Yes. Beagles shed a lot. Beagles are short-coated non-furry dogs with heavy to moderate shedding. However, the good news is Beagles shed a lot less than other dogs. Beagle’s coat colors come in many numbers, and despite any color, all Beagles shed more than one can realize. These hound dogs shed moderately around the year and have heavy seasonal shedding. There is no stop to that. Excessive shedding can be prevented by meeting the dog’s grooming needs and feeding high-quality food.
Beagles of all types and colors are double-coated, and their coats are short-medium in length and smooth. The outer coat is coarse and water-resistant, while the undercoat is soft and dense to keep them warm. These small pooches come in various colors but mostly have tri-colored coats with a combination of black, tan, white or blue, tan and white, lemon and white, red and white, and chocolate and white. They are not hypoallergenic and are prone to shedding throughout the year. They shed heavily, especially during the spring season. They are bred for hunting, and the coat adapts to wet and cold climate conditions.
Table of Contents
Beagle Basic Information
- Name: Beagle
- Origin: England
- Group: Hound dog
- Size: Small to medium
- Height: 13-15 inches
- Weight: 18-30 pounds
- Coat: Short and flat
- Color: Tricolor combinations of tan, black, white, reddish, brown, and pale lemon
- Energy: High
- Activities: Walking, tracking, hiking, playing fetch
- Barking Level: High
- Shedding Level: Medium
- Hypoallergenic: No
- Litter Size: 1-10 puppies
- Other Names: English Beagle
- Original Past time: Hunting, tracking scents.
- Life Span: 10 – 15 years
Beagle – An Overview
Beagle is an active, cheerful, fun-loving medium-sized dog led by its nose. Beagles are nosy (unlike humans) pooches with a commendable sense of smell, and no scent escapes these dogs. They were basically bred to be hunting dogs and primarily used to hunt hares and rabbits. As a fact, Beagles have approximately 220 million scent receptors that help them follow and smell any kind of scent. Beagles are gentle, playful, and compact. Although a hunting dog’s petite size, gentleness, floppy ears, and expressive puppy eyes make them appealing as family pets, they are super friendly. They constantly look for a new best friend in every pet or human they encounter. On a lighter note, ready yourself to be less possessive of your fur babies. AKC recognized Beagles in the following year, 1885. Beagles are now the seventh most popular breed in America.
Do Beagles Shed A Lot?
Fortunately, Beagles do not shed as much as other dogs. However, they are double-coated, which makes them profuse shedders. Therefore, though they are moderate shedders throughout the year, they shed excessively during the shedding seasons, especially in spring. Also, when the winter sets in, their coats become thick and dense to keep them warm. However, shedding can be minimized by following a high-nutrition diet and proper grooming methods.
How Much Do Beagles Shed?
Beagles are of two types based on their size
- Pocket Beagle- This variety does not exceed 13 inches in height
- Standard Beagle- This variety grows between 13 – 15 inches
However, the size does not affect the shedding level. They have short coats and yet shed moderately all around the year. They are also seasonal shedders and shed excessively during their shedding seasons. Grooming several times a week is the best bet to minimize fur sticking around your home.
When Do Beagles Shed the Most?
Beagles shed heavily twice a year during their shedding season. The winter and spring are the times when the shedding is at its peak. As the winter starts, they shed off the summer coat for a thick and dense coat to keep warm. Similarly, they shed their winter coat in springtime to feel light and cool. During the shedding season, it’s been referred to as “he blows the coat.” As the phrase says, the fur blows off in the air. With a Beagle at home, one can realize the shedding pattern than what they had known.
Shedding Cycle of Beagle
During the shedding process, old fur falls, and new fur grows. And this is a continual process and does not stop. It is sometimes shedding that slows down while also increasing at times. In addition, the process of shedding is affected by the number of daylight hours. Thus the seasons trigger shedding in these dogs. The coat’s hair and the fur have their life cycle of growth, rest, and fall. Hair growth goes through different stages.
- Anagen Phase: The new hair grows.
- Catagen Phase: The hair stops growing after reaching the required length.
- Telogen Phase: This is the resting period and the hair neither grows nor falls.
- Exogen Phase: This is when the hair falls off.
Why Do Beagles Shed?
Shedding is a natural process for a dog during the year. Yet, shedding occurs when there are any underlying conditions or some health conditions.
Acanthosis Nigricans: This is a rare medical condition where shedding occurs due to hormonal imbalance, hypersensitivity, or friction. After determining the cause, it can be treated with steroids or vitamin E supplements.
Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions can trigger shedding in some canines. Generally, they tend to shed while pregnant or nursing or have some hormonal imbalance. Some dogs shed their coats even after they are spayed. Some conditions like thyroid can also result in shedding. Remember, Beagles are susceptible to hypothyroidism.
Allergic Dermatitis: This condition can be contracted from one dog to another. The fur loss happens due to cheap shampoos and the chemicals used in the floor cleaners. Along with fur loss, the dog develops sore, red blisters, and lesions on the skin. However, the condition is treatable.
Food Allergies: If you have changed your Beagle’s dog food or any new ingredient in the case of homemade food, then your dogs may be susceptible to allergies depending on what suits them. For example, some dogs may be allergic to corn, wheat, rice, potatoes, and grains. Some may also develop allergies to some proteins. Also, there can be other allergies like pollen or new plants. Your Beagle’s coat health is also related to their gut health. If parasites infect your canines, they may suffer from sudden and excessive hair loss. This can cause an irritable bowel if they have eaten any unclean food. It is recommended to feed your Beagles once or twice a day. Some signs of food allergies are
- Digestive issues
- Lethargy
- Abdominal cramping
- Bloating
Insect Allergies: Ticks, parasites, and fleas can also cause hair loss in Beagles. If some bugs catch your puppy, it will also lead to constant itching and scratching, resulting in skin infection, irritation of pores, rashes, bleeding, sores, excessive hair loss, and patches. Even bacteria and dirt that sit on your dog’s coat can cause hair loss. It may affect the skin resulting in hot spots or patches. Other symptoms of allergies are as follows:
- Red or watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Redness of ears and skin
Anxiety and Stress: You may notice your dog scratching, chewing, and licking unusually. This may lead to the shedding of their hair in those spots. Just like us, dogs may also experience anxiety for several reasons. For example, if they don’t get physically and mentally stimulated, they may get bored or left unattended, or a new family can cause anxiety. So if your Beagles have some problem at home that is causing stress, you can expect excessive shedding. This can trigger
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal irritation
Alopecia: It is believed that this condition is an autoimmune disease, and the cause is yet unknown. This causes patches in thin fur and thus causes the fur to fall.
Dermatomyositis: UV rays from the sun rays cause fur loss and can be diagnosed with a skin biopsy. Along with the coat, the skin is also affected. The dog’s skin develops scabs, sores, redness, and irritation. Along with proper medication, the dog should be kept off from the sunlight.
How to Minimize Shedding in Beagles?
Brushing: Beagles are double-coated and water-resistant. The coat is short with a high to moderate level of shedding. They are easy to groom, and the coat needs to be brushed 2-3 times per week. Brushing helps remove matted hair and pull out the loose fur during shedding. However, daily brushing helps to keep the fur from knots and tangles. Some essential tools required for brushing are suggested below:
