Beagles Archives - Page 5 of 5

Beagles are notoriously joyful, friendly and gentle. They make the perfect companion for family and single dog-owners alike, as they are very even-tempered: not too grumpy, but not too timid either. But like all dogs, Beagles can get overweight if not cared for properly. Beagles can be prone to overeating and associated weight issues which, if not monitored properly, can spiral out of control and lead to health issues later on in life. How do I know if my Beagle is overweight? The weight a Beagle should be is 10 to 11 kg (22 to 24 pounds) for a male and is 9 to 10 kg (19.8 to 22 pounds) for a female. You can also check whether or not your Beagle is overweight by checking and assessing their upper torso area. But how does this torso check work, and how do you do it? It’s quite simple; here’s how you can tell if your Beagle is overweight and you don’t have scales. Apply a little pressure to your Beagle’s chest and you should be able to feel their ribcage. This is how you know they are of an optimum weight. If you can barely feel the ribs at all, this is a fair indication that your Beagle is overweight. You can check if your Beagle is overweight by feeling their ribs. What weight should a Beagle be? I’ve already covered this briefly, but just to confirm, a health Beagle who is not overweight should fall into the following weight ranges: Male: 10 to 11 kg (22 to 24 pounds). Female: 9 to 10 kg (19.8 to 22 pounds). As well as taking a Beagle’s gender into account, you should also consider their height in comparison to their weight. Broadly, there are two Beagle height categories: up to 13 inches, and 13 to 15 inches. For Beagles that grow up to 13 inches, a healthy weight for them falls between 22 and 30 pounds. Meanwhile, for Beagles that grow between 13 and 15 inches, a healthy weight range for them is between 25 and 35 pounds. You should also consider other factors such as Beagles that are considered runts of the litter that may well never reach 13 inches. Consequently, you can expect smaller-than-average Beagles to weight a little less than the recommended guidelines. Ensuring your Beagle remains a healthy weight may be challenging at times, but it is possible and helps to ensure your four-legged companion has a long, healthy and happy life. This guide to ensuring your Beagle doesn’t become overweight will explain some of the ways you can help to make that happen. Handy Hint: Weight gain could also be the sign of pregnancy. If your Beagle is pregnant here's how long it will last and what to expect before the puppies arrive. How much should a Beagle weigh at 3 months? But what about Beagle puppies who are just about to leave their mother? How much should a Beagle at 3 months weigh? A 3-month-old Beagle male should weigh in at around 4.3 and 4.7 kg (9.5 to 10.4 pounds). At 6 months of age, a male Beagle should weigh between 7.8 kg (17.2 pounds) for ones with a smaller frame, to 8.5 kg (18.7 pounds) for the largest Beagle puppies. How much should a beagle mix weigh? How much a Beagle mix should weigh is entirely dependent on what the Beagle has been mixed with. Here are some of the most popular Beagle mixes. The Cheagle (Beagle / Chihuahua) The Bagel (Beagle / Basset) The Beaski or Busky (Beagle / Husky) The Puggle (Beagle / Pug) Coagle or Bocker (Beagle / Cocker Spaniel) Beaglemation (Beagle / Dalmatian) Beabull (Beagle / Bulldog) Poogle (Beagle / Poodle) Beago (Beagle / Golden Retriever) Lagle or Beagador (Beagle / Lab) Beagi (Beagle / Corgi) Pomeagle (Beagle / Pomeranian) Beashund or Doxle (Beagle / Dachshund) Teagle or Boglen (Beagle / Boston Terrier) Borkie (Beagle / Yorkie) Bea-Tzu (Beagle / Shih-Tzu) Malteagle (Beagle / Maltese) Raggle (Beagle / Rat Terrier) You should consult with your vet as they will be able to take the weight of both mixes and then give you an ideal weight limit your Beagle mix should be. How big will my beagle get? According to the VetStreet.com website: “Beagles come in two sizes: 13-inch and 15-inch. The smaller variety includes Beagles who are no taller than 13 inches at the shoulder and weigh 22 to 30 pounds, while the larger variety includes Beagles who are taller than 13 inches but not more than 15 inches and weigh up to 35 pounds.” More ways to tell if your Beagle is overweight As well as weighing them and checking their upper-torso area, there are several ways to check whether or not your dog is piling on the pounds that doesn’t involve a visit to the vets. 1. Assess their appearance As mentioned, a common rule of thumb when assessing the weight a Beagle should be is to look to their ribs. If your Beagle is a healthy weight, you shouldn’t be able to see their ribs, but you should be able to feel them easily – usually, they should have just a thin layer of fat over them. It’s the same with their spine: if you see it, that means they’re too thin, but you should be able to feel the spine of a healthy Beagle with ease, because it should ideally only be covered by a thin layer of fat. Beagles of a healthy weight should also have a visible waistline that is slightly smaller than their chest, and the base of their tail should have a small layer of fat that is smooth to the touch. Your Beagle should have a healthy appearance and good body definition. 2. Their body has no definition Beagles are supposed to have a lean and athletic build. This is why, at a healthy weight, you should be able to feel their ribcage and spine. So, if your Beagle is looking a bit chunky or you are unable to feel their ribcage or spine under all the fat, you need to put them on a diet. 3. They get tired and overexerted easily When Beagles are out of shape and overweight, they will become fatigued after just a few steps, panting a lot or wanting to stop already only minutes into your walk. If this seems to be happening more often than it should, and you can rule out other external factors (such as hot weather) as being the cause, it is time to consult your vet about a diet and exercise plan. 4. They struggle to groom themselves If your Beagle can’t reach behind their ear to itch their scratch or don’t seem to have the flexibility necessary to bite or groom themselves, this is a clear indication that they need to go on a diet due to being overweight. Why are Beagles more prone to weight-gain? When it comes to mealtimes, most dogs are able to self-regulate, and stop eating after a certain point once they’re full up or have enough food to maintain their energy levels. However, Beagles are one of the few dog breeds that do not possess that ability of knowing when to stop – if left to their own devices, they could possibly even eat themselves to death. Beagles love food and will eat pretty much anything, but they don’t know where to stop. Their owners need to remain extra vigilant in order to ensure that they do not overindulge and end up harming themselves as a result due to being overweight. Handy Hint: If you're unsure about how much your Beagle should be eating then please check out this Beagle feeding chart. Owners need to keep mealtimes to twice a day with controlled, limited portions in order to ensure the wellbeing of their dog. As well as this, Beagles, especially when they approach a more senior age, tend to be a lot less active when they get older. If left to their own devices, they will run around and play a lot less than is healthy for them, and as with humans, this lack of exercise contributes to them gaining weight. Handy Hint: Find out how fast a Beagle can run in this guide to Beagle running habits, including how far, how quick, and what to do if they keep running away. Conclusion If you choose a Beagle as your pet, rest assured that you have gained an adoring best friend for life! They’re a breed of small hound and were originally bred as a scent hound for hunting hare; so, it is clear to see that for Beagles, being your companion is in their very DNA. This naturally social and even-tempered nature unsurprisingly makes them a wonderful starter pet for for first-time dog owners. However, that doesn’t mean that owning a Beagle comes without some challenges to overcome. Although Beagles might be more prone to weight gain to other breeds, this doesn’t have to be a problem provided owners are vigilant in their care and regularly assess and check their Beagle for signs of weight gain. On the whole, as long as you don’t feed your Beagle more than twice a day and ensure that they get their daily exercise, they should be fine. If you have any concerns about your Beagle’s weight, it isn’t the end of the world, either. It is just something to discuss with your vet to make sure your dog has a happy, fulfilling and healthy life. You might also like... There are certain foods your Beagle should never eat, as they can be toxic to them. See what they are on the link below. 25 foods that are toxic to the Beagle breed