At A Glance
Don’t let those short legs fool you. Beagles can keep up with you on pretty much any activity you can think of.
Their exercise needs are high for a dog but are perfect for a workout enthusiast.
Last Updated on: Mar 12, 2022
Why Is Exercise So Important for a Beagle?
Factors That Affect the Exercise Needs of Your Beagle
Ideal Workout Activities for Your Beagle
Exercise Ideas
Signs Your Beagle Is Overworked
How to Keep Your Beagle Mentally Fit?
What Is the Right Time to Exercise Your Beagle?
How to Keep Your Beagle Safe During Exercise?
Understand How Your Beagle Likes to Exercise
With their constant running, chasing, and loud barking, you might have wondered if beagles really need all that exercise. Since they are a naturally hyperactive breed, they do. Beagles have a long history of chasing and hunting small game-like birds, rabbits, and foxes so it’s natural to expect them to need more activity than the average dog. So, how much exercise does a beagle need each day?
The short answer is 60 minutes.
Your adult beagle’s daily exercise requirements should include some light and heavy workouts along with a few exercises for mental stimulation. Altogether, this should make up 60 minutes of activity every day.
A good workout will help a beagle stay fit and healthy even in its old age. Below are a few reasons why exercise is important for beagles.
Exercise helps beagles:
Is an hour a day enough exercise for a dog? The best way to know how active beagles are is to learn a bit about their origin.
Bred as hunting dogs due to their strong tracking abilities, beagles are very active. Not only do they love the outdoors, but their high energy levels aren’t easy to match if you have an inactive lifestyle.
So, how much exercise does a beagle need each day? Typically, beagles need 60 – 90 minutes of exercise a day.
Now we can look at some factors that influence a beagle’s exercise needs.
Not all beagles will need the same level of activity. Their age, health, energy levels, etc. influence the way their body responds to exercise. To help you out, we’ve narrowed down their exercise requirements based on age.
The stamina of a beagle puppy is a lot less than an adult. Since their bodies are still developing, it’s necessary to avoid overly long walks to prevent injury during the first few months.
How much exercise do Beagles need each day when they are young? You can take your beagle puppy out on two 5-minute walks each day. Gradually increase the time of each walk from 5 to 10 minutes and so on until they reach adulthood and can easily manage 30 minutes of continuous walking.
When should I start walking my beagle puppy? You can start walking your beagle puppy after it is 18 months old. The recommended period of 18 months is based on the time it takes for vaccinations and their development to be complete.
How much exercise does a beagle need each day when it’s fully grown? As your beagle gets older, its energy level starts to lessen. Their health problems and the chances of injury also get higher as they age. It is wise to reduce the duration and intensity of the workouts once they are around 7 years old.
A 20-minute walk in the morning and another one in the evening should be enough movement for older beagles.
Beagles are hyperactive dogs. You may struggle with their energy if you don’t give them the right amount of exercise every day.
One tip to keep in mind when exercising your beagle is, an activity is only ideal if there’s company. Beagles are notorious for the love and loyalty they have for their owners so accompany your beagle on walks to make it the happiest pet around. Working out together will also help strengthen the bond between you and your pet.
If you’re looking for motivation to go on walks, pets listen more to people they share a strong bond with. Having a good relationship with your beagle makes it easier to train.
Remember to wait until a beagle reaches 18 months before engaging your pet in strenuous exercise. Among the options we suggested, getting a beagle in a pool may be challenging since most of them hate water.
If that’s the case and you’ve tired of all these activities, you can also tire your dog out by allowing it to dig. Beagles sometimes dig around as part of their nature. Instead of discouraging it, let them dig to their hearts’ content. Your dog will be too tired to cause mischief by the end of the day.
Moving one step forward, let’s discuss how many walks a day for beagles is sufficient.
There is no clear answer since it also depends on the age of your dog, its health, and the length you walk. If you’re aiming to do 1 mile a day, make it more manageable for your dog by covering 1 mile over two walks.
If the distance increases, reduce the number of walks. Walking also gives your dog the perfect window for a potty break so try to make it a regular part of its daily schedule.
Running is a completely different activity than walking. It requires increased stamina and endurance. Beagles aren’t runners. Their average running speed is 20 miles an hour which is fast but because they have low stamina they can only run for 2 or 3-mile distances.
Trouble breathing while walking or doing everyday activities are common symptoms of a tired dog.
Of course, your dog could protest by refusing to exercise but dogs sometimes push themselves too hard without knowing it. If a dog is tired, let it rest and try changing its exercise routine to include more breaks between short but strenuous activities.
Making your beagle exercise when it’s tired will put its health in danger and could also permanently injure it. If you see your dog displaying any of the symptoms below, reduce the duration of your exercise.
Sometimes an overworked dog can become depressed and will even refuse to join family activities.
How much exercise does a Beagle need each day, to remain mentally agile? Obstacle courses or hunting games are a few examples of games your beagle may find interesting.
Since their intelligence is higher than the average dog, repetitive activities will bore them sooner. If you find your beagle sad or uninterested in everyday activities, then it’s time to try new activities like:
It is also a good idea to let your dog lead the walk, especially when they want to sniff around. Since beagles are highly independent, this gives your dog a way to explore the world on its own. It also reduces the chances of your pet misbehaving.
The right time to exercise your beagle depends on its schedule. The best time for a walk is when the traffic in the neighborhood or park is less. This gives your beagle space and freedom to do some exploring on its own.
However, if your beagle has just had a meal, wait for a good 60 minutes before taking it out for a walk. Similarly, make sure your dog has had time to cool down from a walk before giving it food or snacks. Unlike the human digestive system, canines need a good 4 to 6 hours to digest their food.
Another useful trick for owners with hyperactive beagles is to take their dog out during the hours when it feels most energetic. This allows your dog to naturally expend any pent-up energy. While accompanying your beagle, you won’t have to do anything except lead it safely through the streets and back home.
Avoid accidents and keep walks pleasant and enjoyable by following some safety guidelines for your dog.
Prevent your beagle from wandering off on a hike or chasing after a squirrel by keeping it on a leash.
Dehydration on walks or hikes is bad for you and your beagle. It’s wise to carry a supply of water for you and your pet even if you think water will be readily available.
Running or walking your dog under the hot sun can tire it out faster and increase the risk of heatstroke. If the weather is too hot during summer, take your dog out early in the morning or in the evening.
If you keep your pet’s tendencies and behavioral patterns in mind, training them will be easier. Regular exercise is an easy task once you know what activity works, how much of it to do, and the best time to do it.
If your dog isn’t responding to any activity with excitement, then there may be an underlying health issue. Visit the vet to understand your dog’s health condition and requirements better.
What activities do you use to keep your beagle entertained? Tell us in the comments below.
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.
