It used to be that beds for dogs were pretty simple things. You might put down a rug, a folded blanket, or a pile of old towels in a corner or near the fireplace, and that was it. But these pet beds have come a long way since those days. Sometimes people don’t have a special bed for their dog, but let it sleep with them on their own bed. Or sometimes dog crates double as beds for the night. But others want their dogs to have something distinctive to sleep on or in, and there are some interesting and fun versions of these beds out there.

Many people looking for very special beds for dogs often decide on something like a canopy bed. Some look much like the traditional canopy frames that humans use, while others take on a more exotic tone. For example, Glamour Dog (www.glamourdog.com) sells what are essentially round, canopied tents, with roofs that rise to a pointed central spire. These luxury dog beds bring to mind something like a Sultan’s tent, and are richly decorated with jewels or feathers or fur.

But taking a less informal path in distinctive dog beds, one very fascinating type is the Murphy bed. This is the kind of bed that folds up against a wall in the daytime, revealing simply a decorative wooden cabinet. But at night, the hidden mattress and bedding is lowered to the floor. This type of dog furniture can be both utilitarian and ornamental. It conserves space in the day, and can also be styled to complement the other furnishings in the room. It becomes a real part of the decor.

You can find beds for dogs in all sorts of unusual shapes. If you want your dog to sleep in a replica of a Mercedes Benz, you can do that. It can lounge in a gazebo with a pillow for a floor. It can sleep in hammocks, cots, spaceships, elegant French divans, anything you want. Manufacturers and websites offer dog beds for sale in any sort of design you can conceive. And if they don’t have the type of design you want, some places will follow your specifications and create it for you. The sky is the really limit when it comes to creative bed ideas for your canine buddy.

As you can see, beds for dogs can be as utilitarian or as elaborate as you want them to be. In most cases, the dog itself won’t really care, unless it’s a choice between a simple mat on the floor or a memory foam mattress that gives aching joints a bit of relief.

If you have a dog you need to be thinking about the things it needs, such as a dog bed. Whether you’re looking for designer dog beds or just a comfy place for your pet to sprawl out, click here to find out more about what to look for in a dogs bed.