Do Beagles lose weight as they age

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

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Beagle Growth & Weight Chart: Everything You Need To Know

Heres everything you need to know about Beagle size and growth:

Beagle Growth and Size

Unlike many dog breeds, Beagles do not vary much in size based on gender. However, the American Kennel Club currently recognizes two varieties of Beagles in size: the 13 inches & under size and the 13 to 15 inches tall size.

A Beagles adult height largely determines what their healthy weight should be, which can vary by about 10 pounds depending on their size classification. If you purchased your Beagle puppy through a breeder or pet store, reach out to them about the Beagle size group your puppy belongs to. If youre unsure which group your Beagle falls into, you can measure their height yourself.

Please remember that the following numbers are estimates and that all puppies grow at different rates. Dont worry if your puppy is slightly ahead or behind the following numbers. Consult with your veterinarian if youre concerned about your Beagles weight or size.

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Beagle Weight and Height Chart

AGE	Smaller Beagle (13" & Under)	Larger Beagle (13-15")
1 mo.	2-3 lb.	3-4 lb.
2 mo.	3-5 lb.	4-7 lb.
3 mo.	7-10 lb.	8-11 lb.
4 mo.	8-11 lb.	9-12 lb.
5 mo.	9-12 lb.	10-13 lb.
6 mo.	12-17 lb.	14-18 lb.
7 mo.	14-16 lb.	16-20 lb.
8 mo.	16-20 lb.	18-22 lb.
9 mo.	16-20 lb.	20-26 lb.
10 mo.	16-20 lb.	20-28 lb.
11 mo.	16-20 lb.	20-30 lb.
12 mo.	16-20 lb.	20-30 lb.

How big should a Beagle be at six months?

A six-month-old Beagle will be approaching their adult height and could stand anywhere between 10 and 13 inches tall, weighing around 12 to 17 pounds.

How much bigger will my Beagle get?

There are a few ways to estimate how much bigger your Beagle will get.

Most Beagles reach their adult height by eight months old and their adult weight by a year and a half of age. If your Beagle is less than a year and a half old, they are likely still growing. Reference our growth chart above for estimates on your Beagles final size.

You can also take a look at your Beagles paws. Do they look large next to their body and legs? This is a classic puppy feature showing that your Beagle pup is still growing into them!

If you purchased your Beagle through a breeder, you could contact them for a more exact estimate of your Beagle puppys final size and height based on previous litters by their parents. What size group they fall into based on their expected adult height can provide a lot of clarity on how much they will eventually weigh.

Pro Tip: Download a new puppy checklist for a complete list of safety procedures, training tools, parenting tips, and more!

At what age is a Beagle fully grown?

Beagles reach their full height around eight months old and their adult weight around 18 months old. Thats not to say they wont get any heavier, however. Beagles are particularly prone to obesity.

These chowhounds tend to over-eat and should have their food carefully portioned out, as theyll continue to eat well beyond the point of being full. As a Beagle owner, its vital for you to closely monitor their weight and diet to help them avoid the dangers of obesity.

(Image Source: Unsplash)

What is the size of a full-grown Beagle?

The American Kennel Clubs Official Standard for the Beagle breed states that an adult Beagle standing at 13 inches or less should weigh less than 20 pounds, while an adult Beagle standing at 13 to 15 inches tall should weigh between 20 and 30 pounds. As adults, Beagles will look like miniature foxhounds with a solid, balanced body that allows them to last in a long chase.

(Image Source: Unsplash)

How do I make sure my Beagle is healthy?

According to the Veterinary Centers of America, Beagles are more prone to specific genetic health problems, such as cervical intervertebral disk disease. This disease occurs more frequently in dogs with long backs and short legs between three and six years old.

Watch out for symptoms like neck pain, a change in their gait, or lowered head, possibly with muscle spasms in their shoulders, neck, and head area. If you notice your Beagle experiencing these symptoms, immediately contact your veterinarian for the next steps in treating your pup.

Regular veterinary care is the best thing you can do for your dogs long-term health. A veterinary professional can regularly screen your Beagle for common health problems, like diabetes, and work with you to prevent and treat any health concerns that arise.

Veterinary care can become expensive, especially for emergency or unexpected treatments. Only 19.44% of pet parents surveyed said they would be able to pay for a $5,000 veterinary expense out-of-pocket, leaving many pet parents in a dangerous position should anything happened to their beloved dog.

Pet insurance is the answer to this dilemma. Pet insurance works by reimbursing you for up to 90% of out-of-pocket veterinary care so that you can provide your Beagle with the best care. Like humans, dogs are living longer lives and require top-notch health care to enjoy their happiest and healthiest lives.

Pet insurance provides you with a safety net so that you can give excellent veterinary care to your dog, no matter the cost. Set up a safety net today so that you can provide your pup with exceptional care throughout their entire lifetime. Pet insurance wellness plans also offer help with routine care, such as dog dental cleanings.

Final thoughts

Beagles are wonderful, warm dogs that take up a large part of our hearts despite their small size. Give yourself peace of mind and provide your Beagle with a safety net should the worst happen. Use Pawlicy Advisor today to compare pet insurance plans side by side from the top Beagle pet insurance providers today!

Pawlicy Advisors personalized recommendations can help you save up to 83% on insurance costs over your dogs lifespan.

Old Beagle: What You Need To Know As Your Dog Ages

Most old Beagles are still puppies at heart. They may not be as fast these days, but they have racked up years of experience and make loyal, placid companions. They will benefit from some tweaks to their diet to give them the nutrition they need. And a few adjustments to his accommodations to make getting around a little easier will definitely help them enjoy their retirement.

Old Beagles usually slow down as the result of a variety of conditions, rather than succumbing to just one illness. Their joints stiffen, and their muscles weaken. They may be more prone to infections and illness. Cancer, arthritis, diabetes, kidney and heart problems are common issues you will need to keep an eye out for. Their skin becomes somewhat saggy. They may get a little lumpy, as they become prone to developing lipomassmall deposits of fat under the skin. They will also go grey around the face, and their fur becomes dry and brittle.

You may also notice that they become forgetful. Older dogs can experience memory loss just like us. Sometimes, your old dog might leave messes in the house. Older female dogs in particular may suffer with urinary incontinence. But there is plenty you can do to keep them comfortable and happy.

When Is a Beagle Officially Elderly?

A Beagles expected life span is 10-15 years, and a dog is considered geriatric when he has completed 75-80 percent of his expected life span. So, if we do a little math, 75 percent of 10 is 7.5 years.

That of course is the very youngest estimate. So, rounding it up, a Beagle over 8 years of age is getting on in years and could do with some special consideration.

Caring for an Old Beagle

As dogs age, their bodies systems slow down, and there may be some signs of general wear and tear. This does not mean that your dog is ready to shut up shop just yet. With some adjustments to their diets, routines and surroundings, they can live out their senior years to the absolute fullest.

Unless there is another health issue going on, your geriatric Beagle will still be very keen to eat, play and explore. But, for instance, perhaps getting their head down to food bowl level is a little more difficult these days.

Older dogs may also become forgetful.

Making Adjustments to Accommodate Older Dogs

Some simple adjustments like raising the food bowl and leaving it in the same spot may be simple solutions to address such problems. Of course, if your Beagle still isnt interested in his food, a trip to the vet might be warranted.

Similarly, ramps, rugs on slippery floors, comfy bedding, easy access to the toilet, extra attention to temperature control (ex. access to the indoors). And even stylist dog coats are other simple adjustments that will keep the pep in your old pooches step.

You may also need to think about keeping boisterous kids (humans and puppies) away from older dogs, as fading hearing and sight, along with fragile bones, are all factors that could lead to injury if play gets a little out of hand.

Old Beagle Diets

Many older dogs start to suffer with kidney problems or dehydration, so plenty of clean, fresh water at the ready is important for anyone who lives with an older dog, Beagle or not.

What you feed your senior Beagle will largely depend on your dog and what health conditions, if any, he has developed.

Beagles are particularly prone to get a little tubby. As all dogs get older, they cant run around and keep the weight off like they used to. For this reason, an older Beagle is at risk of becoming overweight or obese, which will put even more stress on his bones and joints.

Many older Beagles will benefit from a diet with less fat and calories.

Sudden Weight Loss With Old Beagles

When your Beagle becomes very old, however, bear in mind that he might start to lose weight, perhaps due to decreased appetite or a weaker sense of smell.

If this happens, the fat and calorie content in his diet may need to be increased again in order to make food more tempting.

This is also a good time to make sure he is getting adequate nutrition. But fats and calories are not the only things you need to pay attention to when feeding an older dog.

Mastering a Healthy Lifestyle for Senior Dogs

Fiber can help with constipation, which can be a problem for some older dogs. However, be careful that the amount of fiber included in your senior poochs diet does not interfere with the digestion of other nutrients.

Recent findings suggest that instead of the traditional cellulose-based fibers found commonly in dog food, slightly fermentable fiber may help with nutrient digestion. This may also assist in the regulation of glucose levels.

Depending on other health conditions your senior dog may be living with, a reduced sodium diet might be required. However, like us, dogs find a bit of salt in their food tasty, so make sure any reduced sodium diet is still palatable.

Dont underestimate how much a good diet and a healthy lifestyle can help keep your older Beagle in the best shape possible.

A study published in 2006 found that feeding older Beagles a diet rich in antioxidants enhanced the host defense mechanisms of the dogs. Additionally, so didincreasing activity levels and learning activities.

In short, it meant they were better able to fight off infections and toxins.

Attitude Changes in Old Beagles

They might also get grumpy or snappy. It is possible that this change in attitude is due to hearing and sight loss. They cant hear you walking up behind them so the sudden sight of a person right next to them could give them quite a fright.

Just make sure that any sudden snappiness is not due to pain, illness or injury.

If you are concerned about any behavior or symptoms your older Beagle is displaying, it is a good idea to contact your vet for a checkup.

While this might sound a little depressing, it is not all bad news. Your older Beagle will not necessarily experience all of the problems associated with aging.

An older Beagle will be calm and less boisterous than a younger doghappy to just be. And there will be no need to follow him around constantly to stop him from getting into mischief.

10 Year Old Beagles

A 10 year old Beagle is old, but not so old that he doesnt have a little pep left in his step. It is around this age when you should start getting more specific geriatric vet checks to keep an eye on his health and pick up any problems early.

Issues such as cancer, arthritis, memory loss, heart problems, kidney problems or diabetes could crop up, so keep an eye out for symptoms.

While your Beagle will still very much want to be part of the action, he might be getting a little stiffer and perhaps he will tire out quicker than he did before.

At this stage, make sure his weight is in check.

The Beagles sniffer is still likely in good shape, so he might insist on eating just as much food as he did as a young whipper snapper. Unfortunately this big appetite may come without keeping up the activity levels required to burn it all off.

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight will help reduce stress on his joints and might ward off mobility issues for a few more years.

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11 Year Old Beagles

Depending on the general health of your Beagle, the rate at which he slows down will vary. Adjust your dogs diet, exercise and living arrangements to keep him comfortable through these changes.

Remember that at this age, your Beagle may still be pretty sharp mentally, so dont forget to keep him occupied and involved in family activities.

12 Year Old Beagles

As the aging process progresses, keep an eye on your Beagles behavior and take particular note of signs of pain or confusion. If you feel some of your dogs symptoms are progressing rapidly, take him to the vet. There are treatments available for problems associated with aging, and it might just be what the doctor ordered to give him a new lease on life.

Older Beagles may start to develop Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.

13 Year Old Beagles

Your senior dog will continue to slow down, and the grey hairs will keep popping out as your Beagle hits 13.

By this age, your dog, even if healthy, is most definitely a senior citizen. If he hasnt become much slower, dont be shocked if he starts acting a little old by this age.

Its wise to have plans in place if you need to make any big decisions around the end of your dogs life in the coming months or years.