Beagles are well-liked because of their cute appearance and adorable bark. In addition to being excellent hunting dogs, beagles also make wonderful house pets. But how long can a beagle live?
Regardless of whether you intend to train your beagle for work, this is a crucial question to ask.
This article will discuss the life span of these lovely household pets and describe their development from birth to old age. Discover everything there is to know about beagles, whether you’re interested in adopting one or not.
There is a wide range of variation, but a healthy Beagle can live anywhere from 10 to 15 years. This is on par with other breeds of a similar size. While most Beagles don’t make it to 20, there have been exceptions.
One of the oldest dogs in history is Butch, an American Beagle. He was born in 1975 and lived to the age of 28 before passing away in 2003.
Also Read: Can a Beagle be left alone?
How long do Beagles live?
Beagles, as we’ve mentioned before, often live between 12 and 15 years. Despite their tiny stature, they are known to be a strong dog breed. Contrary to the rule for most other animal species, little dogs have a statistically significant advantage over large dogs when it comes to longevity.
When compared to other dog breeds, the average Beagle lifetime is fairly normal. The average lifespan of a dog is around 10 years, but some breeds, like the Irish Wolfhound, live only 6-8 years. The average lifespan of a Xoloitzcuintle dog is between 16 and 20 years.
A Beagle’s lifespan is therefore average for dogs overall when all breeds are considered.
What Are The Leading Causes of Death In Beagles?
Since 1964, veterinary colleges in North America have been contributing data on animal diseases to the Veterinary Medical Databases (VMDB), making it one of the largest veterinary medical data archives in the world.
The dogs mortality rate in North America was studied for 20 years by experts from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. The study spanned from 1984 to 2004.
Among beagles aged 2 and younger, their research found that trauma, secondary infections, and congenital diseases accounted for the highest mortality rate.
Cancer
The most common cause of death for beagles is cancer (23.1%). Sadly, as you may guess, it occurs much more often than you might like. All but about 6 percent of the 192 AKC-recognized breeds suffer from this, making it the main cause of death.
Trauma
Beagles’ second leading cause of death is accidental injury (16%). It is terrible, but this top cause of death is preventable with some effort. The death of even a single beagle due to an automobile accident is one too many.
Neurological Causes
The third leading cause of death in beagles is neurological disorders (13% of the time). The term “neurological disease” is used to cover a wide range of conditions that affect the nervous system (which includes their brain and spinal cord). Intervertebral disc disease is one such condition (IVDD).
How can you keep your Beagle fit all the time?
There are numerous things you can do as a dog owner to ensure the happiness and long life of your beagle, whether it’s a young pup, an adult dog, or an older dog.
They need to be exercised frequently, given room to run around in (both indoors and out), fed properly (without being overfed), taken to the vet frequently, and groomed once a month using a good quality dog shampoo and conditioner.
The lifespan of a Beagle can be significantly increased by careful weight management and regular physical activity. It’s normal for a Beagle’s weight to remain constant once it’s 12 to 15 months old. The dog, though, may develop further in size.
This is the process responsible for the transformation from a chubby puppy to a sleek adult dog. All beagles have boundless amounts of energy. It’s in their nature to wander and discover new things.
Adult beagles can develop obesity if they don’t get enough exercise. Many diseases and conditions are increased by obesity, including diabetes, arthritis, and breathing difficulties.
Helping your Beagle get to full life expectancy
It’s true that some health problems are unavoidable, but how long beagle can live depends on its owner, we’ll discuss plenty of strategies for extending your Beagle’s life expectancy.
1. Spay or neuter your dog. Because cancer is the main killer of Beagles, this will protect females from developing ovarian cancer, help females minimize their risk of developing mammary cancer, and protect males from developing testicular cancer.
2. Provide a healthy, well-rounded diet for your Beagle. Provide nutritious, anti-oxidant-rich snack options. Fruits like blueberries and raspberries are good options.
3. Keep your Beagle on a leash at all times while outside, implement protocols to prevent escape when doors are opened (have everyone in the household knock before entering so the dog may be held back), and always use a certified dog car seat when traveling with your dog.
4. Keep your Beagle up-to-date on all of its vaccines. Talk to your dog’s vet about the leptospriosis vaccine to find out if he needs it.
5. If a dog isn’t exposed to secondhand smoke, it has a far lower chance of developing lung cancer. If someone in the house smokes, the pet, like the human inhabitants, will be exposed to cancerous toxins.
Restricting it to one room won’t help much because the air will eventually circulate and spread the pollutants elsewhere.
Besides quitting, going outside or to a completely isolated place like a garage is your best bet. It’s polite to ask smokers to go outside or to a designated smoking place if no one else in the house does.
6. A Beagle’s longevity is greatly influenced by his or her weight and level of physical activity. The Beagle’s weight should remain stable between 12 and 15 months of age, while the dog may continue to increase in height. This is the process responsible for the transition from the chubby appearance of a puppy to the sleek form of an adult dog.
Beagles have boundless amounts of energy. They are naturally curious and eager to run and discover. They are designed to constantly roam. When this isn’t encouraged by giving them plenty of time to play outside, they’re more likely to gain weight and develop serious health issues.
A daily walk is essential for the health of your dog of any age. Additionally, cardiac activity should be provided at least three times each week. You can take them on a trail run, play a round of Frisbee, or just let them run around in the yard or a fenced-in field.
7. Dogs, especially those of the same breed, can expend a lot of energy and calories by playing with one another for hours. Regardless of the temperature or the weather, you should always provide plenty of water.
8. To a large extent, Beagles’ life expectancy is affected by the quality of food they consume. Not allowed at all are foods served on tables. Some owners are weak and give in to their pets’ constant begging.
Keep in mind that a dog’s digestive system does not respond well to the same snacks that humans enjoy, and that some of those treats will only be empty calories for the dog.
Snacks are something you need to watch out for. When training, it is acceptable to use treats as a kind of positive reinforcement. But make sure it’s a nutritious treat.
Raw carrots or ice cubes infused with a favorite flavor are two options. Artificially colored and flavored sweets, especially those with brilliant colors, should be avoided.
Conclusion
To sum up, Beagles are dependable, ear-flopping, food-loving buddies who have maintained a high position on the most popular breed database.
How long can a Beagle live? While Beagles are vulnerable to a number of health problems, with the help of vets and careful screening from responsible breeders, they can live for 10 to 15 years or more.
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