Beagles are some of the most adorable dogs around. It’s no wonder that they are one of Good Housekeeping’s top ten most popular breeds for families with their sweet faces and their loving and loyal natures. They’re so beloved, in fact, that one of the most iconic cartoon characters, Snoopy, was inspired by them.

Beagles have many characteristics that make them unique, from their floppy ears and short limbs to their large, soulful eyes. But you may be wondering about one of your beagle’s cutest features – its loose, floppy skin! Why does it look like that? How do I properly care for it? And is it ever a problem?

Read on for the lowdown on the whats and hows of taking care of your beagle’s loose skin.

Why Do Beagles Have Loose Skin?

Beagles belong to a group of dogs who are known as scent hounds. These types of dogs use scent, rather than sight, to track prey. Interestingly, one of the reasons that beagles, and many other scent hounds (such as basset hounds or dachshunds) have loose skin, particularly around the face, is to help “trap” and funnel the scent to their faces. As a side note, this is also part of the reason for those adorable long and floppy ears!

But why else do beagles have loose skin? Well, there are a number of answers – and of course, some will have more folds of skin than others. Some of it is genetics; if you know what your beagle’s parents look like, you’ll have some idea of how your dog’s skin might look. 

Other reasons for beagle’s loose skin include:

For fighting and guarding their homes

Although they are not traditionally considered to be guard dogs due to their small size, beagles are very loyal and will typically do whatever they can to protect their family and their homes. Having loose skin is a distinct advantage both in fighting off an attacker and, conversely, in being able to escape unharmed.

The loose skin around the neck and face reduces the impact of a bite or attack, and also allows the dog to twist away and either run or defend itself. It’s a very interesting defense mechanism!

This was likely a choice by early breeders of the beagle because of their need to burrow and hunt in fox holes. Beagles needed to put up a fight with their prey, and deal with hazardous sticks and rocks when digging, so having loose skin was a plus to help protect them.

• A result of weight loss

As in humans, dogs who lose weight can have excess skin left over. While skin has some elasticity, it takes time for skin to come back to its original shape and often will not ever fully snap back. Beagles who have given birth may also have some additional loose skin that sticks around after pregnancy.

This type of loose skin can be common in beagles, because as a food-motivated breed they are particularly prone to overeating.

• Cutaneous Asthenia

Cutaneous Asthenia is a rare, but serious, condition in which a dog is deficient in collagen. Because collagen is one of the major building blocks of many body tissues, especially skin, a deficiency in it can affect multiple body systems.

Most notably, it causes thin, saggy skin. This skin is particularly delicate and prone to tearing, sores and infections. Other symptoms of this condition can include loose or painful joints (particularly prevalent in hips and knees) along with bruising or bleeding that is visible under the skin and problems with the eye lens. Any of these symptoms should prompt an urgent visit to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.

• Dehydration.

Dehydration occurs when an animal is losing fluids more quickly than he or she can take them in, leading to a decrease in bodily fluids. Dehydration is serious and necessitates prompt treatment, as a lack of fluids affects all body systems. Ultimately, it can lead to permanent organ damage or even death.

One of the major signs of dehydration in beagles is a loss of skin elasticity and in fact, the most commonly used test to check for dehydration involves pulling up a flap of skin above their back to test it for moisture and elasticity. Skin that is pulled away from a dog’s body and does not snap right back into shape is one of the most telling signs of dehydration.

In case you’re concerned about dehydration, but don’t know if your beagle’s skin is loose enough to be a sign, here are some other important signs to consider:

• • Excessive panting and labored breathing
  • Dry mouth, nose, paws, or gums
  • Dark colored urine
  • Reduced levels of energy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weak pulse
  • Loss of balance when walking, running, or even just sitting
  • Slow response time with commands or when playing with toys

If you worry that your dog is still dehydrated even after they’ve had some water, it may be time to consult with a vet. Additionally, you can consider electrolyte supplements. They work similarly for humans, and can be a significant source of key electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride.

How to Properly Care For Loose Skin in Beagles

While your beagle’s floppy little skin folds make them look all the more irresistibly huggable, they also require extra special attention to skin care. In order to keep your pup’s skin in the best shape possible, you’ll have to take some important steps to prevent potential problems like skin irritation and infections.

Some important ways to care for your beagle’s loose skin include:

• Frequent bathing and grooming

Even though your beagle has a short hair coat, they will still require regular grooming to keep their coat and skin looking and feeling its best. Beagles have a double layered coat, which means they can shed just as much as any long haired dog. 

Beagles, in addition to having folds of skin that can become dry or irritated, are also prone to bouts of dandruff. By regularly washing your beagle with a gentle shampoo, you can keep nasty irritants, allergens, and accumulations of dead skin at bay and prevent them from settling into the folds.

Regular brushing will not only keep your beagle’s coat shiny and sleek, it also gives you a chance to examine your pup’s skin up close so you can head off any potential problems.

This will help prevent against harmful skin conditions and behaviors, including biting at their skin, or excessive itching.

• Watch out for bacteria and yeast infections

Folds of skin can accumulate moisture, which then becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast infections. Skin fold dermatitis is a condition in which these infections form between folds of skin; the condition can be both painful and itchy.

There are several signs to watch out for if your dog has loose or wrinkled skin, including a foul smell coming from skin folds, pain when cleaning or drying skin, crusty or yellow patches or oozing. Any time that your dog’s skin seems painful or inflamed, you should get him or her to a vet for a full examination. She may suggest a specific cleaning regime, possibly with prescription topical creams or cleaners. In more severe cases, antibiotics or steroids may be prescribed.

• Proper hydration

Hydration is important for all dogs but particularly so for those with loose skin, who can be particularly prone to having problems with skin elasticity and the potential for tearing. Make sure that your dog always has access to clean drinking water. If you are outside during hot weather, provide extra water and, if at all possible, a shaded area for your dog to rest in. If the air in your home is particularly dry and your dog seems to be suffering from dry skin, you might consider using a humidifier to add humidity to indoor air. 

If your dog is particularly dehydrated, I’d recommend special electrolytes from dogs. I use Lambriar Vet, which works very well.

• Moisturizer for fur

Too much moisture in your beagle’s coat can be a problem. However, not enough moisture can also cause issues. In addition to making sure that your dog is properly hydrated, you can use topical moisturizer on their skin, particularly between the folds, to keep their coat and skin supple and soft. Make sure that you choose a moisturizer that is meant specifically for dogs and does not contain extraneous and potentially irritating ingredients such as fragrances and harsh chemicals. Fur Goodness Sake makes some great, affordable moisturizer that’s safe for your dog’s fur. 

Final Thoughts

Taking care of your beagle means taking good care of their skin. While loose skin does not, in itself, cause any problems, it does require a bit more care and attention on your part. With just a bit of work, your beagle will look and feel great, adorable loose and floppy skin and all!