How Long Does It Take for Beagles to Get Pregnant? + Pregnancy Timeline

Beagles, although known as a hound breed, have gained immense popularity among dog lovers for their unique characteristics. As a result, there is a high demand for Beagle puppies, and many owners are interested in breeding them. If you’re new to this and want to understand the process week by week, you’ll be curious about the duration of a Beagle’s pregnancy. Here’s everything you need to know, starting with the length of time your Beagle will be pregnant.

Beagle Pregnancy Timeline

Week 1 (days 0 to 7)

After conception, your female Beagle can continue with her usual activities, such as feeding and walks. There’s no need to change her routine at this point. It’s normal to observe slight motion sickness and a pinkish discharge, which is not a sign of miscarriage.

Week 2 (days 7 to 14)

During this period, significant developments occur in your Beagle’s pregnancy. The cells start to grow, and the puppy embryos move into the uterus. However, there’s no need to make any changes to her daily routine. You can maintain her regular diet and exercise.

Week 3 (days 14 to 21)

Tiny Beagle fetuses are taking shape, measuring only about 1 centimeter. You don’t need to modify your pregnant Beagle’s diet or exercise routines yet. However, she may start feeling hungrier and require more calories.

Handy Hint: Understanding your Beagle’s heat cycle is crucial if you want her to get pregnant.

Week 4 (days 21 to 28)

By now, things are starting to get more defined. With gentle manual manipulation, your vet might be able to feel the puppies through your Beagle’s belly. The fetuses now resemble little dogs, despite being only 1.5 centimeters long. This is a crucial time in the Beagle pregnancy timeline, as the puppies are most vulnerable to miscarriage. Adjust her routine, avoiding excessive physical activity, and consider a change in diet and possible nutritional supplements as recommended by your vet. Keep an eye out for signs like nipple swelling and clear discharge, which are perfectly normal during pregnancy.

Week 5 (days 28 to 35)

At this stage, Beagle fetuses start to look like tiny puppies, with the growth of paws, claws, and whiskers. Gender identification might be possible through ultrasounds, as the genital areas begin to develop. Your pregnant Beagle will gain weight and demand more food to nourish the growing pups. Increase her calorie intake accordingly. A veterinary scan can also reveal the expected number of puppies, which is usually around six for Beagles.

Handy Hint: By the fifth week, you might even be able to feel the puppies yourself. Here’s how you can do it.

Week 6 (days 35 to 42)

During the sixth week, your pregnant Beagle will start showing visible signs of pregnancy, notably by visibly growing larger each day. The nipples darken, and the developing puppies in the womb acquire their unique markings and patterns. As her appetite increases, some breeders suggest adding puppy food and nutritional supplements to her diet. You can also assist her in preparing for the birth by helping her find a warm, quiet, and safe spot to nest.

Week 7 (days 42 to 49)

By day 42, your Beagle will display signs of hair loss, a natural occurrence as her body prepares for birth and nursing the puppies. Increase her food intake again as the puppies approach their typical Beagle shape. Calcium becomes essential in her diet during this stage, promoting the healthy development and strengthening of the growing puppies.

Handy Hint: I’ve created a guide explaining how to determine if your Beagle is pregnant.

Week 8 (days 49 to 57)

Although the average length of a Beagle’s pregnancy is about 63 days, some Beagles may give birth prematurely during the eighth week. Stay prepared in case of an early surprise. Keeping your Beagle relaxed and minimizing physical activity is crucial to prevent premature birth. Nesting behavior becomes more evident, and you might even observe the puppies moving around beneath the surface of her belly.

Week 9 (days 57 to 65)

This is the time when most Beagles will give birth. Your Beagle may exhibit a slowing down of activity, become quieter, and lose her appetite. Congratulations, the moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived—time for the Beagle puppies to make their debut!

And that’s it! There’s still so much more to do to support the new mother, but we’ll cover that in another blog post. However, before you go, here’s some additional valuable information:

How Many Puppies Do Beagles Have?

On average, Beagles give birth to six puppies. According to Wikipedia, “The average size of a Beagle litter is six puppies. When mother Beagles give birth to litters of puppies, the little pups weigh just a few ounces each.” Keep in mind that Beagles typically have smaller litter sizes compared to breeds like Rottweilers, which average eight puppies. The litter size often reflects the price of the puppies.

For your reference, here are some common dog breeds and their average litter sizes compared to Beagles:

Basset Hound – 5 puppies
Bernese Mountain Dog – 8 puppies
Boston Terrier – 4 puppies
British Bulldog – 4 puppies
Chihuahua – 3 puppies
Corgi – 7 puppies
Dachshund – 3 puppies
French Bulldog – 3 puppies
German Shepherd Dog – 8 puppies
Golden Retriever – 8 puppies
Great Dane – 8 puppies
Labrador – 7 puppies
Miniature Schnauzer – 4 puppies
Poodle – 5 puppies
Beagle – 5 puppies
Rottweiler – 8 puppies
Shih Tzu – 3 puppies
Springer Spaniel – 7 puppies
Yorkshire Terrier – 3 puppies

Conclusion

Beagles are incredibly popular, which is why they can be quite expensive. If you’re considering breeding your Beagle, think twice if your intention is solely to make money. Continuous breeding can take a toll on a Beagle’s body and mental health.

On the other hand, if you’re looking to buy a Beagle puppy, do thorough research and ensure you purchase from a reputable breeder.

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