At A Glance
Having puppies is always fun and memorable. Having your beagle give birth to her litter is twice the fun. With so many things to prepare for, make sure that you know what to expect when it comes to your beagle's litter size.
It’s useful to know how many puppies on average beagles can give birth to. This article explores the topic.
Last Updated on: Jun 09, 2022
Beagles are very likable dogs, and if your beagle is having a litter of puppies it’s very exciting. You must be wondering how many puppies do beagles have?
There is no guarantee on the size of a beagle’s litter. Most litters range from having four to eight pups, but on average, a medium-sized beagle would have six healthy puppies.
This is an average. It can also be applied for first-time pregnancies. However, it’s difficult to predict the exact number of pups that your beagle will deliver. Your beagle could give birth to six pups or could also go as high as ten pups.
If you want to have a more accurate forecast, you can take your beagle for an x-ray during week 6 of its pregnancy. This is when the puppies’ bones are fully formed, so you’ll have an exact number.
Regardless if this is the first time you’re experiencing a beagle’s pregnancy, the entire experience is always exciting and memorable.
Although the number of puppies a beagle can have is set to an average of six, some factors can affect the final count and it can be more than or less than six.
Here are a few of the factors that can impact the average litter size of your beagle:
The first litter is indicative of all your beagle’s future litters. If her first pregnancy produced a small litter, then you can expect the next ones to be small too.
If your beagle has an average of 5 pups during her first pregnancy, the maximum you may get during the subsequent pregnancies is six.
Another factor that can influence the size of your beagle’s litter is the age of the parents. Young and older beagles are likely to have smaller litters. Beagles are best bred when they are between 2-5 years old.
Expect the litter count to decrease further after menopause.
A female beagle with pre-existing health conditions is likely to have a small litter. If she has any chronic illnesses or is not in the best of health, this might complicate the pregnancy further. You need to vigilantly monitor her to ensure that she and the pups are both safe during the pregnancy.
Also Read: How Long Do Beagles Live In Human Years
You still won’t be able to know the exact size of the litter. And getting an ultrasound done early at 30 to 35 days old may not be helpful. The puppies are mere fetuses at this point, so there’s not much information you can gather at this stage of your beagle’s pregnancy.
At 7-8 weeks, you can schedule your dog for radiography. This is the best method to identify how many puppies have developed skeletons in your beagle’s womb. Once the puppies’ skeletons are formed, they will show up in the x-rays.
The beagle gestation is challenging to time because it maxes out at two months. Work closely with your veterinarian so that you can schedule the best time to have the ultrasound or radiography.
It is not recommended to repeat these procedures often because it can harm your beagle and her pups.
Beagles are strong dogs, and when they are at their healthiest, they’re more than capable of delivering up to six healthy puppies.
As long as you watch out for any signs of complications and you keep your beagle healthy, she should deliver healthy puppies.
Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.
Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.
