Beagles are popular family pets in many households. Well known for being compact, friendly, and stable, Beagles make excellent family companions. When you decide what dog breed will be best for your family and your lifestyle, taking energy levels into account is vital. Picking a dog breed whose energy levels match your own will help your new dog settle in effortlessly. Knowing what to expect from your dog’s breed can also help you give it the best care possible. So how exactly does the Beagle’s energy levels rate?
Are Beagles lazy? Beagles are not a lazy breed of dog. Beagles have a history of being bred for hunting, so they possess high energy levels to support their natural prey drive. Beagles may become lazy when if they are elderly, overweight, lack stimulation, or are unwell.
Every Beagle is different and has its own personality to share with you, as you will discover as you get to know them. This article will go in-depth about the energy level of the Beagle breed and the factors that influence whether a Beagle is lazy or energetic. We will also discuss how much sleep Beagles need and what is considered too much or too little. And lastly, we will touch on how Beagle’s energy levels will change as they age and whether they get lazier as they get older so you can care for your Beagle through all its life stages!
Are Beagles Lazy Or Energetic?
Beagles have been bred to hone their extraordinary sense of smell. Described as a “nose with feet”, the humble Beagle was selectively bred into existence for the hunting of small game – particularly rabbits.
This fostered hunting hounds instinct meant that Beagle has to produce some peak energy levels of activity to keep up with their work demands, chasing rabbis furiously around paddocks. Beagles have since been adapted to work in other areas, such as the security of airports.
This long history of working alongside humans for a purpose means the Beagle breed is energetic and loves to keep busy with a goal in mind. Beagles of all ages have plenty of energy and need opportunities to burn it off. Daily brisk walks of a decent length – 30 minutes or more – are required and regular adventures to new and exciting places.
Without adequate excitement and stimulation in their lives, the Beagle can become unhappy, which may be expressed in depression. Excess “laziness” and lack of motivation may signify that your Beagle is not getting the most out of life.
Pet owners should also know that lack of training or mental exercise may also cause the Beagle to become overly energetic. Meaning, their high energy starts to burst at times, and they will be needy, disruptive, and destructive. Keep them busy and active, and they will be easily managed!
During training sessions, these hound dogs can be mistaken for being lazy. Beagles are stubborn and strong-willed, so they are more motivated by their wants than by following commands. This is common for scent hounds as they often have different motivations than a Labrador who wants only food and please you.
This perceived lazy trait is less laziness and more needing new and exciting obedience training techniques and challenges to motivate them to engage. Beagles are historically working dogs, so they need to have a clear goal and drive. Provide your dog with “work” in their routine with walks, adventures, games, and challenges to keep them engaged and active.
While all individual dogs will have their personalities, a normal, happy, and healthy Beagle should not be lazy. Excess laziness may be due to an overweight dog reducing energy levels, under-stimulation, unseen illness, or simply old age. Beagles are pretty high-energy, particularly in comparison to other popular breeds of dogs.
Do Beagles Sleep A Lot?
Average adult dogs will sleep between 10 – 12 hours a day. This is not considered a lot nor very little, rather a normal range. Most of this sleep will be through the night, the same time you sleep, with the addition of some naps in the day.
If you find your Beagles sleepy, then don’t be alarmed, as this is just a basic guide. This amount of sleep can vary due to many factors, some outlined below.
The activity levels of a Beagle will affect how much sleep they require. Naturally, the more energy that is expended in the day, the more times of rest will be needed for recuperation in the night.
If you and your Beagle have a busy day of adventures such as hiking or exploring, then don’t be alarmed if they sleep a lot more the next few nights. If your Beagle has a life of high activity, then expect them to sleep more than the usual 12 hours.
The changing environmental conditions can also affect how much sleep your Beagle will have. For example, in extreme weather, activity can be more taxing to a small dog.
Excess heat or cold causes the body to work extra hard to stay comfortable and functional and use more energy in a shorter period. These conditions can mean a Beagle may need more sleep at night or may take more naps in the day.
Sleep required by a Beagle will also depend on its age. While an adult Beagle will normally need 10 – 12 hours a day, this will be more for both puppies and elderly Beagles. Sleep is a survival strategy, and it will the body does most of its growing and healing.
Puppies are growing at extraordinary rates and may need up to 18 – 20 hours of sleep to support their bodies through this development. From 8 years onwards, an older Beagle will have a body that is tired and worn out. They will require more sleep to keep them functioning and healthy.
The health of a Beagle will also part a critical factor in how much sleep they need. Notably, their weight. An overweight Beagle will use more energy for basic tasks, thus need to sleep more. Obesity can cause a range of health issues and should be avoided.
Do Beagles Get Lazy As The Age?
The energy levels of any active breed will change through the years – These excellent hunting dogs are no expectations! The Beagle’s energy levels will change through their different ages and life stages. Often, when they reach their older generations, they tend to become lazy.
Puppies tend to sleep a lot to support a growing and developing brain and body. This excess sleep is vital for them to grow up into healthy adults. This abundance of sleep surely is not laziness but a necessity as when they are awake, they are highly energetic. These extended hours of sleep are to fuel this few hours of rocket-fueled puppy energy.
When puppies become adolescents, they need less sleep but still are highly energetic. At this age, Beagles would by no means be considered the laziest dog breed. They should be provided with ample opportunities to explore, learn, and grow at this time of their life. They will be active and will benefit from high levels of activity.
At about 18 months to 2 years, this high-energy dog should calm down a bit as the Beagle enters adulthood. With the proper care to foster a physically and mentally healthy dog, an adult Beagle will still be energetic and love to be active with its family.
A full-grown Beagle may be content to hang out and do nothing with you as long as they get to spend time with their favorite people. Make sure you continue encouraging and providing activity so they do not become lazy and become obese.
From 8 years and onwards, a Beagle is considered to be becoming elderly. It’s still important to encourage activity and exercise for a senior Beagle, but ensure you take things slower as not to exhaust or injury them as they are less adaptable and more vulnerable at this age.
Senior dogs can naturally become lazy as they age due to an average decline in energy levels. An older dog will not be able to keep up with its former activity levels. Senior Beagles can begin to suffer from medical issues (hip dysplasia) that make them more uncomfortable and cause them to sleep more. For example, older dogs often get arthritis which will affect their ability to stay active.
While Beagles are naturally energetic, they do have different energy levels throughout their lives. An older, overweight, or understimulated Beagle may become lazy, but this can be managed with reasonable care. Take them for 1-3 walks per day and this loyal companion will remain your best friend.