Do Beagles need a lot of exercise?

They need up to one hour of <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/puppy-walking-and-exercise/" target="_self">physical exercise</a> a day, but you can also keep them busy with brain stimulation. This can be anything from scent detection-based activities to agility. Remember, exercise doesn’t always have to be just walking or running.

Are Beagles easy to train?

Beagles are an <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/smart-dog-breeds/" target="_self">intelligent breed</a> that was originally bred to hunt. Naturally, this makes Beagles keen to learn new skills, and they tend to be easy to train.

What food do Beagles eat?

When it comes to <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/dog-diet/" target="_self">feeding </a>your Beagle, there are lots of options out there from dry to wet foods. If you're unsure, speak with your vet who can recommend the best diet for your dog.

What grooming do Beagles need?

Beagles have short coats, so they don't require a lot of grooming. However, they do shed, so will need the occasional brush, as well as other <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/dog-grooming-at-home/" target="_self">common grooming techniques</a>, such as nail clipping and teeth brushing.

Is the Beagle a working dog?

Originally, yes. Beagles were bred as <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/types-of-service-dogs/" target="_self">hunting dogs</a> before they became popular family pets.

Yes, Beagles are not <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/hypoallergenic-dogs/" target="_self">hypoallergenic</a> and do shed their coat.

How long do Beagles live?

Typically, they live for over 12 years.

Do Beagles bark a lot?

They aren't known as a vocal breed, however your Beagle may learn to bark based on the training they receive or their lifestyle.If you notice your Beagle barking a lot, it could be a sign of a problem like <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/dog-separation-anxiety/" target="_self">separation anxiety</a>. Seek advice from your vet if you have any concerns.

Why do Beagles have big ears?

As scent hounds, Beagles have long, big ears that funnel scents from the environment and keep them close to their nose for longer.

Beagle

The smallest of British pack hounds, Beagles are fun-loving, active dogs that love to be kept busy.

At a glance

Up to 1 hour of exercise a day

Life expectancy of 12+ years

Medium, between 9kg and 14kg

Alert, loving, intelligent

Silhouette of a Beagle dog showing they can be between 33 and 40cm tall

Up to 1 hour of exercise a day

Life expectancy of 12+ years

Medium, between 9kg and 14kg

Alert, loving, intelligent

Beagle – the cheerful, affectionate dog

Originally bred as hunters, Beagles would spend their days working, mainly following scents. With a big heart to match their big ears, they are agile and intelligent companions who make great family dogs, and suit those with an active lifestyle.

Buying or rehoming a Beagle

Getting a new dog, whether you buy or adopt, is a huge commitment and there’s lots of preparation you need to do to be ready. Some things to consider are:

Prepping your home

Figuring out what to feed them, and buying the food
Buying the essentials, such as leads and collars
Prepping your family, especially any young children
Securing your garden
Understanding grooming routines and techniques
Knowing how much exercise they’ll need
Considering pet insurance

Fun fact

Queen Elizabeth I owned a pack of miniature Beagles small enough to be carried in a horse saddle pack.

Top 5 health conditions in Beagles

We’ve put together the most common claimed for conditions for Beagles, based on MORE THAN pet insurance customer claims

Condition	Number of claims	Average paid out
	74	£613
	68	£967
	66	£123
	51	£906
	46	£1,270

Condition

Number of claims

Average paid out

£613

Condition

Average paid out

£967

Condition

Average paid out

£123

Condition

Average paid out

£906

Condition

Average paid out

£1,270

Based on MORE THAN data 1 January 2021 to 1 March 2023. Average cost paid out includes excess.

Common health issues and problems in Beagles

Beagles are overall considered a healthy breed, with a usual lifespan of over 12 years.

Some health conditions in Beagles can be down to their genetic history, and commonalities within the breed.

Click on the hotspots to find out more about the most common health issues affecting Beagles, as provided by our in-house vet team (October 2022).

Epilepsy is a brain disorder which can lead to seizures. A seizure occurs when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain which causes sudden, short-lived changes in the dog’s behaviour and/or movement. Epilepsy can’t be cured but can be managed with medication.

Symptoms:

Before a seizure your dog’s behaviour or mood may change
Increased instances of vomiting and drooling
Loss of consciousness
Foaming at the mouth
Muscle spasms and thrashing

If you’re concerned you dog may be suffering from seizures or epilepsy, seek help from a vet.

Hypothyroidism is where the thyroid doesn’t make enough of the hormone that breaks down food into energy. The thyroid glands are two small glands located in the neck.

Symptoms:

Unexplained weight gain (or difficulty losing weight)
Fur loss on the neck, sides or tail
Low energy
Dry, flaky skin
Skin infections
Feeling cold (shivering)

If you’re concerned your dog may be suffering from problems with their thyroid, seek advice from your vet.

Cherry eye is a condition that affects a dog’s third eyelid (nictitating membrane). Cherry eye in dogs is caused when the nictitans gland (tear-producing gland which sits at the base of the third eyelid), becomes displaced from its normal position, where it cannot normally be seen.

Symptoms:

The appearance of a pink ‘blob’ in the corner of the dog’s eye which protrudes near the nose
Eye dryness and irritation
Redness and inflammation
Abnormal discharge from the affected eye

If you’re concerned about your dogs eye heath, seek advice from your vet.

Epilepsy

Hypo- thyroidism

IVDD

Cherry eye

"Beagles were originally bred as hunters, so they love to have their brain kept busy. As well as physical exercise, be sure to keep your Beagle busy and entertained with scent detection-based games and agility."

Luke Mangion, MORE THAN Vet

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Related guides

Beagle

At a glance

Beagle – the cheerful, affectionate dog

Buying or rehoming a Beagle

Fun fact

Top 5 health conditions in Beagles

Epilepsy:

Hypothyroidism:

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD):

Cherry eye:

Are you looking for insurance for your Beagle?

Frequently asked questions about Beagles

Do Beagles need a lot of exercise?

Are Beagles easy to train?

What food do Beagles eat?

What grooming do Beagles need?

Is the Beagle a working dog?

Do Beagles shed?

How long do Beagles live?

Do Beagles bark a lot?

Why do Beagles have big ears?

Ready to insure your Beagle?

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