Do beagles shed a lot? This is a question that many people ask themselves before they get their first beagle. For a medium-sized, short-haired dog breed, beagles shed a lot more than you think!
This post will help you decide whether you can hack all of the dog hair in your home, explain the beagle’s coat care needs, and how you can reduce the overall amount your beagle sheds.
Do Beagles Shed?
Yes! Although they are classed as moderate shedding dogs, beagles shed a lot more than people first realize.
Their short coat can be deceptive, and when compared to other breeds (such as the Labrador), you may think that the beagle is a better option.
As shedding can be a major factor when choosing a dog breed, it’s important to understand what to expect when it comes to beagle shedding facts.
Are Beagles Double Coated?
Yes, as beagles are a working dog breed they have a double coat to help regulate their body temperature and withstand the harsh elements in which they were bred to hunt.
This double coat keeps them cool in hot weather and warm in colder climates, and protects against sharp and prickly undergrowths where they would chase rabbits and hares.
These two layers give beagles a thick undercoat and overcoat, which leads to more shedding than those dogs with a single layer.
How much do Beagles Shed?
Beagles are a relatively heavy shedding breed when you compare them to other medium-sized, short-haired dogs.
Their tri-color coat does not help with the perception of how much beagles shed, as they become highly visible against many different colors of clothing and fabrics.
And their hair is short, coarse, and prickly, which makes them perfect for permanently embedding themselves into your favorite cashmere sweaters!
In fact, we would guestimate that beagles shed enough dog hair each year to make around 6 sweaters!
When do Beagles Naturally Shed?
Although beagles have two shedding seasons, it doesn’t mean you’ll be fur-free for the rest of the year!
Shedding seasons are in the spring and winter where they will typically lose their summer and winter coats.
Daylight hours and temperature are the two main factors that affect a beagle’s coat cycle, however, as they are now mostly kept as house pets, their cycles can be disrupted.
Artificial lighting and central heating in the home can confuse the beagle’s natural coat cycles, leading to undefined shedding periods throughout the year.
Do Beagles Shed more in the Winter or Spring?
Beagles can experience heavy shedding in the spring as this is when their thick winter coat starts to fall out.
Wintertime and springtime are perfectly normal periods to expect more shedding than usual in the beagle breed.
Do Beagles have Hair or Fur?
A well-debated question!
Beagles have fur, although technically, hair and fur are the same thing (keratin), and on a scientific level are difficult to tell apart.
Fur is shorter and coarser than hair and will stop growing at a particular point. Its growth cycle is much faster than hair and therefore dogs with fur will shed significantly more than dogs with hair.
Dog breeds with hair only have one single layer, whereas dogs with fur usually have a double coat.
Most of us often refer to a beagle’s coat as hair, but their double coat and hair growth cycle means that beagles have fur.
Are Beagles Hypoallergenic?
No. There are no dog breeds that are truly hypoallergenic, including beagles.
Many low-shedding dog breeds are considered hypoallergenic, as they are perceived to shed less dander (skin cells), which is thought to be the main cause of allergic reactions.
What actually causes many of the allergic reactions in people is the protein in the dog’s saliva and urine. Beagles produce allergens in their saliva, and when they lick themselves these are spread all over their fur.
The only way to reduce the number of allergens from a dog is by regularly grooming and bathing them, along with washing their bedding and everything else the dog touches, every 2 weeks.
As a result, beagles are not recommended for people who are prone to allergies.
Do Beagle Puppies Shed?
Although beagles are double-coated, beagle puppies are born with a single coat of soft, new fur that helps regulate their body temperature.
Until they shed their puppy coat, beagle puppies will drop minimal amounts of hair, leading you to believe that you have been blessed with a shed-free dog!
It can take up to a year before your beagle puppy starts developing their double coat with two layers of adult fur (the undercoat and the outer coat).
Do Beagles Shed in Clumps?
It is not normal for beagles to shed hair in clumps, so any signs of large and loose pieces of fur sticking out from their coat should be investigated.
Beagles with mites, fleas and ticks tend to lick, bite and scratch their bodies more often, causing the fur to fall out in clumps.
Excessive Shedding in Beagles
Apart from the beagle’s natural shedding cycle, there are other times where excessive hair loss may be a cause for concern.
Stress
Just like humans, beagles can be prone to hair loss when under higher levels of stress. Whether there is a change of circumstances at home or your beagle is suffering from higher levels of anxiety, excessive shedding can be a symptom of stress.
Skin Infection
Excessive shedding can also be a sign of an underlying skin condition in the beagle breed. If these are left untreated it can lead to chronic scratching and itchiness, causing bacterial and yeast infections.
Skin Allergies
Beagles have sensitive skin and commonly suffer from environmental, seasonal, and food-related allergies, causing dandruff, rashes, hot spots, and other skin irritations. Any sign of patchy, thinning fur or hair loss should be checked over by a vet to determine the cause.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances can lead to hair loss in beagles, with the most common stemming from thyroid disorders and adrenal gland deficiencies.
How to Stop a Beagle from Shedding So Much
There’s absolutely no way to completely stop a beagle from shedding, but there is much you can do to remove the dead hair that is trapped in your beagle’s coat, thus reducing the amount of overall shedding.
Brushing
As beagles have dense coats, a good quality bristle brush or a hound glove should be used at least two times a week to remove dead hair.
This provides a great way to control the amount of fur your beagle sheds whilst also stimulating blood flow and distributing the natural oils in the skin to improve coat health. A must-have item for any beagle owner.
Deshedding Tool
Along with a regular grooming brush, good quality de-shedding tools will go a long way to reducing the amount of fur your beagle sheds. During peak seasons, this de-shedding tool will reach through the top layer of their double coat and gently rake the undercoat, getting rid of the last season’s summer or winter coat.
Quality Dog Shampoo
As beagles are prone to suffering from skin conditions, it’s best to choose a gentle dog shampoo that does not strip the coat and skin of their essential oils. Using cheap shampoos that are not formulated for sensitive dog skin can cause irritations and make shedding much worse in beagles.
Bathing
Bathing your beagle every 3-4 weeks will help with the removal of dead hairs along with improving their overall skin and coat health, and the musky smell they are prone to.
Washing beagles too regularly can cause skin sensitivities and should be avoided, so a strict bathing schedule works best.
Regular Physical and Mental Exercise
Regular physical and mental exercise won’t stop your beagle from shedding, but a healthy dog is more likely to have healthier skin and hair. Regular exercise can also reduce boredom, stress, and anxiety levels which can be a cause for excess shedding.
As beagles are prone to being a little lazy and obese, regular exercise plays a key role in their overall health.
High-Quality Diet
A healthy and nutritious diet can have a huge impact on reducing the amount a beagle sheds. A high-quality kibble diet supplemented with fresh vegetables will help keep their overall skin and coat healthy, eliminating some of the causes for excessive shedding.
Cheap dog foods often contain fillers that have little to no nutritional value. Try to aim for the best quality dog food that you can afford.
Read: 11 Sneaky Ways to Get Dogs to eat Veg!
Supplements
Excess shedding can be caused by a lack of dietary fat – nutritional supplements can help where beagles are not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids through their diet.
Omega-rich foods such as salmon (fatty fish), fish oil, and flaxseed can maintain a shiny and healthy coat in beagles.
Biotin is a vitamin that can also help beagles with skin or coat issues. Clinical studies have found a 91% improvement in dogs taking biotin.
A vet should always be consulted when considering nutritional supplements or drastic changes to your dog’s diet.
Can Beagles be Shaved to Stop Shedding?
No. Most dogs have coats for a good reason. Shaving a beagle’s coat will remove its natural defense system, which was made to regulate its body temperature, and is not a healthy option for them.
Shaving would also be an ineffective way of managing their shedding, as beagles grow new hairs on a continual basis.
Managing Beagle Shedding in the Home
There are plenty of ways you can effectively manage normal or excessive shedding in the home to reduce the amount of fur build-up.
Brush Beagles Outside
If the weather permits, brushing your beagle outside will go a long way in reducing the amount of fur that escapes into corners and crevices around the home.
By doing this regularly you will remove most of the dead hair that usually lingers on your clothes and furniture.
Vacuum and Clean Regularly
Vacuuming regularly is probably the most effective way (after brushing) of managing the amount of dog hair in the home.
The best type of vacuums are made specifically for dog hair removal that come with special attachments designed for picking up fur.
If you would love to have a robot vacuum, then consider one with a docking station that can self-empty the contents. Robot vacuums normally have a fairly small chamber that will fill up pretty quickly with the amount of hair a beagle sheds!
Lint Rollers
Lint rollers are a life-saver for most beagle owners! We have one in just about room in the house, along with the car too!
Beagle hair manages to follow you around everywhere, so having a lint roller handy for you and your guests may eliminate a little embarrassment on the way out!
Covers for Furniture
It’s a good idea to keep furniture and other places that are heavily used by your beagle covered with a throw or blanket to make those areas easier to clean. Throwing a blanket in the wash is far easier than getting beagle hair out of static furniture!
Final Thoughts on Beagle Shedding
Beagles are a great choice of dog breed, but the amount they shed can often be overlooked by new beagle owners.
Understanding the causes of why beagles shed so much will help identify ways to address and reduce the amount of fur left behind by your beagle, ensuring a happy and healthy household for all! Here are some more interesting facts about beagles!
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