So, you’re looking to add a furry friend to the family, and you’ve decided to get a beagle. Great choice! A small breed of hound, beagles are known for their curiosity and friendliness. unsurprisingly, beagles are the most popular hound dog. The American Kennel Club recognizes two types of beagle: 13-inch and 15-inch beagles.
Beagles were first bred in the 1830s and were originally kept by British hunters for sniffing out hares and other small game. They are most commonly kept as pets, sometimes as working dogs, and occasionally as show dogs. Beagles are still favored today by many hunters and customs officers for their super smelling abilities. Beagles usually do well around other pets, though they do tend to give chase. Due to their curious nature, you’ll want to dog-proof your home before adopting a beagle. Be sure to keep all hazardous items, like wires and cleaning supplies, out of your beagle’s reach.
The price of Beagle Puppies is anywhere from $400-$1000, depending on where you get one. If you’re looking for a beagle to enter into dog shows, expect to pay a premium. Beagles with well-documented lineages often go for $1500 or more. After the dog’s initial cost, though, they are relatively inexpensive to keep.
Price of Beagles from Different Places
Due to their widespread popularity, finding a beagle should be relatively easy when compared to more obscure breeds. But where should you get one? There are lots of options for getting a beagle, each with different costs, benefits, and drawbacks. Let’s take a look at the cost of getting a beagle from different sources..
1. Adoption
- Average Cost: $100 – $300
Adopting a beagle is a great way to get a beagle for an affordable price. Typically, it is cheaper than most other ways to get a dog. Shelters and rescues typically take care of vaccinations before putting dogs up for adoption, which is where the majority of the adoption cost comes from. If you’re particularly big-hearted, providing a home for a pup in need may have its own appeal.
The adoption process is usually pretty simple, though you may be required to undergo a screening or interview to be sure you can provide the dog with a good home. Adopted dogs can sometimes have baggage from their previous owner(s), so keep in mind you may have to put extra energy into training and spending time with your beagle. The cost of adopting a beagle is from $100 – $300, which is used to operate the shelter.
Virtually every community has at least one animal shelter. However, due to the need-based nature of shelters and rescues, you may not be able to find a beagle on a whim. Many websites have searchable indexes of adoptable pets by region. It’s a good idea to check ahead and find out if they have any beagles ready for adoption before getting your hopes up and making an unnecessary trip.
2. Breeders
- Average Cost: $200 – $1500
Breeders are by far the most expensive option for getting a beagle. The cost of a beagle from a breeder depends on several things, though lineage is the most significant factor in determining the price. Beagles with show dog lineage sometimes go for $1500 or more. Pet-quality beagles acquired from breeders will still be rather pricey, often costing several hundred dollars.
Buying a beagle from a breeder may be preferable for some dog owners. If you’re looking to enter your beagle in dog shows, you’ll certainly want to get one with a superior, well-documented lineage from a breeder. This assures you that your beagle is a purebred, and as such will be eligible for entry. Breeders also typically care for their dogs better than pet shops and puppy mills.
The major drawback to buying from a breeder is that you’ll be paying a hefty price for your beagle. For those just looking for a family pet, this may prove prohibitive. Many people select beagles for their relatively low cost of ownership, and buying from a breeder largely negates that benefit.
3. Friends and Neighbors
- Average Cost: Varies by person and situation
Sometimes people move out of town, and can’t take their beagle with them. Others may have a pregnant beagle and not want to keep the whole litter of puppies. If it so happens that a friend or neighbor fits this description, then you’re in luck! Often people in these situations charge little or nothing for their dogs since their circumstances push them toward finding them a good home rather than finding a payday.
Worth considering is the lack of assurance that your beagle is a purebred. While many people looking for a pet don’t mind a little bit of mutt in the mix, some others are less forgiving. The latter group may balk at the idea of taking home a beagle without papers.
Ongoing Costs of Owning a Beagle
Now you have an idea of where to get a beagle and how much it might cost, but that’s not all you should consider. What about the everyday costs of owning a beagle? Beagles are relatively cheap to own, requiring relatively little in the way of upkeep. Since they were bred to hunt, beagles naturally have lots of energy. The majority of the costs a beagle incurs are related to its energetic nature.
1. Training
- Average Cost: $150-200 for a five-week course
Training will be important for keeping your beagle well-behaved and happy. Since they were originally bred for long chases, beagles have a lot of energy. Without training, beagles can be very determined. With proper training, though, beagles are more easily reigned in. A well-trained beagle makes an excellent family pet since beagles are known to be great with children.
While they are highly intelligent, beagles can be difficult to train. They are largely solitary and like to follow their nose more than commands. As such, they can be more difficult- and therefore more expensive- to train, but it is by no means impossible. Beagles usually do not need individual training and benefit greatly from group lessons. These can help address the tendency to bark, among other concerns.
Getting your beagle trained will cost around $150 – $200 for a course, but it’s important for the long-term happiness and well-being of your beagle. Untrained beagles may not have the tools to manage the abundance of energy that beagles naturally have. They may become antsy or anxious, leading to poor behavior and distress in both dog and owner.
2. Feeding
- Average Cost: About $40 per 3 months of food; treats vary significantly by brand
Despite their small frame, beagles have big appetites. Depending on size, they will eat 1-2 cups of kibble a day. There are about 4 cups per pound of dog food, and a 35-40lb bag of brand name kibble usually goes for around $40. This works out to about three months of food for your beagle in each bag, which means it costs around $10 per month for beagle food. Some companies offer subscription programs that may help you save a few extra bucks.
You’ll also want to budget for treats. This is especially important during training. You’ll need to reinforce the new behaviors your beagle is learning at home, and treats are the easiest and most effective way to do so. Even once training is done, treats are an important way to let your beagle know it’s doing what you expect of it.
Dog treats vary in cost by brand. Generally, a small bag costs between $5 and $15. Buying in bulk may be a preferable way to go since doing so usually comes with a good discount. Once you know which treats your beagle likes best, consider stocking up for a while.
3. Physical Exercise
- Average Cost: About $125
Beagles will also need plenty of exercise, which means you’ll need a few things to keep them occupied. You’ll have to take your beagle on walks regularly. Leash and harness sets cost anywhere from $20 for a simple, functional set to $40 and up for more decorative or high-quality sets.
You’ll also want an assortment of toys for them to play with. Simple toys may cost $5 or less, but most decent ones fall in the $10-$15 range. Of course, they won’t last forever since your beagle is likely to chew through them, especially while they’re a puppy. Bark Box offers a subscription plan that sends two dog toys a month (plus some treats) right to your door for $35 a month, so if you prefer simplicity, that may be a good option.
I hope that this article on the beagle price and the cost of owning a beagle was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Dog Category!
