GEAR REVIEW: The Homestead Dog Bed by Gunner Kennels
Style, comfort, and the je ne sais quoi factor that makes dogs chose it over the competition
As a veterinarian and avid bird hunter who has spent years working with and owning sporting and hunting breeds, I know firsthand how critical recovery, joint support, and durability are to the health and wellbeing of these high-energy canine athletes.
As an advocate of the brand as well as a long-time customer, I was eager to try the Homestead Dog Bed from Gunner Kennels. The Nashville-based company touts the orthopedic comfort, clean-ability, and solid construction woven into the Homestead Bed, its first foray into the crowded premium dog bed space. But can they deliver where countless other big brands have failed?
Joint Health & Recovery:
Sporting dogs are prone to joint-related issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and musculoskeletal strains, all inherent occupational hazards of hard-charging working dogs. These issues require careful management through both active prevention and recovery aids. Traditional foam beds (what I’ve always used previously) will flatten and compress over time, offer uneven support, and retain heat—compromising comfort and recovery.
The Homestead Bed uses outside-the-box components in its construction to sidestep these pitfalls found in its competition. Gunner’s bed features a 3-D Loop core—a springy, high-airflow material used even in infant mattresses. Admittedly, it's weird looking stuff, but in the dog bed realm, function is king.
Gunner chose this material because it provides consistent pressure distribution, breathability, and long-term shape retention—unlike traditional foam or fibers that can compress and sag over time. This is a significant advantage for supporting joints evenly and soothing muscle fatigue after a rigorous day in the field or blind.
From a clinical standpoint, this combination of features helps reduce joint stress and pressure points, improve circulation during rest, and support natural sleeping positions—key factors in recovery for active dogs.
The core design promotes airflow, helping to regulate temperature in both hot and cold conditions. Thus far this summer, I’ve noticed the dogs gravitating towards the bed on warm evenings, while in the past they may have preferred the cooler wooden floor to our previous beds.
The low-profile, bolstered design offers a supportive rim that dogs instinctively nest into—mimicking den instincts and providing gentle support for the spine and joints. And really, what hard-working hunting dog doesn't deserve a pillow? For senior dogs, I like how the low entry makes it much easier for them to hop in and out with minimal effort.
Ease of Cleaning: Real-Life Practicality
While I might nod approvingly at a bed’s orthopedic merits, I also value craftsmanship and design that withstands both canine enthusiasm and human (i.e., my) disdain for dog bed maintenance.
If you’ve ever washed a traditional foam dog bed, you know the dread of slogging it through the washer or blasting it with the garden hose, then drying it for days—or worse, discovering mold and permanent odors in the liner. That’s where the Homestead pulls far ahead of other beds I’ve offered my dogs.
The core is entirely hydrophobic. Water, urine or other fluids pass right through, making it ridiculously easy to clean. Hose it off and air dry the core, and it’s odor-free and like new–something I’ve never once uttered about a dog bed in my life.
Its dual heavy-duty YKK zippers allow fast and intuitive disassembly and reassembly, without frustration or snags. And they’re placed exactly where they should be. Why it’s taken until 2025 for dog bed makers to figure out how to create a simple-to-open dog bed is still a mystery. Thanks, Gunner, for finally bringing some common sense to the dog bed design table. And, if anyone on your team is reading this, we definitely noticed the Gunner bumper zipper pulls. Nice touch, and a nod to another well-designed product in their lineup.
The fabric cover, which feels like cotton to the touch, is machine-washable on a gentle, cold cycle. Air-drying is recommended, though low tumble drying works in a pinch. I like wiping it down with a damp microfiber cloth, which restores its out-of-the-box luster.
From the standpoint of someone dealing with water, dirt and debris daily all fall and winter, this ease of cleaning is paramount. It’s a game-changer for maintaining hygiene without hassle, especially during the hunting season.
Aesthetic & Functional Design: Beauty Meets Brawn
The Homestead Dog Bed’s performance cover fabric is water-repellent, stain-resistant, antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and abrasion-tested to over 15,000 cycles. It’s PFAS-free, too—a plus for long-term health and safety for you and your dogs. I’m impressed that it’s so comfortable with a spec sheet that sounds like it’s made of carbon fiber or kevlar.
The TPU-coated non-skid base keeps the bed firmly in place on hard surfaces—whether you’re inside on hardwood floors or outside on concrete or tile. No frustrating sliding when your dog leaps aboard. We’ve field tested this with our daily bouts of canine ‘rasslin’ and it functions exactly as advertised.
A thoughtful grab-and-go handle makes moving the bed between the living room, back yard, kennel, or garage effortless. It’s an understated detail with huge utility, and it’s a mystery why I’ve never seen it on a previous bed before. It’s subtle and flush with the perimeter, making it a less obvious target for puppy teeth or bed chewers.
In terms of aesthetics, the bed offers clean lines donned in thoughtful colors (like Treeline Green, Harbor Blue, and White Oak) that complement rustic cabins, hunting lodges, or cozy living rooms—adding beauty without sacrificing function. It was a tossup for me between blue and white, but I erred on the side of darker to better mask the brown hair of my dogs. Now that I see how easy it is to clean, you shouldn’t let dog hair be a deciding factor when picking your color.
Sizing & Build: Tailored for Sporting Dogs
Available in two sizes, Small and Large, the Homestead is well-suited for a range of sporting breeds. The Small measures 24" × 32" (layable area 18" × 26", ~8 lb)—great for Boykins or English Cockers—while the Large is 32" × 42" (layable area 23" × 33", ~13 lb), perfectly sized for Labs, Goldens, GSPs (or two simultaneously, in my case), or GSDs.
Final Verdict—Worth every penny
Like everything else I own from Gunner, the Homestead Bed is stylish and durable. Comfort and recovery are the key points to consider, but ease of cleaning is a close second when discussing its praise-worth attributes. It’s exactly what you’d expect Addison and his team to produce—no corners cut, no compromises.
Yes, it’s priced on the high end of the market, but like the remainder of their product line, it’s a buy once, cry once transaction. You’ll burn through 10 less capable beds before this thing even hints at throwing in the towel.
You don’t have to take my word for it. The highest praise my dogs can give is accepting and using a new bed. For reasons I can’t pretend to understand, most new beds are inherently suspect and require a six-month break in period before either dog will step foot on them. Seriously, they embraced the Homestead Bed right out of the box. That makes it a five-star review from them and me.
