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Cheerful, curious, and led by their noses, Beagles are one of the most beloved breeds in the world for good reason. With their adorable floppy ears, soulful eyes, and affectionate nature, they make a joyful addition to any home.
Originally bred as scent hounds for tracking game, these compact pups now spend more of their days curled up on the couch (after a long walk, that is).
Thinking about welcoming a pup into your life? Or already sharing your life with a Beagle? Either way, this guide has everything you need to know about keeping them happy, healthy, and thriving.
From choosing the right diet to keeping their minds sharp, our holistic approach covers all the ins and outs of what it takes to care for a Beagle.
Top breed takeaways
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Breed history
Beagles have a long and fascinating history, dating back to ancient Greece, but the modern breed was refined in England during the 19th century. Originally developed to hunt hare and other small game in packs, Beagles were prized for their incredible sense of smell and boundless stamina. Their compact size and even temperament made them ideal for hunters on foot, and their vocal nature and white-tipped tails meant they could be easily tracked while on the chase.
Today, while most Beagles are more likely to track a treat than a hare, their keen nose and strong tracking instincts are still used in airport quarantine and detection work around the world.
Key characteristics
Beagles are energetic dogs with a nose that never stops working and a tail that never stops wagging. They’re curious, intelligent, and very food-motivated — which makes training easier, but also means you’ll need to keep an eye on your dinner!
They’re incredibly social and form strong bonds with their families. This makes them great with children and other dogs, but it also means they don’t love being left alone for long stretches. They’re known for their distinctive "bay" — a loud, howl-like bark that’s part of their scent hound heritage.
Health considerations
Beagles are generally a healthy breed, but they can be prone to skin allergies, ear infections, and obesity. A gently cooked, high-protein diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can support their skin and overall health.
Appearance and size
Beagles have a compact, muscular frame. Their most iconic features are their large, floppy ears, white-tipped tail, and expressive eyes.
Their double coats are short and hardy and typically tri-coloured (black, tan, and white), but they can also be lemon, red and white, or tan and white.
Beagles come in two general size categories: 33 cm (13 inches) and under, and 33–38 cm (13–15 inches) at the shoulder.
Beagle personality and temperament
Beagles are entertaining pups: outgoing and full of mischief. They’re affectionate and playful, making them wonderful family dogs. However, they’re also independent thinkers thanks to their hound lineage — which means they can be stubborn at times, especially when they catch an interesting scent. They’re also known to be escape artists, so a secure, fully fenced garden is a must.
If they’re not given adequate stimulation, they may find other channels for their energy and frustration, like digging holes in your flowerbeds or howling at the delivery person.
Beagle size guide
A full-grown Beagle weighs up to 11 kg and can grow up to 38 cm tall, depending on their gender and genetics.
They tend to stop growing in height by 12 months of age when they reach adulthood.
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How long do Beagles live?
Beagles typically live for around 12–15 years.
As dog parents, we want our pups to live a happy and healthy life for as long as possible – and there’s so much we can easily do to help them thrive, not just survive. Every dog deserves a long, vibrant life, and it begins with a thoughtful, holistic approach to their wellbeing.
A nourishing real food diet (like Lyka), regular exercise, mental stimulation, training, grooming, and proactive vet care all work together to help your pup feel their very best.
“Beagles are known to be food-driven with a good appetite, but this can make it easy for them to gain weight and become obese. Free-feeding is not advisable for this breed, which is why Lyka’s custom-portioned meals help to keep them nourished and full without risking over-feeding.”
— Dr Alexander England, Lyka Veterinarian, BVetMed MANZCVS (Small Animal Veterinary Practice)
Learn more about Dr Alexander England and his veterinary experience.
What does a Beagle eat?
This food-driven breed needs nutritious food to fuel their mind and body.
The best Beagle diet is made with real food ingredients:
High-quality protein supports muscle health and energy, while fresh vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals. Healthy fats, like omega fatty acids found in fish oil, contribute to a strong immune system, a healthy coat, and cognitive function. While low-glycaemic index carbohydrates help maintain steady energy levels.
Lyka’s human-grade meals are gently cooked to retain the tastes, textures, and nutrients of each carefully selected ingredient. They’re easy to digest, help keep your pup hydrated, and delicious – perfect for even the fussiest eaters.
Maintaining the right weight and body shape is crucial for a Beagle’s health and wellbeing. Excess weight or obesity can lead to other diseases and affect a dog’s joints, mobility, quality of life, and lifespan.
That’s why Lyka meals are custom portioned to meet your dog’s specific needs, helping you keep them at their healthiest and happiest.
Read more: The life-changing benefits of real food for dogs
Do Beagle puppies need special food?
Contrary to popular belief, puppies don’t need special puppy food if they’re getting the right portion of nutrient-dense real food.
Beagle puppies need a diet containing high-quality protein for tissue growth, essential vitamins and minerals for bone development and brain function, and low GI carbohydrates for slow-release energy, like Lyka.
Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development
Read more: Puppy vs adult food: what our experts want you to know
Beagle health issues
Beagles from reputable breeders are generally known to be healthy, but like all dogs they can develop health issues or inherit conditions from their parents.
Before planning a litter, respectable breeders will consider the health, temperament, and genetic history of their breeding pairs to select good characteristics. Always check the health of the parents before choosing your new pup.
1. Skin allergies
Beagles can be prone to skin allergies often triggered by food or environmental allergens. Recurring ear infections are also a common health condition affecting this breed and can often be linked to skin allergies.
Allergies trigger a pup’s immune system which releases histamines and other chemicals to defend the body against the invading allergen. These chemicals cause the red, itchy and inflamed skin. The gut microbiome helps to modulate the immune system, making gut health vital for allergen defence.
Boost your Beagle’s gut health and their immune response with a fresh food diet that contains skin-enriching nutrients, including:
🐟 Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs): Known to boost skin and coat health.
💚 Spirulina: A powerful superfood containing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that's been shown to reduce allergic inflammation.
🍄 Shiitake mushrooms: A bioactive food, rich in B vitamins, selenium, and zinc that can boost your dog’s immune response against allergens.
Lyka doesn't contain pro-inflammatory starches, lectins and other common allergens used in commercial pet food like wheat, corn, soy and dairy.
If your pup suffers from a food allergy, an elimination trial diet can help to identify the problematic ingredient. Another option is a novel protein diet, which is a protein they’ve not eaten before. Lyka’s Hypoallergenic Pro is made with goat and formulated without common food allergens like chicken, beef, egg, wheat, soy, dairy, and corn.
Read more: Dog skin allergies: triggers, symptoms and itch relief (with photos)
2. Obesity
Beagles can be food motivated, making it easy for them to gain unnecessary weight, putting additional strain on their backs and joints.
Maintain your pup's optimal weight with a portion-controlled, complete and balanced diet that keeps them nourished and in excellent shape.
Include real ingredients in their diet like quality proteins and low GI carbohydrates to maintain steady energy levels and support a healthy weight and body shape, like:
🍠 Purple sweet potato: a low-GI carbohydrate option that gradually releases energy to satisfy your pup.
🦘 Kangaroo and Chicken: low-fat, high-quality protein options for healthy weight management.
🥬 Kale: fresh, non-starchy produce with bioavailable nutrients and dietary fibre for healthy digestion and satiety.
Lean dogs can live up to 2.5 years longer than overweight pups. Pair a healthy, fresh food diet with regular walks and interaction to keep them active and healthy, along with regular veterinary check-ups.
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Beagle coat, grooming, and hygiene tips
Keeping your Beagle well-groomed is about more than just a sleek and shiny coat – it’s essential for their overall health.
Coat types and shedding
Beagles have a short, dense double coat that sheds moderately year-round, with heavier shedding in spring and autumn. Regular brushing helps minimise loose hair around the house and keeps their coat looking its best.
Grooming
Beagles require brushing once or twice a week to remove dead hair and stimulate their skin’s natural oils. A rubber grooming mitt or bristle brush works well.
They only need a bath every 4–6 weeks, unless they’ve rolled in something particularly dirty or smelly. Remember to use dog-friendly shampoo, as human products can irritate their skin.
Beagle hygiene tips
A dog's nails can grow surprisingly fast and if they're not trimmed regularly can become uncomfortable and even affect how they walk.
Introduce your Beagle to nail trims from an early age so they’re used to the sensation and the tools. Don’t forget to reward them with a high-value treat at the end, so they develop a positive association with the process.
Brushing your dog's teeth a few times a week helps reduce tartar buildup and supports healthy gums.
Routine ear checks are important to spot signs of infection, wax buildup, or irritation. You can give them a gentle wipe with a clean, slightly damp cloth, but be careful not to reach too far into their ear, as this can cause damage.
And don’t forget to inspect your dog’s paws frequently, checking for cuts, debris, or redness between their pads.
Beagle exercise requirements
Beagles are energetic dogs that need at least an hour of exercise daily. They enjoy long walks, hikes, and games that engage their nose, like scent trails or hide-and-seek.
They also love playtime with other dogs and do well in secure off-lead areas — but make sure it’s fenced, because once their nose is on a trail, recall may go out the window.
A high-protein, low-glycaemic index diet, like Lyka’s real food meals, provides steady, nutritious energy to complement their active lifestyle.
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Training a Beagle
Beagles are clever but can be independent, so patience and consistency are key. Food-based positive reinforcement training can work wonders, especially for these food-lovers. Choose low fat, single protein treats (like Lyka’s Piggy Training Perks) to avoid over-feeding.
Training should continue throughout their life, with enrichment activities and routines to keep them stimulated.
For puppies, toilet training requires frequent breaks (expect one hour of bladder control per month of age), while crate training offers a safe space and helps with house-training. Controlled socialisation through puppy school or meet-ups is essential for building confidence and social skills.
Your pup’s receptivity to training can be improved with the right nutrition that helps support consistent moods, steady energy levels, and cognitive development.
Read more: Fuelling your dog’s focus: how nutrition impacts your dog’s training
How to choose a reputable Beagle breeder
So, you’ve decided that a Beagle is the perfect companion and fits your lifestyle like a glove. How exciting! The next step is to find a reputable breeder.
What do we mean by ‘reputable breeder’?
Reputable, ethical breeders establish breeding programs, planning a limited number of litters using pairs carefully selected for their health and temperament. They believe the health and wellbeing of their dogs and puppies are paramount.
Ethical breeders often have an application and selection process and may even have a waitlist. They should be receptive to scheduled visits so you can see their facilities, meet their dogs, and ask them questions about their program.
This is also a great opportunity to enquire about how they have addressed common health conditions or temperament issues.
A puppy farm (factory, or mill) often operates in poor conditions and on a large scale to maximise their profit. Health and wellbeing are of secondary importance, if at all, leading to puppies that often have long-term health and behavioural issues.
How do I find a reputable Beagle breeder?
Often each state has a recognised breed club that can provide a list of reputable breeders that will usually have a website, social media channels, and direct contact details.
RightPaw is a website dedicated to promoting responsible breeders and ethical programs. Not all breeders use this site, but it’s a helpful tool to support you on your puppy journey.
Speak to other dog parents – it’s a great way to gain invaluable insight into their first-hand experience and give you even more of a taste of what to expect from the breed.
How much is a Beagle puppy?
You can expect to pay around $1,500 to $3,000 for a puppy from an ethical breeder in Australia. But remember that the ongoing cost of parenting a dog is a significant commitment of money and time.
Veterinary bills can be expensive and unexpected, so it’s worth considering pet insurance too.
If you want to adopt a dog from a shelter, we’re right behind you. Try to find out as much information about them as you can, but recognise that a lot of their history will be unknown.
When you bring them home, show them love, patience, and consistency to help them settle into a new and secure life with you.
Read more: How much does a dog cost? The real price of dog ownership
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FAQs
Are Beagles hypoallergenic?
Beagles are not hypoallergenic – they shed and produce dander, so they’re not suitable for allergy sufferers.
When should I desex my Beagle?
Most dogs are desexed when they reach maturity. Your vet will consider your dog’s age, size, health, and behaviour to determine the right time for the procedure.
For how long is a Beagle pregnant?
The Beagle gestation period is around 63 days or nine weeks from conception.
Are Beagles good family dogs?
Yes, Beagles are amiable, affectionate and very entertaining, making them a great choice for families. Always supervise interactions with small children and teach them how to understand your dog’s body language.
Where should by Beagle sleep?
This is completely up to you. Be consistent in your expectations from the start as it’s much harder to change your routine later down the line. Wherever they sleep, make sure it’s a warm and comfortable bed away from cold draughts.
New to Lyka? Let’s rethink dog food together
Parenting your Beagle comes with many decisions, like choosing the best diet for your new best friend.
Designed by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists, and made with real, human-grade ingredients, our meals are custom-portioned to match your dog’s needs.
From bouncing pups to wise golden oldies, hundreds of Beagles across Australia are living their best lives on Lyka. Ready to fuel your dog’s next adventure?
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