Best Bed Types for Border Collies, Ranked
Brooklyn® Ultra Memory Foam Bed
A 100 x 60cm mattress with 10cm of memory and orthopaedic foam, and a water resistant liner. Enough length for a stretched-out Collie. Good to know: the liner can rustle.
Brooklyn® Chew Resistant Luxe Lounger
A 90 x 60cm base in ballistic nylon with hidden zips, and a topper you can unbutton during a chewing phase. Good to know: chew resistant, not chew proof. The topper is not chew resistant.
Brooklyn® Nest Cooling Dog Bed
A 22cm latex rim with 8cm of memory foam and 2cm of cooling gel. 3-year no-sag guarantee on the rims. Good to know: Brooklyn suggests Regular under 15kg and Jumbo over. No returns once the vacuum seal is broken.
Choosing a Bed in New Zealand
Working paddocks and wet NZ winters mean muddy Collies. Foam is not washable, but covers go in on a gentle cycle and line dry, and the liner only needs wiping. The Luxe Lounger base is waterproof for outdoor use. We ship from Auckland in 1 to 3 days, free over $79, with 30-day returns on unused beds. Nest beds cannot be returned once the vacuum seal is broken.
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Border Collies Bed FAQs
What size bed for a Border Collie?
Usually the Ultra Memory Foam L, or the Nest Regular under 15kg and Jumbo over 15kg. Adults run 14 to 20kg. Measure first.
Do Border Collies need an orthopaedic bed?
Not necessarily. Hip scores average 12 and are better than some larger breeds, but a hard-working dog still appreciates foam. Ask your vet if yours is stiff.
My Collie is chewing the bed. What should I do?
Hill's links boredom to destructive behaviour, so check exercise first. Then start with the Luxe Lounger and take the topper off during chewing phases.
How do I keep up with a muddy Collie?
Use the water resistant liner, wipe it, and machine wash the covers on a gentle cycle. Do not wash the liner.
Is the Nest too big for a Border Collie?
Brooklyn suggests Regular under 15kg and Jumbo over 15kg. Most Collies fall either side of that line, so weigh yours.
Are Border Collies prone to ear infections?
Less than most. They had 0.34 times the odds of crossbreds in a UK study. Any dog can get one, so see your vet if yours shakes its head or scratches an ear.
Sources: Hill's Pet NZ, Border Collie breed page
https://www.hillspet.co.nz/dog-care/dog-breeds/border-collie
Dogs NZ, Border Collie breed standard
https://dogsnz.org.nz/breeds/info/border-collie/516
O'Neill et al. (2021), Frequency and predisposing factors for canine otitis externa in the UK, Canine Medicine and Genetics (summary on DOAJ)
https://doaj.org/article/5e5468deec924e389b1001a02bdd0561
BVA and Kennel Club, Canine Health Schemes hip breed specific statistics 2024
https://bva.co.uk/media/6332/hip-breed-specific-statistics-2024.pdf
iHeartDogs, Best Dog Beds for Border Collies
https://iheartdogs.com/best-dog-beds-for-border-collies/
Brooklyn NZ product pages: Nest, Ultra Memory Foam, Luxe Lounger, Deep Sleep, and size guides
https://thebrooklyn.co.nz/collections/dog-beds Health figures are from the studies cited and are not veterinary advice.
