Beagles are known for their love of the great outdoors. Fresh air, exercise and sunshine are on a beagle’s list of favorite things.

But when it comes to outdoor time, what role does weather play? In this article, I’ll be getting into exactly what types of temperatures beagles can endure, and what precautions should be taken.

How Does Cold Weather Affect Beagles?

Although beagles have a reputation as hardy, outdoor types, it’s important to realize that they are not considered winter-safe breeds.

Unlike cold-weather champions like huskies, malamutes and St. Bernard’s, beagles do not have the same type of long, thick double coated fur. Rather, beagles are a short-haired breed of dog and, as such, they lack the right kind of natural insulation from the effects of the cold.

While it is true that beagles often lived outside in the past, they were typically kept in packs and lived in the shelter of dens, where they huddled together to share body heat.

A certain amount of outdoor time is both necessary and healthy for your beagle. However, it’s vital to understand the effects of cold weather on dogs, and how you can protect your dog during the winter months. Extremely cold weather can have serious effects on all of a dog’s body systems. When introducing your beagle to winter weather, you should consider the following:

• Coat and Skin

Beagles are a lot like humans, in that cold weather can wreak havoc on their hair and skin. Harsh winter winds and low humidity can lead to cracked, dry or itchy skin. With dry skin and itchiness, your beagle is likely to start scratching and chewing. This not only exacerbates the itching, but it can also result in skin abrasions, thinning coat and hair breakage.

To prevent this from happening, it’s important to continue to give your dogs baths throughout the winter and use conditioning treatments that add moisture to the coat and skin. You should always try to keep an eye on the state of your dog’s coat and report any troublesome changes to your veterinarian.

Dry, itchy coat and skin are very common problems during the winter months and your vet might prescribe or recommend a supplement or other product to help control the itch. It’s also important to continue to provide large amounts of fresh water to keep your beagle properly hydrated during this season.

• Paws and Nails

We humans are a lucky lot! We are able to wear shoes to protect our feet from cold, ice and snow. Dogs however, walk on the cold ground in all sorts of conditions. You might even notice ice in between the pads of your dogs’ feet after it has been outside in the cold for a while.

Cold weather, ice and snow, as well as the salt that is used on roadways during the winter, can all cause your canine friend’s paw pads to crack and bleed. The same factors that contribute to dry hair and skin during the winter can also lead to decreased nail strength and cracked or sore nails.

The best protection in this case for paws is dog booties. Even if you think they look a little silly, your beagle will be very grateful for having its delicate paw pads insulated from the cold ground. This also eliminates the possibility of your dog stepping into, and consequently ingesting dangerous chemicals and de-icing salts.

These substances are not only dangerous if eaten, they can also build up and cause chemical burns to a dog’s delicate paw pads.

• Nose

A dog’s nose is home to one of his most-used senses, its sense of smell.

Dry winter weather can chap a dog’s delicate nose, which leads to cracking and can even leave him or her vulnerable to infections.

There are several different ways to combat this. Adding moisture to the atmosphere by using an indoor humidifier is one angle. However, this will not always be possible and this is especially true when your dog is outside.

To prevent and treat nose chapping, you will want to apply a product that is specially made for this purpose.
Snout butters, sometimes called snout balms, are formulated to be dog-safe. They can be applied directly to the nose several times each day during cold weather.

• Shedding

Beagles, like many types of dogs that have double-layered coats, are known to shed a lot more of their coats in the winter time as they transition into spring. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, you’ll want to at least prepare your home!

You can check out my guide on beagle grooming here.

Health Risks of Cold Weather – Hypothermia

Perhaps the biggest winter danger of them all is the threat of hypothermia.

Hypothermia takes place in dogs when body temperature drops far below normal in reaction to prolonged exposure to dangerously cold weather. The average internal body temperature for a healthy dog is around 100 – 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

An extreme lowering of this body temperature wreaks havoc on the body’s systems, which can take place if exposed to freezing temperatures (Fahrenheit) for an extended period of time.

The symptoms of hypothermia include slow or labored respiration, lethargy, shivering and low heart rate, among other symptoms. If left untreated, hypothermia can eventually lead to coma and, ultimately, death.

The best protection against hypothermia is to keep your beagle out of freezing temperatures. When the winter temps dip down to or close to freezing, bring your dog inside. Or, at the very least, be certain he is provided with a dry, insulated and draft-free outdoor shelter and check on him or her regularly. Jackets, sweaters, and scarves are also great ways to keep your furry friend insulated (skip below to check out some of my personal recommendations for these).

Additional Health Risks of Cold Weather for Beagles

The biggest defense against your dog incurring a cold weather-related injury is your presence. Dogs should not be left alone outside for more than a few minutes to an hour during cold, icy or snowy weather conditions. Particularly when temps drop below freezing, the odds of injury are greatly increased. A few more winter dangers to keep a watch for include:

• Sliding on Ice

In addition to the effects of cold weather on your beagle’s physical health, there are practical considerations related to being outside in the winter.

Beagles can slip on the ice and fall, resulting in serious injury. Dog booties or socks with no-slip soles can help keep your dog safe.

You should also be aware of your dog’s environment. Don’t allow ice to accumulate in your dog’s pen or run and watch where you are walking him. If it looks unsafe for you to walk on, it’s probably unsafe for your beagle, too!

• Antifreeze Ingestion

During the winter, many people use antifreeze on their gutters to prevent a buildup of ice.

Unfortunately, this also increases the possibility that an untended dog will ingest the substance. Antifreeze is highly poisonous and has a subtly sweet scent and taste that often attracts curious dogs. 

The best defense against this is to keep your beagle away from areas that you know for certain have anti freeze, and to always be close to your dog in new areas.

How to Protect Your Beagle from The Cold

The number one way that you can protect your beagle from the cold during the winter months is to keep them inside. Beagles do love exercise and it’s natural for them to want to be outside. Getting a good amount of outdoor time is beneficial for both their physical and emotional wellbeing. However, short walks and short bouts of outdoor exercise are more than sufficient during bouts of snow, ice and extreme cold.

If it’s too cold to even walk your beagle, you’ll want to play with them inside to help get them spending the energy they need to spend.

If your beagle must spend some time outdoor without you, it is absolutely essential that you provide an insulated and dry shelter for him or her. There are numerous options for heating an outdoor dog shelter. Consider that both the floor and the ambient temperature can get quite cold and consider using heating solutions that provide warmth to both.

You can also prepare your beagle before you go on walks in cold weather. Although not every dog is a fan, many beagles will appreciate having a warm coat or sweater to add insulation to his short hair and prevent body heat from escaping. A good fit is important for both comfort and function, so be sure to measure your dog according to the manufacturer’s size charts.

Keeping your dog in good health year round will provide ongoing protection against cold-weather health problems. Many veterinarians recommend giving dogs a fatty acid supplement, either year-round or in winter only, to help keep the skin and hair moist and supple. (This supplement should be one specifically formulated for dogs – never give your dog a supplement designed for humans.)

Good nutrition and regular brushing and washing will also keep your dog’s hair in good condition and allow him to better withstand the cold.

Always check your dog out when you return from a winter walk. Examine your beagle’s paws for ice or any cracking or drying and apply moisturizers (again, only use products that are made for dogs) as needed. Remove any ice immediately as small chunks of it can become wedged uncomfortably between paw pads and nails. Apply snout balm on the nose as needed and be certain that your beagle is drinking plenty of water. If your indoor environment is particularly dry, you may consider investing in a humidifier. This will benefit the household’s dogs and humans alike!

Final Thoughts

Beagles are known for being loyal and sweet friends, who enjoy a good, outdoor adventure. However, they are not a winter-hardy dog breed and do not do well being left out in freezing temperatures due to their short hair. The safest place for a beagle to be during freezing temperatures is inside with his family. And if your beagle must be outside, be sure that he has a warm, dry place to go.

Your dog is counting on you to keep them safe, warm and healthy this winter!