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Outdoor Dog Beds For Frisky Fidos

It's always one or the other - your friends will comment on their "indoor dogs," and you'll insist you have "outdoor dogs." Others still claim to have "indoor dogs" that "love to go outside - if it's not too cold."

Some dogs, whether they prefer to be inside or not, prefer paws-down to sleep under the stars in the great outdoors. This is fine, of course, until the next morning, when they come tramping in the kitchen, tracking dirt, leaves, and any number of "creatures that crawl in the night" back inside.

One way to keep those tracks to a minimum is to invest in a comfortable, enticing outdoor dog bed - just for your "outdoor dog" to use every night. The problem is, though, that most beds aren't made to stand up to the hazards of weather. However, some are, and here's what to look for when seeking a place for Fido to rest his head in the back yard:

Look for polyester fabric, or "polysilk," a kind of filling that is resistant to mildew and most fungal elements. You'll also want to choose a bed that has also been made to resist damage from sunlight, moisture, and stains, and that can be washed in a regular washing machine.

Another important thing to take into consideration is your dog's size. No matter how well outdoor dog beds are made, in inclement weather, they will likely expand (or shrink) over time, simply due to the natural ravages of the elements. So, if you have a large dog, don't think for a minute that you can get away with a "medium-sized dog" outdoor bed. The dog won't be comfortable, and the bed won't last. In this case, at least, "more is less!"

And, of course, many styles, patterns, colors, and designs are available for outdoor beds -- just to suit your pooch's "outdoor" personality!