The Cost of a Beagle

Last Updated on September 14, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Beginning in the 14th century, wild rabbit hunting became a very popular sport in England, and usually, the dogs used in this sport were Beagles. The origin of the name Beagle might come from Old French, in which the word meant “wide, open neck”, referring to the melodious barking of the dog. It could also have come from Old Celtic English, where the word meant “little.”

Beagle is the most popular hunting dog. Medium in size, this dog has a robust constitution, with a well-proportioned body and strong legs. The head is convex, the muzzle of medium length, and the nose black. The eyes are large and oval, usually brown, and the look gives the impression that he is always asking for something from his master. The ears are large, long, wide, and drooping. Its tail is always raised and its tip is white. Colors may vary – all colors except red-brown are recognized. The most common color variations are the bi-colors – brown and white, red and white, yellow and white – or even tri-colors – black, white, and brown.

How Much Does a Beagle Cost?

The cost of a beagle depends on many factors including the location of the breeder or rescue shelter (there are higher prices in areas with a small number of breeders), the place you are buying it from (expect lower costs at rescue shelters, instead of breeders), the age of the dog (puppies, younger than 8 months old are more expensive as most of the people want to get a dog of that age), AKC Standard (expect lower prices for a Beagles that doesn’t meet the breed standards set by the AKC referring to body structure, coloring, size, ear set, and weight) and the type of registration (there are higher prices for an AKC registered Beagle compared to a CKC registered Beagle as the AKC sets more regulations and rules).

That being said, expect to pay around $5,000 for a Beagle that comes from a reputable breeder and if it has a purebred lineage. There are even higher prices for AKC registered Beagles, that are eligible for dog shows and come from a superior lineage.

The cost of a Beagle puppy is anywhere between $450 and $1,100. Expect to pay a little bit more for a lemon beagle, $550 to $1350.

There are lower prices for Beagles that don’t meet show dog standards, especially if they don’t have the wanted marking and colors. A beagle like that costs $250 to $550.

In case you want to adopt a Beagle from a shelter, you will have to pay only around $220.

Important things to consider

The purebred beagle must have a white tail tip. This feature has been preferred by breeders since ancient times, as it allowed the hunter to identify the dog in the tall grass and not to confuse it with the hunted animal.

The US Department of Homeland Security has a Beagle Brigade used at airports to inspect baggage and detect banned substances and products. Many other state services around the world use the fine nose of this breed to make their work more efficient.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a Pocket Beagle, Bloodhound, or Basenji.

The Beagle is independent and somewhat stubborn, so the trainer must have experience and patience. It is recommended that the training be firm, but in no case severe. In addition, he will accept orders much faster, if he is rewarded or praised. A disadvantage may be that he loses concentration very quickly during exercise, so he needs consistent training.

Unfortunately for these poor animals, Beagle is preferred for testing drugs or cosmetics for human use. The Beagle is the laboratory dog no. 1.

Although making very loud noises, Beagles only bark when they feel a stranger approaching or when they suffer from separation anxiety. As small as it is, this dog has a loud bark, discouraging any intruder.

The lifespan of a Beagle is 11 to 15 years.

What are the extra costs?

If your Beagle will get lost it should have an ID tag and collar so you can be contacted by the person that finds it. In most cases, these are included in the adoption fee, but if not, you should budget $15 to $35 for a collar and around $10 for a stainless steel tag.

There is a dog license fee that you must consider when thinking about having a Beagle. The annual costs for it are anywhere between $25 and $55 for unneutered/unspayed dogs and $15 to $25 for fixed pets. For instance, in Boston, the dog license for intact females and males is almost $35 and spayed dogs will usually entail a fee of around $20. However, there are cities where a dog license is not required.

Also, you might think about microchipping the dog as the collars and tags can get lost too. The cost of microchipping is anywhere between $35 and $65.

In case you are traveling, you will need a crate for your Beagle and it should be at least 36 inches long. Be prepared to pay around $50 for a 36-inch metal wire crate, $80 for a 3-door soft foldable crate, and up to $360 for a decorative wooden crate.

Beagles tend to chew the plastic bowls and it is recommended to purchase food and water bowls made of metal. A pair of these can cost anywhere between $15 and $20.

In terms of food, owners should feed Beagle dogs 3-4 times a day, but in moderate amounts. Ideally, the food should be chosen according to the size of the dog, but also according to its age, because animals have different needs when they are small, as opposed to when they reach adulthood. However, you should budget around $350 per year for food.

Beagles may also need supplements besides the food due to their propensity to joint issues. For example, the price of a bottle of 60 Omega 3 Fatty Acids soft chews is almost $18, while a 65-pack of bacon-flavored Glucosamine chews can be bought for almost $28. Before giving any supplements to your Beagle consult the vet.

This takes us to the next issue: Health concerns

The beagle can have any of the diseases below, which is why it is important to know and prevent them. The specific diseases that can be found in this breed are:

• Cherry eye manifests itself as a red swelling in the eye, called third eyelid prolapse. The appearance of this swelling is due to the fact that, unlike humans, the dog has three eyelids. The third is hidden in the inner corner of the eye. The treatment can include surgery, depending on the severity of the problem. So, be prepared to spend anywhere between $160 and $1,650.
• Glaucoma is an eye condition that increases intraocular pressure and can lead to vision impairment in a short time. The eyes constantly produce a fluid that, if not drained properly, produces that pressure in the eyeball. The cost of the surgery is $550 to $1,500 per eye.
• Distichiasis occurs when an additional row of genes (known as distichiae) grows on the sebaceous gland inside the dog’s eye and extends to the eyelid. In this case, the eye becomes irritated and the dog scratches. Distichiasis is treated surgically by freezing the excess genes with liquid nitrogen and then removing them. It costs anywhere between $400 and $2,100.
• Beagle is also prone to diabetes and depending on the dog’s size the treatment per month is anywhere between $35 and $160. The costs per year can go up to $2,900 in severe cases.
• Also, don’t forget about dental care as the Beagle is prone to dental diseases. It is best to purchase dental chew and one pack of 36 costs around $40.

You should also consider recurring costs for your veterinarian. Periodic vet visits and vaccines have to be done in order to keep your Beagle healthy. Depending on the geographical location and the veterinarian, expect to pay anywhere between $45 and $65 for a routine vet visit.

Beagle puppies need the “core vaccines” when they are 6, 12, and 16 weeks old. These include parvo, distemper, parainfluenza, hepatitis, leptospirosis and cost anywhere between $25 and $75.

Puppy Beagles that are 14 weeks old can get rabies shots, which cost anywhere between $20 and $25. For adult Beagles, these shots can be done regularly, according to the vet’s recommendation. It is important to mention that this vaccine is required by many places legally.

The Beagle has dense, rain-resistant fur. They should be brushed with a medium brush or a special glove at least once a week to remove dead hairs and stimulate the growth of new ones. The price of an item like this is around $18.

In case you want to take your dog to a grooming salon for a haircut and bath, be prepared to pay anywhere between $35 and $110, depending on the required services.

It is a lively and playful dog and is very attached to its owner. It is also good to know that he befriends children very quickly. That is why you should consider budgeting around $20 per month for some toys and treats.