Everything You Need to Know About Beagle Shedding

Do Beagles shed? This is a question asked by would-be Beagle owners all over the country. Coat maintenance and Beagle shedding are two of the major concerns that pup parents have before they decide if this breed will suit them. We’ve done all the research and compiled the results in one easy-to-read article that tells you all you need to know about the amazing coat of the Beagle breed. This is essential reading before you rush out and get a Beagle puppy.

A Quick Guide to the Beagle’s Coat

Beagles are small dogs but are very hardy. They are fun-loving companions but you should not forget that they are a member of the hound dog breed family and can be very stubborn. This also means that they have been bred to spend all day outside tracking in the countryside even in cold weather. So, they need a thick medium length or short coat of tightly packed hair. This dense coat keeps them nice and warm.

Both medium and short-haired dogs of this breed have a double coat. The undercoat of the double coat is dense and fluffy and is designed to provide an insulating layer. The outer coat of the double coat is water-resistant and protects the skin from wind, rain, and strong sun. The good news is that the Beagle’s coat makes them an all-weather dog who will accompany you on walks no matter what the weather. The bad news is that double-coated dogs tend to shed more because they will have more dead hair to shed! Also, Beagle’s hair is coarse and prickly so it sticks very well to clothing and sofas.

Do Beagles Shed a Lot?

Because they have dense coats and are a double-coated breed, you should expect your Beagle to shed. Compared to many other medium and short-haired dog breeds they shed quite a lot. Of course, all dogs shed at different rates and not all Beagles are huge shedders. However, if you know that there is absolutely no way that you will cope with the work of clearing up after a shedding dog, this breed may not be for you.

There are other dog breeds that may suit you better. For example, the Golden Doodle will shed a lot less as will a Cockapoo. If your heart is set on a Beagle, you can minimize the impact of your Beagle’s shedding by picking one with a coat color that matches your interior design so that the loose hairs do not show up so much. Each coat color sheds the same though.

You can choose from black, tan, and white (which are traditional colors), black and white, or a combination of these with lemons and reds. The problem with tricolor coats is that one of the colors of dog hair will show up against any background. This can give the impression that Beagles shed more than they actually do.

The size of the dog does not influence how much Beagles shed. Large and small Beagles all shed quite a lot.

How Much Do Beagles Shed in the Summer?

Beagles will shed their two-layered coat every day of the year but there are some times of the year when it will be worse than others. They have a shedding cycle that consists of two shedding seasons. During the spring shedding season, they will lose their winter coats to make way for their summer coat.

In the fall/winter shedding season, they lose the thicker winter coat that they needed for the cold weather. When they lose the thicker winter coat it leads to the most Beagle shedding. Some owners call this “blowing their coat”.

In nature, the shedding cycle would be governed by daylight hours and temperature. However, as human companions in modern civilizations, Beagles now live in a world of artificial light and heating. This has confused the shedding cycles to a certain extent and you may find your Beagle sheds more at random times of the year.

How Much Do Beagles Shed as Pups?

Beagles shed less when they are pups. As young dogs, they do not have double coats. Instead, they have a single coat of soft fur that helps them to regulate their body temperature when they are young.

As your little dog grows you will notice more fur loss as the double coats develop. However, it can take. a full year for the adult Beagle shedding to begin. This can come as a shock to some new Beagle parents!

Why is My Beagle Shedding More Than Other Dogs?

There is a perception amongst dog owners of Beagles shedding more than other breeds. To a certain extent, this is true. Shedding is simply the process of getting rid of old fur. Hair is made of a substance called keratin and each dog hair has its own life cycle. Each hair grows from a single hair follicle and in Beagles the growth cycle is rapid. This means that the hair reaches maturity and then falls out more quickly and the dog appears to shed heavily. Beagle hair is called fur – it is shorter and coarser than hair which is found on breeds that only have one coat.

Do Beagles Shed When They are Stressed?

Beagles shed more when they are under stress. This is because stress causes your dog’s body to produce more of a hormone called adrenaline (also called epinephrine). The hormone acts on the hair follicles and loose fur falls out. Because Beagles have a double coat, this hair loss can be very noticeable.

If your dog suddenly starts excessive shedding after a stressful event, this could be the cause. Most dogs can get over it in time. However, if the problem is ongoing and you are finding an excessive amount of dead hairs in your home, it is time to seek veterinary advice.

What Else Causes Excessive Shedding in Beagles?

If Beagle dogs shed a lot outside the normal shedding seasons it can indicate that there is something wrong with your dog.

The most likely candidates are skin conditions and these can happen to a dog at any age. Beagles are known to have sensitive skin and can suffer from skin irritations triggered by environmental causes. It could be the wrong dog shampoo, too many baths, or a reaction to a harness or collar. Skin sensitivities can also be a symptom of allergies. If you notice sudden and excessive shedding, think about what could have caused it. Have you changed your dog’s food or treats? Have you started using a new grooming spray? These could all be causing the issue.

Food allergies can be very difficult to diagnose. Some dogs are allergic to proteins in certain meats (e.g. chicken) whilst others are allergic to corn, wheat, or soy. If you suspect that your dog has a food allergy you should talk to your vet about it as soon as possible.

Parasites are another potential cause of excessive shedding. Fleas and mites irritate the skin and cause your dog to scratch and overgroom. This irritates the skin which can become sore and inflamed. In severe cases, your dog may develop a skin infection caused by bacteria or fungus. They will need treatment from your vet to fix this.

How to Minimize Shedding in Beagles

You will never be able to completely eliminate a Beagle’s shedding but there is plenty you can do to keep the problem under control. Start by making sure that your Beagle has a healthy coat.

Bathing

Do not be tempted to bathe your dog too often as this can make the problem worse and not better. Dogs have natural oils that play a huge part in coat health. They form a natural defense system against infection and dirt and nourish the skin. If you bathe your dog too often, you will strip away these natural oils and the skin can become dry and irritated.

When you do bathe your Beagle, make sure that you use a premium quality dog shampoo that is matched to the pH of your dog’s skin. Avoid any shampoos that have harsh chemicals and use only products with natural ingredients that work in harmony with your dog’s body.

Grooming

Double coated dogs need regular grooming to keep their coat in the best of health. Grooming improves the blood flow to the hair follicles of the two layers of hair. Also, when you groom your dog’s coat old hair is removed and caught up in the brush. This stops it from falling out all over your house!

You could also use a grooming mitt like a hound glove. It is basically a glove that you wear on your hand but it has rubber tips on the palm. It is a very gentle way of grooming your dog, especially if they are nervous about being handled.

Diet

Also, pay attention to your dog’s diet. Beagles tend to eat fast and eat a lot! Therefore, you should make sure that your pooch has regular portions of high-quality food. Cut down on unhealthy snacks.

Beagles need proper nutrition to keep their coat healthy so choose a high-quality dog food that is high in protein. If your dog has food sensitivities it may be best to avoid grains and artificial ingredients. Omega oils promote healthy skin and a healthy coat so look out for these in the ingredients. Also, supplements such as zinc and vitamins D, B2, and A are thought to promote skin health.

Avoid Stress

Keep your Beagle happy. Make sure that they have plenty of physical and mental stimulation and are not exposed to unnecessary stress. If you cannot be with them all day, take steps to avoid separation anxiety and to keep them busy. If you have a very nervous dog, speak to your vet or to an animal behavior expert to get some advice.

How to Cope With Beagle’s Shedding

Beagle owners will have to learn to put up with a certain amount of shedding. Hair loss is a fact of life for this breed of dog. Even though they have quite short coats, the hair is quite coarse and will hang around in your house. Every individual dog is different and some Beagles shed more than others. All owners are also different. Some cannot stand dead hairs around their house and are constantly working to remove them. Others just ignore it and get on with their lives.

Picking up Shed Hair

If you have a healthy dog that is simply shedding normally, there are a number of things that you can do to remove the hairs. Regular vacuuming is an obvious place to start. Invest in a vacuum with superior suction power that you can also use on beds and sofas if you need to. Dampened rubber gloves and sticky tape are also a great way to remove dead hair from surfaces in your home. Keep a lint roller handy to pick up any stray hairs from surfaces.

Limiting Shed Hair

You can limit where you will find shed hair by limiting where your dog has access to. Try keeping them in one or two rooms of the house and this cuts down where you will have to clean. You can use a physical barrier such as a stair gate or pet pen or an electronic collar that vibrates if your dog steps over a wire that is placed on the floor. You can also train your dog not to enter certain rooms of the house.

Finally…

Beagles are a dog that will shed so if this is a big issue for you you should choose another breed. There are times of the year when the shedding will be worse and physical and psychological conditions that make them shed more. Excess shedding should not be dismissed as normal especially if your dog’s skin seems to be irritated.

Normal shedding can be reduced with appropriate coat care. Only bathe your Beagle when they really need it but groom them regularly. Keep their parasite treatments up to date and feed them a high-quality diet with plenty of omega oils and vitamins and minerals to keep their skin healthy.

The bottom line is that you will probably need to invest in a good vacuum cleaner and be prepared to use it quite often.