Before launch day, we sat down with GUNNER’s founder, Addison Edmonds, and in-house design team, Bobby Snell and Colton Breeding, to unpack the story behind the bed: what makes it different, what problems it solves, and why your dog might finally prefer a bed over the floor.
Addison’s frustration was simple:
“I remember standing over one after a long day thinking, ‘How am I supposed to get this mess out of foam?’”
That moment kicked off months of testing and dozens of prototypes. The result? A washable, overbuilt, breathable bed that doesn’t soak, slide, or fall apart. One that’s easy to move from the living room to the garage and back again.
This post walks through the thinking behind the Homestead Dog Bed—from the zipper to the handle, and everything inside that makes dogs actually choose it.
Why We Built the Homestead Dog Bed
We sat down with Addison (GUNNER’s founder) and Bobby (our in-house industrial designer) to ask a simple question: Why make a dog bed? Addison said it best:
“There’s no dog bed [on the market] that we thought, ‘This is how they ought to be made. This is the best out there.’”
The idea started, as most GUNNER products do, from frustration. Addison and the team couldn’t find a single dog bed that checked all the boxes: easy to clean, built to last, and actually preferred by the dogs.
One of his first frustrations? Taking dog beds apart to wash them—and struggling to put them back together without lumps, stuffing gaps, or awkward shapes. The team quickly realized that the only way to fix that was to start with better materials.
Addison: “Let’s not fight the fact that you have to wash it.”
Early prototypes lived on the R&D floor with three or four other beds. The dogs chose the Homestead—every time. No bribery. Just better comfort.
Why We Chose 3D Loop (Not Foam)
The first thing you’ll notice about the Homestead Dog Bed is what’s not inside it. No foam. No fluff. Instead, the core is made from a 3D loop—a springy, breathable, orthopedic-grade material often used in infant mattresses.
Unlike foam, it doesn’t retain water, trap heat, or hold odor. It can be rinsed with a hose, dries quickly, and won’t lose its shape. It's also significantly easier to remove from the cover when it’s time to wash.
“Most beds are fluffy plush or foam… but dogs don’t actually want to lay on those. They choose the floor. They choose the couch. That told us everything.” – Bobby
That insight helped guide material selection—and confirmed that dogs didn’t just tolerate the Homestead Bed, they preferred it.
The 2.7 lb density was even chosen based on pediatric sleep research—optimizing pressure support for dogs between 6–100+ lbs.
“Early on, with one of the first prototypes… we left it on the floor in R&D. We had three or four other dog beds around. And within a few days, every dog from the office preferred to go to this bed.” – Addison
Dual Zippers = Easier Assembly, Better Shape
Lumpy, hard-to-reassemble beds were one of the top issues our team wanted to fix. Our solution: dual heavy-duty zippers on the base.
These make it far easier to load and unload the core. And because the 3D loop holds its shape, you don’t get the sagging or stuffing shift that happens with foam-filled beds.
“With other beds, you’re wrestling foam and fighting the shape every time. The dual zippers and the springy structure just make it easy.” – Addison
Addison also called out how most beds corkscrew, with no clear place to start. GUNNER’s zipper design is straightforward and intuitive. No guesswork.
A Durable, Washable Dog Bed Cover
We started where most companies don’t: – with premium-grade outdoor upholstery. Bobby explains:
“We see all the time that people buy a dog bed just for their dog to prefer the couch. So that’s where we started our search.”
The cover is:
- Made from 34% recycled plastic bottles
- Antimicrobial
- Water-repellent
- Fast-drying
- Spot-cleanable and machine-washable
“We saw the water bead right off the sample and said, ‘Yep, that’s it.’” —Bobby
“The textile we chose on the top is airier and doesn’t retain heat where your dog’s laying—but still helps them stay warm in winter when they curl up.”
Non-Slip TPU Base: Built to Go Outside (and Stay Put Inside)
The bottom of the bed uses the same TPU-coated fabric as GUNNER’s All-Weather Kit. It’s tough enough for garage floors and gravel patios—and designed to stay in place on hardwood, concrete, or tile.
Bobby: “You’re able to pull this, drag it outside. It can sit on the driveway, and it’s not going to scratch or tear. Then bring it back in—and it won’t slide around on your floor or collect hair like rubber does.”
- It’s waterproof, durable, and easy to wipe clean.
- Stays put on hardwood and concrete
- Doesn’t collect hair or debris
- Withstands gravel, garages, patios—even the driveway
“We designed this so you could throw it down anywhere—garage, driveway, next to the fire pit—and not worry about it getting wrecked.” —Addison
Why a Handle Matters More Than You’d Think
It might seem small—but once you’ve used a bed with a handle, you’ll never go back. The GUNNER team found themselves moving the Homestead from room to room all the time. Without the handle? It quickly became a hassle.
Bobby: “I move that bed from my bedroom to our living room frequently… having the samples at the office that do have handles, there’s a clear night and day difference. This is a must-have.”
The Continuous Bolster Design Dogs Love
Rather than a three-sided wall, the Homestead Bed has a continuous bolster—designed to support dogs’ natural nesting instinct. It lets them curl up, press in, and feel safe.
“It’s like a den. My dogs seek it out.” – Colton
This isn’t just an aesthetic choice—it’s a behavioral one.
Not Just One Feature. Ten That Matter.
There’s no single gimmick here. The Homestead Bed is a sum of many small details, all designed with a purpose:
- Dual zippers for easy access
- Fire-retardant fill (safe for fireplaces)
- TPU base that doesn’t slide or soak
- Recycled, antimicrobial cover fabric
- Hidden zipper flap
- Handle for transport
- Continuous bolster for natural nesting
- Machine-washable construction
- Pressure-optimized 3D loop
- Preferred by dogs in blind trials
“There’s no top three. There are ten things that matter.” – Addison
Built in a Garage. Made for Everywhere.
80–90% of development happened in a basement garage—with the team prototyping, cutting up samples, dragging beds outdoors, and watching dogs pick their favorite.
That’s what made the Homestead different from the start. It wasn’t designed in a boardroom. It was built, tested, and chosen by the people—and dogs—who actually use it.
“Some products you buy and stop using. This one stays in use.” – Addison
The Homestead Dog Bed is GUNNER-grade. Built for people who are tired of wasting money on beds that soak, stink, slide, or sag. Built for the dogs who deserve better.
Made to move wherever they land. From the garage to the living room and back again—this is the bed they’ll keep choosing.
Built the GUNNER way. Shop the Homestead Dog Bed.
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