Some dogs really like to put their bed to the test with frequent scratching, dirt, and being joyfully unhinged, meaning that many fail to live up to expectations. My parent’s massive golden retriever was the type to carry her bed throughout the house, splash gallons of drool wherever she plopped down, and would naturally smush anything she brought from outside into her bed. I wish K9 Ballistics existed back then, because their beastly rugged Oval Bed would’ve been absolutely perfect for a roughhousing gentle giant like Jessie.
I shared this slick, titanium-colored bed with several puppies in the family, and after plenty of testing, I’m happy to recommend this extra-durable model especially for rowdy, older, and BIG dogs.
Tough Ripstop Oval Bolster Pillow Dog Bed
Specifications
- Price: $130-140 (small), $185-210 (medium), $240-265 (large).
- Colors: Obsidian black, titanium (reviewed,) taupe. Note that the titanium and taupe colorways are slightly pricier premium options.
- Personalization: Embroidery $12, offered in three fonts and nine colors (gold featured).
- Made in the USA: Yes.
- Machine Washable: Yes.
- Warranty: 120 Days.
- Sizes: Small (27 inches long x 22 inches wide x 9 inches high), medium (37 inches long x 30 inches wide x 11 inches high), large (47 inches long x 38 inches wide x 13 inches high).
Pros
- Awesome investment for bedtime diggers, tough puppies, and senior dogs.
- Water resistant and machine washable.
- Surprisingly durable ripstop material.
- Should easily last the average dog’s lifetime.
- Affordable and charming embroidery option.
- Dependably supportive, yet comfortable and soft CertiPUR-US Foam.
Cons
- Too big and a bit of a waste for tiny toy breeds who can’t destroy normal dog beds.
- If your dog is a crocodile-level relentless chewer, you’ll want a K9 Armored Dog Bed instead.
The Experience
While most of us would love to buy a fluffy and super-plush bed for our best friends, some dogs incessantly claw at their bed before lying down, drag it through the house, or effortlessly make their bed smell funky over time. The K9 Ballistics Tough Ripstop Oval Bolster dog bed’s thick, tough surface will easily shrug off years of those digging motions dogs do before lying down, or being tossed about by overly excited puppies. Wendy, my trusty Yorkie, is a frequent chewer and licker, and I’m glad to say that this material repels the unpleasant odors that imbed themselves into more porous fabrics. (Speaking of which, the core black and “premium” titanium and taupe fabrics differ in texture, but hold up exactly the same.)
If yours is the type of destructive dog that hunts for seams to shred, you’ll be happy to see that the bed’s internal mattress zipper and tags are tuckable deep under the bowl shape, so they won’t be tempted to test the limits of this model. Accidents and bad fur days happen, but beyond the bed’s natural ability to resist holding onto smells, the case is machine washable, is quick to dry, and is water-resistant (the material itself is essentially waterproof, but liquids could seep inside the bed itself via its seams). I’m also a fan of its grippy underside, since much of my home features tile flooring.
As someone who’s reviewed his fair share of pet beds over the years, I expect “chew resistant” models to be scratchy and stiff, but I was pleasantly surprised that the titanium edition has a softer, more velvety feel than I thought it would. It also sports a removable zippered interior mattress filled with premium CertiPUR-US foam, which gives the bed the perfect balance of “squish” and the support that larger dogs may need for their bulkier frames.
The rounded oval shape and bolster edges gives this bed a cozy, nestlike feel for dogs who prefer curling up into a ball, or resting their head on the raised edges to watch you from the comfort of their bed.
It’s common for pet owners to have a few little beds, cushions, and blankets strategically strewn around the house, but we all know it only takes a year or two before they start to collect little tears and rips, hoard odors, and awkwardly squish on that one side your dog loves to lay on. The sticker price for one of K9 Ballistics’ dog beds may seem a little high at first, but they’re easy to clean, are especially puncture-resistant, and swapping out its insides for new supportive foam is a snap.
Since you’re likely to have this bed at least as long as your best friend, it’s worth paying a little extra for the embroidery option. I went with a timeless “Sweet Dreams” because it works whether my dog or cat takes a nap in it (I picked the metallic gold thread color out of the white, silver, black, purple, red, blue, pink, and green colorways that K9 Ballistics offers).
All of that said, it’s important to note that this model is absolutely not chew-proof — it’s extremely durable, won’t be ruined by being tossed about, fall apart in the washing machine, or get holes torn in it from frequent digging, but dedicated, hardcore hyena-like chewers will still be able to ruin this bed.
Final Thoughts
As much as I like this dog bed, it really isn’t for everyone. Most notably, tiny toy breeds will feel dwarfed even by its “small” size, and most little dogs won’t shred a quality traditional bed anyway. At this price, I would recommend that anyone who owns a T-Rex-like power chewer should consider a truly chew-proof model instead.
Tough Ripstop Oval Bolster Pillow Dog Bed
Most dogs, though, would benefit from this rugged, snuggly, and overall well-made bed. If you own a younger, larger breed who plays hard, it’s an absolute must-buy due to its tear and odor resistance. It’s also a top pick for an elderly pup who needs gentle, yet firm skeletal support from a bed that’s reliably easy to clean. Yes, these Tough Ripstop Dog Beds start at $130 and only go up from there, but it’s certainly worth the long-term investment to treat your pal to what very well may be their go-to bed throughout their happy life.
