Pets — January 2, 2024

Burrow Dog Bed

Pets — January 2, 2024

Burrow Dog Bed

Goodies You Can't Google

You've found a member-exclusive project. But for less than the price of a fancy coffee... You'll get instant access to this and over 2,000 other premium projects inside the Lia Griffith membership!

Become a Member

“With Lia, you get a ton of beautiful projects from one site. It saves me time searching the web, and the project tutorials and videos are easy to follow. I definitely get my money's worth every month!” Vivian

The Burrowers

Become a member to download the pattern and instructions below for this perfect burrow friendly dog bed today! My dog Enzo is part Italian Greyhound, so he is quite the burrower. Some people in the studio like referring to him as our resident burrito dog! He’s always diving into a pile of blankets and wrapping himself up so you can barely see his little face popping out. This adorable habit led to the inspiration for making a DIY burrow dog bed. Ever since sewing this up he has barely left his new bed!

Steps

Gather the tools and materials listed above. Prewash your canvas fabric (not the faux fur) to prevent later shrinkage when washing
Print 3 copies of the template at the bottom of the post, one for each piece of the pattern. Following the diagram, cut out and assemble the pattern with tape.

Once you tape together the DIY burrow dog bed template, find guidance for cutting your fabric in the printable instructions below! Then follow along and use the photo tutorial for visual reference.

Tips

This project is a bit more advanced, so we recommend that more seasoned seamstresses take on this DIY. It can also be a welcomed challenge for anyone wanting to explore their sewing machine’s potential! Head to your local fabric store or browse online to find a fabric that matches your dog’s personality. We chose the Kaufman Sevenberry Canvas Cotton. We added a zipper to the side of our homemade dog bed so that we could easily remove the cover to throw it in the wash at any time. For tips on how to sew a zipper into the fabric, you can watch our instructional video on how to sew a basic zipper pillow.

More Inspiration

If you love the idea of making a little pocket dog bed for your pooch, don’t miss the rest of our collection of DIYs for pets! Head over to our membership page to start crafting with us, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for daily glimpses of the latest and greatest. We love hearing from you, so leave a comment below with DIY projects you’d like to see on the site in the future. And always feel free to share your project photos! Tag them on Instagram using #MadeWithLia so we can admire your crafty makes. Cheers! ~ Lia & Team

Save

Tools

Sewing Machine
Scissors
Sewing Pins
Hand Sewing Needle
Clear Tape

Materials

3/4 yard Faux Shearling Fur
2 yards Medium Weight Canvas Fabric
2 yards Extra Thick Poly Batting
Matching Thread
18″ Zipper
Permanent Marker

All the Goodies You Can't Google 🎁

Tired of scrolling endlessly for the perfect project? Save time, money, and Google-induced headaches with us! Our membership makes it easy to create beautifully finished crafts without needing to look all over the internet for ideas and materials or spend lots of money on individual videos and templates.

Become a Member

Burrow Dog Bed Sewing Pattern

Member Only

Burrow Dog Bed Instructions

Member Only

Burrow Dog Bed Photo Tutorial

Member Only

Already a member? Click here to log in.

Back to the Top

Discussion

Ask Lia or the community!

70 Comments

Kerri December 26, 2023 at 10:38pm

I’m still very new to sewing and am a little confused by then length and weight of of the batting. I can’t find any 16oz batting 🙁

Reply
1. Lia January 2, 2024 at 1:11pm
  
  @Kerri
  
  I updated the link for the batting. Hope that helps. 🙂
  
  Reply
Kerri December 25, 2023 at 9:42pm

Any chance there is a SVG file we can use to cut the pattern out? I dont have a printer so can’t print the pages but could cut them using my Cricut

Reply
1. Lia December 27, 2023 at 8:38pm
  
  @Kerri
  
  This is too large for a Cricut. It will only cut 12 inches wide and this bed is at least 30 inches.
  
  Reply
Lotus October 27, 2023 at 2:39pm

What a wonderful bed for a dog. Big or small as they are, they will feel very safe in it. Would love to make 1 for my niece’s small dog.

Reply
1. Lia October 27, 2023 at 3:35pm
  
  @Lotus
  
  My dog LOVES this bed! He has been using it for about seven years now. We have two at home. 🙂
  
  Reply
Peter May 12, 2022 at 12:55pm

This is a great guide, Lia! I was just writing about how someone could make their own burrow bed and found your post. I’ll just send them to this page because it’s the best page I found for it 🙂

Reply
Dianna January 19, 2022 at 12:48pm

Love the doggie snug bed, I’m sure our Bella will just love it. Your dog looks like our Bella, but she is a purebred minpin. Hope this turns out like it is in my head. Lol. Thank you for sharing . Dianna

Reply
1. Lia January 19, 2022 at 4:35pm
  
  @Dianna
  
  Enzo LOVES this bed! He does have a minpin look but is an Italian Doxi.
  
  Reply
Ashlei December 22, 2020 at 2:42pm

I have a bigger dog then u. I have a German short haired pointer do u know the sizes for a dog that size? Figure a medium/large dog.. I will be trying one of this size for my cats who love to burrow in my blankets and laundry. This will be better then having to do a cat check before jumping into bed at night, lol

Reply
1. Lia December 28, 2020 at 1:06pm
  
  @Ashlei
  
  Unfortunately we only have the pattern this size but please let us know how it works out for your cats!
  
  Reply
Sandra May 14, 2019 at 5:12pm

I think I may be the first commenter that has made this bed. PRO TIP: Whatever you’re making the bed form with, get 2 1/4 yards instead of only 2. You’ll have to cut a 75″ strip from that material, and 2 yards is only 72″. I didn’t realize this until I had already bought the material that I was making the bed form with. I had cut up pieces of memory foam left over from a Foof Chair that basically exploded, so instead of batting I made the bed form out of canvas with a zipper and filled that. This was a really fun project to make!! Wish I could add a photo here.

Reply
1. Lia May 16, 2019 at 11:44am
  
  @Sandra
  
  Thank you for the tip, Sandra! We love seeing photos– you can email hello@liagriffith.com, or post to our Facebook page 🙂
  
  Reply
Ivana March 9, 2019 at 9:13pm

That’s a great tutorial for Burrow dog bed. This Burrow dog bed looks comfortable and hope little pups enjoy and warm. I have little ones cute breed and I hope this bed suitable for him. Can two or more pups share it just one bed?

Reply
1. Lia March 11, 2019 at 1:40pm
  
  @Ivana
  
  So glad you like it! I’m sure 2 small dogs could share, just depends on their size and how snuggly they like to be 🙂
  
  Reply
Sophie February 27, 2019 at 8:45am

Hi, this is a great tutorial! Could you tell me what is the diameter of the bed? I’d like to use an orthopedic foam insert for my older fury lady and was wondering if this would fit a 26” diameter and 3.5” height. Thank you!

Reply
1. Lia February 27, 2019 at 11:11am
  
  @Sophie
  
  Ours is Ours is 26-27” by 3.5-4” 🙂
  
  Reply
Sarah February 26, 2019 at 1:17pm

Lisa , my baby looks just like yours, mine is a mix , dachshund and not sure what else, what is your breed? Reece is a rescue..love the bed.
Sarah

Reply
1. Lia February 28, 2019 at 11:21am
  
  @Sarah
  
  Ahh sweet! Enzo is an Italian greyhound/dachshund mix 🙂
  
  Reply
Ellen September 12, 2018 at 5:38pm

Will this lovely dog bed be big enough for an 18 lb. dog? Thank you.

Reply
1. Lia September 13, 2018 at 10:42am
  
  @Ellen
  
  I think so! My pup is around 15 pounds and fits perfect 🙂
  
  Reply
Mary April 4, 2018 at 10:02am

Does the pattern include a size to fit a 65 – 70 lb golden retriever? Say, 42 inches diameter?

Reply
1. Lia April 4, 2018 at 10:14am
  
  @Mary
  
  Hi Mary! No, we only created this burrow bed in a small size. We hope to expand to larger sizes for other pups that enjoy burrowing sometime soon!
  
  Reply
Sarah February 13, 2018 at 6:35pm

I cant wait to make this. As I’m typing this my miniature pinscher is on my lap under the blankets. Shes ALWAYS under blankets even when it’s 90 degrees outside.. shes my cuddle baby!!!

Reply
1. Lia February 14, 2018 at 2:00pm
  
  @Sarah
  
  Aww how sweet!!
  
  Reply
Dafhtne December 13, 2017 at 5:08pm

Incredible DIY!!
I love to make things for my Dog too!
I think he will love this… But I don’t know if he is going to get inside LOL

Reply
1. Lia December 14, 2017 at 2:34pm
  
  @Dafhtne
  
  Haha yay! 🙂
  
  Reply
Sara November 14, 2017 at 11:31am

Has anyone made this but larger? 🙂 Any tips?

Reply
Patricia November 1, 2017 at 11:03am

My dog liked this a lot ! It keeps her really warm but the only funny thing is that she just sits on top of the cover.

Reply
Jenna October 25, 2017 at 7:37pm

We have two dachshunds and our oldest sometimes crawls into a pillow case to sleep so I definitely need to male her one of these

Reply
1. Lia October 26, 2017 at 8:27am
  
  @Jenna
  
  They’ll love it!!
  
  Reply
Renze September 14, 2017 at 11:41pm

This is really great. It’s a very helpful tutorial. It has a very unique design for your dog to snuggle up in and feel protected and warm. These nesting dog beds are ideal for pets that enjoy tucking themselves away in enclosed spaces.

Reply
Lauren September 6, 2017 at 10:16am

My dog is a little bigger than a Doxie but he absolutely loves to burrow and snuggle under blankets. Do you have a modified version for medium sized dogs?? I know he would absolutely love this!

Reply
1. Lia September 6, 2017 at 1:00pm
  
  @Lauren
  
  I’m sorry, we only have the one size! Because of the complexity of the project, we decided on just this one.
  
  Reply
  1. yasel February 17, 2018 at 5:03pm
    
    @Lia
    
    What about just scaling the pattern up? will that work to make it bigger? I have frenchies.
    
    Reply
    1. Lia February 19, 2018 at 7:25pm
      
      @yasel
      
      That works if you are able to print! It may only work on 11×17.
      
      Reply
    2. Rose March 8, 2018 at 10:32pm
      
      @yasel
      
      Hi,I just got the pattern, but I can’t seem to get the PDF to”email” to my hubby at his job to print for me. It just says “print”as only option ..so I’m stuck for now. I am long time experienced with pet sewing though,and can answer your question. You can take the pattern pieces and hand draw on them in smaller sections. Play around with printer,and do some percentage increases, providing your printer has the feature to resize..just by centering on each smaller section. start at least with a 20% increase. you will have ALOT of piecing to do, but the sky is the limit,and you can get many sizes..going way up for a big dog. As far as the band with the zipper,you don’t have to run that again…just make it to fit around your new top and bottom pieces,and add equal height to top and bottom of strip only if you want a taller bed.of course you would add more fleece. I plan on doing mine with no clump filling,in seperate washable pillow inserts,instead of quilt batting. yorkies and shih tzus like lumpy bumpy..ha!! Section off your flappy hood part also,if you want to keep it exactly proportioned as it is, or make it even bigger,so dog has more opening to get into…have fun,Rose in NJ.
      
      Reply
      1. Lia March 9, 2018 at 7:34am
        
        @Rose
        
        Thank you Rose, I appreciate your help with this!! As for the PDF trouble– make sure you’re downloading it to your desktop. If you’re downloading it/opening it in a browser window, it likely won’t give you the option to email.
Kathryn September 3, 2017 at 6:49am

This is such a clever idea with a win win solution to my couch always looking like a pile of unfolded blankets. I have a Min Pin and 2 Chiweenies that spend 1/2 their Life (lol) under blankets. I’ll let you know how the beds turn out.

Reply
1. Lia September 4, 2017 at 2:27pm
  
  @Kathryn
  
  How sweet! Yes please let us know how it turns out– we love seeing photos, too 🙂
  
  Reply
Joyce August 18, 2017 at 9:12am

I am going to make this for my cat! He will love it.
He loves to burrow and he loves beds. I am also going to make a matching pillow as he always uses a pillow when he sleeps on our bed, or on the sofa. He thinks he is a person!

Reply
1. Lia August 18, 2017 at 9:52am
  
  @Joyce
  
  How sweet! And such a great idea to make a matching pillow 🙂
  
  Reply
Margery August 18, 2017 at 7:47am

Absolutely darling idea!!!! If my four poodles would even consider them, I’d make them. However, they now prefer our bed with our warm bodies and lots of pillows to sleep on or under or next to depending. Yes, they’re unbelievably spoiled, but that’s what they’re here for. At 75 they keep me moving and are great company and entertainment!

Reply
1. Lia August 18, 2017 at 8:20am
  
  @Margery
  
  Aww how sweet! Enzo loves the burrow bed here at work, but certainly prefers my comfy bed and covers at home 🙂
  
  Reply
Kimberly August 18, 2017 at 7:46am

Love this Lia! ❤️I have 2 dachshunds, so I guess I will be making 2 beds. So excited about the new Cricut Maker.. hoping you will be part of the sewing designs in design space!

Reply
1. Lia August 18, 2017 at 8:20am
  
  @Kimberly
  
  Thank you! We’re planning more fun sewing projects 🙂
  
  Reply
Elaine April 20, 2017 at 3:56pm

Love this. My little shih tzu loves burrowing under blankets, cushions, you name it. Going to make this my weekend project.
Thank you 🙂

Reply
1. Lia April 21, 2017 at 9:08am
  
  @Elaine
  
  You’re so welcome! 🙂
  
  Reply
Elizabeth April 15, 2017 at 5:51pm

This is such a great tutorial. I will have to try it out! I have a dachshund and he LOVES to burrow under anything warm and comfy. I know he would be very happy with a bed like this!

Reply
1. Lia April 17, 2017 at 7:22am
  
  @Elizabeth
  
  So glad you like it!
  
  Reply
Sharon March 29, 2017 at 2:43pm

Love, love, love all of your creations and ideas. You help keep me busy and HAPPY! Thank you so much.

Reply
1. Lia March 29, 2017 at 9:33pm
  
  @Sharon
  
  Yay! So happy to hear it 🙂
  
  Reply
Robin March 28, 2017 at 6:46pm

I’m sure cats would like this as well. Thanks.

Reply
1. Lia March 29, 2017 at 6:45am
  
  @Robin
  
  Yes, great point!
  
  Reply
Pam March 28, 2017 at 5:50pm

the pattern for burrow dog bed won’t download for me instructions did suggestions?

Reply
1. Lia March 29, 2017 at 6:48am
  
  @Pam
  
  The pattern will download as a zipped folder– check your downloads or desktop?
  
  Reply
Bonnie March 28, 2017 at 5:33pm

I love…love this snuggy dog bed….so smart and creative! Thank you, Lia. ❤

Reply
1. Lia March 29, 2017 at 6:47am
  
  @Bonnie
  
  You’re so welcome!!
  
  Reply
Ann March 28, 2017 at 10:01am

I thought it was just a funny trait of my part dachshund mix Homer. He is a real burrower, too, and it isn’t just with a pile of blankets. Anything can be a target as evidenced by the scratched up (and ruined) carpet in my bedroom. I love this, thanks so much!

Reply
1. Lia March 28, 2017 at 11:40am
  
  @Ann
  
  Ha! Yes Enzo is the same way 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. Pam March 28, 2017 at 5:52pm
    
    @Lia
    
    Yes both our doxies did that too take care of yours we love them so much and even spent money for a back surgery on them NO jumping down off couch the vet said that’s the worst on their backs!
    
    Reply