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Beds

Yorkshire Terrier Beds

Yorkie dog sleeping in a blue bed

Overview

All Yorkies of all ages, from puppies to adults to seniors, can benefit from having their own dog bed or comparable resting and sleeping area. Here we will cover the reasons why a bed is a good idea, tips for setting up and maintaining a doggie bed, and some personal recommendations. 

The Benefits of Having a Canine Bed for Your Yorkie

#1 Proper orthopedic support.

Some pet parents assume that small dogs don't require a bed cushion, due to their size; however, relatively speaking, all dogs require just as much support as humans do. The smaller the dog, the smaller the required cushion, but there is no dog that is so tiny that they cannot benefit from beds that help distribute weight from pressure points and alleviate stress on the spine, neck, hips, back, elbows and knees.


With beds, it's all relative. There is nothing anatomically different about today's canine family member that makes it any healthier to sleep on the floor without support than it is for a human.


The main goal is to offer effective orthopedic support and pressure relief to help disperse contact point damage and delay or avoid long-term skeletal, muscular, and joint damage.


Pet parents should remember that orthopedic issues, common during a Yorkie's senior years, start to develop long before symptoms manifest. A whopping 80% of dogs age 8 years and older have some level of arthritis, but damage starts to accumulate years beforehand. Senior Yorkshire Terriers could have a marked decrease in osteoarthritis and other bone and joint issues if proper bedding was proactively provided along with other health measures.

#2 Security.

All canines instinctively know that shelter equals safety, and this is why so many puppies and dogs love to curl up in a small, soft area like a bed. Whether it's a young puppy struggling to feel secure in their new home, an adult that's left home alone at times and may suffer from separation anxiety, or a senior that wants a quiet resting area, all Yorkies will benefit from having their own special spot to retreat to.

Even if a Yorkie likes to rest in different areas of the home, it's nice to offer the choice of a bed. Some will retreat there only when company comes over, if there's a thunderstorm, or during other high-stress instances.

#3 Safety.

Having a portable bed that can be placed within a canine playpen, gated off area or otherwise in a safe location is an important safety measure. Toy breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier have a much higher incident rate of injury than their larger counterparts. In fact, the leading cause of death for (all) puppies and the 3rd leading cause of death for the Yorkshire Terrier breed is trauma.


For this reason, having a bed for your Yorkie can decrease the odds of your dog being accidentally stepped on, tripped over, or rolled over in bed, as well as help decrease the odds of falling down from a sofa, chair or other furniture.

#4 Establishing and maintaining proper hierarchy.

Though not an issue with all Yorkies, if your puppy or dog is not listening, does not follow commands, growls at you, etc., these are signs that stronger leadership should be established. Part of this is keeping a superior physical positioning, which means dogs are not allowed into their owners bed.

Types of Dog Beds

There are several different types of dog beds. Note that you may find your Yorkie's needs change as they grow and mature and the design of their bed may also need to change.

Bolster bed - This type of dog bed typically has a cushioned bottom and raised pillows for the sides. Most are on three-sided bolsters, allowing for a dog to enter from one area; though there are some that have a bolster on just one of the four sides. Bolster doggie beds can be circular, square, or rectangle shaped.


Because bolstered dog beds offer a strong sense of security, they are best for puppies, adults that spend time home alone, and seniors (especially those with hearing or vision impairment). This type of bed also tends to be warmer than other designs, so it is ideal for Yorkies that are become easily chilled (common with this breed).

Flat mattress bed - A canine flat mattress bed, also known as a flat bed or mattress pad bed, is usually sized a bit larger than a bolster bed, tends to be more rectangle in shape (rather than circular) and either is designed with no side bolsters at all or has just one. 


This type of design is usually best for Yorkies that truly love to lie on the floor and/or stretch out without impediments. With Yorkshire Terriers that switch from the floor to a flat mattress, there is generally little to no resistance due to this bed's low profile and unobstructed view.

Calming bed - This is a relatively new type of bed for canines and is designed for dogs suffering from anxiety disorders such as separation anxiety, nervousness with visitors to the home or other indoor pets, and other related issues. These types of beds are usually circular (may be referred as a donut-shaped since the center is typically lower than the outer ring) and extremely fluffy; a dog is meant to burrow down into the softness to gain a sense of safety and security. Some have additional crevices that allow a dog to 'hide' down deep. Most are made with a soft synthetic fur outer layer that mimics a mother dog's coat (and the calming emotions that that evokes).

Raised bed - Also known as a hammock bed or cot bed, these are raised off of the floor, with a frame that holds a sturdy, stretched fabric. These generally are designed with thin material that serves as the body support, not a mattress, so this should be considered a supplemental item and should be not used as a Yorkie's regular bed. The plus side of having a raised bed is that air flow can circulate under the frame which makes this a nice retreat on hot days.

Recommended Beds for Yorkshire Terriers

Best overall bed:

This is our top pick for many reasons. It's budget-friendly but a high quality choice that will last for years. The base is a 2-inch high-density memory foam for excellent support along with cotton-padded bolsters that have great resilience. It has a non-slip bottom, water-proof inner liner, and a removable machine-washable cover (with a hidden zipper) that makes it super easy to keep clean. The small (27" x 20") is ideal for most Yorkshire Terriers of all ages.

Best flat mattress bed:

This a top choice for several reasons. It's very easy on the wallet, but offers some great features including a 3-inch high-density memory-foam base. There is a non-slip bottom so it stays in place and a removable, machine-washable cover with a hidden zipper that helps make it easy to keep clean. The top layer is a soft plush that adds a cozy feeling to this low-profile bed. The small (24" x 16") is great for just about all Yorkshire Terriers for all ages. 

Best Calming bed:

The problem with newer concepts like calming beds for dogs is that once the idea catches on, manufacturers try to jump on board by creating knock-offs from the original designs, and those can be very subpar. This is why this one by Best Friends is our top choice; it's a high-quality, proven local brand that designs and makes all of their dog beds right in Los Angeles California, USA.


The filling on this is supportive, so while a Yorkie can certain burrow down to ease their anxiety, they are also receiving good body support and stress-relief (though not quite as effective as orthopedic memory foam). The small size (23" x 23") can be tossed right into a washing machine and the larger sizes have a removable cover. Another nice thing about this bed is that it's available in quite a few colors, so you can easily match your decor.

Best raised bed:

We really like this raised cot for lots of reasons. The frame, which is made of steel and PVC pipe, is sturdy and durable and the center panel has a strong mesh area for awesome ventilation. The entire bed is water-resistant and with non-slip rubber feet pads which makes it great to use both indoors and out (ideal for hot summer days). It's easy to move this from room to room (patios, porches, and 3-season rooms are great places to use this) and if you want to bring it along on vacation, to visit other homes, etc., it comes with a nice carrying case. The small (25.5" x 18") works well for most Yorkshire Terriers.

Set-up and Maintenance of Your Yorkie's Bed

Here are some top FAQ to properly setting up and taking good care of your Yorkie's bed.


Where is the best place to put my Yorkie's bed?


The idea is to offer a quiet spot to retreat without feeling isolated. For this reason, a good place to set up your Yorkie's bed is the corner of the living room or family room. Of course, if your Yorkie has an indoor canine playpen or gated-off area, you'll want to put the bed inside of that.


Some Yorkies prefer more than one resting area. If so, pet parents may choose to move their dog's bed from room to room as needed (for example, near their own bed at night, into the kitchen during the day, and outside onto a deck or patio when the family is outdoors) and others opt to have different beds (for example, a bolstered bed for sleeping and an elevated cot for supervised naps in the yard).


When setting things up inside, take note of any areas that may be drafty or chilly (e.g. too close to a window or door or right near an AC vent) or too hot (e.g. direct sunlight pours in from a nearby window).

How long a bed will last?


How long a Yorkie's bed will last before it has to be replaced with vary depending on the design and quality of the bed, how often it's used, and whether or not it's washable and if so, how often it's washed. Generally speaking, a quality dog bed will last 3 to 4 years. By year 5, even if it seems to be holding up, the inner cushioning of the foam mattress has most likely compacted and will not be offering optimal orthopedic support; it'll be time for a replacement.

How can I help a bed last and stay clean?

The best thing you can do is to wash your Yorkshire Terrier's bed cover on a regular basis; usually once a week is ideal to clean accumulated body oils, dribbles of urine, and other substances that can cause stinky odors. Use warm water (unless otherwise directed) to help keep dust mites at bay. Also, keep up with trimming your Yorkie's nails so they're less likely to snag on and rip the fabric on the bed.

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Clothing for a Yorkie - You're not alone if you realize that your Yorkie could do with a few warm clothing pieces, but are having a hard time finding cute ones that fit. See why clothes like vests, jackets, and coats can help during different seasons and some adorable options that fit this small breed. 
Carry bags and slings for a Yorkie - It can be hard for a Yorkshire Terrier to keep up if you'll be doing lots of walking. See the advantages of having a great carry method for your little guy or gal. 
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