Beagle Puppies Buyers Guide in 2023
Let’s talk about an adorable dog breed many of us know – the Beagle. Perhaps you’ve seen Snoopy, the cartoon? He’s a Beagle! Who wouldn’t want to welcome that perfect Beagle puppy into your home; a small and innocent creature that wants nothing more but your love and attention, and that will quickly grow up to be your best friend and potentially also your hunting buddy!
Beagle dogs are wonderful in the way they adapt to almost any circumstance, and they are ideally sized for both living in a house with a yard, and in an apartment with an active family.
There are a few things you need to know if you are considering buying or adopting a Beagle or a Beagle dog mix, and we are here to help you find the perfect Beagle breeder and puppy for you and your family.
Read our Beagle Puppies Buyer’s Guide Below
About Beagle Puppies
Beagle puppies are one of the most endearing creatures you can come across; they have small dark eyes that gleam with curiosity, those silky and soft ear flaps, paws that seem just a tiny bit too big for their bodies, lose puppy skin that they will eventually grow into and they follow you around everywhere with their tails held high.
You can already see the features they will come to have as adults, making a Beagle puppy something close to a miniature version of a much larger adult dog.
A 3-month old Beagle pup usually weighs somewhere between 8.8-11 lbs (4-5 kgs), but will eventually come to grow up to weigh about 24 lbs (11 kgs). This is one of many dog breeds that were originally bred to hunt, and if you pay close attention to your puppy’s behavior – you might notice a few small signs of this already!
By the time you get your puppy home from the dog breeder, it tends to be somewhere around 8-12 weeks – small enough to easily carry with one hand, but they will quickly start growing!
What to Look Out for When Buying a Beagle Puppy
No dog breed comes with a health guarantee, and it is important to take precaution when you are shopping around for a puppy. You might be tempted to jump at the first chance of getting one of these adorable Beagles, perhaps the puppy you saw in an ad online, or in the local newspaper.
It may seem so easy to get that dream pup home, but you need to hold back and control your emotions so that you can make an educated and well-prepared decision.
Once you have found the puppy you are interested in – ask the breeder if you can come meet the puppy while it is still with its littermates.
This will give you a unique chance to observe the puppies in the environment where they are the most comfortable, and many breeders will let you choose your puppy, depending on how many puppies are still available.
The puppy you pick should be alert and forward; it should not seem afraid or withdrawn, and it should look healthy in terms of coat, eyes and overall appearance.
Beagle Life Stages
The expected life span of a Beagle is 12-15 years, which is quite long for a medium-size dog. They start out small and adorable, but before you know it you will have an adolescent Beagle on your hands, which can be quite a handful. It is a dog that will use its cuteness to test limits and try to get away with it, because hey, it is just a puppy right?
Don’t let that innocent face fool you, and make sure you set boundaries already from the start. Beagles respond well to positive reinforcement methods, as they are generally stubborn, but very eager to please.
Beagles are considered adults for the majority of their lives, but will eventually become senior doggies. A senior Beagle may require additional care depending on their overall health status, but they tend to stay active up until an advanced age.
Beagle Health Concerns
These adorable dogs are prone to some health issues, such as patellar luxation, chondrodysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, and cherry eye, and these are all conditions you should be looking out for when having a Beagle, by making sure you book regular veterinary check-ups.
This applies even if your Beagle seems to be in excellent health, as all dogs should be checked by a vet at least once a year when you go in for vaccinations and shots.
Another thing Beagle owners need to keep in mind is that the breed is prone to weight gain. It is far from unusual to see Beagles packing a few extra pounds, and this is unfortunately harmful to their bones and joints, and to their general health.
Make sure your Beagle gets enough exercise throughout its life, and that you keep your furry friend active both physically and mentally.
Beagle Breeder Information
Look for breeders registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) or any other official kennel club, as these supposedly live up to the standards a professional breeder should live up to. You don’t want to support less serious breeding businesses, such as backyard breeders that are in it just for the money.
Why? Firstly, an inexperienced or unprofessional breeder may not take precaution when choosing parent animals, which could land you with an unwell puppy. It is also unethical to support such a business, as the animals they use for breeding are rarely treated fairly.
Beagle Puppy Diet
Here we have the issue of Beagles easily gaining weight again, and it is a big decision to choose dog food for your new puppy. Good food habits start already when you bring your puppy home, so do your research to find a high-quality puppy food (or food for all life stages) with a high percentage of animal-based protein, and with no fillers or artificial preservatives. You can find these by looking at our reviews for premium puppy food, and by learning a little regarding what you want your puppy to eat, and what you should avoid.
Is a Beagle Right for You?
Beagles are great family dogs, and a lot of that has to do with their size! They are small enough to be safe playmates for children but robust enough not to get hurt themselves, and they have all the energy needed to keep up with an active family with children.
Beagles also do well when owned by one single person, and they adapt well to living in an apartment. They are an active dog breed, but they tend to be fine with daily walks and getting to spend time with their human family members. If you want a fun-loving dog breed that always seems to be in a good mood, then the Beagle might be the right dog for you.
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