One of the most well-known dog breeds worldwide, the beagle is loved and well-liked everywhere. But the question is How Long Do Beagles Live ? This charming dog breed is honored by one of the most well-known cartoon characters in the world Snoopy.
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Great Britain originally employed beagles also known as scent hounds for rabbit hunting due to their acute sense of smell. Beagles were brought to America several centuries ago as hunting dogs and became well-liked indoor pets right away.
It should not be shocking that so many families find beagles to be such devoted and affectionate family members. Also Checkout Simple Methods for Measuring Your Dog’s Height
Normal Lifespan of a Beagle | How Long Do Beagles Live
How Long Do Beagles Live? Generally they live for 12 to 15 years. There are a lot of things that can affect a beagle’s life span with some breeds living up to 20 years or more. Of course a lot of things can affect how long your beagle will live but how can you give yourself more time with him? They consist of:
Weights and Sizes
While they are larger than breeds like Chihuahuas or toy poodles, beagles are still classified as small dogs in theory. When in good health an adult beagle weighs between 20 and 30 pounds, males are usually larger than females.
Its height is approximately fourteen inches. The health of a beagle declines when it begins to put on weight. If left untreated obesity can shorten your pets life and increase their risk of developing heart disease arthritis and high blood pressure in dogs.
Breeding
Certain purebred beagles have engaged in inbreeding in order to preserve their pure bloodline. Unfortunately this increases the risk of genetic defects and health problems.
Though this varies from dog to dog, purebred beagles typically live shorter lives than crossbred beagles.
Inherent Diseases
Any dog could have a genetic defect at birth such as hip dysplasia or cardiac defects. The connective tissue development of some beagles is impacted by a syndrome called Musladin-Lueke Syndrome (MLS) which is present from birth.
Although it is completely possible for a beagle to live a normal life when pet owners and their veterinarian work together to maintain good health, genetic defects like these may shorten a beagle’s lifespan. A few things to check for when you first get your beagle will ensure that your pet is healthy. Look for indicators of excellent health such as these when purchasing a beagle puppy from a respectable breeder:
- Breathing steadily and regularly
- Clean nose and eyes (no mucus or discharge)
- Brown specks which are probably flea dirt or discharge are absent from clear ears
- A glossy silky coat
- White teeth
Whether it’s a crossbreed or purebred adult beagle you adopt, watch out for the symptoms listed above and take your new pet to the veterinarian. The first examination is crucial to maintaining your beagles health in the future.
Oldest Beagle in the World
The Top 5 World Records for Oldest Dogs in History.
1. Bluey
Bluey, an Australian Cow Dog is the oldest dog on our list. Bluey the world’s oldest dog lived in Victoria Australia and reached the grand age of 29 years and 160 days. Bluey lived from June 7 1910 to November 14 1939 and went by Bluey Les Hall in full.
Not many records exist to study Bluey because he passed away so long ago. He seemed to be your average working dog from what we could tell used for herding sheep and cattle. The Australian Cow Dogs long lifespan has been the subject of research due to Bluey’s legacy.
2. Butch
The next dog on our list is Butch a Beagle who was a USA resident of Virginia. Butch lived to be about 28 years old. He died in 2003 having been born in 1975. Up until his passing the dog’s record for being the oldest dog still living was held by the Guinness Book of World Records. Butch has some documentation unlike Bluey. According to his owners he was amiable, full of youth and a gourmet.
3. Taffy
Taffy was a 27-year-old Welsh Collie who passed away in 317 days. The dog was a resident of the United Kingdom but it is unknown where exactly in the country she resided. Taffy was recorded as the oldest dog alive in the Guinness Book of World Records at the time but there are no birth or death records for her.
Taffy lived a full happy life and there’s not much to be found about the Welsh Collie other than she is often confused with another long-living dog with her name only that dog was a Poodle.
4. Bramble
Unknown to us but somewhere in England lived the Border Collie named Bramble. She lived to be 27 years old plus 211 days. Born on September 1 1975 this rescue dog departed from this life on March 31 2003. She was adopted by Anne Heritage and gained notoriety for being a vegan for the majority of her life.
Bramble seemed to have had success with her diet as she lived to a very old age. The dog had a regular eating schedule, exercised frequently and was energetic. Even though Anne Heritage was able to get Bramble and other dogs to follow this diet it is still advisable to consult your veterinarian before starting a vegan diet for your dog just to be safe.
5. Adjutant
In Lancashire England there lived a gamekeeper’s dog named adjutant. Adjutant lived to be a ripe 27 years 98 days old. He lived with James Hawkes, his owner and was a Black Labrador Retriever Mix. He died on November 20 1963 and was born on August 14 1936.
As a gun dog we can assume that the dog was busy and active until he passed away even though very little else is known about him. To succeed in that life the dog had to be both smart and athletic.
What are the Possible Health Problems of Beagle Dogs?
Although almost all dog health issues can affect beagles there are a few specific health conditions to which beagles are more susceptible. Three problems disproportionately impact our floppy-ear friends according to data from the Veterinary Medical Databases:
Cancer: For this breed of dog cancer is the most common cause of death—23. 1% of beagles will get cancer. It’s important to remember that although this statistic is depressing, cancer is also a major cause of death for many other dog breeds. Indeed it is the primary cause of practically every dog breed officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Trauma: At sixteen percent trauma ranks as the second most common cause of death in beagles. Incidents involving cars and fights with animals are examples of trauma. All dog owners must take precautions to make sure their pets are safe.
Neurological Disorders: Neuropathic disorders account for 13% of beagle fatalities. These include diseases like intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and epilepsy that impact the brain and spinal cord.
Other Conditions: Similar to other canines, beagles are susceptible to various common illnesses such as ear infections, parasitic worms and many others. As such it is your duty as a beagle owner to take all reasonable measures to guarantee the security of your four-legged friend.
Tips to Keep Beagle Healthy
Reading about the conditions we’ve covered above can be unsettling. Therefore by taking the required steps to ensure your dogs safety and health throughout your time together you can give them the best chance at a happy and long life. These are the best methods to ensure that your cherished family member lives out their entire life:
Feed Quality Pet Food to Your Beagle
Beagles are no different from other dogs in that their diet has a big impact on their overall health. Feeding your dog premium dog food that is suitable for their size, age and weight is essential. It gives the nutrition that your dog’s body systems require to continue operating as intended and aids in weight management to prevent risky obesity.
If you would like to add even more nutrition to your dogs diet Native Pets Bone Broth Topper is an excellent choice. Protein and collagen content are both very high and it tastes great. In addition to being a delicious drink, bone broth helps rehydrate food.
Ensure Continuous Workout
The beagle breed needs a lot of exercise just like all other dog breeds. Make sure your pet gets enough exercise each day whether it’s through extended walks in the park or spirited play sessions with a favorite toy. As a general rule your dog should exercise for at least thirty minutes every day. If you have any questions about how active your beagle should be, speak with your veterinarian.
Advance Your Pets Neutering or Spraying
Getting your dog neutered or spayed ideally when they are young is another great way to prolong their life. One benefit is that it lowers the chance of developing some cancers such as mammary ovarian and testicular cancer.
Additionally it lessens the desire for your dog to roam around in search of a partner decreasing the possibility that your dog may escape and come into contact with vehicles, wildlife toxic or dangerous materials or other dangers. An added benefit is that spaying or neutering reduces the likelihood of certain behaviors like loud vocalizations digging and chewing.
Why Certain Beagles Live Longer than Others?
In general beagles live longer than any other breed. A significant distinction exists between the ages of 12 and 15 and between 12 and 27 years even more so. What therefore may influence how long your Beagle may live?
Diet
Every animal including the Beagle needs a healthy diet to live a long and healthy life. Being active dogs, beagles typically have a voracious appetite. They gain from eating a diet rich in high-quality proteins as well as some fruits and vegetables.
For optimal muscle growth and upkeep your Beagle needs a sufficient amount of protein. A healthy digestive system is ensured by dietary fiber so in order to give your dog the longest and healthiest life possible make sure your diet is designed to meet all of its daily nutritional needs.
The Surroundings
Particularly at night dogs that live indoors outlive dogs that are left outside in the elements or in the cold or hot. Living indoors does not however ensure longevity one should also take into account other factors such as exposure to toxins and hazardous chemicals.
Genes
One of the biggest determinants of life expectancy is genetics. Just like any other purebred dog breed beagles can have certain genetic illnesses that are essentially inherited from one or both parents.
Neonatal Cerebellar Cortical Degeneration is one such condition that can result in a dog’s quality of life being compromised and degenerative myelopathy which causes affected Beagles to frequently lose their ability to walk by the time they are ten years old. The chance that a Beagle puppy will grow up with these conditions can be ascertained through genetic testing.
History of Breeding
Studies on the subject do not support the hypothesis that breeding can shorten a dogs life span but giving birth and getting pregnant do raise the possibility that a bitch may experience some health issues. Preventing a Beagle female from reproducing rules out these scenarios. In addition to putting the dog under unnecessary strain, overbreeding may shorten the dogs life expectancy and undoubtedly lower their quality of life.
Ways to Determine Your Beagles Age
Examining a dog’s teeth and paying particular attention to the amount of wear and coloring is the most accurate method of determining its age. Puppies without teeth are four weeks old or younger whereas a dog with thin sharp teeth is probably between four and eight weeks old.
Between three and six months of age permanent teeth erupt and they dont stop being brilliant white until roughly a year of age. Within a year of age dogs may exhibit signs of yellowing and develop tartar and gingivitis if they do not receive enough brushing or if they only eat wet food. Dental infections and loose or missing teeth may result from this if it worsens.
Conclusion
To sum up. Beagles are a small breed of hunting dog that despite their use and skill make wonderful family companions. Depending on a dog’s activity level genetics, living circumstances and healthcare regimen its life expectancy can range from 12 to 15 years. Expect a life full of energetic love and loyalty from a breed that often lives into their late teens. The oldest Beagle ever recorded lived to be 27 years old.
