Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Beagles Live. Beagle Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Beagle Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Beagle, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Beagles
- How Old is Your Beagle in Human Years
- How Long Do Beagles Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Beagle Live Long
- Conclusion on Beagle Life Expectancy
How Long Beagles Live. Beagle Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Beagle is from 10 to 15 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Beagle. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 241 pet Beagles lived.
From the study, it was found that Beagles have a average lifespan of 12.6 years. Furthermore, the study found that Beagles can live for as long as 17.7 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Beagles.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Beagles are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Trauma: Issues involving injury
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
- Urogenital Disease: Problems with the kidneys, urinary tract, and/or reproductive organs
- Musculoskeletal Disease: Refers to any problems with bones or muscles
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Beagle to make your Beagle live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Beagle have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Beagle is in human years? Then, check out our Beagle age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Beagle Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Beagle compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Brittany Lifespan | 12.80 |
| Beagle Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Yorkshire Terrier Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Dalmatian Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Maltese Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Sussex Spaniel Lifespan | 11.10 |
| Pug Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Gordon Setter Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Alaskan Malamute Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Boxer Lifespan | 10.20 |
| Maremma Sheepdog Lifespan | 10.00 |
| Newfoundland Lifespan | 9.67 |
| Komondor Lifespan | 9.13 |
| Rottweiler Lifespan | 8.92 |
| Mastiff Lifespan | 6.83 |
| Chinese Shar-Pei Lifespan | 6.29 |
| Miniature Bull Terrier Lifespan | 6.08 |
| Sloughi Lifespan | 5.00 |
| Black Russian Terrier Lifespan | 1.79 |
Common Causes of Death in Beagle, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Beagle, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Beagle.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Neoplastic Disease in Beagles
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 23.1 percent of all deaths in Beagles.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Beagle
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Beagles
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Beagles (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Beagles is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Beagles is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Beagles is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Beagles with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Beagle. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Beagle`s gums look pale.
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Trauma in Beagles
These includes cuts, bites, bruises, broken bones, wounds, scratches, and more.
Trauma is responsible for 16.0 percent of all deaths in Beagles.
Causes of Trauma in Beagle
One of the most common causes of trauma in Beagles is getting hit by cats. Another common cause is bites and scratches from fighting or play with other dogs.
How to Prevent Trauma in Beagles
The best way to keep your Beagle from getting hit by a car is by having them on a fixed leash. Veterinarians do not recommend retractable leashes for dogs. This is because, oftentimes, dogs on retractable leashes will bolt into the road before their owners can lock the leash and get hit by cars, even though they were technically on a leash. Having a normal, fixed leash is also a good way to prevent your Beagle from bolting on walks and getting into fights with other dogs before you can lock the leash.
Here is a good fixed leash that can save your Beagle from traumatic accidents.
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Neurologic Disease in Beagles
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 13.0 percent of all deaths in Beagles.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Beagle
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Beagles
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
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Urogenital Disease in Beagles
Urogenital problems most often involve infections and blockages, which various degrees of seriousness.
Urogenital Disease is responsible for 12.6 percent of all deaths in Beagles.
Causes of Urogenital Disease in Beagle
Probably, the most important urogenital issue seen in intact female Beagles is the pyometra. A pyometra is an enlarged, pus-filled uterus caused by a severe bacterial infection. A pyometra is several times larger than a regular uterus and is a life-threatening condition. To treat a pyometra, the Beagle`s uterus must be removed, which is a difficult and expensive surgery. Another urogenital infection seen in both female and male dogs is urinary tract infections, which are very similar to human UTIs. If left untreated, UTIs can ascend up the urinary tract and infect the kidneys, which can also be life-threatening. If you notice that your Beagle is urinating much more or less frequently than usual, or if the color or smell of the urine seems different from normal, you should talk to your veterinarian. Another common urogenital issue in male Beagles is urinary blockages, which (as the name suggests) is when there is something stuck in the urinary tract which prevents the Beagle from urinating. If you see your Beagle lifting its leg and trying to urinate but nothing is coming out, you should call your veterinarian. Cancer is also a major urogenital issue in Beagles, just like it is in humans. Urinary incontinence can also be an issue in both male and female Beagles, just like in humans.
How to Prevent Urogenital Disease in Beagles
The only way to completely prevent a pyometra is by getting your female Beagle spayed. Another major benefit to spaying your Beagle is that it dramatically reduces her risk of breast cancer. A spay is a major surgery and does tend to be a bit more expensive than a neuter, but a pyometra surgery is probably 3-4 times more expensive and dangerous than a regular, routine spay. Neutering your male Beagle will also dramatically reduce his risk of prostate cancer and urinary blockages, especially as he gets older. If the spay and neuter estimates from your regular veterinarian are a little out of your price range, low-cost high-volume (LCHV) spay and neuter clinics are also an excellent option. If you find that your Beagle is prone to blockages even though they are sterilized, there are many diets and supplements like this that can help. There are also diets like this and supplements that can help with urinary incontinence, but if these don`t work, your veterinarian can also prescribe prescription medications.
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Musculoskeletal Disease in Beagles
Musculoskeletal diseases are the common problems associated with bones and muscles. These include arthritis, vertebral issues, loss of skeletal muscle mass, hip dysplasia, trauma and breakages, and more.
Musculoskeletal Disease is responsible for 11.5 percent of all deaths in Beagles.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in Beagle
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight. Older Beagles are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs. Just like people, Beagles can get arthritis and other joint-related issues as they get older. Large-breed dogs tend to be prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, which essentially means that their hip joints degrade and get very painful. Overweight dogs tend to put more pressure on their joints, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear as well as serious damage to tendons and ligaments.
How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disease in Beagles
One way that you can help improve your Beagle`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your Beagle joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your Beagle to jump too much, even if they are a puppy. Consider buying young Beagles a box or stool like this to help them get on the couch or bed, instead of letting them jump all the way from the ground. The most important way that you can keep your Beagle`s muscles and bones healthy is by not letting them get overweight. You should avoid letting your Beagle eat table scraps and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. If your Beagle is overweight and you know that you are strict with their diet and exercise, you should talk to your vet; they might have hypothyroidism, which is very common. If your Beagle is overweight and you think you should try managing their diet a little more closely, you can start your Beagle on a weight-management diet like this to help them get back to a healthier body condition.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Beagles
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Beagle is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Beagle`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Beagle`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Beagle offsprings by only breeding Beagle that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Beagle puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Beagle breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Beagle has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Beagle for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Beagle a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Beagles for:
How Old is Your Beagle in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Beagle. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Beagle is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Beagle is 12.6 years.
Beagles are small-sized dogs. Beagles weigh 18 to 30 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Beagle in converting Beagle age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Beagle`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Beagle`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Beagle`s human age. If you do not know your Beagle`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Beagle is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Beagle`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Beagle`s up-to-date human age.
Beagle Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Beagle age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Beagle`s human age based on your Beagle`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Beagle`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Beagle Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 |
| 2 | 19 |
| 3 | 25 |
| 4 | 30 |
| 5 | 35 |
| 6 | 40 |
| 7 | 44 |
| 8 | 48 |
| 9 | 52 |
| 10 | 56 |
| 11 | 59 |
| 12 | 63 |
| 13 | 67 |
| 14 | 71 |
| 15 | 75 |
| 16 | 79 |
How Long Do Beagles Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Beagle is 12.6 years. In human years, the Beagle lives for 65 years.
How Old is 6-year-old Beagle in Human Years?
A 6-year old Beagle is 40 years old in human years.
How Old is 7-year-old Beagle in Human Years?
A 7-year old Beagle is 44 years old in human years.
How Old is 8-year-old Beagle in Human Years?
A 8-year old Beagle is 48 years old in human years.
How Old is 9-year-old Beagle in Human Years?
A 9-year old Beagle is 52 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Beagle Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Beagle live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Beagle fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Beagle does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Beagle will have a shorter lifespan than a Beagle that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Beagle high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Beagle. Check out our Beagle feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Beagle from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Beagle existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Beagle has access to clean water whenever your Beagle needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Beagle. See our Beagle water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Beagle.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Beagle might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Beagle.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Beagle is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Beagle’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Beagle teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Beagle Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Beagle`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.