How Big Do Beagles Get? Examining Growth Chart

The Beagle breed is among the most popular in the United States. According to the last list by The American Kennel Club, the Beagle dog breed is among the top 10, right before Dachshund, Corgi, and some other dog breeds. Here is a fun fact, the Beagle was even part of the White House once, during the reign of President Lyndon Johnson. Now, owners want to know, how big do Beagles get?

Originally, they were bred as pack hounds used to hunt rabbits and hares in the United Kingdom. Anyone in old England who couldn’t afford to keep horses for hunting would have Beagles chase small game on foot. This earned the Beagle breed the nickname “foot hound”.

Nowadays, they are much different than the hound dogs they were back then. Beagles are playful, friendly dogs that get along with everyone. They make an amazing family pet. But you want to know their size, right? Let’s talk.

Quick Overview of the Breed

Beagles are fun-loving, energetic, bright, and playful dogs. Nowadays, they are way past their history as hunting dogs. Yet, some people still use them as working and hunting dogs around the world. Their history dates back to the 14th century in England.

But since then, they have moved from hunting hounds to family dogs. No matter their purpose, they are still muscular and tend to work in fields all day.

Beagles need plenty of daily physical exercise and mental stimulation. They are known for being vocal, and can both bark and howl like most hounds. Without training, they might bark when they are hungry, when they want to go outside or come back inside, or when they return home.

Training and socialization will eliminate most of the barking issues. Or, you can teach your dog to bark on cue and teach them when it is acceptable to bark and when it is not.

Beagle Growth and Size

Beagles are quite unique in one aspect compared to other dogs recognized by The American Kennel Club. That is because the AKC recognizes two size varieties. Both are accepted as part of shows and competitions. Their adult height can vary differently depending on which size group they belong.

One is 13 inches and undersize, and the other is 13 to 15 inches. Now, when we talk about how big do Beagles get, we have to note that this chart is only an estimate. Puppies grow at different rates, depending on genetics, food, activity level, and so on.

Two Different Sizes

Let’s take a look at the different sizes of Beagles, shall we? If your Beagle falls into the smaller size, which is 13 and under, he will weigh around 20 pounds at adult age. The second group, which is from 13 to 15 inches in height, weighs around 24 to 26 pounds at adult age.

In both cases, you will have a dog that is muscular, and solid, with a slightly domed skull. The muzzle of the Beagle dog breed is squarish and the nose is broad. Ears are long and droopy. Look at your Beagle, and you will notice the chest is deep, the back is straight, and these dogs have a moderately long tail carried high.

According to The American Kennel Club, both different sizes are acceptable. But there is no distinction based on gender. You can also find a Miniature Beagle or Pocket Beagle, but these are not formally accepted.

Any purebred Beagle measuring more than 15 inches will be disqualified from dog shows by the AKC.

Weight and Height Chart

To better understand the growth rate of your Beagle Puppy, let’s take a look at the growth and Height Chart. This will help you keep track of the growth of your Beagle pup.

When Do Beagles Stop Growing?

Generally speaking, a Beagle pup will stop growing at 18 months. This is the period when your dog’s skeletal system has reached full maturity. From this point on, the weight should remain steady. A male Beagle might weigh a few pounds more than a female Beagle.

Does Neutering Affect Growth?

Yes, neutering can affect the growth and weight of your adult Beagle. The age at which you spray or neuter your dog will determine for how long he/she will grow.

According to some studies, dogs that are neutered early will increase the amount of time that their bones grow. This can result in a taller dog. Yet, it doesn’t mean it will weigh more.

While spraying and neutering do help with life expectancy, it is better that you do it after your dog stops growing. Another way breeders increase life expectancy is by mixing Beagles with other dogs. There is no breed standard for a Beagle mix.

Is The Beagle A Small Or Medium Breed?

Now that we looked at the height and weight chart, let’s talk about whether you can put the Beagle in the small dog or medium dog size.

Well, according to The American Kennel Club, Beagles are classified as small-to-medium-sized dogs. There are size variations within the breed, like smaller Beagles and larger Beagles. The National Beagle Club also recognizes these distinctions but doesn’t recognize sizes like Pocket Beagle or Mini Beagle.

How To Keep Your Dog At A Healthy Weight?

One thing we have to note is that Beagles love food. They tend to overeat if allowed to. So, to maintain the healthy weight of your adult Beagle, we recommend that you feed them quality dog food, but stick to the recommendations on the label.

Do not give your Beagle table scraps or leftover food. That might easily cause your puppy to gain weight.