Beagles are an athletic and brave dog breed that makes brilliant, loving household companions.
If you own a Beagle, you’ll be interested to learn about the Beagle size chart to help you monitor its growth at regular intervals.
The Beagle dog breed is a small to medium size dog breed that is characterized by a short and glossy coat and friendly temperament. Beagles have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
In this article, we explain how to use the Beagle growth chart as well as other presenting factors that affect the development of a Beagle. Read on to learn more!
When Do Beagles Stop Growing?
Beagles reach their full maturity at 18 months. This is when their skeletal system is fully mature and has a steady weight.
At this age, they would have reached their adult weight and height. They will reach their height sooner and continue building up and adding weight until 18 months of age.
The male Beagle weighs about 25 pounds while the female Beagle weighs about 22 pounds as an adult.
Mental and emotional maturity comes much later, so your Beagle will be behaving like a puppy for a while.
Beagle Size Chart
The Beagle weight chart below will help you monitor your puppy by comparing the figures with what you record from your dog.
The figure recorded in the chart shows the average concerning the Beagle breed study.
Understand that various factors affect how healthy and big a dog will get. They include but are not limited to exercise, nutrition, health, and genetics.
Using the Beagle size chart gives you a guide when monitoring your dog’s growth. You can tell the dog’s age to the weight range your dog should be.
Therefore, you need the correct chart for accuracy. These corresponding figures will tell you the ideal weight that your dog should have.
Do not panic when your dog’s weight is a little different because this happens for various reasons. Consult your vet for essential information and action needed.
Beagle Weight Chart
Age | Weight lbs | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 Months | 6 - 11 lbs | ||||
4 Months | 8 - 12 lbs | ||||
5 Months | 10 - 15 lbs | ||||
6 Months | 12 - 16.5 lbs | ||||
7 Months | 14 - 18 lbs | ||||
8 Months | 15 - 20 lbs | ||||
9 Months | 17 - 22 lbs | ||||
10 Months | 19 - 23 lbs | ||||
11 Months | 21 - 24 lbs | ||||
1 Year | 22 - 26 lbs | ||||
2 Years | 23 - 30 lbs |
Beagle Puppy Development Stages
Birth – 2 Weeks
The birth of the Beagle puppies happens after nine weeks inside their mom’s womb.
When puppies are born, the ears and eyes remain closed and hence can’t hear or see anything. Every puppy needs the mom’s closeness to absorb their mom’s body heat.
Puppies grow fast and by the end of the first week, they are double their weight.
During week two, the puppy will start opening their eyes but cannot see well. This pup at this stage continues to grow weight but still needs to be around the mom.
3 Weeks – 12 Weeks
During the third week, the puppy’s sight will improve and the ears will open. The puppy can now stand up and walk a few steps.
They can start socializing with their littermates and their mom. Between 4 to 6 weeks old, the Beagle puppy develops their true personality.
They begin running, walking, and whining, and they can also bite. Puppies can eat puppy food in their diet.
At around 7 to 8 weeks, the puppy learns the necessary socialization skills from the mom and littermates.
They start nipping and biting about everything. The pup learns that it’s not right to bite from the mother and littermates.
8 to 12 weeks is the right time to get yourself a Beagle puppy and begin a life together. Your puppy at 12 weeks can start house training, and crate training and teach them socialization.
4 Months – 9 Months
By 4 months, your puppy is quite energetic and playful hence necessary to continue with their training. You can begin taking them for short walks and teach them some tricks and some basic commands.
By 6 or 7 months, your Beagle pup will be halfway through his body growth. The female puppy could already be on their first heat.
They become sexually mature by this time. The male puppies can start humping on your leg, with pillows or even toys. This is normal.
When they are 8 months, they start looking more like an adult. They will be sexually active and more energetic. They may need neutering or spaying at this time.
10 Months – 18 Months
At 12 months the Beagle is nearly about their full size, however, they reach full maturity at 18 months and may fill out a little more and get a little taller between 10 months and 18 months.
However, by this time you can tell the size your Beagle will grow. Your puppy should be well with training and can socialize better.
They should be on their way to becoming highly skilled hunting and intelligent dogs.
Adult
Beagle puppy becomes fully mature by 18 months. This is the time they fully become adults.
This is the time to transition your Beagle from puppy food to adult food. The process should be done gradually to avoid causing problems to the dog’s stomach.
How Big Do Beagles Get?
You can estimate your Beagle’s full weight by using its weight chart. You can calculate the estimated size through the charts from your vet or the internet.
You can also compare them with other similar breeds. However, you should know that the dog’s breed can be more difficult to predict than purebred dogs. DNA testing is the most accurate predictive way of predicting adult size. However, this method might not be accurate because puppies can inherit features from their grandparents.
The dog’s paw size is directly related to the length of the dog’s legs. The larger the paws grow, the larger the do will grow. When a dog has long legs, it means it will have a larger frame.
Puppies inherit from their parents. Therefore, if you know how big the parents are the chance of telling how your puppy will grow is high.
This will be a good start when estimating the puppy’s future size. Your vet could help you with an estimated parent’s size. You should know that your puppy may not get to maturity size for several months.
Beagle Growth Chart
Beagles do not vary much in size on gender. The American Kennel Club registered two varieties of the Beagle in size the 15 inches tall” size and the 13 inches and under” size.
The adult height of a Beagle is determined by its healthy weight. Which varies by about 10 pounds depending on the classification of size.
The maximum weight of a Beagle standing at 13” and under should weigh less than 20 pounds while the Adult Beagle standing at 13 to 15 inches tall should weigh about 20 to 30 pounds.
Adult Beagles look like miniature foxhounds with balanced and solid bodies that allow them to last when on a long chase.
Length: To measure the length of your dog, place a fabric tape measure at the base of the tail (where the tail meets, the body) and extend the tape measure to the base of the neck (where the neck connects to the back). Record the reading.
Height: Get the height of the dog, place the tape measure at the base of one of your dog’s front paws then extend the tape to the top of the dog’s head and record the measurement. You can get this measurement when the dog is standing or sitting.
Weight: You can measure your dog’s weight with a weighing scale.
Will Neutering/Spaying My Beagle Affect His Growth?
The exact age at which you neuter or spay your Beagle will determine how long or how much they grow.
If your Beagle is neutered or spayed early, the amount of time that its bones grow is increased. This means that your dog will grow taller but will not add weight.
Additionally, your Beagle’s joints may not align leading to problems with its musculoskeletal development.
Therefore, the right time to neuter your Beagle is when they have reached adult size.
Speak to your vet to give you advice on this. It is recommended that you neuter or spay your Beagle from the age of 12 months onwards.
Spaying and neutering are beneficial to your dog in terms of minimizing aggressive behavior, increasing life expectancy, eliminating unwanted babies, and preventing certain cancers like testicular and cervical cancer.
French Bulldog Vs Beagle Size
The French Bulldog is slightly different in size from the Beagle.
The male French Bulldog weighs around 20 to 28 pounds with a height of about 11 to 12 inches while the female French Bulldog weighs between 16 to 24 pounds with a height of around 10 to 11 inches.
On the other hand, the male Beagle weighs about 18 to 24 pounds with a height of about 13 to 26 inches while the female Beagle weighs around 19 to 22 pounds with a height of about 13 to 15 inches.
Factors That Affect Beagle Growth
Genetics & Gender
The genetics of a dog can affect its growth in terms of health and final size. Your Beagle will grow to be the average size of its parents as they inherit the physical characteristics.
Apart from size, your puppy can also inherit health issues from their parents.
Therefore, you should ask for the health records and size information from the breeder, so that you are prepared.
When it comes to gender, the male Beagle is slightly heavier and taller as they have more muscles compared to the female Beagle.
Nutrition
Nutrition is important for the growth of your Beagle. When your puppy eats a nutrient-rich and completely balanced diet, it will grow to be stronger and larger compared to the puppy that feeds on a diet with minimum or fewer nutrients.
Check with your vet to come up with the best diet that is suitable for your Beagle. Ensure that it contains high-quality proteins, healthy carbs, and fats as well as antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.
Physical Activity & Health
For your puppy to live a long and healthy life, they need to exercise and stay active. In addition to nutrition, physical activity is important for your puppy to maintain a healthy weight.
It will also grow lean and strong muscles and hence be less likely to develop health issues.
Taking your Beagle to the vet regularly will ensure that it is not developing any illnesses, and if there are any, it can be given early treatment.
How Much To Feed A Growing Beagle Puppy?
A Beagle is considered a puppy until the age of two years. During the puppyhood stage, your Beagle goes through different stages and will have different needs in terms of nutrients and calories.
The exact amount of food that your puppy needs depend on their age, activity level, weight, and health status.
On average, your puppy needs to eat up to two cups of dry food or up to two cans of wet food a day.
However, if you are feeding your puppy homemade food, ensure that you calculate the calories and feed the right number according to its weight to prevent weight gain.
When feeding your Beagle the manufactured dog food, the right amount will be indicated on the packaging as guidelines.
Consult with your vet if you have nutritional concerns about your Beagle.
How To Tell If Your Beagle Is Underweight Or Overweight?
The easy way of telling whether your Beagle is overweight or underweight is to find their Body Condition Score (BCS).
The BCS is a scale used to estimate whether your puppy is at their ideal weight or not. The scale ranges from 1 to 9.
A score of 1 means that your dog is emancipated, and you can easily feel their ribs while some are very visible.
If the score is 9, it means that the dog is obese, and they have a thick layer of fat covering its body meaning you cannot feel the ribs.
A score from 7 to 9 means your dog is on the overweight side while a score of 1 to 3 means your dog is on the underweight side.
The ideal score for your Beagle is 5 where you can feel the ribs through a thin layer of fat, and you can see the waistline and abdominal tuck.
How To Help Your Beagle Lose Weight If He Is Overweight?
If you notice that your Beagle has gained weight, you should take them to the vet for a check-up to rule out any illnesses that might have caused the increase in weight.
Once any illness has been eliminated, you can now help your Beagle to lose weight at home using the following steps:
- Food – reducing the amount of food you give your puppy will ensure that they are eating fewer calories which helps them to lose weight. Ensure that the calories they are eating are nutrient-dense and high-quality. Speak to your to recommend the right number of calories to avoid underfeeding your puppy.
- Exercise – physical activity can also help your dog lose weight by burning calories. You should increase the time of physical activity and the number of exercises. Ease into the exercises to avoid damaging your puppy’s joints and bones. A short walk around the neighborhood is where you should start then slowly increase the time and speed.
- Treats – switch the type of treats you feed your puppy from manufactured treats to vegetables and fruits such as apples, green beans, bananas, baby carrots, and celery. This will reduce the number of calories and provide nutrients for your puppy.
How To Properly Weight My Beagle?
Weighing your Beagle is crucial to ensuring they are on track for achieving a healthy weight. It also allows you to quickly identify signs of ill health early.
You should weigh your Beagle at least twice a year when they reach adulthood. For the first 12 months, you should weigh a Beagle monthly as they grow rapidly from a newborn to an adult.
To weigh your Beagle you can use a bathroom scale. First, step on the scale yourself and record the number.
Next, step back on the scale while holding your Beagle. Then subtract your weight from the weight of you and the Beagle.
Measuring the height is also straightforward. Stand the Beagle against a wall. Then using a measuring tape, measure from the ground to the withers to record the height.
Beagle Genetics And Common Health Problems
Proper care and attention will ensure that your Beagle remains healthy. You need to ensure that all the immunizations are up to date and that you take your puppy to the vet regularly for a medical check-up.
As with any dog, Beagles are healthy but are susceptible to genetic health conditions including the following:
- Cherry eye – this condition causes the eyelid to be inflamed and swollen making it protrude. It can be treated through surgery by removing the enlarged glands.
- Glaucoma – this is the excessive build-up of fluid in the dog’s eye as it cannot be drained leading to blindness if left untreated.
- Idiopathic epilepsy – this is a neurological disorder that leads to uncontrollable and sudden seizures in dogs. Genetics is a major cause and it can lead to death if left untreated.
- Hypothyroidism – this autoimmune disease affects the thyroid glands. It can be managed through diet changes and medication.
Final Words
Hopefully, you now feel confident in using the Beagle size chart to monitor the growth of your Beagle puppy.
Measuring the weight and height of your Beagle regularly during the first 18 months is very important, as it allows you to quickly identify if your puppy is over or underweight.
As owners, you have the responsibility to keep your dog’s growth trajectory on track by providing your Beagle with a healthy balanced diet, regular exercise, and a loving home environment.
If you ever feel concerned about your Beagle’s weight, contact your vet for a check-up.