A healthy Beagle lifespan is anywhere from 10 to 15 years, which is consistent with other breeds of similar size, but of course, this varies considerably. But some Beagles have even lived up to 17 years. How long do Beagles live? There is a lot to consider to answer this question. Some noteworthy questions are:
- “Is it a purebred Beagle or a crossbreed?”
- “What are the Beagle’s lifestyle and diet like?”
- “What health problems do old Beagles have?”
All of these factors impact the Beagle lifespan. All dog lovers hope their pup will live a long and happy life. And the things you do as a pet owner are an important part of expanding Beagle life expectancy. It starts with asking the right questions, and we’ll explore factors that contribute to the length of a Beagle lifespan.
Beagles Are Lovable Dogs
First of all, if floppy ears, strong bonds, and interesting vocalizations are the things you look for in a dog then chances are you are interested in a Beagle.
A Beagle is considered to be a loyal companion and is known for its friendly, curious, and easygoing nature. It’s no wonder this is such a popular species of dog. If you want to find out more about Beagles, make sure to check out our guide to Beagle facts!
How Long Do Beagles Live For On Average?
On average, a healthy Beagle lives for about 12 ½ years. Consequently, you could round that out to 13 years, although there are no guarantees they’ll live that long.
This shows a small increase in Beagle lifespan in the past 25 years. In 1994, the average lifespan of beagle dogs was considered to be 11 to 12 years.
Beagle Lifespan Compared With Other Breeds
Interestingly, an average, healthy Beagle lifespan is a bit longer than most other dog breeds. Why is that? We’ll take a closer look at why this might be, including looking at the impact of a dog’s physical size, diet, and vaccinations.
Factors Affecting Beagle Lifespan
When asking the question, “How long do Beagles live?” there are many factors to consider in a dog’s life that can make a huge difference. We’ll take a look at factors like breeding, genetics, lifestyle, training and care for the dog to answer this question.
When considering a dog’s life expectancy, the first concern is health. For all dogs, life-threatening medical problems can be:
- Acute: something that just happens once like a car accident or an infection.
- Genetic: something the puppy inherits from one or both parents. Credible breeders will screen for known genetic problems as part of their normal routine.
- Chronic: a recurring medical problem such as diabetes.
Likewise, there are conditions in each category that can potentially influence the Beagle lifespan specifically.
Do Beagles Have A Lot Of Health Problems?
Overall, Beagles are a pretty healthy breed, however, like all dogs, they have certain ailments to be aware of.
We’ll take a look at some of them more in depth.
What Kind Of Health Problems Do Beagles Have?
These are some of the common health problems Beagles have:
- Canine Epilepsy
- Factor Deficiency (FVII)
- Obesity
- Neonatal Cerebellar Cortical Degeneration (NCCD)
- Pain Syndrome
Beagle Lifespan And Canine Epilepsy
Although many dogs live very happy lives with canine epilepsy—if left untreated—it can be life-threatening. Serious or repetitive seizures can cause brain damage that may lead to death.
There are three types of canine epilepsy: reactive, secondary, and primary. All three require medical treatment.
Reactive canine epilepsy is usually a symptom of another serious problem like kidney failure or liver disease, both of which are enough to cause the death of a Beagle.
The same is true for secondary canine epilepsy, which is attributed to acute medical problems like a tumor or stroke.
A diagnosis of primary canine epilepsy means the vet doesn’t know what is causing the seizures, just that they need to be controlled.
Beagle Lifespan And Obesity
Obesity is a growing concern in all dogs but seems to haunt Beagles more than most. Why? In part, because they will eat just about anything. They also are always hungry and looking for tasty treats anywhere they can find them.
As a Beagle owner, it’s up to you to control the dog’s diet and that takes a little bit of ingenuity.
- Don’t leave food out. If you leave your burger unguarded on the counter while you go to the bathroom, expect it to be missing when you come back.
- Put the garbage somewhere where the dog can’t get to it. They really will eat anything.
- Give treats wisely. They love them a little too much.
- Don’t be fooled by that woeful face. You know the one. All Beagles have it and they know just when to put that sad, sorrowful look to use.
Obesity has the same effect on dogs as it does on humans. It increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, respiratory arrest and joint problems.
Beagle Lifespan And Factor Deficiency
Factor deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder, with FVII being one of the chemicals involved in blood clotting. The good news is it appears to be a minor condition in most beagles, as surgery occurs without concerns.
But if a dog is compromised in any way it is beneficial to be aware of this condition and screening is very important.
Beagle Lifespan And Pain Syndrome
Nowadays, it is called Steroid Responsive Meningitis (SRM). Because it was first associated with this species in the 1980s, at one time, vets referred to this condition as Beagle Pain Syndrome.
It typically starts with puppies around the age of 4 to 10 months. While the exact cause is unknown, there may be a genetic component that makes these dogs more susceptible to the disease.
SRM causes the immune system to attack the blood vessels that feed the lining around the brain, leading to swelling. However, it is treatable with steroids if caught in time as the name suggests.
Beagle Lifespan And Neonatal Cerebellar Cortical Degeneration (NCCD)
NCCD is a condition that can affect Beagle puppies. For years, veterinarians had no idea what caused it, but in 2012 they identified a gene mutation as the culprit.
Because the gene is recessive, both parents would have to be carriers for the puppy to develop the disease. Also, NCCD is not treatable, therefore it is critical that breeders screen for it.
How Long Do Beagles Live: With Other Factors
There are a few other factors that can a decrease in beagle lifespan.
The size of a dog can impact the lifespan of a canine. For reasons unknown, small dogs like Beagles enjoy a longer lifespan than larger breeds.
On the other hand, in the lives of puppies and small dogs, there are higher incidences of trauma-related deaths than adults or larger breeds.
Increasing Your Beagle’s Lifespan: Vaccinations And Good Pet Care
Vaccinations are one of the most proactive things pet owners can get to protect their little fur buddies. Like all puppies, Beagles need vaccinations early in life for deadly diseases like distemper and parvovirus.
Along with vaccinations, weekly ear checks, regular teeth brushing, a healthy diet and regular exercise will help your Beagle’s lifespan.
Also, you want to protect your Beagle from daily threats such as heartworms, rabies, fleas and ticks. They rely on you to take them to the vet for a checkup each year and to get the booster shots they need to stay well.
Another thing you can do is consult a trusted veterinarian to help you create a care plan that addresses the nutritional and medical needs of your Beagle. It’s always a good idea to schedule regular veterinary checkups and blood work.
Choosing A Healthy Beagle Puppy
To choose a healthy Beagle puppy, you should only go to credible breeders that do proper screenings for genetic diseases. Purebred dogs suffer from health problems at a younger age and may die at an earlier age than mixed breeds.
In the case of Beagles, the breeder should be conducting health screenings for conditions such as the following:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Imerslund-Grasbeck Syndrome (IGS)
- Epilepsy
- Eye Disorders
- Factor Deficiency (FVII)
- Lafora’s Disease
- Musladin-Lueke Syndrome (MLS)
- Neonatal Cerebellar Cortical Degeneration (NCCD)
Health tests should include but are not limited to the following:
- Hip Evaluation
- MLS DNA Test
- NCCD DNA Test
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
It’s certainly advisable you contact a reputable breeder for further advice and a comprehensive list of tests.
Oldest Living Beagle
Finally, the oldest living Beagle on record lived an incredible 27 years, from 1975 to 2003, and made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. His named was Butch and he lived in Virginia, USA.
Not surprisingly, there are not too many breeds of dogs that live longer than a Beagle. But here are a few that are arguably even healthier that you can consider:
So How Long Do Beagles Live?
In conclusion, Beagles are loyal, floppy-eared, eating machines that make great companions and have consistently ranked high on the most popular breed registry.
So how long do Beagles live? While they are prone to some health issues, with proper medical care and appropriate screening from diligent breeders, the Beagle lifespan can range from 10-15 years or even longer.
In your experience, how long do Beagles live?
And if you own a Beagle, how old are they?
Let us know in the comments below!
References
- Annual Health Trust. “Neonatal Cerebellar Cortical Degeneration.” 2019.
- Bader et al. 2010. “An ADAMTSL2 Founder Mutation Causes Musladin-Lueke Syndrome, a Heritable Disorder of Beagle Dogs, Featuring Stiff Skin and Joint Contractures.” PLOS One.
- The Beagle Association. “The Beagle—A Healthy Breed.” 2018.
- Callan et al. 2006. “A novel missense mutation responsible for factor VII deficiency in research Beagle colonies.” Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
- Michaels, J. “Steroid Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis.” MSPCA-Angell. 2019.
- O’Neill et al. 2013. Longevity and Mortality of Dogs Owned In England. The Veterinary Journal.
- The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). “BEAGLE OFA-CHIC Health Testing Requirements.”2018.
- Wallis, L. J. et al. 2018. “Demographic Change Across the Lifespan of Pet Dogs and Their Impact on Health Status.” Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Further Reading
- The American Kennel Club. “Beagle.”
- Gough A, Thomas A, O’Neill D. 2018. “Breed Predispositions to Disease In Dogs and Cats.” Wiley Blackwell.
Note: This article has been extensively revised and updated for 2019.
Merlin says
My beagle Tofu turned 11 on July. He was very active before he turned 6 or so, but since then, he’s been calmer. It might have something to do with the death of our golden. He still enjoys his daily morning walks but he is definitely not as fast as he once was, and he’s content to go home and just doze after he’s done his business. Except to get his ear hematoma treated a couple years ago, and his annual shots which he only got until he turned 8, he hasn’t been to the vet. He has a lot of warts growing as he ages. I hope it’s nothing dangerous. I am not getting it checked because I live in Indonesia and well equipped vet clinics with knowledgeable vets are rare, if not non existent. Tofu is such a chill dog, except when he gets a whiff of food of any kind. He’d become quite the masterful thief! I hope he lives long and healthy like the beagles in these comments!
Pam says
We lost our Beagle named Bandit just last week. He was 15 or 16 yrs old. He was doing great up until just before he passed. He was deaf for about a year (and overweight) and much more vocal in his last year. He rescued us when he was 2 or 3 years old from the pound.
He was a character and his nose always got him into loads of trouble!
We miss him dearly, especially the snuggles at night and the banging of his dish an hour after he had already eaten, he’d get mad and stare at the cupboard or put himself in a corner. More often than not they have us humans trained!
Hug and love em while you can.
Beagles really are the best!
Sherry Parkhurst says
Our sweet Jakey is twenty this summer. Other than being a bit pudgy, he is in good health. A huge personality, Jake is known by most of the dig owners in our north Missouri lake community. He has a delightful hoarse bark, is fiercely protective of the home, and loves to meet people. Jakey is so accepted that he goes to choir practice with us at the church on Wednesday evenings where he lies in the sanctuary quietly until we finish. We hate to think of losing him,but we know each day is precious. Lately, he is beginning to show signs of hearing loss. Mother in a nursing facility insists on seeing Jakey everytime we visit her! He is popular wherever he goes. We adore him!!
Nisha says
Hey all! My pup is 2 month old. I just discovered that pedigree caused kidney and liver failure in older dogs and have started to slowly wean him off to home cooked food! Was searching the internet to find the owner of Butch lol!! And I came across this post and your awesome comments! I hope to take the best care of Simba💜
Stephanie Loomis says
My Ike turned 13 on 2/12/2021. He’s blind, deaf and still an ass. He still gets into everything is you leave it out for him. He’s getting pretty slow, can’t go on walks anymore but he has a big backyard to roam around. I have noticed that he’s coughing more when he gets up and if he rolls around on his back. He started having seizures about 7 years ago but since being on phenobarbital I’ve not seen him have another one and his thyroid doesn’t work so he’s on pills for that as well. He’s still very happy when you come home, mow the yard and when he thinks he can get to the chickens 🙂
Valarie says
Our Cooter was rescued at the young age of 7 in 2013. He has lived with us since then and has enjoyed many road trips, camping adventures, and even some ocean playtime. He loves to go hunting with dad and his human brother, but they are not as keen with him tagging along. 🙂 We have monitored his food intake, gotten him his shots and exams every year, and done our best to keep him entertained outdoors. His feline brother moved away last year (human sister moved across the country) and since then he has been lonely. We interact with other puppies in the family, but he is beginning to tire of them and all their busyness.
Over the past few months he has started sleeping more and having less “puppy” days. The other “old men” dogs in the family have crossed the rainbow bridge in the last year or so after hitting 13 years of age. We know we are blessed to have had him for the last almost 8 years and that his time with us is coming to a close one day. But not today! 🙂
He has started going white in his spots and sleeps more, but we just got a king size bed for him, I mean us along with more covers. Until that bridge is in sight, we will continue to love and snuggle as much as he will allow. 🙂
Nisha says
Aww that’s so sweet 🥺💜
Kevin Griffiths says
Max is an Aussie Beagle who lives in Perth Western Australia. He is now in his 20th year. He is a beautiful old boy who has slowed down a lot over the past couple of years.
He still has an appetite, and has lived on home cooked Kangaroo meat and vegetables mixed with dog biscuits.
We take him for regular walks but it is more like a stroll and like other beagles, his olfactory sense is still good. He has Cushing disease which is controlled with medication. He has an amazing coat, but plenty of age growths on his skin. We doubt that he will make 20, but you never know!
Shane says
Winston will be 16 this coming year,he naps alot except when he starts acting like he is 2yrs old (every day) he is stubborn and aggravating as all get out ,has had it made his whole life,wouldn’t run a rabbit if his life depended on it and is my best friend that I wouldn’t trade anything for
Franco Moreno says
My Washi is turning 8 years this Christmas. He is an amazing dog, very protective, very grumpy sometimes as well but never violent. I get the impression that beagles are very healthy dogs. My washi has been sick 2 times in his life and had some minor skin medication. I hope he lives as much as you guys tell. He is 8 years but has a lot a of white gray hair haha is funny, we call him grandpa 😂😂. Enjoy your dogs and give them a lot of luv ❤️
KC says
Our Lucy rescued us almost 7 years ago. She is close to 9 years, has had 2 surgeries a year ago (TPLO’s) in both hind legs, within 6 months of each other. She is a love and total snuggle bug who is an eating machine! 😁 We adore her.
Liz says
My Harley is 14 yrs old. He has the benign tumors all over had one removed yes ago came back.
Does not seem to be in any pain.
He gets around okay can’t hear but seems to be able to see yet.
He eats good gets checked once
year. Has some problems holding his urine at night not all
The time just once in a while. I take his water away at night seems to help. I got him from my son who couldn’t keep him anymore. My husband was his favorite he passed away and now it’s my job to keep him. I never wanted another dog. But I have
Harley and will keep taking care of him until he passes. Life goes on no matter what happens in your life sometimes it’s just not as easy as we would like. You gotta
Love those beagles❤️
Nikki says
My Beagle, Cuddles just turned 10. She is energetic and very sweet. So far, I’ve noticed that she occasionally she slips and falls doing regular things like running across the room or down steps. It makes me a bit nervous.
Don says
Foster will be 16 next month. Born in August 2004. He’s a good boy, who has had a very hard life. He was going to be put down about 8 years ago. He had uncontrolled seizures, was very overweight, had almost no hair and open sores, and had been confined to a crate most of the time for a couple of years, when my daughter rescued him. Sometimes he still runs and jumps like a pup!
S says
Omg same with our frankie, 8/1/04! Deaf but a thriving old lady, more adorable than ever.
alan says
Sam a big beagle, built like a bulldog, but all hound, 60 pounds. When he was young it was all muscle. He is around 18 years old. He was a pound puppy that nobody wanted. Sam was returned four times before he came to live with me. He has been my best friend now for 15.5 years, the doctor said he was around two to three when I adopted him. Sam still likes to eat, sleep, bark and he can still make it out side to do his thing. He can not hear or see well anymore, but he is hanging in there!!!! He is my third beagle, they are great dogs.
Julie says
My beautiful beagle died on January 9 having turned 17 at Christmas! She had an old lady voice as we called it – a croaky bark which we loved as part of her geriatric personality. Definitely not as smart either as she had been. Struggled sometimes even to find her treats. We noticed her hind legs more arthritic in the last 6 months and she had been deaf for some time. She also had kidney disease. We kept her slim and active. She was off her food for the last couple months which eventually lead to colitis and finally being just worn out. A wonderful dog and a privilege to have as part of our family for so long.
micha kovalchek says
My beagle Sasha is 9 years old and has the usual allergies on her feet. Vet thinks it is from mold in the wet grass in Autumn. She is very vocal and bossy. She is a little crabby as I currently have her on a diet.
Gabby says
My Beagle is almost 13 years old. She loves to eat and sleep and she is just now starting to experience some urinary incontinence. Up until a couple of months ago, she had never defecated in our house. (She was a rescue at the age of 4.) She is almost deaf and losing her sight and in the past has had cancer and two ACL operations to replace torn ligaments in her hind legs. She is on heart medicine and hormones for the incontinence.
Bob says
Our Beagle, COCO is 12 years old (9/29/07). We did have a health scare, she became lethargic and lost a bunch of hair. The doctor did a blood test and discovered her thyroid was low. He put her on some medicine and within a week, she started showing signs of improvement. All her hair is back, and very active. Couldn’t of hoped for a bigger turn around.
JJ says
Our beagle Baylee is almost 16, if their estimate of 3 when we rescued her is accurate. She’s been incredibly healthy even though she has no right hip joint due to having a broken hip when she was found as a stray by the shelter, (and having FHO surgery) until the last couple years when these non-cancerous lumps started growing all over her chest & abdomen. The vet said they’re not harmful and thought surgery too risky at her age. But now I think they are starting to bother her more as they are getting larger. We started giving her Galliprant and it’s been very helpful as I’m sure she’s arthritic in her joints also. Otherwise she’s still mostly a happy dog able to enjoy short walks and longer bike rides in her doggie trailer, and still loves to eat the premium foods we now give her. Will just keep loving her & spoiling her until we can tell she’s in too much pain and no longer has the quality of life. She’s the sweetest most loving and gentle dog we’ve ever known!
Dana says
Our beagle Kyra is between 12 and 13 years of age. I’m not quite sure because we rescued her. The last couple of days she seems confused and disoriented and yelps out of the blue like she has been hurt. She doesn’t hold her head as upright either. She is still eating and drinking okay. I fear her time is coming and this hurts my heart. We love her and don’t want her to suffer
Eric says
My beagles is the same what is wrong with yours
Alyson says
My beagle did that too. It’s a sign of ivdd according to my vet. The earlier you get it checked, the better chances she’ll have at recovering however it will continue to get worse. Have your vet check her for ivdd
ALYSON SULTAN says
It’s ivdd. Have her checked out. It’s very common with beagles which is something I didn’t know and it’s not mentioned here as beagles are prone to it. Get her checked out asap.
Char says
My Beagle, Scout, is 13.5yo. He is a miniature at 11″ shoulder height. He still believes he is a puppy. His biggest health problem is allergies, and he gets an antigen injection e/o week and a CADI/cytopoint injection every month. He also takes an anti-inflammatory and a liver support supplement. He eats a grain free diet and weighs approximately 18lbs.
Betty says
Our 2 Beagles, Ebby and Woody, are 14 years old this month. They were bred in Allegheny County, Va, and have been extremely well cared for by excellent vets. Their main vet was raised by a large animal vet (her dad) who took her with him on medical calls. In addition, the family had Beagles while she was growing up. We have learned so much from her and from the plethera of literature available on Beagles. Our vet loves her patients, and they love her.
The female has Cushings Disease and a heart murmur, both of which are carefully monitored by specialists in each field. Her diet is slightly altered to minimize any complications. Her issues require regular medicines and check-ups. Her activity is self limited, and she does spend as much time outdoors as her brother does. She still runs some, goes up and down stairs a few times daily, and reminds us when it’s time to eat, rest, go out, exercise and go to bed. 🤗🐶.
The male had a couple of growths surgically removed, one of which required removal of a small portion of one mandible and the teeth it included. He can no longer chew hard treats, which he misses. But he eats soft food easily and his weight remains consistently under 30 pounds, which our vet says is ideal for extending their life span by at least 2 years.
Ebby and Woody are happiest and calmest when they and we humans are quietly together in the family den (pun intended) in the evening. If any one of us is not in the den at that time, Woody goes through the house hunting for the missing one. He is not settled until all are present or accounted for.
If you love to be loved and if you want a pet who will be part of your family unit, the Beagle is a good candidate!
Terese says
My dog puma is 12 years old but he is a diabetic and has lost his sight but he has shots 2 a day and eats and drinks well seems like his back legs are weak but he is still going strong
Katharine M Roloff says
My beagle is 2 years old, and 40 pounds. He does want to eat all the time and whines when he is not being fed enough. He hates to be left alone, but is barking less while we are at church. He hasn’t ruined a pair of shoes for a few months now.
Casey says
My beagle is almost 16 yrs old. Very vocal at times. She having some health issues including incontinence, hearing & vision issues, and some hip/back legs arthritis.