Australian Made Dog Beds: Do they Stack up?

Commercial Kennels Expose Weaknesses Fast

Commercial kennels are hard on dog beds.
They get dragged around concrete, scratched, soaked, cleaned constantly and tested daily by dogs that are far harder on equipment than most dogs at home.

That’s where we started running into problems.

We started ChewProof as a hobby.
At the time, we were using imported mats and they worked reasonably well for many dogs. But as more commercial facilities, rescues and working dog organisations started using our beds, weaknesses started showing up.

The imported mats started blowing out.

Not because the dogs were “bad”…
But because commercial environments are relentless.

It’s not that the beds get more use…
It’s different use, more intense.
Dogs with anxiety, high-drive working dogs, large breeds, constant cleaning cycles, wet environments… it exposes weaknesses quickly.

That feedback pushed us to improve.

Why We Started Manufacturing Dog Beds in Australia

In 2021 we made the decision to manufacture our commercial mats locally in Brisbane.

At the time, we had never manufactured anything before.
To say it was a learning curve would be putting it politely.

The costs were brutal early on.
We had quotes for mats that cost more than we were selling entire beds for. Material quantities were low, labour costs were high and we were learning everything from scratch while trying to keep the business moving forward.

After a lot of trial and error, we eventually found a business whose philosophy aligned closely with ours.

“Mate… if I can help I will, but it’s got to work for both of us.”
Craig said that to us early on.
Five years later, we’re still working together.

And honestly, local manufacturing completely changed the products we were able to build.

If we only wanted an “OK” product, importing would have been easier.
But the kennels, rescues and working dog facilities using our beds kept pushing us to improve them.

That ongoing feedback is ultimately why we manufacture our commercial and recently our industrial strength mats locally.

How Commercial Facilities Helped Shape Our Beds

Craig’s experience with textiles and fabrication techniques helped us explore materials and construction methods we simply wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.

Over time, the beds evolved specifically for Australian kennel conditions.

The mesh hammock bed that drains was a particularly tough challenge.

Commercial facilities needed a bed that:
• drains instantly
• dries quickly
• stays comfortable for the dogs
• handles constant cleaning
• and doesn’t fail every 6-12 months of hard use

The current version has now been running for nearly three years and continues to be the most reliable easy-to-clean mesh dog beds on the market.

Why the Riplock Bed Changed

The Riplock Bed also went through major changes over time.

The original imported version had a gloss finish. It worked, but over time we found the gloss surface wasn’t ideal in kennel conditions. Safety concerns around the mat getting slippery when wet were bought up, and we commenced the research for a more suitable mat.

Through local development we shifted to a matt finish for better grip and improved safety, while also upgrading durability.

Again, that improvement came directly from real-world commercial feedback.

The Development of the Industrial Strength Dog Bed

Then came the Industrial Strength Beds.

That development came through working alongside organisations like Happy Paws Haven Inc., where high-drive working dogs quickly exposed any weakness in ordinary beds.

Those dogs are smart.

If there’s a weakness… they’ll usually find it.

That pressure forced us to explore even tougher materials and construction methods, eventually leading to the Industrial Strength range.

Occasionally you need the 11/10 solution.

Custom Dog Beds for Rescue Organisations

The same thing happened with custom sizing.

The RSPCA Qld needed a bed that maximised sleeping space inside kennels that were only 65cm wide.

Because we manufacture locally, we could build a custom-fit solution specifically for their environment instead of forcing them into an off-the-shelf size that almost worked.

That flexibility simply wouldn’t have existed if we were locked into imported stock sizes.

So… Are Australian Made Dog Beds Worth It?

That’s really the reason we support Australian manufacturing.
Not because it’s simply “Australian Made”.
But because manufacturing locally allows us to keep improving.

We can work on the fly and test instantly, apply  the feedback and have the next prototype up in days, not weeks.

When professional facilities caring for large numbers of dogs give feedback, we can adapt.
When kennels need something specialised, we can build it.
When working dogs expose a weakness, we can strengthen it.

That constant refinement is what shaped the commercial beds we produce today.

Built Through Real Kennel Experience

ChewProof commercial beds weren’t developed in a boardroom.

They were shaped through years of feedback from:
• boarding kennels
• rescue organisations
• working dog facilities
• breeders
• trainers
• and dogs that are exceptionally good at finding weaknesses

That ongoing pressure is ultimately what pushed us toward local manufacturing and helped shape the beds we produce today.

Cheers,

Kevin, Jasper, Reo and the Pack