How old is your beagle in dog years? The old trick of simply multiplying by seven has been proven inaccurate—in fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association has declared that your dog’s first year is typically equivalent to 15 for a human, his second year equal to nine more, and each subsequent year worth five.1
As any dog owner knows, our furry friends live in our hearts forever. Before you adopt a new pet, however, you might be wondering how long you can expect to enjoy life with them by your side.
A beagle lifespan is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, diet, exercise, and overall health. While some of these life expectancy elements are beyond your control, there are several ways you can enhance your beagle dog’s quality of life and potentially extend their years with you.
The Average Beagle Lifespan
The average beagle’s life expectancy falls between 10 and 15 years.2 This is about the average lifespan for dogs as a species.3 In general, smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs, whose average lifespan is typically 8 to 12 years (while certain small dog breeds can reach 18 years).
Beagles are officially classified as a small dog breed by the AKC,4 although some varieties can reach near-medium size in height and weight.
The negative correlation between dog size and longevity is an anomaly of the animal kingdom.
Typically, larger species like elephants and whales tend to live longer, and scientists remain unsure why the opposite is true for canines. It’s possible that large dogs’ accelerated rates of growth as puppies are to blame, which may leave them with abnormal cell growth that can eventually become cancer or another age-related disease.
Factors That Influence Beagle Longevity
Beagles’ short stature is not the only contributor to their impressive longevity. A variety of genetic and environmental factors may impact your beagle pup’s lifespan.
Genetics
Certain genetic predispositions and inherited traits may have had an impact on how long your dog might live before she was even born. This is why responsible breeding5 is so important—inherited disorders are often perpetuated through inbreeding, which is why mixed-breed dogs tend to outlive purebreds.6
When breeders avoid breeding dogs from the same immediate family, they’ll ensure your purebred beagle puppy is set up to live a long and happy life. That said, it’s important for prospective beagle owners to research breeding practices before adopting.
Diet
A well-balanced diet is crucial to your beagle’s overall health and wellness and consists of7:
- 35% real meat
- 25% veggies
- 25% starch
- 15% healthy fats and/or fruit
Keeping portions appropriate will also help your pet avoid obesity, which can put your pup at a higher risk for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, bladder stones, and other life-threatening conditions brought on by improper dog nutrition.8
In general, beagles should eat two meals per day, containing a total of 55 calories per pound of body weight (for growing puppies) or 45 calories per pound of body weight (for adults).
Exercise
Exercise is also key to your beagle’s well-being. These high-energy pups need at least an hour and a half of walking and/or running each day, in addition to playtime and a space to roam free.9
Not only does exercise boost your pup’s physical health, but it can also10:
- Enhance their mental health
- Lowers their blood pressure
- Prevent constipation and UTIs.
Regular movement and mental stimulation are also a guaranteed boredom buster, especially for beagles, who crave stimulation and thrive best with a “job” or hobby.
Regular Veterinary Care
Veterinary care is crucial when it comes to ensuring a long, happy life for your beagle.
The vet shouldn’t just be a place to bring your pet when something is wrong—in fact, regular wellness exams are just as important.11 Scheduling a check-up annually (perhaps even more frequently depending on your pet’s breed and age) can help detect serious health issues early, leading to better success rates in fighting them (and even a smaller vet bill).
Plus, staying up to date with vaccinations, deworming, and heartworm prevention can literally save your pet’s life.
Health Issues That Affect Beagles
Like any breed, beagles are prone to inheriting (or genetically predisposed to develop) certain beagle health issues. Staying on the lookout for early warning signs can significantly increase your pup’s longevity.
Ear Infections
Beagles’ precious floppy ears unfortunately do come with their challenges. Since your beagle’s ears completely cover her ear opening, airflow to the ear canal is restricted, which can create a moist, dark breeding ground for bacteria.12 Not to worry—regular cleaning of your pup’s ears can spare her from infection and other beagle ear problems, and most infections are easily treatable with oral or topical medications.
Obesity
Beagles are unfortunately prone to obesity (their superior noses are often blamed for their insatiable appetites). This trait increases their risk of becoming overweight, so it’s imperative to watch your beagle’s weight and ask your vet about implementing a diet and exercise regimen if necessary.
Beagles’ bottomless tummies also sometimes lead to pica (the consumption of inedible objects), which can cause:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pancreatitis
- Intestinal blockage
Call your vet immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
Eye Conditions
Beagles are prone to certain eye conditions, including13:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Distichiasis (extra hairs inside the eyelid)
- “Cherry eye” (caused by inflamed tear glands)
Contact your vet if your beagle’s eyes are noticeably red, cloudy, watery, or tinted blue.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy tends to affect beagles starting between the ages of two and five. Your pet might experience short (30 to 60 seconds) or long (five to ten minutes or more) seizures, which involve involuntary body movements, loss of consciousness, thrashing, urinating, and/or defecating.
Seek immediate veterinary help and ask your vet about anti-seizure medications and other treatments if these symptoms occur.
Hypothyroidism
This disease, which commonly affects beagles, involves a “lazy” thyroid gland, which can affect your pet’s metabolism.
You might notice a coarse, dry coat (or even hair loss), chronic ear infections, or inexplicable weight gain.
Hypothyroidism is easily treatable but requires consistent daily medication, so consult your vet immediately if you notice symptoms.
Dental Disease
Affecting 80% of all dogs by age two, dental disease is incredibly common, but particularly so for beagles. It occurs when tartar build-up on the teeth infects the gums and roots of the teeth.
If left untreated, dental disease might cause your pup to lose her teeth or even threaten her kidneys, liver, heart, or joints, decreasing her lifespan by up to three years.
The best line of defense is a regular dental care routine: Brush your dog’s teeth at home three times per week,14 and schedule an annual deep-clean with your vet.
Diabetes
Diabetes is fairly common in all dogs, but spikes above average rates for beagles specifically.
While it’s treatable, treatment is a serious commitment (involving daily insulin injections), and early intervention is crucial. Notify your vet if you notice increased eating, drinking, and urination, combined with weight loss—these are often the first signs.
Bladder or Kidney Stones
Bladder and kidney stones are painful medical emergencies that are unfortunately common in beagles. Your vet will likely periodically test your beagle’s urine, and you can assist early detection by looking out for such symptoms as:
- Painful or strained urination
- Inability to urinate
- Blood in the urine
Allergies
Environmental and food allergies affect beagles in particular, causing about 50% of their ear infections as well as painful, itchy skin irritation throughout the body.
If you suspect your pet might be having an allergic skin or ear reaction, consult your vet about allergy testing and/or an elimination diet.
Beagle Pain Syndrome
This beagle-specific form of meningitis is an autoimmune disorder caused by inflamed blood vessels. Often caused by inbreeding, the condition causes the immune system to attack blood vessels on their way to the brain, causing:
- Fever
- Depression
- Severe neck pain
It typically affects beagle puppies who are 5 to 10 months old. The condition can be treated with steroids; however, symptoms will likely come in waves over several weeks.
Beagles’ Naturally Healthy Habits
While a variety of health issues affect beagles, they’re also naturally predisposed to certain health advantages.
For instance, their high energy levels mean they’re more likely to enjoy exercise, and their craving for a “job” or hobby means they’re more likely to excel at a sport.
The physical and mental stimulation beagles seek will also help them fend off dementia, thus improving their quality of life as seniors.15
Finally, these dogs’ background as hunters makes them tough and adaptable. Their AKC Breed Standard describes them as possessing a “wear-and-tear look of [a] hound that can last in the chase.”16
How to Help Your Beagle Live Longer
The best way to ensure your beagle lives a long and healthy life is to ensure his lifestyle is healthy. Serve a healthy diet, make time for walks and play sessions, and enroll your beagle in a sport or hobby if possible. Also, keep an eye out for symptoms of any of the aforementioned health issues common in beagles, clean your beagle’s eyes, ears, and teeth regularly, and keep up with regular vet checkups and grooming.
Above all, your beagle is loyal and eager to please, and the best life you can give them is a happy one. A loving home with plenty of affection (and some treats in moderation) can do wonders for your beagle’s health!
Long Live the Beagle: Boost Your Beagle’s Health With Vetericyn
Beagles have been humans’ best friends since their origins in Ancient Greece,17 and it’s our responsibility as their caregivers to ensure their lives are long, happy, and healthy. They’re generally healthy dogs and live an average of 10-15 years (one of the longest ranges for dogs), but securing their well-being requires some help from their owners in the form of healthy lifestyle choices and regular veterinary care.
Vetericyn is here to help you keep your beagle happy and healthy.
Vetericyn® ALL-IN Dog Supplements are designed to offer a holistic health boost, with natural ingredients to support your pup’s happy life.
Vetericyn has your beagle’s wellness needs covered, so you can get back to making the most of her dog years.
Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle
Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
Sources:
- American Kennel Club. How to Calculate Dog Years to Human Years. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-calculate-dog-years-to-human-years/
- American Kennel Club. Beagle Dog Breed Information. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/beagle/
- American Kennel Club. How Long Do Dogs Live? https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-long-do-dogs-live/
- American Kennel Club. Dog Breeds. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/?size%5B0%5D=small&letter=B
- ASPCA. Position Statement on Criteria for Responsible Breeding. https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/position-statement-criteria-responsible-breeding
- National Library of Medicine. How size and genetic diversity shape lifespan across breeds of purebred dogs. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9886701/
- BeaglePro.com. Feeding Your Beagle. https://www.beaglepro.com/feeding-a-beagle
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Obesity in Dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/obesity-in-dogs
- PDSA. Beagle. https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/medium-dogs/beagle
- Fitzroy Vet Hospital. The benefits of exercise for your pet. https://fitzroyvet.com.au/pet-advice/the-benefits-of-exercise-for-your-pet/
- American Veterinary Medical Association. Importance of wellness exams. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/importance-wellness-exams
- Pet MD. Beagle. https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/beagle
- Noah’s Ark Veterinary Hospital. Beagle. https://www.noahsarkvet.com/services/dogs/breeds/beagle
- Vida Veterinary Care. BEAGLE. https://www.vidavetcare.com/dog-breed/beagle/
- East Bay Veterinary Clinic. Everything you need to know about dog dementia. https://www.eastbayvetclinic.com/site/blog/2022/03/20/dog-dementia
- American Kennel Club. Official Standard for the Beagle. https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Beagle.pdf
- American Kennel Club. Beagle History: From Ancient Small-Pack Hounds to Snoopy. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/beagle-history/
