On a recent Sunday afternoon, Ace passed the hours enjoying a carnival of smells and other sensations in our small backyard. She explored the plants nose-first, rushing to greet me with a dirt moustache. She chewed her Kong Marathon as it rolled across cement and grass. She even conned a friend into tossing a stuffed toy for her to fetch. After dragging her belly across the cool grass and rolling in a particularly stinky patch, she decided to snooze in a bright sunbeam.

Usually, Ace just flops down without giving much thought to the surface beneath her, but on this particular afternoon she got to test a brand new dog bed designed for outdoor use (Ace has a very hard life). If you haven’t heard of P.L.A.Y. (Pet Lifestyle and You), allow me to introduce you to this fine San Francisco-based company, which creates premium dog beds that are eco-friendly, attractive, completely machine washable… and dryable (the Holy Grail of dog beds). P.L.A.Y.’s beds offer the full package for both dog and discerning human.

P.L.A.Y.’s newest creation arrives just in time for summer. The Outdoor Bed Collection features a durable, waterproof cover that is UV-resistant to preserve its bold, colorful design. Choose from Barn Red, Daffodil Yellow, or Raven Black. Inside, the Outdoor Bed’s filling is made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, and is light and fluffy. The Outdoor Bed is available in three sizes: small ($75) for dogs up to 20 pounds (28 inches x 20.5 inches x 8 inches), medium ($105) for dogs up to 60 pounds (37 inches x 27.5 inches x 8.5 inches), and large ($149) for dogs up to 130 pounds (48 inches x 35.5 inches x 11 inches).

Ace sampled the Barn Red Outdoor Bed in size small (Ace is 15 pounds). The small was appropriate for her, though this bed is taller (8 inches high) than most other beds we’ve tried. I was really impressed by the bed’s filling. It is very cushy, and when Ace stepped off the bed it bounced back to its full height quickly.

The Outdoor Bed’s cover has fantastic little details, like a brass-colored grommet on one corner. I particularly appreciated the structure and details around the cover’s sturdy zipper. The bed cover’s fabric is thick and rugged-feeling. As would be expected from waterproof fabric, the cover is not soft and is rather stiff. I suspect this is the reason it took a bit of coaxing to encourage Ace to climb aboard.

I love the bright red color of the Barn Door bed; it is great for summer. Usually I find myself drooling over P.L.A.Y. beds’ fabrics, but I didn’t care for the Outdoor Bed’s chevron pattern.

This bed would be fantastic for dogs who spend a lot of time with their families enjoying their yards. I can imagine the Outdoor Bed sitting pretty next to the pool, ready to welcome a soggy dog after a swim. It would be a great spot from which a dog could watch her humans prepare a barbecue, just in case they dropped anything. If you forget to bring it inside, the Outdoor Bed is tough enough take care of itself.

Dogster Scorecard for The Outdoor Bed Collection by P.L.A.Y.:

• Quality: Outstanding. This bed is made to live outdoors, and the materials appear ready to accept the challenge.
• Style: I don’t care for the chevron pattern, but I love the bright colors and interesting details on this bed.
• Function: Machine washable, machine dryable. ‘Nuff said.
• Creativity: Recycled plastic bottles never felt so cushy.
• Value: P.L.A.Y. beds are really, really nice, and are priced accordingly.

Bottom line

If you’re in the market for an outdoor dog bed, look no further than P.L.A.Y.’s Outdoor Bed Collection. It’s tough, machine washable and dryable, and environmentally friendly, so everybody wins.

Dogster readers, which beds have stood the test of time and dog in your households? Share your experiences with P.L.A.Y. and other dog beds in the comments below.

Read more reviews from Ace’s Mama here!

Learn more about dogs with Dogster:

• 9 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Cool This Summer
• Let’s Talk: Does Your Dog Love to Roll in Stinky Things?
• Be Polite to Your Dog — It Benefits Both of You

About the Author: This East Coast transplant enjoys the bounty of San Francisco, including its microclimates, farmers’ markets, and secret stairway walks. When she’s not walking with, talking about, or kissing the face of her Boston Terrier, Ace, she blogs about Ace’s adventures. Product reviews writer and guinea pig at Dogster.