5 Things to Look for When Buying a Wooden Dog Bed
Wooden dog beds come in many shapes, styles and sizes
. Whether a contemporary style bed for your Chihuahua or a traditional style for your Great Dane, there are several things to look for that will help ensure that you spend your money wisely.
Just like buying a wood bed for yourself where prices can range from a few hundred dollars at a discount store to thousands of dollars for a designer name, you need to know what you're paying for.
1) STYLE: The first thing to look at in a wood dog bed is the style. At the lower price points, don't expect too much in the way of high style. Most inexpensive beds will be plain and utilitarian looking. A more expensive designer dog bed typically has a definable style such as traditional, transitional, contemporary, etc. Ideally that style (and color) should blend with or match your existing furniture. If your home decor is important to you, you may want a raised or luxury dog bed.
2) CONSTRUCTION: The second thing to look at is overall fit and construction. Look closely at the joints...the places where the wood is attached together. They should be tight-fitting and show a glue joint no more than the width of a pencil line. No daylight should be visible through the joint. Any opening or separation at this point can mean a few things:
* The wood wasn't properly dried and is showing signs of shrinkage.
* The use of cheap or too little glue. Clamping wood too tightly when gluing can also cause most of the glue to squeeze out-causing a "glue-starved" joint.
* Sloppy or inferior craftsmanship. This could be a result of the saws or other machinery not being "trued up" so they cut perfect 90 or 45 angles. It may be that the factory is using inexperienced labor. All of this being said, remember that wood was once a living thing.It continues to "breathe" long after the tree has been cut down.
Wood expands and contracts according to the surrounding climate and humidity. That's why wood floor manufacturers, for example, tell you to stack your flooring in your home for a week prior to installation to acclimate. Yes, even a Steinway Piano may develop some hairline joint openings. It is the nature and part of the beauty of wood.
3) FINISH: Even a beautifully constructed bed will look cheap if it has a poor quality finish. Look for any signs of chipping, peeling or fading. Carefully inspect for uniformity of finish. Is the color and gloss, or sheen consistent? Have all exposed areas, whether visible or not, been finished? Any of these indicators can mean an attempt to cut corners to save money on materials by using too little or inferior products. Or both. It could also mean poor surface preparation, which saves money in labor but doesn't provide a good base for the paint or varnish.
A quality dog bed, or any piece of furniture for that matter, will have a multi-step finishing process and will have an overall look of quality. The finish should look inviting and like it is "begging you to touch it." Which brings us to the next test. Run your hands over the wood and feel for rough spots. If it doesn't feel uniformly smooth, it could mean that the bed wasn't properly sanded or wiped down before finishing.
4) MATERIALS: What is the bed made of? Less expensive beds may be made of softwood, such as pine. Or they could be made from plywood or particle board.
There's nothing wrong with any of these materials...as long as the bed conforms to the above three conditions. Over the centuries some highly valuable furniture has been made of pine. And some fine boats made from plywood. Particle board...not so much.
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) however, is being incorporated into some higher end kitchen and furniture components. Unlike particle board which crumbles if it gets wet, MDF is water-resistant and makes some sense for the environment since it is made utilizing wood scraps. It also takes a great paint finish. Good quality beds will typically use a local hardwood, preferably sustainably grown. Hopefully, the hardwood has been kiln dried to less than 12% moisture content, while air dried lumber is usually closer to 20%.
5) SIZE: Finally, make sure that you are buying the proper size bed for your pet. Your pup loves to have his own space and shouldn't feel cramped. Dogs also like to feel secure and surrounded in their space and will often retreat there when upset or frightened. Remember that dog's are cave or den dwellers by nature, so you shouldn't buy a bed that's too large for your pup either.
Your dog has a preferred sleeping position, much like you do. Whether she likes to curl up or stretch out, a good rule of thumb is to measure from head to tail while she's sleeping. Add 10"-12" to that measurement and you have a good idea of a proper bed size.
Whatever kind of bed you choose, your pet is going to love it and love you for getting it! You can also rest easier knowing that your beloved family member has her own special space.
Whatever kind of bed you choose, your pet is going to love it! You can also rest easier knowing that your beloved family member has her own special space.
5 Things to Look for When Buying a Wooden Dog Bed
By: Nancy Hyer
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