Scientific Proof! University of Pennsylvania study finds Big Barker beds improve quality of life for big dogs in just 28 days

In a clinical study conducted by University of Pennsylvania, owners reported that the Big Barker bed reduced joint pain and stiffness, improved joint function and gait, and led to improved nighttime restfulness in large dogs with arthritis.

To scientifically determine if Big Barker dog beds could reduce joint pain and improve mobility in big dogs with arthritis, University of Pennsylvania researchers gave forty dogs - each at least three-years-old and weighing 70+ pounds - Big Barker beds and activity monitors to measure their sleep and movement.

Independent data analysis showed the following improvements to the mean score: 17.6% improvement in joint function; 21.6% reduction in pain severity; 12.5% reduction in joint stiffness; 9.6% improvement in gait; and 15.1% improvement in quality of life.

Big Barker is the first dog bed that’s been clinically proven to improve quality of life for large dogs.

We're leading the way in taking big dog joint health seriously. Join us on the journey!

How To Choose the Right Size for Your Dog

The most important measurement is the width of the bed. What you want to do is have your dog stand up straight, and measure from the bottom of the paw to the top of the hip or shoulder. This is the amount of room that your dog needs to be in a full 100% stretch position. Compare that measurement to the width of our sizes. You'll want an extra 3-4 inches. For example, if your dog measures 25", you'll do great with the Large, which is 30" wide. But if your dog is 28", you'll want to bump up to the 36" wide XL. Note: the foam composition is the same between the Large, XL, and Giant sizes. All 3 sizes can easily support a 300 lb dog if they have to.

Sample Breed Recommendations:

Large (48" x 30" x 7")

Labrador, Boxer, Golden Retriever, Pit Bull, Husky

Extra Large (52" x 6" x 7")

German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman, Newfoundland, Mastiff

Giant XXL (60" x 48" x 7")

Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound. The Giant is also recommended for two large dogs that share a bed.

MESSAGE FROM THE OWNER

See this pic above? That's me and Hank. I miss him greatly. He was my best bud for 13 years, through good times and bad, he never left my side. He just wanted to slap a smile across my face. He was the one constant l could always rely on. l miss that hairy beast more than l can tell you. But in an important way, Hank lives on, not just in my photos and memories, but also in the lives of over 100,000 other big dogs across America. You see, you might say Hank started a movement....

It all started way back in 2006, the day I came home from work and found him limping. I rushed him to the vet, who dropped a bombshell on me. Hank might need a new hip. He had an early case of hip dysplasia. He’s far from alone. I've since learned that up to 80% of all big dogs will have to face joint conditions like arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or complications from earlier injuries. Sometimes from genetic conditions like hip dysplasia, but often just because of the pounding their joints take day-after-day from carrying around all their “big dog” weight. Sometimes these joint problems steal their mobility when they're older, that’s when you see them start to “slow down.” It’s not natural aging, it’s their joints starting to fail them. When things get real bad sometimes the only option is to release them from their pain. Saddest of all, research has shown dogs have evolved over thousands of years to hide their pain, so not to show weakness to predators. So day after day... they just suffer in silence!

I begged the vet, “What can l do?” Hank was my best pal. How could I help him live a long healthy life and maximize our chances against a painful and potentially life-altering surgery? The vet recommended 3 things, one of which was to get Hank a great dog bed - because just like a human needs their joints cushioned in bed, so does a dog. Especially big dogs prone to serious joint problems.

So l went to all the pet stores to hunt down the best dog bed l could possibly find for Hank. I tried several, pulled them off the shelves and laid on them myself - it was no better than laying on a bath mat. My elbows and hips were driving right into the floor. Not good! None of the beds l tested were good enough for Hank, that was for sure. Especially once he grew into a BIG dog! So I spent the next 6 years experimenting with different dog beds. Tried everything from thick, plush beds to different “orthopedic” and “memory foam” style beds. Better than the pet store beds, but they always flattened and fell apart after a while. None could ever support his 92 lbs, he’d always eventually sink through to the floor. I found myself coming to a life-changing conclusion: l realized that Hank, and any other big dogs like him deserve much, much better than a “normal” dog bed - they deserve a REAL BED!

So I put my thinking cap on, because as luck would have it, my background was in the pet supply business. I picked up the phone to one of the world’s top foam engineers. I shared my vision with him for creating the most supportive, extra-comfy dog bed on the planet. A bed built-to-last, Made in America, and scientifically-calibrated to cushion every pressure-point on a dog's body. A bed that could easily take the weight of even a Great Dane or a Mastiff. Most importantly, a bed worthy of the love l had for Hank, and the love each of us has for the amazing dogs who mean so much to us. Long story short and today, over 7 years later, 100,000+ dogs across America sleep on a Big Barker dog bed. Vets recommend our beds to pet parents, and vets make sure their own dogs sleep on a Big Barker. Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, NBC, FOX and CBS have all told our story. You'll see why if you take a few moments to read the reviews right here on Amazon.

You'll notice that the Big Barker costs more than other dog beds that you'll see online. That's intentional. I needed to create the first serious upgrade to normal dog beds. The whole point of designing the Big Barker was to make a mattress which allows you to provide the best possible quality of care to your dog. In my opinion, the only way to do that with integrity is to use the BEST quality materials, using only AMERICAN made foam, and to have the beds handmade right here in the USA. It costs more to make beds this way, but I felt that other dog owners would want to feel as good as I did when I saw Hank snoring away on his Big Barker. He fought through the pain in hips and soreness from his arthritis because he didn't want to let me down, it made me proud to know that he had a bed that didn't let him down either.

Shortly after this picture was taken, Hank and l spent his final day together. He woke up and inhaled a leftover piece of his special cake made just for him with sweet potato, cream cheese, and bacon. Then we hopped in the car for one last “Wilderness Day.” He seemed like he remembered the spot because he was basically jogging once his feet hit the grass. He hadn’t moved that quickly in a long time. He trotted at his own pace and sniffed all the interesting animal pee he wanted. He had a picnic with McDonalds cheeseburgers and went home when he got tired. After resting a bit, he scarfed down a seared (but very rare) NY strip steak. I didn’t see him chew at all. He always loved steak. It was a long day, and he didn’t have the energy left for one last nighttime walk in the park, so we both laid down and had a sleepover on the floor. The vet came the next morning and he passed away peacefully. He was my best bud for 13 years. He was a good dude who never left my side no matter what. I miss him terribly. Of course, his legacy lives on. Hank is the original “Big Barker” and the inspiration behind this movement to start protecting the joints of the dogs we love so much. Thanks for reading!

- Eric Shannon, Owner, Big Barker